Posts with tag 'Holiday Events'
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"Don't Stop Believin'" in Winter Magic: The Ultimate November & December Guide to Akron & Canton
"Don't Stop Believin'" in Winter Magic: The Ultimate November & December Guide to Akron & Canton
When the air turns crisp in Northeast Ohio, it's easy to want to stay indoors—but as Journey sang in 1981 and kept playing on repeat through the late 80s and 90s, don't stop believin' in the magic of our local communities! November and December transform the Akron and Canton regions into a true winter wonderland filled with bright lights, local shopping, and cozy traditions.
Whether you're looking to buy a home in Stark County or settling into Summit County, here are the top lifestyle activities you shouldn't miss this holiday season.
1. "Walking in Memphis"... or Canton's First Friday?
Marc Cohn had us daydreaming about walking through Memphis in 1991, but around here, we prefer walking down the vibrant streets of downtown Canton! Kick off November and December by attending Canton First Friday. It's a monthly party celebrating local art, live music, and amazing food downtown.
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Explore: Canton First Friday
2. "Wild Wild West" Meets Wild Lights at Akron Zoo
Throwing it back to Will Smith's 1999 hit, things get a little wild around the holidays—in the best way possible! Wild Lights at the Akron Zoo features millions of dazzling lights, visits with Santa, and festive treats across the zoo grounds. It's one of the highest-rated family holiday events in Northeast Ohio.
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Explore: Akron Zoo Wild Lights
3. Deck the Halls at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
If you want to feel like royalty (Cue "Smooth" by Santana feat. Rob Thomas, 1999), take a stroll through Deck the Hall at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. This historic 65-room Tudor Revival manor house is illuminated with over one million lights, featuring themed indoor trees, gingerbread houses, and courtyard fires to warm up with hot cocoa.
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Explore: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
4. Score Big at the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Winter in Canton means football season is in full swing. Give your holiday guests an unforgettable outing at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. November and December feature special holiday promotions, interactive exhibits, and football history that sports fans of all ages will love.
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Explore: Pro Football Hall of Fame
Thinking of making a move? From historic Akron Ohio neighborhoods to charming suburban developments in Stark County Ohio. Cutler Real Estate is here to help you find your dream home this winter.
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"Ice Ice Baby": Cool Ways to Celebrate November & December in Central Ohio
"Ice Ice Baby": Cool Ways to Celebrate November & December in Central Ohio
Vanilla Ice dominated the charts in 1990 with "Ice Ice Baby", and while Central Ohio gets its fair share of winter chill, Columbus stays red hot with incredible holiday events throughout November and December! From twinkling downtown lights to bustling shopping centers, living in Columbus during the holidays offers something for everyone.
1. "Steal My Sunshine" at the Columbus Zoo Wildlights
LEN's 1999 hit was all about chasing the bright spots, and nothing brightens winter nights quite like Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Millions of LED lights, animated light shows set to music, and reindeer encounters make this a top-tier tradition for Central Ohio families.
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Explore: Columbus Zoo Wildlights
2. "All Star" Shopping & Dining at Easton Town Center
Smash Mouth told us in 1999 that "all that glitters is gold," but at Easton Town Center, all that glitters is millions of festive holiday lights and a giant 50-foot Christmas tree! Easton offers premier holiday shopping, a holiday drone show, and dining options that make holiday prep a delight.
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Explore: Easton Town Center
3. Stroll Through the Scioto Mile Lights
For a breathtaking city skyline view, take an evening walk along The Scioto Mile. Transformed into a glowing winter wonderland each December, downtown Columbus lights up the parkland along the riverbanks with vibrant hues.
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Explore: Scioto Mile Parks
4. "Life is a Highway" – Head to the Conservatory
Tom Cochrane's 1991 anthem urges us to drive all night long, but your destination should be Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens for Conservatory Glow. Walk among glowing light installations, outdoor displays, and warm indoor tropical gardens.
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Explore: Franklin Park Conservatory
Welcome Home to Columbus! Whether you want a cozy condo in the Short North or a family home in Dublin or Olentangy, let Cutler Real Estate guide your Columbus home search this season.
