January

Get in touch with the Natural World at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center.

Nestled in Bay Village since 1945, this independent nonprofit on the grounds of Huntington Reservation inspires an appreciation of the natural world in children through its wildlife exhibits and free-play areas, including the iconic hollow log. Open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., it features a turtle habitat, fish tanks, and abodes for more than 100 local species such as skunks and owls. Its wildlife experts rehabilitate more than 2,000 animals a year. When faced with an injured animal, Northeast Ohioans call the staff for help rescuing the furry friend. Critters who can be rehabilitated are sent back into the wild. Those who can’t find a new home at the nature center. Meet friends like great horned owls Cooper and Hobbes or Marcy the Virginia opossum face to face during Wildlife Encounters ($5). But look to the sky, too, during daily sessions in the planetarium ($5), one of two open to the public in Northeast Ohio. “It’s the perfect place for  families to visit,” says Morgan Paskert Haines, marketing and development coordinator. “Young children love being able to see these animals that live in their backyard.” lensc.org

Rock out at Grog Shop’s Annual Free Weekend.

For 32 years, Coventry Village’s premier venue has welcomed some of music’s best acts, from Bruno Mars to Machine Gun Kelly. Each January, it opens its doors for a free weekend of fun. This year’s event included indie band Youth Pallet, Unc D’s mumble jazz experience and more. grogshop.gs

Visit Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s renovated Visitor Hall.

Walk through the history of man with a stroll through CMNH’s new Visitor Hall, a 15,000-square-foot result of a $150-million renovation set to finish in 2024. Entry to the museum costs $7-$10 (though Cleveland and East Cleveland residents get in free), but the free atrium hosts artifacts like Balto the sled dog and Lucy, our 3.2-million-year-old human ancestor.  “The most iconic objects are here in the Visitor Hall,” says Sonia Winner, president and CEO of CMNH. cmnh.org

Honor legacy with these three free MLK Day events.

The Cleveland Orchestra joins the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Chorus in this 44-year-old ode to the leader’s legacy. 

You and three friends get free admission to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which also offers special programming on this holiday.

For 40 years, the Cleveland Public Library has honored hundreds of changemakers during its Commemorative Ceremony.

February

Learn about cash at the Federal Reserve’s Money Museum.

You don’t have to spend cash to learn  about how it works. The local chapter of the U.S. central bank offers a chance to stand beneath a money tree, peek inside a vault and enjoy interactive exhibits. Open Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the 1923 art deco building is on the National Register of Historic Buildings. clevelandfed.org

(Aireonna McCall, Extraordinaire Photos)

Enjoy your Third Fridays at 78th Street Studios. 

Since 2013, Cleveland’s largest art complex has come alive on the third Friday of every month with music, food, makers, and more than 50 open exhibits. Once home to Baker Electric Motor Vehicle Co., the historic warehouse in Gordon Square now features more than 170,000 square feet of galleries and shops. 78thstreetstudios.com

Chase winter away at Kurentovanje.

Over 12 years, Slovenia’s winter festival has taken hold of Cleveland. A week of events, including a 5K, cooking demonstrations, polka and the Kurent Jump, which awakes the sheep-like carnival creatures that chase winter away, culminates in a free parade. Cleveland’s Slovenian National Home, the largest of its kind in the country, welcomes nearly 7,000 guests for the event. clevelandkurentovanje.com

Fall for Cleveland Bazaar’s Valentine’s Day Market.

Swing by 78th Street Studios (Feb. 3) or Lake Affect Studios (Feb. 10) for Cleveland Bazaar’s annual Valentine’s Day markets, perfect for finding a local-made gift for that special Clevelander. facebook.com/clevelandbazaar

(Courtesy Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority)

Take a ride on the B-Line Trolley. 

Famously “free with a smile,” this RTA trolley is an easy way to traverse Downtown. Enjoy the ride from the Warehouse District to Terminal Tower and Public Square, to the Cleveland Public Library, to Playhouse Square — especially in cold rain and snow. Just don’t forget the smile. riderta.com/ routes/b-line

Get lost in a good read with a Local Book Club. 

