Some of the Best Holiday Attractions in Cleveland - Cleveland Article

A Christmas Story House and Museum

Many folks are surprised to learn that portions of the popular holiday flick “A Christmas Story” were filmed right here in Cleveland. That’s right. Ralphie, Randy and the whole Parker family made their famous debut inside a house located in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood.

Thanks to a die-hard fan, the house was salvaged from foreclosure, restored to its movietime splendor and is now open for interactive tours.

Fans from all over the world embark on this attraction—with a gleaming leg lamp in the window—to hide under the sink, enjoy a mouthful of Lifebouy Soap and hold a Red Ryder B.B. gun next to the tree. After your tour, head across the street to the museum and nearby gift shop where you can buy—you guessed it—your very own leg lamp.  

The Cleveland Orchestra Christmas Concerts

When your city is home to one of the top-rated orchestras in the world, you might imagine that a holiday concert by said orchestra is rather mind-blowing. Such is the case with the Cleveland Orchestra Christmas Concerts.

These unique concerts combine the magic of this internationally recognized ensemble with the angelic voices of the powerful Cleveland Orchestra Chorus inside University Circle’s Severance Hall. There are several performances throughout the holiday season that feature various choral groups. 

Always be sure to stay until the end of the concerts for the “12 Days of Christmas” made hilariously fun with audience participation.

GLOW

Few holiday events can boast the impressive array of sparkle, pizzazz and merriment that radiates from GLOW at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Imagine this: acres upon acres of gorgeous gardens, two indoor glasshouses, millions of twinkling lights, dozens of elaborately decorated Christmas trees and gingerbread displays that’ll put your kitchen-table version to shame. It all happens Nov. 25-Dec. 31 at this University Circle attraction.

Holiday CircleFest

University Circle, Cleveland’s crown jewel of arts & culture, comes alive every December with its annual Holiday CircleFest. And, as the most concentrated square mile of arts and culture in the nation, the institutions in University Circle are no stranger to adding a healthy dose of creativity.

Hop aboard a horse-drawn carriage, sip hot cocoa, skate at the rink at Wade Oval and judge a gingerbread competition. Among the dozens of activities during this event, you can make a simple lantern to be used during the Winter Lights Lantern Display at the Cleveland Museum of Art; create a star decoration and gift box at the Cleveland Museum of History; and listen to holiday musical performances by the Cleveland Institute of Music.

The fun happens at Wade Oval in University Circle on Dec. 4 starting at 1 p.m.

Tons of Live Holiday Musical Performances

From “Silver Bells” to “White Christmas,” the holiday season really does comes to life through live music, classic holiday recordings and good, old-fashioned caroling.  When visiting Cleveland this season, be sure to add some merriment to your itinerary with one of the dozens and dozens of holiday musical performances.  

More Holiday Activities 

• “A Christmas Carol” performed by Great Lakes Theater at Playhouse Square
• “A Christmas Story” performed by the Cleveland Play House at Playhouse Square
• “Santaland Diaries” performed by the Cleveland Public Theater at Playhouse Square
• Castle Noel
• Deck the Hall at Stan Hywet
• Holiday Poinsettia Display at the Rockefeller Park Greenhouse
• Holiday Lantern Tours at Hale Farm & Village
• Holidays at the Higbee
• Kringle’s Inventionasium
• Roscoe Village Christmas Candlelighting
• SCUBA Claus at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium