Thanksgiving Weekend in Cleveland - Cleveland Article

Cleveland is alive with a whole host of activities that’ll have you up and at ‘em all weekend long.

THURSDAY

Thanksgiving Dinner: Worried you’ll end up holed-up in your hotel with no place for dinner on Thanksgiving? Think again. Check Open Table for a bevy of restaurants serving special Thanksgiving menus. 

Thanksgiving at the Zoo: Free admission to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on Thanksgiving means you can work off some of that pumpkin pie, while also checking out the new tiger exhibit.

FRIDAY

Black Friday Shopping: It’s the most wonderful shopping day of the year. Knock off a few items on your gift-giving list at Legacy Village,  Steelyard Commons, Crocker Park and ETON Chagrin Boulevard. 

GLOW: This holiday event at the Cleveland Botanical Garden is one of the most cherished Northeast Ohio holidays events with gorgeous Christmas trees, a massive gingerbread house display, twinkling lights throughout the gardens and tons of activities for kids. 

A Christmas Story House: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” Check out the house where Ralphie and the Parker family celebrated the holidays in A Christmas Story. Sit under the sink like Randy, wear Aunt Clara’s bunny pajamas and even unveil a Red Ryder B.B. Gun from under the tree of this Tremont house where the movie was filmed 

The Rink at Wade Oval: University Circle is perhaps one of the best places to experience the magic of the holidays in Cleveland. Head over to Wade Oval to do a few figure eights and triple axels on the Rink at Wade Oval.

SATURDAY

Winterfest: You really want to get in the holiday spirit? There’s no better event to kick off that most wonderful time of the year than at the daylong Winterfest in downtown Cleveland. 

Small Business Saturday: Want to shop local? Shop the small businesses and cute boutiques that line the streets in the neighborhoods of Tremont, Coventry and Lakewood. For those in the market for some Cleveland-themed apparel, check out these indie shops offering great items for gift giving. 

Deck the Hall: This historic mansion in the Akron area comes alive with one of the region’s most beloved holiday lighting events. Tour the holiday-adorned house, enjoy hot cocoa and walk through the twinkling grounds at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. 

Thanksgiving Soul Jam: Playhouse Square gets downright smooth during its Thanksgiving Soul Jam. Enjoy music from the era of disco and dance.

SUNDAY 

Cleveland Pops Orchestra: Get into the season with fun holiday classics (and some additional on-stage surprises) during “A Christmas Spectacular" by the Cleveland Pops Orchestra at Playhouse Square. 

A Christmas Carol: Is there a holiday performance that captures the true essence of the holiday season like A Christmas Carol? Enjoy the annual performance of this classic production from the Great Lakes Theater at Playhouse Square. 

A Christmas Story: This beloved holiday movie comes to life on stage thanks to the Cleveland Playhouse’s annual performance of A Christmas Story (which was partially filmed in Cleveland) at Playhouse Square. 

Castle Noel: This year-round attraction is that much more fun during the holidays. Go inside to this Medina-based storefront to view real props, costumes and set designs from actual holiday movie classics.