Blogs

Schedule of Events:

PUBLIC SQUARE
Cleveland Foundation Skating Rink
9:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. – Skate for free in Public Square. Pick up timed-ticket skating passes starting at 9 a.m. in the kiosk next to the rink. More than 2,000 attendees will be able to skate for free. The skating sessions will be 45 minutes and include free use of skates.


Soldiers and Sailors Monument
10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Noon-5:00 p.m. – Meet Santa Claus


Free horse-drawn carriage rides, presented by Meijer’s
1:00-4:00 p.m. –on Rockwell across from Old Stone Church. Pick up timed ticket carriage ride passes starting at 11 a.m. in the tent across from Old Stone Church.


Winterfest Kids’ Village, presented by the Cleveland Cavaliers
1:00-5:00 p.m. – Join the Cavs and Monsters for hoops, goals and prizes. Learn about exclusive Wine and Gold Nation events and upcoming youth sports camps and clinics. In the Kids’ Village, the Winterfest Kids Crew will have crafts, face painting, mask making, activities with the Home Depot, holiday characters, samples from Jack Frost Donuts and Adams Reserve New York extra-sharp cheddar cheese and more. Then go to the Q for the Cavs game at 7 p.m.


Gourmet Food Trucks
1:00-7:00 p.m. –on West Roadway. Trucks will include Betty’s Bomb A** Burgers, Café Arnone, Cedar Grille, Gyro George, Krav, Manna Truck, Sweet! The Mobile Cupcakery and Touch Supper Club.


Dollar Bank
3:00 -7:00 p.m – Enjoy hot chocolate and donut holes while mingling and taking pictures with holiday characters. Plus have fun posing in the photo booth.


Old Stone Church
4:00 p.m. – Family-friendly concert featuring Nashville singer-songwriter Kim McLean
5:00 p.m. – Cookies and cocoa reception
7:15 p.m. - Post-fireworks performance by the Old Stone Choir


The Ritz-Carlton Cleveland
Try the 2018 Winterfest cocktail – Winter Is Here, $15. Includes Bushmills Irish Whiskey, honey, lemon, cinnamon, clove and hot water


Jack Cleveland Casino
Watch the Ohio State Buckeyes with 20 oz. Coors light draft for $3 and can keep the color-changing cup.


Winterfest After Party, presented by The Millennia Companies
7:30 p.m. – Santa Claus will be on hand so you can share your Christmas wish list. Then join him and his trusty elves in the atrium of 200 Public Square after the Winterfest fireworks to take photos, grab a sweet treat and enjoy some holiday music.



TOWER CITY CENTER

1:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. – Holiday shows featuring The Toy Soldier, Fairy Godmother and Olmsted Performing Arts at the grand staircase
10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. – Holiday shopping
9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. – Kringle’s Inventionasium and Bruce the Talking Spruce on level 1
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. – Holiday express train on level 1


Holiday Pop-up Shop, presented by Bedrock
1:00 -8:00 p.m. – Shop small and visit local retailers offering the perfect holiday gift items for the entire family. There will be free holiday crafts and activities for children. Pop-up retailers are curated by Cleveland Bazaar.

Make sure to grab your Cleveland Public Power light-up wristband from the pop-up shop in Tower City. Wear it to the lighting ceremony and be a part of the largest Winterfest crowd selfie!



EUCLID AVE
Destination Cleveland: Visitors Center
9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. – Help makes your guests stay in the CLE very merry. Stop in the Cleveland Visitors Center to learn what’s going on all the city this holiday season. Get Visit Me in CLE winter postcards to sign and send with free postage.


Cleveland Clothing Co.
11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. - Stop in to Cleveland Clothing Co. for Small Biz Saturday special deals and giveaways on the best Cleveland Apparel and gifts this side of the Cuyahoga.