Head to a Cuyahoga County Public Library branch for book clubs on a variety of topics, including comic books, kid-lit and novels.

Cookbook club, cozy crafting book club, think and drink book club — Cleveland Public Library has plenty for all readers.

Find genre-specific clubs at local shops Visible Voice Books, Mac’s Backs-Book’s on Coventry and Loganberry Books.

March

Ponder the history of pop art at the Free Stamp. 
The sideways-and-upside down stamp at Willard Park, on the corner of East Ninth Street and Lakeside Avenue, probably isn’t anyone’s favorite piece of art — but it’s probably Cleveland’s most noticeable. Created by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje Van Bruggen in 1985 with the intention of it being placed in Public Square, the 28-foot-tall, 49-foot-wide, 35-ton sculpture, a pop-art commentary on the emancipation of slaves, nearly never saw the light of day. When BP ended up owning it in an acquisition, the oil company stored it in a warehouse for years until donating it to the City of Cleveland. Today, the artifact points directly at the 23rd floor of 200 Public Square — the former home of BP’s corporate offices. 

(The Dark Room Co.)

Interact with cutting- edge artistry at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
There is always something new to see at this University Circle institution. As a non-collecting museum, the nonprofit constantly showcases the latest contemporary works. Since 1968, MOCA Cleveland has pushed boundaries of genre and medium with multimedia and interactive art as well as notable works from Andy Warhol and Yoko Ono in its earlier days. Since relocating in 2012, the building itself is even a work of art — a 34,000-square-foot reflective cube designed by London architect Farshid Moussavi. Often, you’ll even find hands-on programming, such as painting or clay sculpting, that lets you create your own masterpiece. mocacleveland.org

Visit the Easter Bunny at Jellybeanville.
For more than 60 years, since he was a child, Steve Kaselak has loaded his small Euclid yard on Zeman Avenue with an elaborate display of plastic eggs, candy and other Easter-themed decorations. Kaselak, who may or may not be dressed as the Easter Bunny on the big day (which is March 31 in 2024), begins prepping right after Christmas, shopping for thousands of eggs, inflatables and streamers. No two displays are the same. More importantly, Kaselak raises about $1,000 per year for the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center. Kaselak started building the display with his late parents as a child. “I believe I am the only person in the United States who has been doing an Easter display in their front yard for so many years,” he says. 25401 Zeman Ave., Euclid

(Erik Drost, via Flickr.com)

Snag these St. Patrick’s Day Parade hot spots. 

Be the first to see the more than 100 parade groups, as they take off from the intersection of East 18th Street and Rockwell Avenue.

The heart of Cleveland is East Ninth Street, as revelers spill out of bars and East Fourth Street (its own sight to behold) to watch. 

It all culminates at the reviewing stand on Public Square, where judges select the best unit of the parade and other honors.

April

Nurse the Easter hangover with a little hair of the dog on Dyngus Day.

This city-wide Polish tradition on the day after Easter brings Piwo (beer), polka and pierogies. The main event, this year on April 1, is concentrated in Gordon Square, where a parade of accordions and a gigantic pierogi passes by a paid event and the local participating bars. clevelanddyngus.com

Stroll among the cherry blossoms. 

The iconic pink weeping trees are the crown jewel of Cleveland’s springtime bloom. Every year is different, but these Japanese beauties typically blossom around late March and last through the end of April. Wade Lagoon near the Cleveland Museum of Art, which offers a “bloom watch” website so you don’t miss the peak, and “Blossom Lane” at the 132-acre Cleveland Metroparks’ Brookside Reservation, which features rows of trees donated by the Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio, are among the most popular places to view them. 

Ponder history at President James A. Garfield’s Mentor Home. 

Make a reservation to see the historic 1876 home and 160-acre farm, where the 20th President hosted his successful front-porch campaign. nps.gov

Look to the sky (with glasses on, of course) during the total solar eclipse. 

