A Garden Holiday at the Cleveland Botanical Garden
The Cleveland Botanical Garden has decked its halls for holiday glory. Visitors can immerse themselves in a cheerful spectacle of poinsettias, gingerbread houses and conifer trees — and special events will be taking place throughout the season. $16-$40, Nov. 20-Jan. 3, various times, 11030 E. Blvd., Cleveland, 216-721-1600, holdenfg.org
Ashtabula County’s Lights on the Lake at Lakeshore Park
Lakeshore Park itself is worth a visit. Its 54 acres consist of rolling hills that unfurl like a carpet dotted with trees crowned with a massive pavilion, yielding only to the lake. Now, imagine more than 70 twinkling light displays along its shores — some as large as vehicles. Hours reduced on holidays and $5 is typically suggested per carload. Nov. 26- Dec. 31, Fri.-Sun., 6 p.m.-9 p.m., 1700 East 1st Street, Ashtabula, 440-993-1051, aclotl.com
Christmas Eve & Christmas Candlelight Dinners at The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake
Not up for the challenge of cooking the perfect Christmas meal? Head east into Ashtabula County’s wine country to experience a holiday dinner with a view of the lake at The Lodge’s Horizon restaurant instead. The experience includes dinner specials such as prime ribs and, on Christmas, you can also enjoy the vocals of local singer Valerie Marini. Dec. 24 & 25, 3:30 p.m.-8 p.m., 4888 North Broadway, Geneva-on-the-Lake, 440-415-1546, thelodgeatgeneva.com
Christmas Eve Dinner and Christmas Day Dinner at The Ritz-Carlton Cleveland
Downtown Cleveland is exquisitely dressed for the holidays. Usher yourself into The Ritz-Carlton Cleveland for a savory Christmas Eve dinner or four-course Christmas Day dinner at Turn Bar & Kitchen to punctuate a night out downtown. $105 per adult, Dec. 24 & 25, Fri. 5 p.m.- 9 p.m. & Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., 1515 West Third St., Cleveland, 216-902-5255, ritzcarlton.com
Cleveland Public Library StoryWalk in the Square at Cleveland Public Square
Cleveland Public Library invites you to step into a winter wonderland, with Public Square decked out to serve as the perfect backdrop for our favorite holiday stories. With a little imagination and beautiful illumination, Tiffany D. Jackson’s Santa in the City comes alive in a pop-up story walk. Free, Dec. 25 & 26, 50 Public Square, Cleveland, 216-503-8103, clevelandpublicsquare.com
Deck the Hall: Lights, Camera, Christmas! at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
This historic estate welcomes guests to its bedazzled grounds for a night of intrigue. Experience gardens strung with one million lights, some choregraphed to music. The Manor House’s inside pays tribute to film this year, decorated with an assortment of movie themes. The Gingerbread Hut and Salty Reindeer will be open for warm, seasonal snacks and drinks. Tickets must be purchased in advance online, and the display is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. $6-$22, Nov. 26- Dec. 30, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., 714 North Portage Path, Akron, 330-315-3287, stanhywet.org
Magic of Lights at Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds
While Ashtabula County its own holiday light extravaganza, if you’re looking for somewhere a little closer to home, the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds has plenty to offer. A standard carload costs $21 to drive-through light displays with LED digital animations and your favorite characters. $21-$80, Nov. 24-Jan. 2, Sun.-Sat. 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m., 19201 E. Bagley Road, Berea, magicoflights.com
Mr. Jingeling Special Reading of “Night Before Christmas” at Cleveland Public Square
The excitement of Christmas Eve is only heightened by the crisp, Cleveland air. For the young and old at heart who find themselves restless the night before the most wonderful time of the year, settle down for a story telling by Mr. Jingeling himself beside the Cleveland Foundation Skating Rink. Free, Dec. 24, 2 p.m.-4 p.m., 50 Public Square, Cleveland, 216-503-8103, clevelandpublicsquare.com
Santa’s Village at Crocker Park
Procrastinators may prefer to say they work best under pressure, and there’s nothing quite like shopping for gifts the night before Christmas. For those of you still looking for that one last gift, look no further than Santa’s Village in Westlake for local shopping, photos with Santa and Santa’s sleigh. Free, Nov. 20- Dec. 24 Dec., Nov. 20-Dec. 23 noon- 8 p.m. & Dec. 24 noon- 6 p.m., 172 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake, 440-835-9343, crockerpark.com
Wild Winter Lights presented by NOPEC at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
See Christmas through the eyes of a child again with a walk (or drive) through the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Featuring more than a million lights, walk-throughs include almost everything there is to love about the holiday season, including model trains, costumed characters, ice carvings, music and, through Dec. 23, the man in the red suit himself. $18-$60, Nov. 16-Jan. 2, various times, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, 216-661-6500, clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo