December Events Calendar

December is the full of holiday events and festivities as well as to many art, music, and theater events. Learn all about the interesting things to do this month. Below is a list (in date order) of exhibits, concerts, book signings, wine tastings, and more. The list is updated regularly.

If you have an event you'd like to add, please send me the information at cleveland.guide@about.com. Have an enjoyable holiday season!

Through December 21, 2008
Miracle on 34th Street
What: See this classic holiday story live on the stage.
Where: Huntington Playhouse, Bay Village
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies

Through December 21, 2008
A Christmas Story
What: See the popular movie about Ralphie and his family come to life in the Play House production.
Where: Cleveland Play House
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies

Through December 23, 2008
A Christmas Carol
What: See the Great Lakes Theater Festival perform this classic Dickens' tale.
Where: Playhouse Square, Cleveland
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies

Through December 28, 2008
Jorge Pardo: House
What: See the work of this modern, Cuban artist.
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies

Through December 31, 2008
Building America's Canals
What: A look at the history and science of America's 19th century canals, including NE Ohio's Ohio-Erie Canal.
Where: Western Reserve Historical Society, University Circle
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies

Through January 3, 2009
All Shook UP
What: See this musical, based on the music of Elvis
Where: Carousel Dinner Theater, Akron
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies

Through January 4, 2009
Cleveland Botanical Garden Winter Show: "City Sidewalks"
What: See the trees, the gingerbread structures, and the flowers.
Where: Cleveland Botanical Garden
Time: Varies
Cost: free with garden admission

Through January 4, 2009
Race: Why are We So Different?
What: A though-provoking exhibit, developed by the American Anthropological Association about race and racism in the United States.
Where: Cleveland Museum of Natural History, University Circle
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies

Through January 4, 2009
Zap! Pow! Bam! The Superhero: The Golden Age of Comic Books, 1938-1950
What: Explore the evolution of comic book heros in the mid-20th century, including Cleveland's own Superman.
Where: Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, Beachwood
Time: Varies
Cost: Free with museum admission

Through December 31, 2008
Festival of Trees
What: See more than 70 decorated holiday trees in and around the Play House.
Where: Cleveland Play House
Time: Varies
Cost: Free

Through December 31, 2008
Cleveland Botanical Garden Winter Show: "Walking in a Winter Wonderland"
What: See the trees, the gingerbread structures, and the flowers.
Where: Cleveland Botanical Garden
Time: Varies
Cost: free with garden admission

Through January 11, 2009
Big Top Boulevard
What: Marvel at this 40' miniature circus display.
Where: Western Reserve Historical Society, University Circle
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies

Through January 19, 2009
Artistic Luxury: Faberge, Tiffany, and Lalique
What: The Cleveland Museum of Art presents a comprehensive study of three of the greatest designers of the 20th century: Peter Carl Faberge, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and Rene Lalique. More then 300 objects, including some from the private collections of the royal houses of Britain and Monaco will be displayed.
Where: Cleveland Museum of Art
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies

Through March 28, 2009
Ruralia Hungarica - Exhibit of Paintings of Hungarian Country Life
What: Glimpse into a bygone era with these scenes of Hungarian small town life.
Where: Hungarian Heritage Museum, Galleria at Erieview, 1309 E 9th St., Cleveland
Time: Varies
Cost: free

December 2, 2008
Sarah Brightman
What: See the legendary stage star and singer perform.
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
Time: 730pm
Cost: $49.50 - $127

December 3, 2008
Candlelight Tour of the Hay-McKinney Mansion
What: Take a special holiday tour of the Western Reserve Historical Society's turn-of-the-20th-century mansion adorned for the season.
Where: Western Reserve Historical Society, University Circle
Time: 7pm
Cost: Varies

December 4 - 6, 2008
Cleveland Orchestra
What: Hear the Orchestra, under the direction of Mitsuko Uchida, perform Mozart's Piano Concertos Nos. 23 and 24.
Where: Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Time: Varies
Cost: $65 - $15

December 4 - 28, 2008
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
What: See the pagentry, the Rockettes, and more
Where: State Theater, Playhouse Square
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies

December 5, 2009 - January 4, 2009
Peter Pan
What: See the classic Barrie tale performed.
Where: Beck Center for the Arts, Lakewood
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies

December 6, 2008
Family Concert Series: Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery
What: Hear the Cleveland Orchestra perform more than 20 excerpts from Vivaldi's most popular works.
Where: Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Time: 11am, 130pm
Cost:$10 - $28

December 7, 2008
Holiday Circle Fest
What: Celebrate the season with free admission and special events at many of the University Circle museums and institutions.
Where: University Circle
Time: TBA
Cost: Free

December 9, 2008
13th Annual Deck the House Benefit Auction
What: An auction and evening of holiday fun to benefit Providence House, Ohio's only crisis nursery.
Where: City View Lounge, Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland
Time: 6pm - 9pm
Cost: General Admission $35, VIP Package $125; call 216-651-5982, ext. 226 for tickets and information.

December 10, 2008
Candlelight Tour of the Hay-McKinney Mansion
What: Take a special holiday tour of the Western Reserve Historical Society's turn-of-the-20th-century mansion adorned for the season.
Where: Western Reserve Historical Society, University Circle
Time: 7pm
Cost: Varies

December 12, 13, 2008
Cleveland Orchestra Christmas Concert
What: Hear the Cleveland Orchestra and Choruses perform holiday favorites in the festive splendor of Severance Hall, with a visit by Santa. It's a Cleveland holiday tradition.
Where: Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Time: 8pm
Cost: $33 - $80; call 216 231-1111 for tickets.

A reasonable effort is made to make sure all event information is accurate, but times and events are subject to change.

^{(updated 12-23-08)}