The eyes of the world are focused on Northeast Ohio on April 8 as the narrow path of this rare and stunning natural phenomenon passes through the Cleveland area. Supposedly, the best places to be are Lorain County, which is expecting 3 minutes and 52.9 seconds of totality, or anywhere on Lake Erie, but anywhere with an unobstructed view will do. “Based on the history with 2017,” says NASA Glenn Research Center’s Chris Hartenstine says of when Jefferson City, Missouri; Nashville and other areas saw totality, “we expect a doubling of population for eclipse day. It will be a community celebration.” Don’t miss out; you won’t get another chance until 2444.

Test your knowledge at trivia night. 

Know your tunes? DJ Tone Def hosts one of the city’s liveliest music trivia events every Wednesday night at Hingetown’s Jukebox.

Rotating hosts put unique spins on Happy Dog’s eclectic rounds of questions, and fun prizes, every Monday in Gordon Square.

Ideastream reporter Gabriel Kramer hosts a curated trivia night every Tuesday at Larchmere’s Academy Tavern.

May

Dance to K-Pop at the Cleveland Asian Festival.

With crowds topping 40,000, the annual event at East 27th Street and Payne Avenue, the heart of AsiaTown, is a celebration of so much more than Asian food and wares. The highlight of the performance schedule is the Asian-Pop Dance competition, which highlights modern music such as K-Pop. clevelandasianfestival.org

Catch peak bloom at Schoepfle Garden. 

Nothing says spring like the purple burst of rhododendrons and irises, both symbols of new beginnings, at the Lorain County Metro Parks’ Schoepfle Garden. Perhaps nowhere do the sprawling, three- to six-foot shrubs or their companions, a stiff and tall flower with long, star-shaped florets dotted by a yellow kiss, bloom brighter in Northeast Ohio. Both plants — and many more across the 77 acres of botanical gardens and natural woodlands along the Vermilion River that features a free carousel and playground in Wakeman  — hit peak bloom in mid to late May, a vision that’s well worth the 45-minute drive west of Downtown Cleveland. loraincountymetroparks.com/schoepfle-garden 

Head down to the farm at Stearn’s Homestead. 

The last working farm in Parma is a 48-acre outdoor educational experience that helps children fall in love with animals and offers a glimpse into the city’s past. In addition to barns of horses, chickens, pigs and more, the property — which is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Saturday — features cabins, barns and houses that date back as far as 1850. stearnshomestead.com 

Cheer on professional and amateur athletes at the Cleveland Marathon. 

Fancy a jog? The Cleveland Marathon has been a beloved annual tradition in Cleveland since 1978, originally beginning at Cleveland State University. Participating in the fun run, 5K, 10K, half or full marathon can run you up to $100, but the race is beloved by spectators, too. In fact, it has its own spectator guide, detailing the best spots to watch along the course, including restaurants where you can eat and watch, and anything else you need to know to make the most of your spectator experience. Of course, the finish line is always prime spot material. Perhaps the best part of the event is the emotion it brings. “It’s the joy of seeing people accomplish such a difficult task,” says Ralph Staph, vice president of the Cleveland Marathon. “It’s hard to imagine the emotion that flows when you cross that finish line, and you don’t know the person and you’ll see tears and high fives. The spectators usually give them a big cheer, and it’s a very emotional finish. It brings a lot of happiness.” In addition to bringing people together, the Marathon has an economic impact of more than $15 million. “There’s a lot of value in the people who come,” he says. “We bring people from all 50 states. They stay in the hotels, they eat in the restaurants, they use the parking spaces.” Even if people are just driving in from Akron or Youngstown, it brings a substantial impact to the city. “We’re, sort of, like the entrance to springtime,” Staph adds. “We’re here every year, on time every time.” clevelandmarathon.com

Splurge on these three almost-free things. 

A $15 District Ticket gets you a free Miller Lite. Bring your own food for an affordable day with the Guardians at Progressive Field.

Dortmunder Gold is delicious, but you don’t have to booze to enjoy a $5 tour of the historic tanks of Great Lakes Brewing Co.