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8 Places to See Columbus in Lights for the Holidays
Few things can conjure up the joy and wonderment of the season like the dazzling holiday light displays that transform some of your favorite Columbus destinations into magical, enchanted places. These events feature fun for all ages, with many light displays offering exciting extras like ice skating, photos with Santa, great shopping, delicious treats, and a wide variety of fun activities geared toward the youngest members of the family. Start planning with our guide to eight amazing places to enjoy the holiday lights around Columbus.
Columbus Commons Holiday Light Show
160 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215
Looking for a fun, free light show you can enjoy during a holiday night out around Columbus? Then be sure to stop at the Columbus Commons Holiday Light Show featuring more than 400,000 LED lights spread around the 6-acre park with a prime location near some of the city's best dining and shopping destinations. On Festive Friday nights in December, you can enjoy extras like carousel rides, holiday refreshments, and live music. The display is open every evening from November 18, 2022, to January 1, 2023, starting at dusk and ending at 11 p.m.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights
4850 Powell Rd., Powell, OH 43065
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An annual favorite for families around the Columbus area, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights display regularly ranks as one of the most impressive in all of Ohio. With an incredible 3 million lights on display, this beloved family attraction is truly transformed for the holiday season. And that's just the start! There are tons of other activities for the kids to enjoy, including photos with Santa, ice skating, carousel rides, stations for making delicious s'mores, and even camel rides. This event can be enjoyed most evenings from November 18, 2022, through January 1, 2023.
Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights
3311 S. Old State Rd., Delaware, OH 43015
A locally owned and operated holiday light show that also raises money for a variety of local non-profits, Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights has been delighting families in the Columbus area for nearly 25 years. The display is a short drive from downtown Columbus at Alum Creek State Park Campground and is more than worth the trip. Start by exploring the dazzling drive-through light display taking you through the whole campground, then be sure to leave time to visit Santa's house at the end for photos, gifts, and holiday treats. Purchase your tickets online, then enjoy the show any evening between November 18, 2022, and January 2023.
Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
1777 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43203
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Do you prefer your holiday lights with a side of horticulture? The Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens event offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and holiday cheer. Your favorite gardens will be bathed in lights, with special displays for seasonal plants like poinsettias and evergreens. There will be live entertainment on select evenings, and you'll also get a sneak peek at some of the best entries from the Gingerbread Competition. Reserve your tickets online for this event, which takes place nightly between November 19, 2022, and January 8, 2023.
Holiday Lights at Easton Town Center
160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, OH 43219
Easton Town Center is an excellent place to check items off your holiday shopping list, enjoy a delicious meal, and see some seasonal sights along the way. The shopping center will be lit with more than 2 million lights, including on the towering 50-foot Christmas tree in the town square. There will also be exciting extras like holiday carriage rides and photos with Santa. The lights can be enjoyed every night through January 2, 2023.
Lights at the Scioto Mile
233 S. Civic Center Dr., Columbus, OH 43215
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With eight riverfront parks spread over 175 connected acres, the Scioto Mile is one of the most scenic places in the city at any time of year. It's especially beautiful during the Lights at the Scioto Mile display, which can be enjoyed for free every night between November 23, 2022, and January 2, 2023. The Scioto Mile is located around the corner from the Columbus Commons, making it easy to enjoy both displays in one night.
German Village Holiday Lights
German Village Neighborhood, Columbus, OH 43206
Sure, parks, shopping centers, and drive-through displays all offer fantastic ways to see the lights, but what about when you want to see a whole neighborhood decorated for the holidays? All you have to do is head for the German Village neighborhood in Columbus, where countless homes, businesses, and public places get in on the holiday fun. Starting on December 4, 2022, with the annual Village Lights kickoff event, you can see the whole neighborhood decorated in holiday lights and festive décor before you head to the Christmas Market for some shopping. After the kickoff event, the lights and decorations will be on display for the rest of the holiday season.
Wonderlights Christmas in Ohio
14028 Fairgrounds Rd., Hartford, OH 43013
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While visiting Wonderlights Christmas in Ohio will require about a 30-minute drive from Columbus, it's more than worth the trip. This drive-through light display features more than a million holiday lights, all synchronized to some of your favorite classic and contemporary holiday tunes. This is one of the most popular displays in Central Ohio, so reservations are strongly recommended. You can enjoy the display on evenings from November 11, 2022, through January 1, 2023.
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Where will you and your family find your own holiday magic this year?
