7 family-friendly ways to celebrate the holidays in Cleveland

Cleveland has a substantial claim to holiday and Hollywood fame as the filming location for the classic 1983 movie A Christmas Story. The Colonial-style house featured in the endearing movie is open as an attraction, complete with eclectic 1940s decor, a Christmas tree, and the infamous leg-shaped lamp in the window.

Beyond the house, Cleveland embraces the feel-good nostalgia of the holidays. Downtown and in the Forest City’s neighborhoods, visitors and locals can enjoy the sights of elaborate light displays, gingerbread houses, and festive trees, and take in the many theatrical experiences showcased across the city. Here are seven family-friendly ways to ring in the season.

A Christmas Story, based on a tale by Indiana-raised humorist Jean Shepherd, is a perennial holiday favorite on cable TV. The House From A Christmas Story (admission $17; children 5 and under are free) in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood is open year-round.

The house interior is decorated much as it was in the movie, including a shapely leg lamp claiming pride of place at the living room window. Across the street is a museum containing costumes, props, photos, and other movie memorabilia, including the Red Ryder BB Gun that young Ralphie craves for Christmas.

In the gift shop, visitors can buy movie-related souvenirs, including their very own leg lamp. Be careful. It’s fragile.

A homegrown Cleveland attraction since 2007, Kringle’s Inventionasium (admission starts at $35) takes over a section of the Tower City Center for a secret toy lab overseen by Mr. and Mrs. Kringle. The immersive theatrical experience invites families to work together to solve clues.

During the 60-minute adventure, kids receive materials to invent their own toy. For an additional fee, a three-minute train ride ($3 per ride; $5 for unlimited rides) snakes along a decorated path through holiday scenes set to music. The experience is open on select dates November 23–December 24.

Catching a holiday show is a tradition in Playhouse Square, the second-largest theater district in the country after Broadway. For the 36th year, the Great Lakes Theater, a professional company founded in 1962, will perform its unique rendition of A Christmas Carol (tickets start at $35) at the Mimi Ohio Theatre November 23–December 22.

At the Allen Theatre, experience a classic that originally debuted off-Broadway in 1961: Black Nativity (tickets start at $50). The play features gospel music by Langston Hughes and runs November 30–December 15. It’s performed by Karamu House, the oldest producing African American theater in the nation.

The Cleveland Orchestra performs holiday concerts (tickets start at $49) December 11–22 at Severance Music Center, which opened in 1931 and is located in the University Circle cultural district. The performances are designed for concertgoers of all ages with familiar songs of the season.

At the Connor Palace theater, the Cleveland Ballet is set to perform its classic, enchanting version of The Nutcracker (tickets start at $30) December 13–22.

Indoors and out, the Cleveland Botanical Garden decks the halls with thousands of lights and hundreds of poinsettias, faux ice arches, and more for Frost: An Ice Capped Garden Experience November 23–January 5 (closed Mondays).

Spaces at the 12-acre venue include a grand entryway transformed with hanging lights to replicate snow falling, and alleys draped in “icicles” made from handmade garden floral arrangements. Holiday trees are decorated by local garden clubs, and a gingerbread competition features houses decorated by local families and bakeries.

Why take your children to sit on Santa’s lap when you can introduce them to the jolly guy clad in scuba gear floating in a 230,000-gallon shark habitat? Head to the Scuba Claus Merry Meet & Greet at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium.

Youngsters can interact with Underwater Santa during the evenings of December 13 and 20 and before the aquarium opens December 14, 15, 21, and 22. Admission ($24.95 for kids 13 and older; $18.95 for kids 2–12; free for kids under 2) includes full aquarium access and a digital photo memento. Advance purchase is required. 

Fran Golden is a Cleveland-based freelance writer and author of 100 Things to Do in Alaska Before You Die and Unique Eats and Eateries of Cleveland.