Every year, the Cleveland Orchestra gives 30,000 minors free access to classical music thanks to its Under-18 program.

(Chris Johnson)

June

Stroll Larchmere Boulevard during Porch Fest.

There may be no more communal way to enjoy live tunes than this East Side Cleveland music festival, which brings more than 30 bands to the front porches of homes along the neighborhood’s main drag as listeners watch from the front yards. larchmereporchfest.org

Be proud, or proud to be an ally, at Pride in the CLE. 

Less than 10 years after gay marriage became legal in Ohio, nearly 20,000 members of the LGBTQ community and their allies gather Downtown for parades, games, live music, vendors, after parties and a show of solidarity. lgbtcleveland.org/pride 

Dance under the chandelier at Tri-C Jazz Fest.

Cleveland has a rich jazz history, with talented players coming up in the East Side clubs of the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s. Today, that culture lives on with an annual live music festival at Playhouse Square, which shuts down to cars and turns into  one of the most unique music venues you’ve ever seen. Shop for local goods at the bazaar along Euclid Avenue and snag a bite from a Cleveland food truck. While the ticketed concerts bring big headliners, such as last year’s Herbie Hancock and 2022’s Anthony Hamilton, and educational opportunities, you can typically find us posted up in a lawn chair under the GE Chandelier listening to our local faves like multi-instrumentalist Nathan-Paul or blues singer Becky Boyd, from years past. Who are we kidding ... you’ll see us on the dance floor. tri-c.edu/jazzfest

(Courtesy Cleveland Museum of Art)

Celebrate community at Parade the Circle.

Live music, activities for kids and community activism and resources have kept this celebration of University Circle going strong for 32 years. The Circle’s strongest institutions come out to offer thoughtful programming.  universitycircle.org

(Courtesy Downtown Cleveland Inc.)

Celebrate Juneteenth at Freedom Fest.

Fourth of July might be Independence Day, but June 19 commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. First celebrated in Cleveland in 2021, this two-day block party on Mall C includes fireworks, live music and other family friendly and educational programming. juneteenthcleveland.com

(Mock Tuna)

Bask in summer glory and good vibes at Wade Oval Wednesday. 

The fun starts a little earlier than the weekend when you visit University Circle on Wednesdays from June through August. Relax on the seven acres of greenspace between Cleveland’s iconic museums, and let the sounds of live music and the smells of local food vendors fill the air on these special, themed outdoor nights. universitycircle.org

Soak up the sun at these Lake Erie Beaches.

Mentor Headlands State Park, Ohio’s largest beach, offers a half-mile of pristine natural sand and 35 acres of hiking trails. 

Acquired by Cleveland Metroparks in 1925, Huntington Beach in Bay Village offers incredible sunsets and great concessions.

Enjoy skyline views, the historic willow tree, a dog area, kayak rentals, walking trails and a bar at Cleveland’s Edgewater Beach.

July

Fall in love with fireworks again on the Fourth of July.

Certain joys lose their luster over the years. For many, fireworks fall into that category. That might be thanks to anxious dogs, annoying neighbors or traffic streaming out of some of the more organized events. But if you look at the traffic as family time and the crowds as community, there is joy to be had at Cahoon Memorial Park, where an Independence Day Fireworks show concludes the weekend-long Bay Days festival, or the July 3 display at Solon’s Center for the Arts, which incorporates live music and fireworks into the experience. If that doesn’t do it, sit along Detroit Shoreway outside the Harp as the bursts and blasts dominate the sky and the lakefront skyline turns to a smoky haze. The power, shock and awe is sure to change your mind. Climb upon a friends’ Downtown rooftop on a clear-sky Independence Day and gaze out at a dozen suburban displays and (mostly illegal) amateur shows as far across Northeast Ohio as the eye can see, and you’re sure to feel small. Maybe even small enough to find that childhood wonder and fall in love with this gunpowder artistry all over again.  

See blight turn to beauty at Rooms to Let. 