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The Nutcracker: 8 Places to See It Around Ohio
People around the world love going out to see a performance of The Nutcracker at Christmastime. Whether it's a yearly tradition for your family or something you've always wanted to experience, you don't have to go far from home to see a performance of this classic ballet.
From high-production traditional versions to newer interpretations, there are so many places around Ohio where you can see a live performance of The Nutcracker this Christmas. Let's look at a few of the most popular in greater detail below.
The Nutcracker at the Ohio Theater
39 East State Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Every year around Christmas, the Ohio Theater hosts the talented artists of Ohio's BalletMet for a series of performances of The Nutcracker. This year, shows will run from December 8 all the way up to Christmas Eve. This production is extremely well-crafted, boasting gorgeous sets and visual effects as well as world-class dancing from the BalletMet's company dancers and students. With more than two weeks' worth of performances in Columbus' premier theater, you're sure to be able to fit one into your busy holiday schedule.
My First Nutcracker at the Ohio Theater
39 East State Street, Columbus, OH 43215
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Yes, you read that right: The Ohio Theater offers an additional performance of The Nutcracker. This time, it's a special performance called My First Nutcracker, taking place on December 22 at 11 a.m. This show is a slightly abridged version of the full BalletMet version designed to make the experience better for families with young children and people with disabilities like autism. The shorter 1-hour performance time, smaller crowds, dimmed house lights, and quieter music all help make this version much easier for kids to sit through. If your kids do get antsy, audience members are invited to get up and move around during the performance or even leave the theatre if they need to.
The Nutty Nutcracker
182 South Main Street, Akron, OH 44308
Looking for a laugh or two this Christmas? On December 2 at 7 p.m., the Akron Civic Theatre will be hosting a performance of The Nutty Nutcracker, a parody version of the classic show. This production is an adults-only campy comedy that still showcases plenty of excellent ballet dancing. It turns the elegant timelessness of the original on its head in a way that veteran Nutcracker fans are sure to appreciate, and if nothing else, it's great for a fun, lighthearted night out during a hectic holiday season.
The Akron Nutcracker
198 Hill Street, Akron, OH 44325
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The University of Akron's Dance Institute is partnering with the Verb Ballet's company dancers for a repeat performance of last year's hit new show, The Akron Nutcracker. This adapted version of the original aims to tell the classic story within a recreation of the Akron of the 1930s, complete with iconic local landmarks like Polsky's Department Store and the Stan Hywet estate. This limited-run Northeast Ohio show is being performed Dec. 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. each evening, so it's a great family activity to help you build up to the big day.
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
500 Lakeside Avenue East, Cleveland, OH 44114
If you want to see a world-class production of The Nutcracker right here in Ohio, check out this year's performance of Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet on Saturday, December 10 at the Cleveland Public Auditorium Music Hall. This year marks the 30th anniversary of this adaptation of the classic ballet, and its goals of spreading world peace and harmony are more important now than ever. Come see the artistry of some of Ukraine's top ballet dancers as they bring this dazzling show to life – it's an experience you'll never forget.
The Nutcracker at Cincinnati Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
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A yearly staple at the Cincinnati Music Hall, The Nutcracker is arguably the most popular show performed by the Cincinnati Ballet. It's a great excuse to watch some of Ohio's most talented dancers practice their craft. And because it's so popular, you can expect high production values that will make the experience even more worthwhile. This year's performances run from December 15 all the way up to Christmas Eve, so find a free day on your calendar and book your tickets!
Nutcracker Hot Chocolate
650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telling a familiar story from a new perspective is a great way to make it feel fresh and current again. On December 9 and 10, the Aronoff Center for the Arts will be hosting Nutcracker Hot Chocolate, a modernized version of The Nutcracker that has been adapted to showcase African American performers and culture. Acclaimed dance icon Debbie Allen created the show in 2008 to help inspire young dancers of color to keep pursuing their dreams. It's won a bevy of awards since then and continues to be a favorite of families everywhere.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
317 East 5th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
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The Nutcracker may be traditionally staged as a ballet, but who says it has to be? The Hip Hop Nutcracker reimagines this classic show as a thrilling hip-hop dance exhibition that is sure to make you think about Tchaikovsky's music in a whole new way. This touring performance will be stopping in Cincinnati for a show at the Taft Theatre on December 1 from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. The tour features rapper Kurtis Blow as the show's MC, as well as a full troupe of talented artists dancing on a set that recreates modern-day New York City with gorgeous graffiti lighting effects.
