The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Communities offering holiday events
Check out a list of holiday events gathered from community calendars in The NewsHerald’s coverage area.
Here is a list of holiday events gathered from community calendars in The News-Herald’s coverage area. As events may be subject to change, be sure to register or contact specific communities beforehand.
Chardon
What: Christmas Tree Lighting, Nov. 29
About: The annual event in Chardon Square returns with a 5 p.m. chili dinner at Pilgrim Christian Church, 202 S. Hambden St. Following dinner, there will be performances by the Chardon Polka Band, Geauga Music Center Band and the Chardon High School Free Harmony. The lighting of the park and the arrival of Santa’s horse-drawn sleigh will be held at 7 p.m.
Hot cider and cookies will be served throughout the event, compliments of the Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce and Chardon Healthcare Center. To learn more, email christmas@chardonsquareassociation.org.
What: Home for the Holidays, Dec. 7-9
About: This is a community-wide celebration from 10 a.m to 8 p.m., with local organizations partnering together to usher in the holidays for residents and visitors. In addition to annual favorites, like Santa at the Theater, there will be horse-drawn carriage rides, uptown shopping, carolers, the hot cocoa bar and gingerbread contest, ice carving demonstrations, live reindeer on Friday and the Fire & Ice tower lighting.
More information at https://bit.ly/2DRxdu7.
Concord Township
What: Kids Cooking: The Elves Workshop, Dec. 3
About: This kids’ event will be held at the Concord Community Center, 7671 Auburn Road. Kids can celebrate the season with a holiday-themed cooking class where they can create holidays treats for the whole family.
Resident fees are $20 and non-resident fees are $25. Find more information at https://bit.ly/2DOsx85.
What: Letters to Santa with Mrs. Claus, Dec. 15
About: From 11 a.m. to noon, kids can write their personal message to Santa in the restored Old Stone School, 7125 Ravenna Road. The event is geared toward kids ages 4-10.
Resident fees are $10 and non-resident fees are $15. To register, call 440639-4650 or visit www.concordtwp.com.
Euclid
What: Holiday Celebration, Nov. 30
About: The celebration will be held from 6-9 p.m. at the Shore Cultural Center, 291 E. 22nd St., beginning with a tree lighting followed by a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse-drawn wagon rides, ice sculpting, activities and free crafts for kids and free entertainment. For more details, visit www.shoreculturalcentre.com or call -216-289-8578.
Fairport Harbor
What: Holidays and a Day with the Grinch, Dec. 1
About: From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., area museums, churches, schools, the Fairport Harbor Public Library, organizations and businesses will put on arts and crafts, Chinese auctions, entertainment and ethnic foods while the Grinch and his dog Max will travel the village stealing gifts to “Fill the Cruiser” for Toys for Tots. The Toys for Tots collection will be at the Fairport VFW where there are kids’ activities and photos with Santa. Bring an unwrapped gift and enjoy the event sponsored by the Fairport Harbor Police Department.
At 5 p.m. there will be a costume contest at Finn Hollow Park, 301 High St. Visitors are invited to dress as their favorite “Who” character.
At 5:30 p.m., the Grinch climbs the historic Lighthouse tower to read Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” After the story, there will be photos with Santa, the Grinch and Max in the park, and hot chocolate and cookies will be available.
Visitors are invited to park in one place and ride the Red Trolley from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. to visits stops throughout the village. “Who Village” will be in the park from Nov. 20 to Jan. 1. Find more information at https://bit.ly/2Q5p2zZ.
Leroy Township
What: Breakfast with Santa, Dec. 1
About: Festivities include a pancake breakfast, kids crafts, story time and a visit with Santa at the Leroy Fire Department and Community Center, 13028 Leroy Center Road. Leroy Cub Scout Pack #67 will conduct a toy drive so bring a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to Toys for Tots. Leroy merchandise will be available, including Leroy Christmas ornaments, mugs, hats and more.