For the past decade, the community development group at Slavic Village, one of the hardest-hit areas in the country during the Great Recession of 2008, has helped Cleveland reconsider vacancies with this art festival. Since its inception, nearly 20 empty houses and historic buildings have been temporarily reimagined into immersive exhibits by more than 300 of Cleveland’s best artists. slavicvillage.org

Zen out at these three free yoga classes.

Presented by Browns Fit, Yoga on the Green takes place every Wednesday on Public Square under Terminal Tower’s shadow. 

Stretch as the sun goes down over Lake Erie during the YMCA’s Sunset Yoga at the Solstice Steps at
Lakewood Park.

Donate what you can at Studio Cleveland’s meditation (in studio) and yoga (at Edgewater Beach) each Saturday morning.

Listen to future inductees perform in the plaza at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 

Sure, the vault of some of modern music’s most important artifacts celebrates the Renaissance-like explosion of popular music over the past 70-plus years. But this concert series features the talent of now. Each Thursday for eight weeks, July through August, Cleveland’s best local talent is on display for a free show on the plaza. rockhall.com

(Laura Watilo Blake)

Hike through Northeast Ohio’s National and Metro Parks. 

The Henry Church Jr. Rock Loop on the South Chagrin Reservation is a bit challenging but so worth it. The trail’s most popular feature, besides the gentle falls, is the rock sculpture carved in the late 1800s from which it gets its namesake. Hawthorn Parkway, Bentleyville, clevelandmetroparks.com

The out-and-back Blue Hen Falls hike, part of the larger Buckeye Trail, is a bit of a challenge with a steep elevation gain of 498 feet and semi-rough terrain. It’s an excellent workout as the altitude ebbs and flows, and it’ll be worth it for the 15-foot waterfall. 2001 Boston Mills Road, Brecksville, nps.gov

The gentle, 1.4-mile Brandywine Gorge Loop winds through eastern hemlocks, mossy sandstone and some very deep foliage to the Brandywine Falls: a reward of rushing, roaring water and light mist felt from the boardwalk near the falls. 8176 Brandywine Road, Northfield, nps.gov

Popular for birding and mountain biking, Chapin Forest Reservation offers an ambitious, partially paved trail to an overlook of mature maple, oak, hemlock and beech trees lining distinctive sandstone formations. It’s a year-round crowd pleaser. 9938 Chillicothe Road, Kirtland, clevelandmetroparks.com

August

Walk it off at Little Italy’s Feast of the Assumption. 

The “feast” part of this holiday costs some bread, but strolling through this historic neighborhood on its busiest weekend is free. Wade through five blocks of thick, reveling crowds to hear traditional live Italian music as well as modern pop bands. While that gives you an appreciation of the sounds, smells and energy of this 125-year-old event, the more sober Feast Day, with a parade and solemn mass at the historic Holy Rosary Church, is a special experience. littleitalyfeast.com

See top NFL talent at Browns Training Camp. 

Face it: It’s nearly impossible to get in and out of Cleveland Browns Stadium for less than $100 a head. Even with free tickets, a beer and a dog runs you $20. Luckily, you can get a taste of NFL action at the Browns Training Facility in Berea. Last year, fans got eight chances to watch position battles, meet the team’s newest stars, taste food trucks such as Mission BBQ and Swenson’s, and snag complimentary Browns swag. Don’t miss Youth Football Day, where youngsters get to play in a flag football competition on the same turf as the pros. If that isn’t enough, you could even adopt a new member of your Dawg Pound: a puppy from the Northeast Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, as more than 600 Clevelanders have since 2015. We suggest naming the little guy Myles. clevelandbrowns.com/training-camp

Find the six Cleveland Signs.

Get your camera out — it’s selfie time. Since 2016, Destination Cleveland’s six script Cleveland signs have been the Instagrammable backdrops of photos of friends, newlyweds, graduating students and more. In addition to the great location tags, these are some of the most scenic locations in Northeast Ohio, each with a unique view of the skyline and waterfronts. We’ll steer you in the right direction — Tremont, Downtown, Edgewater Park, Euclid Beach Park, the Flats West Bank and Cleveland-Hopkins airport — but the rest is up to you! thisiscleveland.com

Rock out at Akron’s PorchRokr Festival. 

