Winterfest in Downtown Cleveland

Photo / Kristen Mott

The most wonderful time of the year is right around the corner and downtown Cleveland is kicking off the holiday season with its annual Winterfest celebration this Saturday!

Winterfest activities start at 1 p.m. in Public Square. Free horse-drawn carriage rides will take guests on a trip throughout Public Square until 5 p.m. and local food trucks will be lined up between Superior and Euclid Avenues through 7 p.m. About 20 local vendors will set up stands in the Holiday Pop-Up Shop, selling locally crafted jewelry, art and gifts.

Radio Disney will provide entertainment throughout the afternoon, including interactive prize giveaways, games and a live performance by national act Cimorelli.

The main event starts at 6 p.m. when Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson will climb on stage to start the countdown to the official tree lighting. Immediately following the ceremony, enjoy a massive fireworks display and a public after party at the Tri-C Hospitality Management Center on Euclid Avenue featuring hot cocoa, cookies and photos with Santa.

For adults at the event, head over to the Winter Wine and Ale Fest following the tree lighting. Held in the lobby of 200 Public Square, the fest will include drinks from more than 20 local craft breweries and wineries, as well as heavy tastings from some of downtown Cleveland's best restaurants. Tickets cost $60.

Don't miss out on this magical start to the holiday season!

Winterfest hours:
Saturday, Nov. 30 from 1-8 p.m.
The Winter Wine and Ale Fest runs from 7:30-11 p.m.

For more information, visit Downtown Cleveland Alliance.

5th Annual Compassion From Fashion

Love fashion? Want to give back to a good cause? Then make sure to buy tickets for this Saturday's 5th annual Compassion From Fashion at Beachwood Place Mall!

The highlight of the event is a live runway show starting at 7 p.m. in the Center Court of the mall. The models, which include local celebrities and cancer survivors, will style some of the hottest looks this season. Dancers from Rock City Dance, a dance and fitness studio in Middleburg Heights, will also perform.

Maggiano's Little Italy and Nordstrom Sixth & Pine will set up food and cash bars for the evening. Allen Fee and Katherine Boyd from Q104's Fee's Kompany will emcee the event.

Besides the runway show, many of the retailers inside Beachwood Place will offer exclusive discounts to shoppers. The first 1,000 tickets sold will also come with a $10 mall gift card.

The best part of the event? One hundred percent of the proceeds will go toward The Gathering Place or UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital. Tickets cost $25 advance and $30 at the door.

Compassion From Fashion hours:
Saturday, Nov. 23 from 5-9 p.m.

For more information, visit Beachwood Place. 

I-X Christmas Connection

As I've grown older, I've come to appreciate Thanksgiving. The holiday is much more than just food -- it's about gathering with your friends and family and showing your gratitude for all of the blessings in your life.

Unfortunately, Thanksgiving is often overshadowed by Christmas and the holiday shopping season, particularly Black Friday. Black Friday has grown so out of control that many stores and retailers are now opening their doors on actual Thanksgiving.

If you're in the festive mood, but want to avoid the craze of Black Friday (and still enjoy Thanksgiving with your family) take a trip to the I-X Center this weekend for the I-X Christmas Connection.

The Christmas Connection is a one-stop Christmas shopping event. Now in its 28th year, the show features more than 600 booths, including 140 new vendors added this year. The vendors offer something for everyone on your holiday shopping list, from jewelry to art to furniture. Live holiday entertainment will take place throughout the weekend, including performances by choir and Gospel groups, Irish dance bands and The Singing Angels.

Kids can also get in on the action with a special area of the show dedicated to SantaLand. Once in SantaLand, children can write letters to the North Pole, take pictures with Santa or buy gifts for mom and dad in the Sugar Plum Shoppe.

General admission tickets are $11 online and at the door. Discount tickets can be purchased at all local Drug Mart store locations for $9. Children age 12 and under are admitted for free.

Get a jump start on your holiday shopping and then enjoy Thanksgiving (or even Black Friday) with your family and friends!

I-X Christmas Connection hours:
Friday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 24 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more information, visit I-X Christmas Connection. 

ArtScape

It seems that Christmas advertisements and commercials are popping up earlier than ever this year, urging shoppers to head to the stores now to start gift shopping. If you're hoping to avoid the overcrowded malls this season, but still want to get a jump start on shopping, head over to the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland this weekend for ArtScape.

ArtScape, now in its ninth year, features more than 50 regional and national artists and designers. Their work includes handcrafted jewelry, accessories, art and gifts that will be for sale throughout the weekend. A preview party on Friday will give guests first dibs on all the jewelery and artwork, as well as live music, drink and food specials, one-night-only deals and raffle items.

The preview party is free to MOCA members and $8 for nonmembers. The Saturday event is free and open to the public.

Get a jump start on your shopping this holiday season and support local artists at the same time!

ArtScape hours:
Friday, Nov. 15 from 5-9 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 16 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more information, visit MOCA Cleveland.