Dreaming of Christmas
Which of these exciting performances of The Nutcracker will you be seeing this holiday season?
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8 Family Events to Get in the Holiday Spirit Around Ohio
The holiday season is fast approaching, and now is the perfect time to start planning for some enchanting family fun. With events like the Christmas Connection in Northeast Ohio, A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage in Columbus, A 19th Century Holiday Guided Tour near Cincinnati, and many more, you have tons of great options no matter which corner of Ohio you call home. Here are some events to look forward to as you plan for the holidays in Ohio.
A Motown Christmas
605 N. Market Ave., Canton, OH 44702
Featuring former members of The Temptations, The Miracles, and The Contours, A Motown Christmas puts a soulful spin on your favorite classic holiday tunes. This family-friendly performance will be held on November 17, 2022, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. at the gorgeous Canton Palace Theater, and is sure to have you dancing in the aisles. Bring the whole family for a memorable night of music, choreography, and fun surprises to kick off the holiday season in style.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
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Settle in for an evening of holiday music, spectacular acrobatics, and unforgettable performances when you attend Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the Edwin J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall on the University of Akron campus. Featuring performers from around the world, a spectacular stage set, and an original score mixed with holiday classics, this show is sure to dazzle audience members of all ages. The show kicks off on December 6, 2022, at 7:30 p.m., with 20 unique acts leading you through an evening of holiday wonder, whimsy, and delight.
Holiday Cookie Camp with the Kids
250 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH 43215
Enjoy sweet, holiday-themed fun for the whole family when you attend Holiday Cookie Camp with the Kids at Mitchell Hall on the Columbus State Community College Campus. Learn how to dazzlingly decorate holiday treats from chocolate-dipped pretzel rods to sweet sugar cookies, then finish off the event by sampling some of your creations paired with a delicious mug of hot chocolate. The fun starts on December 10, 2022, at 11 a.m., with instruction from chef Shawnie Kelley.
Christmas Connection
1 I-X Center Dr., Cleveland, OH 44135
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Get a head start on your holiday shopping while enjoying plenty of attractions and activities for younger family members when you visit the Christmas Connection in Cleveland. The event will take place November 18-20, 2022, at the International Exposition Center, with hundreds of vendors selling gifts for even the hardest to shop for people on your list. The kids will love visiting Santa Land, where they can meet Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves. There's even a Sugar Plum Shoppe featuring thousands of pre-wrapped, affordable items perfect for kids with their own shopping lists.
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage
34 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
Turn back the clock and enjoy a true holiday classic for all ages with A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage at the Palace Theater in Columbus. This new touring show brings A Charlie Brown Christmas to the theater stage with all of your favorite characters and songs. The show starts at 6 p.m. on November 27, 2022, the perfect family activity to wrap up Thanksgiving weekend this year.
Easton's Grand Illumination
160 Easton Town Center Dr., Columbus, OH 43219
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Get ready for a night of dazzling lights, shopping, entertainment, and family fun with Easton's Grand Illumination at the Easton Town Center. There will be live music, costumed characters, holiday decorations, and plenty of fun activities for the youngest members of the family. The evening is highlighted by the Grand Illumination at 7 p.m. when more than 2 million lights will be turned on simultaneously to light up Easton Town Center. Easton's Grand Illumination will take place on November 18, 2022, from 6-9 p.m.
The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays
650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Prepare to be amazed by incredible illusions and marvelous magic for the whole family with The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays at the Aronoff Center for the Arts in Cincinnati. This fun, fast-paced show has delighted audiences around the globe, featuring some of the world's most talented illusionists and magicians. The show starts at 7:30 PM on November 25, 2022, ideal for an evening of family fun after a day of Black Friday shopping.
A 19th Century Holiday Guided Tour
11500 Lebanon Rd., Sharonville, OH 45241
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The Heritage Village Museum is a living history museum that will transport your family to a different era, and the holiday season is an excellent time to visit. The museum will host A 19th Century Guided Holiday Tour, which will take your family throughout the historical Heritage Village to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season while learning how holiday traditions have evolved over centuries. Tours leave every hour on November 30 – December 3 and December 7-9, 2022, from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m.
Home for the Holidays
Where will you be celebrating the season in Ohio this year?
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