Cavs vs. Pistons
Watch the Cavs take on the Pistons this Friday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Enjoy a beer and some popcorn, hang with friends and cheer on Tristan Thompson and Donovan Mitchell as they play. Bonus: there will be a City Edition uniform premiere and rally towel giveaway presented by KeyBank. Can’t make it in person? No problem. You can watch it live on Bally Sports Ohio. $33+, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m., 1 Center Court, Cleveland, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com
37th Annual Christmas Connection at the I-X Center
Experience the magic of Christmas ahead of the season as you visit the Christmas Connection at the I-X Center. You can say hi to Santa at SantaLand, shop for gifts for loved ones and enjoy festive holiday treats in the spirit of the season. Munch on some popcorn and sip some hot chocolate as you explore Christmas the way it was meant to be. Note: on Nov. 19, all active military personnel, police, fire and first responders will be invited to attend free of charge. $12-14, Nov. 17-19, 1 I-X Center, Cleveland, clevelandchristmasconnection.com
Detroit-Shoreway Holiday Market
Forget the big-box stores for Christmas and shop local instead. Find trinkets your loved ones will treasure forever at the Detroit-Shoreway Holiday Market. Hosted by the Yellowcake Shop, there will be more than 30 local vendors to check out, several food trucks to visit, and delicious seasonal cocktails to enjoy. Enjoy all the magic of what a handmade Christmas can offer while you find artisan-made crafts. Free, Nov. 17, 5-9 p.m.; Nov. 18, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 5218 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, yellowcakeshop.com
FROST: An Ice-Capped Garden Experience at Cleveland Botanical Gardens
Experience the holiday season in a new way at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens. Who says that flowers are only for summer? Come and enjoy beautiful ice-capped winter botanical displays, festive holiday lights and immersive themed rooms as you experience the joys of winter. Play a few notes on the icicle xylophone, toast some marshmallows on the fire, weave through frozen arches and pose for pictures with an assortment of frosty winter friends. $18-$26, Nov. 18-Dec. 31, 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland, holdenfg.org
Holiday Trains at Lake Metroparks Farmpark
Mix the magic of Christmas with the magic of trains as you enjoy the Holiday Train Display Build presented by the Northern Ohio Garden Railway Society. Enjoy meticulously crafted train tracks adorned with beautifully decorated festive landscapes as each train faithfully chugs past happy scenes. You don’t have to be a child to be captivated by this fascinating display. With a heartwarming presentation, this event is sure to bring the excitement of Christmas in a truly unique way. $7-$9, Nov. 18, 9 a.m.; Nov. 19, 3 p.m., 8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland, nogrs.org
The Little Snowflakes Comedy Show
Come for a chuckle as you watch your children bring their comedic best up to the mic at the Little Snowflakes Comedy Show sponsored by the Snowflake Comedy Club. Whether it be obscure, absurd or matter-of-fact, everyone knows that kids say the darndest things, and most of them just happen to be pretty funny. You’re guaranteed to at least crack a smile at this kid-led event. $5, Nov. 18, 4-5:30 p.m., 4904 Pearl Road, Cleveland, snowflakecomedy.com
Browns vs. Steelers
Watch the Browns (hopefully) defeat the Steelers at Browns Stadium this Sunday. Come have a few drinks, hang out with friends, and muster up all of your Cleveland pride as we watch the Brownies show the Steelers who’s boss. $150+, Nov. 19, 1 p.m., 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleveland, clevelandbrowns.com
Kids Day of Cleveland Jewish Book Festival
Open up a whole new world with a good book, and visit the Cleveland Jewish Book Festival held at the Mandel Jewish Community Center for a slew of books written by Jewish authors. On Sunday, come tickle your funny bone as you spend the morning with featured guest Sari Kopitnikoff, enjoying child-friendly joke-writing activities as well as a light breakfast (dietary laws observed). Other Cleveland Jewish Book Festival events will be held from November until March 2024. Free, Nov. 19., 10-11:30 a.m., 26001 South Woodland Road, Beachwood, mandeljcc.org
Toys for Tots Annual Toy Drive at the Brooklyn Branch of the Cuyahoga Public Library
Help make the world a nicer place as you donate your unused toys and trinkets to Toys for Tots at the Brooklyn Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library. Toys must be new and unwrapped. Make a difference for those less fortunate in Cuyahoga County this Christmas and experience the joy of giving. Free, Nov. 19, all day, 4480 Ridge Road, Brooklyn, cuyahogalibrary.org
Wild Winter Lights at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Featuring more than one million lights, this festive holiday event certainly looks bright as you experience this walkthrough event. There will be a 50-foot Christmas tree and, for the first time ever, two energetic musical light shows as well as a show directly on Waterfowl Lake. Explore the Enchanted Forest and take pictures with Santa as you enjoy the holiday festivities. $19-$25, select days through Dec. 30, 5:30-10:30 p.m., 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, clevelandmetroparks.com
Take A Jog At The Cleveland Classic Half Marathon
Come sweat it out with a good jog. Join this bi-annual half marathon organized by the Cleveland West Road Runners as they tackle a winding course inside the Mill Stream Reservation in Strongsville along the Valley Parkway. Enjoy the scenic views with all the beauty autumn has to offer as you work up a good rush of endorphins to power you through the race. Note: This course is a double-loop, meaning that runners will have to complete the course twice to reach the full 13.1 miles of the half-marathon. $75, Nov. 19, Noon, Bonnie Park Dr., Strongsville, clevelandroadrunners.com
(Photo courtesy Flickr user Scott1346)
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