Things to do in Cleveland, Ohio for the Holidays

Happy seasons have no better place to call home than the city of Cleveland. That’s because Cleveland is a great place to visit and spend time with the family. It has a ton of things to do for kids of all ages, plus it also has a vibrant culture and nightlife. But the city becomes even more magical during the holidays.

So, if you’re visiting the city, here are things to do in Cleveland, Ohio for the holidays. This fun list of little-known treasures in and around the city has places to visit that are perfect for families.

A Christmas Story House

Relive Ralphie Parker’s adventures. A Christmas Story House is a replica of the house from the iconic holiday movie “A Christmas Story.” 

The house from the movie is transformed into a nostalgic paradise during the holidays in Cleveland. Visitors can tour the house, see the famous leg lamp, visit “The Bumpus House,” and A Christmas Story Museum (along with the museum gift shop).

This is a great place for fans of the movie to relive their childhood memories. The house is decorated for the holidays from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve just like it is in the movie, and there are plenty of photo opportunities. Visitors can also take a ride on the Santa Clause train, which is a lot of fun for kids.

Why visit?

It’s the most holiday-themed house you’ll probably find, and it’s a piece of pop culture from the recent past. The movie is a must-watch if your children haven’t watched it already!

It’s considered by fans to be the #1 Christmas movie of all time. It’s a traditional Christmas movie across numerous households and TNT/TBS air it non-stop for 24 hours. It’s a Christmas icon!

What should you know?

• The house and museum are open from 10am-5pm, 7 days a week most of the year.

• Sixty-minute guided tours begin at 10:15 daily and run every half hour.

• There’s moderate parking available.

• It’s closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day over the holidays.

Cleveland Public Square

Cleveland Public Square is the heart of downtown Cleveland. It has a splash pad (for summers), it’s well connected with every part of the city, and it is the cultural hub of Cleveland.

It’s a great place to people-watch, enjoy a free concert, or ice skate during the winter. The square is also home to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, which is worth a visit for its stunning architecture.

There are always events happening in the square, and it’s a great place to get a feel for the city. In the winter, the square is transformed into an ice-skating rink, which is a lot of fun for kids and adults alike.

Why visit?

This is a great place to start your visit to Cleveland. The public square has many gardens like the Cleveland Cavaliers & Quicken Loans Perennial Gardens and John P Murphy Foundation Gardens.

Even in winter, the square’s gardens are decorated with winter lights and toasty fire pits. Plus, the square hosts many public art installations.

During the holidays in Cleveland, it transforms into a festive hub, with lights, decorations, and seasonal events that are made to bring families together.

What should you know?

• The Public Square is open from 6am – Midnight.

• The splash pad is only open from April 1 – October 31, during regular park hours.

• The Public Square is the heart of the city, so getting there is easy by car, bus, or train.

Cleveland Botanical Garden

Famous for its winter shows, Cleveland Botanical Garden is a beautiful garden with countless different types of plants, cultural events the year round, and a picturesque café.

The Botanical Garden features on the lists of must-see Cleveland on many sources across the internet but it deserves a special mention when we’re talking about things to do in Cleveland, Ohio during the holidays.

Visitors can take a stroll through the gardens, visit the greenhouse, or see the holiday show. The garden is decorated for the holidays from late November to early January.

This is a great place to enjoy the beauty of nature during the holidays. It’s an experience set up with winter botanical displays, holiday lights, and immersive, themed rooms. There are colorful nooks to take selfies in and there’s a greenhouse filled with tropical plants and flowers.

Why visit?

The Garden becomes magical during the holidays as it gets adorned with twinkling lights, creating an ethereal winter wonderland.

There is a new show coming this winter, FROST. It’s an experience that will be memorable and is the perfect place to spend time with your family.

What should you know?

• The Garden is closed every Monday.

• Admission hours are Tuesdays & Wednesdays: 10am – 5pm; Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: 10am – 9pm; Sundays: Noon – 5pm.

• Although walk-up tickets are available, the easiest way to buy tickets is online.

• You can buy tickets up to 4 weeks in advance.

• FROST, the winter show will run from Saturday, November 18th – Sunday, December 31st.

Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Greater Cleveland Aquarium is home to over 1,300 aquatic animals from around the world. It is a beautiful place to see sharks, penguins, and stingrays, and walk through a 175-feet long seatube.

It’s located in an iconic Cleveland neighborhood close to popular attractions including the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the West Side Market, so you can combine a visit to the aquarium with other fun activities you have planned.

The aquarium is decorated for the holidays with a special light show and a visit from Santa Claus. Plus, it regularly hosts events and activities throughout the year – you’ll need to buy tickets in advance for most special events.

Why visit?

This is a great place to learn about marine life during the holidays. You can dive into a unique holiday experience as the aquarium gets a festive twist.

The aquarium’s holiday light show is a popular attraction, and it’s a great place to take photos with family and friends.

You can also enjoy many other interactive experiences during the holidays, such as a meet-and-greet with “Scuba Claus” (it’s an underwater Santa themed show) witnessing feeding session and interacting with animals.

What should you know?

• The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is open for general visitation Monday – Sunday from 10am – 5pm.

• The aquarium is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, the Aquarium is only open 10am – 2pm.

• You can purchase tickets in advance and can show the ticket on your phone.

• Tickets will have a visit time to spread guests out over the day.

• The aquarium has wheelchair access and loans out a limited number of wheelchairs daily. You can call ahead to reserve one if you need it.

The Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art is one of the largest art museums in the United States. It has a collection of over 60,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and artifacts from around the world.

It features collections from different parts of the world chronicling humanity’s evolution through 6000 years of history, including art from the Americas, Egypt era, Greek and Roman era, Islamic world, and Medieval era.

Besides its world-class collection, the museum offers special holiday exhibitions and workshops.

Why visit?

It’s one of the finest museums in the country and its collection of artworks is truly expansive. Plus, its American painting and sculpture and Chinese art collections are regarded by scholars to be the finest in the world.  

In addition to traditional exhibitions, the Cleveland Museum of Art houses themed and immersive exhibitions and hosts special events during the holidays.  

A cafe and restaurant, daily guided tours by scholars and experts, and experiential exploration of art for young learners – the museum has it all!

What should you know?

• Admission is free to the public (except for special events).

• The museum is closed on Mondays.

• Admission times are Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10:00am – 5:00pm; Wednesday and Friday: 10:00am – 9:00pm.

• The museum is closed on New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

• On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Even the museum closes at 4:00pm.

Cleveland is Fun for Families

Cleveland is one of the biggest cities in the Northeastern region of Ohio. It’s conveniently located, attracts a lot of people for medical tourism, and has many educational institutions. So, it’s often a place that families from out of town would need to enjoy. Now that you’ve read this article, you should have all the info you need about the things to do in Cleveland, Ohio to make sure you enjoy any downtime you have in the city with your family over the holidays.