Only 50 seats are available. To RSVP and guarantee a seat, call 440-2544235.
Mentor
What: Santa’s Wild Workshop, Dec. 7-9, 12
About: Kids can make a toy in Santa’s workshop, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus, take a train ride to see the Christmas lights and visit with Old Saint Nick at Wildwood Cultural Center & Park, 7645 Little Mountain Road. Events take place Dec. 7 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Dec. 8 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. for special needs and from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m., Dec. 9 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and Dec. 12 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. To register, call Wildwood at 440974-5735.
What: Wildwood Holiday Craft Show, Dec. 2
About: This show will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wildwood Cultural Center & Park, 7645 Little Mountain Road. Many wonderful holiday items will be for sale from over 30 vendors including wreaths, gingerbread, live greenery, baked goods, ornaments and stockings. Purchase live greenery from the Wildwood Garden Club and enjoy holiday music with the Wildwood Singers. Admission is $2. More information at https://bit. ly/2zk1NZ9.
What: Community Tree Lighting and Family Skate, Dec. 4
About: Visitors are invited to the commemorative tree lighting as the city lights its 27-foot Norwegian spruce and City Hall campus. Santa will arrive in his horse-drawn carriage and will be available for photos while choirs from Mentor Schools sing. Refreshments will also be served.
After the lighting, there will be a free family skate at the Mentor Civic Ice Arena, 8600 Munson Road from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Enjoy skating, hot chocolate, cookies, holiday music and a visit from Santa.
What: A Winter Evening at Lawnfield, Dec. 8
About: At 1 p.m., kids can enjoy an old-fashioned gingerbread cookie and listen to First Lady Lucretia Garfield (portrayed by Debbie Weinkamer) as she reads some of her favorite Christmas stories and reminisces about family holidays and traditions. Children can participate in “The Night Before Christmas” scavenger hunt during a tour of the decorated Garfield home at 8095 Mentor Ave.
This program is free and open to public, but space is limited. Regular entry fee for tours of the Garfield home apply. Children under 15 are always free.
At 6 p.m., adult visitors are invited to join First Lady Lucretia Garfield for an intimate evening as she reminisces about the Garfield family’s most cherished holiday memories and traditions in Mentor and in other residences. Live music, light refreshments and a candlelight tour of the Garfield home are included in this event.
Beginning at 6 p.m, this is a special amenity event that requires a ticket.
Tickets are $15 per person and the minimum age is 16. Call 440-255-8722 with questions.
Munson Township
What: Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Dec. 8
About: Pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee will be served at Munson Township Hall, 12210 Auburn Road.
RSVP forms can be found on munsontwp.com and the deadline is Nov. 30. Adult tickets are $6, children ages 4-12 are $4 and children under 3 are free. Pictures with Santa will be available on a jump drive for $10 and proceeds go to Boy Scout Troop 91.
Painesville
What: Spirit of the Season and Tree Lighting, Nov. 30
About: The free event runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Painesville Square and includes a tree lighting, holiday decorations, Santa and carriage rides. Indoor activities such as cookie decorating, holiday games and prizes will be held at the Painesville United Methodist Church, 71 N. Park Place.
What: Lake Erie College Christmas Vespers Concert, Dec. 3
About: This free event will take place from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Helen Rockwell Morley Memorial Music Building, 391 W. Washington St. Featured performers will include the Lake Erie College Chorus directed by Mary Crow, LEC vocal performance students directed by voice faculty member Lauren Feola and LEC piano students directed by Sanni Kearns. Newly appointed Organist-in-Resident Todd Wilson will perform special selections. The event will conclude with a popular carol singalong. To learn more, email toddrwilson1@roadrunner.com.
