Strongsville Toboggan Chutes and Chalet
You don’t need snow to have a good time at Strongsville’s toboggan chutes. Come and experience the fastest toboggan chutes in the Cleveland Metroparks as you glide down a hill, with or without snow. Breathe in the crisp winter air in your lungs and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate in the chalet afterward. The chutes are open from now until late February, giving ample opportunity for a fun winter outing. $13-$15, Open Fridays-Sundays through February, 4104 Fulton Parkway, Strongsville, clevelandmetroparks.com
Mariah Carey at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Who’s ready for Christmastime? Get into the festive spirit as you hear Mariah belt her signature Christmas hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” live and in concert as she kicks off her highly anticipated Merry Christmas One and All! tour, giving fans an exclusive Christmas concert. Be merry as you sing along to holiday classics new and old. $30-$360, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m., 1 Center Court, Cleveland, rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com
Tease the Season: Holiday Burlesque Spectacular at Cleveland Public Theatre
Strip off your winter blues in the most festive way possible at this holiday burlesque spectacular. Enjoy a night of burlesque, drag, aerial performances, live singers, comedy and more burlesque, presented by Cleveland Burlesque, the longest-running show in Cleveland. Celebrated for their unique performances that prioritize inclusivity, Cleveland Burlesque effortlessly blends modern and classic burlesque into one seamless performance. Note: This performance is intended for adults only. $40, Dec. 7-10, 7:30 p.m., W. 65th St. and Detroit Ave., Cleveland, cptonline.org
Browns vs. Jaguars
Cheer on the Browns as they take on the Jaguars this Sunday at Browns Stadium. Can’t make it to the stadium, or just want to avoid bundling up for brisk weather? No problem, you can watch it live on television or listen to it at WNCX 98.5. $28-$276, Dec. 10., 1 p.m., 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleveland, clevelandbrowns.com
Hairspray at Playhouse Square
Put on your best dancing shoes and get ready for the Tony Award-winning comedy-musical as it tears through Playhouse Square. Follow-spirited teenager Tracy Turnblatt as she is determined to dance her way onto her favorite television show in 1960s Baltimore. Don’t miss what The New Yorker calls “exhilaratingly funny and warm-hearted.” $20-$95, Dec. 5-10, 7:30 p.m., 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, playhousesquare.org
Christmas, Beethoven and Mambo!
CityMusic’s “Christmas, Beethoven and Mambo!” features renowned conductor Stefan Willich and The Cleveland Orchestra’s own Hans Clebsch on the French horn. Hear a mixture of genres ranging from a Cuban interpretation of Mozart to Correlli’s Christmas Concerto. Experience classical music from a new perspective with these classic pieces from Christmases past. Free, Dec. 7-10, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7-9; 4:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 2757 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights, citymusiccleveland.org
Cyrus Chestnut and Friends: A Charlie Brown Christmas
Watch acclaimed jazz piano Cyrus Chestnut as he performs beloved Peanuts hits such as “Linus and Lucy,” “Christmas Time is Here,” and “O Tannenbaum” from Vince Guaraldi’s classic score. Relive your favorite childhood classics in a jazzy and bright rendition as you gear up for Christmastime. $50-$125, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m., 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, clevelandorchestra.com
Tasting Notes: Date Night with Degas at the Cleveland Museum of Art
Occurring on the second and fourth Fridays of each month from November until January, the Provenance Restaurant hosts an evening of French cuisine, cocktails and music in a supper-club-inspired environment. Nibble away at a specially crafted Taste the Art menu, a collaboration between Chef Doug Katz and Bon Appétit, while enjoying live music and performing a range of French music and jazz. Free to attend but reservations recommended, Dec. 8, 7-9 p.m., 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, clevelandart.org
“Coventry Land” at Coventry Village
Experience a Christmas wonderland inspired by the beloved Candy Land board game. Upon arrival in the neighborhood, guests will receive a locally designed “Coventry Land” board game and can complete a series of tasks to earn stamps from local businesses. This cozy Christmas setup will feature take-home crafts, hot drink stations, face painting and photo opportunities with Olaf, Santa Claus, and the Grinch. Shop at over 100 local businesses for the perfect Christmas gifts for your loved ones. There will be a chili cook-off at 4 p.m., and a parade at 5 p.m. Free, Dec. 9, 11 a.m. until dark, Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights, coventryvillage.org
Downtown Christmas Walking Tour
Fancy a stroll? Take a Downtown Christmas Walking Tour presented by Tours of Cleveland. This tour blends the history of some of Downtown’s most famous architecture with Cleveland’s Christmas traditions. Paths down Euclid Avenue will pay special interest toward past Cleveland department stores and their imagery, such as Higbee’s, Halle Bros., Mr. Jingeling and of course the Sterling-Linder Christmas tree. See Downtown Cleveland at its Christmas finest. $15-$20, Through Dec. 25, various times, Public Square, Cleveland, toursofcleveland.com
Festival of Trees at Playhouse Square
Get lost in a forest of festively decorated trees as you enjoy this beloved Cleveland tradition. What better way to get in the Christmas spirit than with Christmas trees? Free, Through Dec. 23, 6-10 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays; Noon-10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, clevelandplayhouse.com
Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet at Severance Hall
Renowned French pianist duo Katie and Marielle Labéque will grace us with their renditions of Julian Anderson, Martinú, and Tchaikovsky. Follow the classic story of literature’s most doomed star-crossed lovers combined with Tchaikovsky’s passionate crescendos. $29-$165, Dec. 7-Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, clevelandorchestra.com
Dave Koz and Friends at KeyBank State Theatre
Celebrate the upcoming holidays with Grammy-nominated saxophonist Dave Koz. Marking the 26th anniversary of the longest-running jazz-based Christmas tour, Dave and a few of his friends (guitarist and singer Jonathan Butler, vocalist Rebecca Jade, special guest Marcus Anderson, and Justin-Lee Schultz, a 16-year old social media musical sensation) will be jamming the evening away. $45-$85, Dec. 10, 7 p.m., 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, playhousesquare.org
Light the Night
Celebrate Chanukah with the family with this festively themed play. Follow Judy as she races against time to save the history of Chanukah with a talking menorah called Shammes. Explore the themes of learning to face your fears and standing up for what is right with your children while learning about the history of this important holiday. $8-15, Dec. 9, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.; Dec. 10, 3 p.m., 26001 S. Woodland Road, Beachwood, talespinnercle.org
(Photo courtesy Raph PH via Flickr)
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