Hey Cleveland, have you started your holiday shopping yet? Don’t be like me and start your shopping on Dec. 23. We still have two weeks to go till Christmas, so let’s continue our push to the end of the year and much-needed time off with these free community events in and around Cleveland this week.

Cleveland events 1

Donte’s Gift Express

Donte’s Gift Express returns for its 12th year at Tower City on Saturday, Dec. 14, from noon to 4 p.m. There will be photos with Santa, gift wrapping, giveaways, face painters and more. There will also be a station where you can make a holiday card to surprise a family in Cleveland. Tower City is located at 230 W. Huron Road. Tickets will be free for the first 400 people. For more information or to reserve your spot, click here.

Cleveland events 2

Winter Wonder Holiday Festival in Coventry

Coventry Village will host the Winter Wonder Holiday Festival on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy live ice sculpting, karaoke, food, a lantern parade and more. The festival will take place on Coventry Road, which will be closed off for the event. For more information, click here.

Cleveland events 3

Neighborhood Pets Holiday Celebration

Join Neighborhood Pets on Saturday Dec. 14 for their holiday celebration.
Join Neighborhood Pets on Saturday Dec. 14 for their holiday celebration. Credit: Neighborhood Pets

Neighborhood Pets will host a holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This event will include pictures with Santa, giveaways, a hot meal and a chance to spend time with other Cleveland families. This is a human-only event, no pets. The celebration will take place at Bohemian Hall, located at 4939 Broadway Ave. For more information, call 216-505-5853 or click here.

Cleveland events 4

Cleveland Better Streets Film Festival

Join the Bike Cleveland Better Streets network for the Cleveland Better Streets Film Festival on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Enjoy 90 minutes of short documentaries on creating more walkable and sustainable cities. 

“We hope that folks who join us at the Capitol [Theater] on Dec. 14, whether they’re plugged into local advocacy efforts already or are looking for ways to get connected, will leave inspired and energized to get involved in their own neighborhood or community,” said Christine Fergus, a Better Streets volunteer and one of the film festival organizers. 

Community partner organizations will be on hand to discuss their work and to share how people can get involved. Afterwards, there will be a post-festival hangout at Superelectric Pinball. The film festival will take place at Capitol Theater, 1390 W. 65th St. For more information, click here.

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I work to gain the trust of Cleveland residents through direct community engagement and storytelling. My goal is to amplify and celebrate the residents and stakeholders who contribute to the success of city neighborhoods. I’m hoping to erase the negative stigma that has been cast on some neighborhoods throughout the years.