The Cleveland Play House production comes with a new set and cast, performed at the PlayhouseSquare's Allen Theatre. "There's something about this show that brings out the kid in all of us," says artistic director Laura Kepley. $25-$75, Nov. 29-Dec. 22, 1407 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, clevelandplayhouse.com
If you like music: Listen to A Christmas Story, the Musical.The first Northeast Ohio production of the Broadway hit gets a twist with local 1940s-era film footage to open. "The most ambitious thing we did was build a 3-D replica of the house," says director Bob Navis Jr. "It's the same scenes you remember, but with a deeper insight." $8-$20, Thru Dec. 8, 3606 Bridge Ave., 216-961-6391, nearwesttheatre.org
If you like to stretch your legs: Run in A Christmas Story 5k and 10k Run.About 8,000 are expected to run this first-ever race. "Our goal was 2,500 and we have far exceeded that," says Shelly Koenig, A Christmas Story House social media marketing director. Runners get Ovaltine, and winners earn a "major award" medal. $65, Dec. 7, 9 a.m., 216-298-4919, achristmasstoryhouse.com
If you have children: Bring the family to Kringle's Inventionasium.This 35-minute theatrical guided tour of Santa's toy laboratory at Tower City is packed with imagination-boosting interactives. "The kids get white lab coats so they know they're a crucial part of imagination," says creative director Cory Markowitz. $6-$15, Nov. 29-30, Dec. 1, 4-8, 11-23, 855-675-7464, mrkringle.com
If you are a foodie: Make reservations for A Christmas Story dinner.
Asian-fusion bistro Bac may be the official Chinese restaurant of the museum, but don't expect a duck's head lopped off tableside. "Some people ask us to recreate the scene from the movie," says chef and owner Bac Nguyen of the seared Peking duck dinner. $25, 2661 W. 14th St., 216-938-8960, bactremont.com
