We are kicking off the holiday season this week with Thanksgiving. Holidays can be tricky – there can be a big push to do a lot and eat a lot. We at Signal Cleveland hope that each of you has the chance to enjoy this time in a way that works for you, to spend time with people you care about and to take care of yourself.    

This community events list features a few Cleveland holiday traditions — some you may have heard of and some may be new.  Grab your winter weather gear; here’s a look at what’s coming up.

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Cleveland’s annual WinterLand Tree Lighting Festival

This event will do more than light up Public Square. The tree lighting ceremony, starting at 6 p.m., is the star of the show, but there is family fun downtown all day Saturday, Nov. 30, including the Cleveland Public Library’s Merry Makers Fest.  From 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Cleveland Public Library’s Main branch will look more like the North Pole. The holiday-themed fest is free and open to all ages

“The holiday season is the perfect time to gather at the library and celebrate as a community,” said Erica Marks, senior director of Outreach and Programming services, by email. “Each year, we look forward to spreading joy and creating festive experiences that bring people of all ages together.”

Featured Merry Maker Fest activities include holiday karaoke, DIY craft stations to create holiday gifts, an open arcade with new and retro games, snowy storytime, a book giveaway (while supplies last), train rides,   facepainting and more. To find more details about the WinterLand Festival, click here. 
And for more on the Merry Makers Fest, check out the library’s website here.

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Mall at the Museum

Support Small Business Saturday and get free admission to the Great Lakes Science Center. This family-friendly event is on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Presented by The Real Black Friday, there will be family photos with Santa, mobile beauty and barber trucks, games, food trucks and more than 100 small business owners for your shopping needs. Parking is free. Learn more here.

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Music and Friends — A Garage Sale

It’s time for the fifth Music & Friends Garage Sale, where music lovers can find their favorites. There will be plenty of vinyl, concert t’s, cassettes, concert photos, biographies, tour programs, and more! The sale takes place Saturday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2014 Sycamore St. All ages are welcome. Admission is free. Click here for more information.

Bonus: A holiday helping hand

 While you are out and about, consider taking part in another Cleveland holiday tradition and pick up a copy of The Cleveland Street Chronicle’s special Holiday Wrapping Paper edition. The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH) started the paper in 1991. It is sold by people with the lived experience of homelessness to earn an income. Badged vendors will be selling the paper at the back of the West Side Market. Copies can be ordered online or bought at local stores including: Mac’s Backs Books, Loganberry Books, Joy Machines Bike Shop, Five Points Coffee & Tea, Black Market Meats, Cinnful Whisk and other locations. Find more info  here.

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Community Journalism Director (she/her)
I look for innovative ways to center news on community interests so more Clevelanders can have positive, direct interactions with journalists. I seek out different opinions, support emerging journalists, and teach community writing and story development so people can tell their own stories, build their own power and make the change they want to see.