There’s a reason event organizers call this “Akron’s Best Holiday.” For over a decade, more than 100 bands descend upon Highland Square each August for this annual music festival. When the tunes get a little too loud, shop more than a dozen local boutiques and makers, such as Akron Art Works and I’d Rather Not, as well as delicious local bites, including Square Scullery, Upper Crust Pizza and Kitchen and Mustard Seed Market & Cafe. highlandsquareakron.org

(Courtesy Cleveland International Kite Festival)

 Fly high at the Cleveland International Kite Festival.

Take flights with pilots from around the country as this four-decade old event from the Ohio Society for the Elevation of Kites takes to the sky above Edgewater Park. The group also decorates the city’s skyline the second Sunday of every month during its Free Fly events. osekcleveland.org

Explore the nature center and beyond at Lake Metroparks’ Penitentiary Glen Reservation.

We love Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Cleveland MetroParks, but Lake Metroparks also offers incredible natural gems. One such jewel includes Penitentiary Glen, with 8.5 miles of hiking trails, a 100-foot gorge, rushing waterfalls, and an acre of interactive sites designed to help children get active. Originally purchased in 1912 by the Halle family, owners of Halle Bros. Co., the property features a nature center in the farm’s original horse barn. Today, the Kevin P. Clinton Nature Center rehabs nearly 2,000 injured and ill animals each year, giving special attention to endangered species. lakemetroparks.com

Walk by these public art installs and murals. 

Painted in 1969 by John Morrel, the four faces of Life is Sharing the Same Park Bench overlook East Ninth Street Downtown.

Glen Infante’s purple-era Prince eats a doughnut and gazes down West 25th Street from his position on under Route 2.

Waterloo’s Pop Life building goes 3-D with a four-sided, geometric painting that’s full of color, from London’s Camille Walala.

(Emmanual Bonilla)

Say “wepa” at the Puerto Rican Day Parade & Cultural Festival.

“Wepa” is a word used by Puerto Ricans conveying excitement and joy, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at this event. Located on MetroHealth’s campus, you’ll find themed floats, traditional cuisine, children’s attractions like face painting and chalk drawing, and more. puertoricanparade.org

Be a “Wild Boy” at MGK Day. 

Last year, Mayor Justin Bibb and the City of Cleveland announced MGK Day, a declaration designed to mark Aug. 13, the day of rapper Machine Gun Kelly’s sold out show at Cleveland Browns Stadium one year earlier. True to form, the Northeast Ohio native turned the honor into a party, during which he performed a few of his songs on Downtown’s Mall B. Before heading to an afterparty on West Sixth Street, the artist also known as Colson Baker confirmed the block party would become an inaugural holiday by saying: “You’ll see me next Aug. 13, for MGK Day.” We hope it stays free, too. mgkday.com

Celebrate Cleveland Cultural Gardens at One World Day.

Since 1946, Cleveland has celebrated its 254-acre Cultural Gardens, which features more than 40 monuments honoring the city’s far-ranging heritage, with a naturalization ceremony, a parade of flags and live music.
clevelandculturalgardens.org

Watch an outdoor movie at these community events. 

From Beachwood to Berea, public parks become the city’s best movie theaters in the summer. Lakewood’s Friday Night Flick in the Park offers kid-friendly programming. Cleveland, Rocky River and North Royalton’s Tri-City Park offers a Christmas in July showing of A Christmas Story, while Brook Park Recreation Center turns its parking lot into a drive-in movie theater. So pack a picnic (complete with popcorn) for an unforgettable cinema experience under the stars.

September

Get artsy at Waterloo Arts Fest.

For two decades, one of Cleveland’s premier art districts has opened its galleries and presents more than 40 bands and even more makers right there on Waterloo Avenue.
waterlooartsfest.org

Play around at Preston’s H.O.P.E. Playground.