Wickliffe
What: Holiday Lighting Open House, Nov. 24
About: From 6 to 8 p.m. there will be a raffle for kids’ bicycles, horse-drawn carriage rides and a visit from Santa at Wickliffe City Hall, 28730 Ridge Road. Enjoy hot chocolate, chili, popcorn and cookies, compliments of Keep Wickliffe Beautiful, Sophie’s Catering and Wickliffe Forever.
What: Tree-mendous Wonderland, Dec. 8
About: This program runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 29150 Ridge Road, Wickliffe and features Christmas trees and wreaths for sale and an Elf Corner for kids, including ornament making, cookie decorating and games. Enjoy music, food, raffles and more for family members of all ages.
RSVP tickets are not needed but are appreciated. All proceeds benefit the Wickliffe High School Blue Devils Swing Band. Find more information and register at https://bit. ly/2qY VJRo.
What: Children’s Christmas Party, Dec. 20
About: The kids’ event will be held on from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Wickliffe Middle School, 29240 Euclid Ave. Rocket Dust Designs Face Painting, Swifty’s Balloon Art, Bubbles with Lake Metroparks and special guest, Santa, will be there. Wickliffe Public Library will also have a craft table for kids. An adult must accompany children. Bring a boxed or canned food for the needy as your price of admission.
Willoughby
What: 49th Annual Holiday Lighting Celebration, Nov. 29
About: The annual lighting ceremony will take place in downtown from 7 to 8 p.m. Before the ceremony there will be performances by the Edison Elementary third-graders, South High Quartet and the South Rebels Marching Band. A live nativity sponsored by Willoughby United Methodist Church will offer free hot cocoa and sell hot dogs, chili dogs and baked goods. Proceeds benefit their weekly Wednesday Community Dinners. After the ceremony will be the 26th annual Evening Lions Club Holiday Auction in the lower level of Willoughby City Hall, 1 Public Square. Proceeds benefit Lion’s eye care programs and community service projects.
What: The Holiday Stroll & Weekend Events, Nov. 30 to Dec. 1
About: The stroll returns Nov. 30 from 4-8 p.m. and Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy lantern-lit downtown Willoughby while taking in entertainment and holiday event promotions from local merchants. More information at https://bit. ly/2zFzcgk.
Breakfast with Santa will be Dec. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Sol, 38257 Glenn Ave. Kids buffet is $8. To reserve a spot, call 440-918-1596.
The 3rd annual Miracle on Erie St. 5K begins at 11 a.m., Dec. 1, and the Kid’s Dash begins at 10:45 a.m. For more information and registration, visit https:// bit.ly/2Klq8Cm.
The Christmas Ale Tasting and Ugly Sweater Contest will be from 3 to 6 p.m. in downtown. Ticket holders will get a souvenir Santa Hat to keep and as they visit the various restaurants in Willoughby, they will be able to try all kinds of specialty Christmas ales. There will also be a Ugly Sweater competition. Attendees must post a picture of themselves and their wild sweater to the event page to be entered. Winner gets a cash prize. Ticketing and more information at https://bit. ly/2A7R3gi.
Willowick
What: Holiday Craft Fair, Dec. 1
About: The Annual Holiday Craft Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy free admission and available concessions. Contact Scott at the Richard J. Bonde Activities Center at 440-516-3011 for vendor information. https://bit.ly/2R5Q ASM. What: Holiday Light Festival, Dec. 13
About: Residents are invited to light up Willowick for the holidays by decorating the outside of their house and yard. Judging will take place Dec. 13 beginning at 6 p.m. Applications are available at the Recreation Department located in the Activities Center at Manry Park, 30100 Arnold Road. Deadline to register is 5 p.m., Dec. 12. https://bit.ly/2Q8QTix. What: Santa’s Family Workshop, Dec. 15
About: This free family event will be between noon and 2:30 p.m. at the Willowick Community Center, 321 E. 314th St. While enjoying the music and sounds of the holidays, you can create a holiday ornament for yourself or that special someone. There will be cookies to decorate, games and other holiday crafts to make. Santa will also be there to visit.