12,000 Steps at Cleveland Public Theatre’s Gordon Square Theatre
The road to success is slippery. There’s a lot of twists and dead ends before one finds footing. The path of recovery from addiction is similar. For the past 23 years, the Cleveland YMCA’s Y-Haven branch and Cleveland Public Theatre have collaborated to help those recovering from substance abuse reclaim their lives and tell their stories using theatre. A special production will be held on Saturday, with tickets going at $100 each, with appetizers. $5 donation, Nov. 18 & 19, 7:30 p.m., 6415 Detroit Ave., 216-631-2727, cptonline.org
90s Flashback with Benzino at The Odeon Concert Club
Music is a time machine for the soul — here’s to those still thriving off the nostalgia of the ‘90s, as The Oden is inviting you to a full flashback this Saturday. Come down Old River Road this weekend and lose yourself re-living some old memories. $15-$40, Nov. 20, 6:15 p.m.-11:30 p.m., 1295 Old River Road, Cleveland, 216-771-6655, odencleveland.com
A Garden Holiday at the Cleveland Botanical Garden
The Cleveland Botanical Garden has decked its halls for holiday glory and Saturday is just the tip of the iceberg for activities. While visitors can immerse themselves in a cheerful spectacle of poinsettias, gingerbread houses and conifer trees, special events will be taking place throughout the season, including a Kids Dance Party with DJ Kris Koch on Nov. 26, Krampusnacht Dec. 4 and Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 12 and Dec. 19. $16-$40, Nov. 20-Jan. 3, various times, 11030 E. Blvd., Cleveland, 216-721-1600, holdenfg.org
Hanukkah Woodworking Craft at Cove Park
Instead of sleeping in and watching cartoons, get the kids up early and head over to Cove Park’s pavilion. Among the morning snacks and warm beverages, jHUB invites participants to pick up some carpentry skills and construct their own Hanukkah Menorah or candle holder. If the November air’s a little chilly, you’re welcome to pick up the kits and complete the project at home instead. Either way, it’s a great way to make some cozy holiday memories. Free, Nov. 20, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., 1294 Cove Ave., Lakewood, 216-371-0446, jhubcle.org
Holiday Benefit Concert at The Breen Center for the Performing Arts St. Ignatius High School
Hailing from 10 counties and more than 74 communities, The Singing Angels will be flocking to St. Ignatius High School this Sunday for their holiday benefit concert. Collectively, The Singing Angels make up more than 250 children from second grade through high school, making an artful difference in their own lives as well as the community. Ticket orders for this event must be received before 3 p.m. Thursday. $10-$30, Nov. 21, 4 p.m., 2008 W. 30th Street, Cleveland, 216-432-5555, singingangels.org
I-X Christmas Connection at the I-X Center
Imagine being greeted by a towering, 30-foot-tall Santa Claus. That’s just the start of the holiday magic this weekend. The I-X Center is back with another show, with Christmas fast on its heels. Explore countless local vendors of food, wine, apparel, toys and jewelry, as well as special offers from Sugar Plum Shoppe, artist and owner of Artfully Mine Vanessa Zoellner, and more. $11-$12, Nov. 19-21, Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 1 I-X Center Drive, Cleveland, 440-591-6985, clevelandchristmasconnection.com
Panza Foundation Benefit at The Happy Dog
The Happy Dog is welcoming you back into its corner, and its Panza Foundation Benefit comes with plenty of enticements. Get ready to welcome Obnox, Biitchseat and The Village Bicycle to blast music across the racetrack oval bar you can tap your foot against, seated on a chrome barstool. Who knows, you might even win a raffle prize. $10, Nov. 20, 8:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m., 5801 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-651-9474, happydogcleveland.com
Thanksgiving Dinner with Abraham Lincoln at Hale Farm & Village
You’ll need reservations to dine with former president Abraham Lincoln, though that shouldn’t come as a surprise; it’s Lincoln after all. Hale Farm & Village costumed interpreters invite you to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to listen to stories of our nation’s past and reflect on a season of gratitude. $20-$50, Nov. 20, 3:30 p.m.- 6 p.m., 2686 Oak Hill Rd., Bath, 330-666-3711, wrhs.org
Tree Lighting Ceremony at Crocker Park
Some gifts can’t wait for Christmas — like the annual Crocker Park community lighting a 50-foot Christmas tree. The tree ablaze, the holidays have officially begun! Merry performances by Hayden Grove and The Toy Soldier will be there to help prime the holiday spirit, along with Santa, of course. Other attractions include vendors, an ice skating rink, ornament walkthrough and snowflake garden. Free, Nov. 20, noon- 7 p.m., 177 Market St., 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. Constructed with 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