At 60,000 square feet, the largest accessible park in Northeast Ohio was inspired by a young boy with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, whose family rightly believed that every child deserved to play, including the city’s more than 25,000 children with disabilities. prestonshope.com

Watch traditional boats float along with the  Dragon Boat Fest.

Taking off from Lorain’s Black River Landing, teams of 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steersman from the Cleveland Dragon Boat Association glide down the river in traditional 40-foot boats. The Chinese have sailed in these traditional vessels for more than 2,000 years, but many of the boaters you’ll see are amateurs who learned in $10 sessions ahead of the event. cledba.org

(Courtesy Literary Cleveland)

Get literary at Cleveland Book Week.

Much of Cleveland’s strong literary reputation comes from Cleveland Book Week, a slew of readings, workshops and other events that lead up to the annual Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards. Presented by the Cleveland Foundation, nearly all events — including the awards ceremony, which is in its 89th year — are either free with registration or livestreamed. Past winners of this national award include authors Tommy Orange for There, There, Junot Diaz for The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and Oprah Winfrey for lifetime achievement. Literary Cleveland’s Inkubator conference is a hands-on experience with some of the region and nation’s best authors, including last year’s presentation by Columbus author Hanif Abdurraqib and a keynote reading from Elizabeth Acevedo. If you miss the event, catch a glimpse at the installation on the Community Stairs at the Cleveland Foundation headquarters in MidTown. anisfield-wolf.org,
inkubator.litcleveland.org

Embrace Fandom at the Muni Lot.

Even if you can’t swing a cheap six pack, someone’s sure to toss you a cold one at the biggest Cleveland Browns tailgate lot in the city. Fanatics arrive as early as 5 a.m. to start pregaming before the sun comes up — unless you plan to actually park in the lot, in which case you better show up the night before. 

(Courtesy Cleveland Haunt Club)

October

Get spooked by more than 3,000 Northeast Ohio Haunted Houses.

Some people live for the scare, and many of them are part of the Cleveland Haunt Club, an online collection of haunted house aficionados who create elaborate,  immersive Halloween displays at their own homes. Members — some as far away as Pennsylvania or Toledo — come together during the offseason to workshop various crafting techniques. Once October hits, the Haunt Club’s website offers an interactive map with simple descriptions of each member’s display. “Some of the members really push the boundaries,” says member Allen Redmon. “Our members include everyone from yard displays to home haunts, which you can walk through, to commercial haunts.” clevelandhauntclub.com 

Cheer on the students during the Chagrin Falls Pumpkin Toss.

If you like chaos, you’ll love this tradition. Each year, students from Chagrin Falls High School send pumpkins careening down the asphalt Grove Hill before sledding to the bottom and landing in the muck. What started in 1967 as a controversial prank with stolen pumpkins has become a homecoming of sorts for the community. 

Go Trick-or-Treating at local businesses and community gatherings.

This Halloween tradition offers annual free fun — but the fun happens a little late in the day for young kids. Luckily, there are dozens of free events in the days and hours leading up to the big night. In Berea, families of the city school attend a free hayride through wooded trails with visual effects and fog. In Chardon, attend Halloween on the Square to get candy from businesses and hot cider from the police. Uptown Lakewood hosts costumed kiddies for trick-or-treating at the businesses along Madison Avenue.

Watch the coffin race at Ghoul Fest.

Teams of four runners and a driver face off in time trials to see who has the fasted decorated “coffin” on wheels during this Geneva event, held this year on Oct. 26. genevaohio.gov

See fall colors at these leaf-peeping spots. 

The Berea Falls Scenic Overlook at Rocky River Reservation offers scenic aerial views of stream-laced forestry.

Pops of orange as far as the eye can see at Bedford Reservation’s Tinker’s Creek Scenic Overlook, a national landmark.

Journey along the babbling stream to the Chippewa Creek Gorge, left by ancient glaciers, at Brecksville Reservation.

November

Get your game on at Pins Mechanical Co.

