
Can you believe that the holiday season is already around the corner? Now is the perfect time to start planning for some holiday family fun, and there are plenty of great events all around Ohio to help every member of the family get in the holiday spirit. Catch a fantastic holiday concert in Northeast Ohio, shop for unique, handcrafted gifts in Columbus, or learn to create your own Christmas ornaments in Cincinnati. You'll find all that and more in our list of 9 Ohio events that will get you in the holiday spirit.
182 S. Main St., Akron, OH 44308
Searching for a holiday performance that both kids and adults will love? A Very Electric Christmas from Lightwire Theater is one of the most unique holiday performances that you'll find anywhere, and this year's show takes place on December 19. The story of A Very Electric Christmas follows a bird named Max, who stops at the North Pole with his family and winds up on a grand holiday adventure. After the show, VIP ticket holders can even meet the cast, ask questions, and learn more about how they create their spectacularly distinctive performances.
11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106
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The Cleveland Orchestra is renowned for its enchanting holiday performances, and the Holiday Concerts series is sure to be a hit this year. The series is set for December 9 through 19 this year, with one performance each Thursday and Friday, followed by two performances on Saturday and Sunday. Performances take place at the gorgeous Severance Hall performance venue, with conductor Brett Mitchell leading the orchestra as they play all of your holiday favorites. Reserve your tickets online to ensure that you get a seat at one of Cleveland's most popular holiday shows.
1615 Stadium Park Dr. NW, Canton, OH 44718
Whether you're looking for a great workout before you enjoy your holiday meals or you simply want to support a good cause while seeing the sights, the Frosty Frolic 5k on December 11 offers something for everyone. The course for the 5k will take you through the scenic Stadium Park Holiday Light Display, and you can enjoy some special holiday treats when you cross the finish line. There will also be appearances from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Frosty, so this is a fun event for the whole family.
717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, OH 43211
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Shop for the perfect handcrafted gifts or find one-of-a-kind items to decorate your home at the Columbus Winterfair, which takes place from December 3 through 5 at the Ohio Expo Center. The event brings together artists and artisans from across Ohio who have been working all year to create unique crafts for the holidays. It's a great place to find items for the people on your list who are hard to shop for, and there will also be crafting demonstrations so that you can get tips from the experts on how to create your own holiday crafts.
39 E. State St., Columbus, OH 43215
From December 10 to 26, the BalletMet performance group will be putting on the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, at the beautiful Ohio Theatre. Backed by orchestral performances of Tchaikovsky's classic score, the dancers of BalletMet bring the story of The Nutcracker to life on stage. Stop by for a matinee performance on the weekend, or enjoy an evening show any night of the week throughout the show's run this year.
34 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
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Looking for a fresh, new spin on the classic holiday performance and something that will appeal to family members of all ages? A Magical Cirque Christmas is just the thing, and this year's show will be taking place on December 11 at the Palace Theatre. The show combines breathtaking acrobatics from Cirque performers with all of your favorite holiday music under the direction of Magical Hostess Lucy Darling. It's a live holiday performance unlike any other, and you can only find it in Columbus.
1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
The Holiday Pops at the Cincinnati Music Hall is one of the city's longest-running and most popular holiday performances, so this is one show that you won't want to miss. This year's performances will take place across two weekends, December 3–5 and 10–12. Performances are led by conductor John Morris Russell, with a talented cast of vocalists, musicians, and dancers. Hear some of your favorite classic holiday tunes, with both traditional and contemporary songs that your family is sure to love.
4426 Brazee St., Cincinnati, OH 45209
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Create memories that will last a lifetime as you make your own unique glass Christmas ornament at Brazee Studios in Cincinnati on December 11. During this workshop, you will learn how to create a layered glass ornament with expert instruction and all of the supplies that you'll need provided by the studio. The workshop is hosted by the Taft Museum of Art and is open to everyone age 15+ with special discounts available for museum members.
7578 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45255
Get ready for a day filled with family fun at the Anderson Township Tree Lighting Ceremony, which takes place on December 4 at Anderson Towne Center. The fun starts in the afternoon with free holiday-themed food and drink, followed by a visit from Santa. There will also be some great live performances, with your favorite holiday music ringing out through the air. Top it all off with the tree lighting ceremony, when the beautifully decorated Christmas tree is lit up for the first time. After the ceremony, enjoy some special deals and events from businesses at Anderson Towne Center.
How will you celebrate the season in Ohio this year?