With the holidays right around the corner, it’s no surprise that festive events are popping up all over the place. This weekend, an epic battle of holiday lights and family fun will take place across the Cuyahoga River, with Lakewood events on Saturday and University Circle festivities on Sunday.
Saturday – Lakewood
There are actually several events in Lakewood that could make up quite an interesting holiday fun day, especially if followed by dinner and/or drinks at one of Lakewood’s many local restaurants or bars.
- Candy Cane Cruise. 3-6 PM on Clifton Blvd near West 117th. Check out vintage convertibles, ice sculpting demonstrations and a light show projected on area buildings. Also, you can participate in a scavenger hunt-type game by picking up a Candy Cane Cruise Passport at event HQ, visit participating shops and restaurants to gain stamps, then turn it in when you’re finished for a chance to win $150. Free event. No Website. Grab a Scene and check out pages 8-9 for an ad with more info.
- Ohio City Singers. 4 PM at Around the Corner, this local band will be performing their modern renditions of holiday classics, kicking off their Christmas concert series. $8.
- Light Up Lakewood. 6-8 PM on Detroit near Warren. Featuring a lighting ceremony, performances by local (mostly school) choirs, dance groups and other live entertainment, trolley rides, ice sculpting, snacks and warm (family-friendly) holiday beverages. Free event.
Sunday – University Circle’s Holiday CircleFest
From 1-7 PM at University Circle, there will be tons of options for free (or close to it) things to do, including free admission to any of University Circle’s impressive museums. You can also skate on the crazy non-ice ice rink ($3 skate rental), take a horse-drawn carriage ride, purchase local arts and crafts, do some crafts of your own, enjoy live musical entertainment and munch on some free cookies. And more. Seriously, there are a ton of events with specific times for each, so if this sounds remotely interesting, check out the 2009 Holiday CircleFest Schedule.
Tip: There will be limited free parking available, but also a free shuttle bus once you make it. If you don’t want to deal with the traffic, take the RTA HealthLine and you’ll end up a very short walk away from the action.
My take? As much as it pains me to say it as a west-side girl (although now that I live downtown I guess I get to be neutral?) CircleFest sounds really impressive, and like a great way to spend a December Sunday. However, I didn’t see anything about ice sculptures at that event, so at least Lakewood’s got a one-up there.
What do you think? Heading to any of these events? Does the Lakewood hodgepodge or U Circle collection seem better to you?
If you do go to either, or both, please leave a comment and share your thoughts.
Happy weekend, friends.
Filed under: Cleveland festivals, Lakewood, University Circle, Weekend Picks | Tagged: Holiday CircleFest, Light Up Lakewood | 2 Comments »
