Winterfest: Get into the holiday spirit Nov. 26 as Winterfest returns to the newly renovated Public Square. The annual event is Cleveland tradition with the lighting of the tree, seeing Santa or a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. For the first time, ice skate on the new rink, and then sip hot cocoa while you peruse the 5th Street Arcades, where you’ll find the Keep it Local Winter market and the Cleveland Bazaar Pop-up Shop. Afterward, listen to live festive entertainment by City Singers, Amanda Jones & the Family Band and more, then grab a bite to eat on East Fourth Street or at food trucks to make a day of it. Free, Nov. 26, 10 a.m., Public Square, downtowncleveland.com/events/winterfest
Turkey Tech: Make the Thanksgiving weekend an educational one. Take the kiddos to Great Lakes Science Center for their annual Turkey Tech, where families can team up and try to protect a delicate egg from a 80-foot-drop, learn the science behind flight, see how 3-D printers work and more. You can even learn why turkeys don’t fly, which makes for a fun and informative outing after plates of stuffing and potatoes. $15 adults 13 and up, $12 kids 2-12. Nov. 25 and Nov. 26, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., 601 Erieside Ave., greatscience.com/explore/events-programs/turkey-tech
The Pretenders: Jam out to the band fronted by Akron native Chrissie Hynde that’s on tour for its new album, Alone. Hynde collaborated with fellow Akronite on and Black Keys member Dan Auerbach to produce the record at his Easy Eye studios in Nashville. Concertgoers get the exclusive bonus of hearing Fleetwood Mac’s own Stevie Nicks, while she is on tour with the group for a limited time. It’s a throwback kind of night in the best way possible. $35-$75, EJ Thomas Hall, Nov. 26, 8 p.m.,
Welshly Arms: Feel that hometown pride while watching the local rock alternative band at the House of Blues. The six-part band continues to build their momentum with their national tour and their dynamic instrumentation, belty vocals and catchy hooks. The band goes on at the end of the night after multiple opening acts, which include Wesley Bright & the Honeytones, Thaddeus Anna Green and Dan Miraldi & the Albino Winos. $11-$25, Sat., Nov. 26., 7 p.m., 308 Euclid Ave., houseofblues.com/cleveland
Crafty Mart: Support your local artisans while getting a head start on holiday shopping at Akron’s biannual, multi-venue craft shop where more than 2,000 people gather to buy Ohio-made goodies. This weekend, their eighth annual holiday show has handmade buys like knitted scarves by Little Birdie Design Studio, funky hometown pride coasters from Studio KMR or beard oils from Bacon’s Superior Beard Care. Stroll around the three featured venues with a drink in hand at Musica, Summit Artspace and the Akron Art Museum. $7 Early bird ticket, Nov. 26, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Nov. 27, noon - 5 p.m., craftymart.org/8th-annual-holiday-show