The West 25th Street venue is home to 12 bowling lanes ($7-$8 per person), pinball ($1 per play) and foosball (50 cents per play). Combined with 16-Bit Bar & Arcade, it offers free-to-play games like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and Galaga — along with bocce, hookie and giant jenga — and any quarters inserted go to the Ronald McDonald House. pinsbar.com/cleveland

Vote for the president and more on Election Day.

Despite division in our country, casting a ballot on Nov. 7 still feels special, especially on a presidential election year. boe.cuyahogacounty.gov

Explore history at the Baseball Heritage Museum.

From the Great Depression to 9/11, the history of America’s pastime mirrors the history of America. Through exhibits, events and camps, the Hough museum highlights’ baseball’s fight for civil rights and how it shaped the modern game. baseballheritagemuseum.org

Honor our local veterans at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

More than a day off, Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11 is a day of remembrance. This month, head to this memorial dedicated to local veterans in Public Square. Inscribed on the walls are the names of 9,000 men and women from Cuyahoga County.  “Cuyahoga County, and Cleveland in particular, have always been a place of volunteerism and caring for others in our community and in our country,” says executive director Greg Palumbo. A towering, 125-foot Corinthian column stands as the centerpiece, symbolizing the strength and resolve of the Union. Inside the base, four bronze reliefs illustrate crucial moments of the war: the Women’s Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Aid Society, the war’s start in Ohio, the Emancipation of slaves, and the war’s end at City Point, Virginia. Quoting Harry Truman, Palumbo says, “There is nothing new in the world except the history you don’t know.” The monument is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day except for major holidays and Browns home games, and hosts free guided tours. soldiersandsailors.com

Enjoy the amenities of your local library. 

Prototype your next great invention with the 3-D printer (5 cents per gram of plastic used) at Cleveland Public Library.

Play more than 200 Xbox, Playstation and Wii games, including Call of Duty and Madden, at Painesville’s Morley Library. 

The fun never ends at the expansive, interactive kids center at the Maple Heights Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library.

(Courtesy Rockefeller Park Greenhouse)

December

Take a break from the gray at Rockefeller Park Greenhouse’s Holiday Installation.

Originally conceived in 1902 on 200 acres of land donated by John D. Rockefeller, the space first grew plants for Cleveland’s public parks. Today, it remains focused on the public as a free experience for all. Indoor is a curated display of cacti, ferns and tropical plants. The grounds around the structure specialize in Iris, a purple perennial flower, but also offer serene greenspace with public art and a Japanese Garden with a Dawn Redwood Tree grown from seeds brought back from Japan. During the holidays, a 4,000-plant poinsettia display offers reds and greens that will take your breath away. rockefellerparkgreenhouse.com 

Tune in to Majic 105.7’s holiday takeover for some holiday cheer.

Do you hear Bruce Springsteen belting “Santa Claus is Coming to Town?” Frankie Yankovic’s squeezebox honking to the tune of “What Christmas Means to Me?” You must be listening to Majic 105.7. Each November, the station flips the switch to nonstop Christmas music. Last year, the cast of A Christmas Carol, Mark Claus from Castle Noel, local celebs and more joined hosts Mark Nolan and Jen Picciano of The Mark Nolan Show to flip the switch on air and Facebook Live, kicking off with “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” While some complain that the event happens too early, we simply wait until December to program this as preset No. 1 on our car’s dial. majic1057.iheart.com

(PesachWPhoto.com)

Light up Hanukkah with one of many Cleveland Menorah Parades.

The Menorah Car Parades, where revelers in decorated cars crawl through Northeast Ohio, is one of the most illuminating experiences of the holiday season. The tradition has grown over the years. In 2023, the Chabad of Downtown Cleveland covered 23 miles before landing in Public Square, while the Light After Dark event traveled through five East Side Communities and claimed to have Ohio’s largest dreidel. “It’s grown from a dozen cars in a small procession, into over 70 cars this year with unique and specially decorated floats, treats, gelt buckets, Ohio’s largest dreidel and more,” says Light After Dark’s organizing Rabbi. “It’s a sight to behold and an immersive experience.” clemenorahparade.com