East Fourth Street
Two local artists paint a holiday journeys mural on East Fourth Street. This windowscape will be on all the windows along the street. Several venues will have holiday trees on patios and in windows. Local caroling groups in holiday caroling costumes will sing throughout the afternoon and early evening.


5th Street Arcades
10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. – Shop local at the 5th Street Arcades, which includes 45 local businesses focusing on gifts, food, clothing and unique services. Cleveland Bazaar will be on-site with handmade items from more than 75 talented local artists.


Take a Hike
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.– Join this 90-minute historic Cleveland walking tour combining portions of Euclid Avenue, Playhouse Square and the Gateway District. Hikers meet at The Cleveland Arcade (401 Euclid Ave.)


Hyatt Regency at The Cleveland Arcade
12:30-2:30 p.m. – Visit Santa and have your photo taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the Historic Cleveland Arcade and enjoy a festive beverage and some holiday shopping. Arcade shops will be open until 5 p.m.


Geiger's
10:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m. - If you have not been into their Downtown Cleveland location, you have to check out their women's and men's clothing, footwear, accessories and more.



CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Cleveland Public Library Join the winter fun and festivities in the Louis Stokes wing. Enjoy live reindeer, dance performances, puppet shows and other free family-friendly activities at Main Library.

10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. – Model trains
1:00 -3:00 p.m. – Live reindeer and ice sculpture in the reading garden
1:00 p.m. – Live performance: traditional Polish holiday music and dance
2:00 p.m. – Cookies and cider (while supplies last)
3:00 p.m. – National marionette theater presents Peter and the Wolf




PLAYHOUSE SQUARE
Playhouse Square Holidazzle, presented by U. S. Bank
1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. – Enjoy a Holiday concert with the historic Kimball Organ in the Connor Palace, cartoons for the whole family throughout the day in the Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre, and holiday themed face painting, balloon artists and other family activities. Start your Holiday shopping with local vendors from the Cleveland Bazaar Holiday Market while enjoying the sounds of the season from local musicians. Visit Cleveland Play House’s Festival of Trees and participate in activities with members of the U. S. Army on the KeyBank State Theatre stage. All activities are indoors! $5.00 parking in the Playhouse Square garage (based on availability).


Festival of Trees, presented by K&D
11:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. in the Allen Theatre



MAIN STAGE EVENTS
1:00 p.m. to 6 p.m
Enjoy live performances and giveaways all day on the main stage in Public Square

1:00 p.m. – The Vindys
1:50 p.m. – The Scream Team
2:10 p.m. – Marcus Alan Ward
3:05 p.m. – Winterfest kids crew, powered by Fusion Live (featuring holiday music, games and tons of prizes during this interactive stage show)
3:25 p.m. – Singing Angels
3:50 p.m. – Winterfest kids crew, powered by Fusion Live (featuring holiday music, games and tons of prizes during this interactive stage show)
4:10 p.m. – Ohio City Singers
5:05 p.m. – Cleveland Skating Club
5:15 p.m. – Winterfest kids crew Fusion Family Game Show
6:00 p.m. – Holiday Lighting Ceremony and Fireworks
6:35 p.m. – Holiday Concert featuring Wesley Bright and the Honeytones


The Tree-Lighting Ceremony


Festivities for the tree lighting begin at 6:00 p.m on the Main Stage in Public Square. You dont want to miss the fireworks show and appearances from Mayor Frank G. Jackson, Santa and his elves and the Monsters Girls kick-line, along with other special guests. Then stick around for the official holiday concert featuring Wesley Bright and the Honeytones. Enjoy cocoa, cookies and pictures with Santa at The Winterfest Public After Party located in the lobby of 200 Public Square, presented by The Millennia Companies.



Winterfest After Party,
presented by The Millennia Companies
7:30 p.m.
In the lobby of the 200 Public Square. Santa Claus will be on hand so you can share your Christmas wish list. Join him and his trusty elves after the fireworks show to take photos, grab a sweet treat and enjoy some holiday music.