By: Laila Schwin, Aiden Nelson, and Ariana Rojak
November 17, 2020
Starting on Saturday, November 28, downtown Cleveland will be merry and bright once again with its annual Winterfest; the tree lighting will start off the fest at 7:00 p.m. To avoid major crowds and risks, you can also watch the tree lighting through WKYC, Channel 3 News.
The events will continue until January 10, ending with ice skating at the Cleveland Foundation skating rink through Merwin’s Wharf. With a capacity of 50 percent, buy your tickets ahead of time because they will be gone quickly!
This year’s Winterfest boasts just as many events as prior years but on a bit more of a set schedule to keep social distancing and safety precautions in place. Many events require reserving spots or buying tickets in advance to ensure a safe time for any event you choose to participate in.
One of the main parts of the festivities is Riverfest at Merwin’s Wharf. This will be the place for events and activities such as ice skating, a festive garden with fire pits, festive light displays, shopping, and an igloo village. Admission is free; however, there are fees for ice skating ($5-$7 plus $3 for skate rental) and for igloo rentals (starting at $50 for two hours).
Holiday light shows will be going on daily in Public Square three times every hour from 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. through January 3. There will also be horse and carriage rides on Saturdays through December 19 on a first-come, first-serve basis. Ticketed rides are also available for the horse carriages for $40 on select dates through January 2. Ticketed rides are longer and more scenic than free rides, and they provide a fun opportunity to see our beautiful city. Advanced reservations are required for both options though, so be sure to schedule early if you are really wanting to experience everything at Winterfest.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will also be holding Winterfest events with family-friendly outdoor events that includes live music, extended museum hours, shopping, food and drink specials, and more. This will take place on every Saturday night from 5-8 p.m. throughout the month of December.
Additionally, there will be virtual visits with Santa (through a Zoom call) from the North Pole to help keep safe, social distances from other people. The free, online sessions will feature question/answer sessions, sing-alongs, and an opportunity to take a selfie with Santa. The calls will take place on November 28, December 12, and December 19 at 11 a.m. Advanced registration is required.
There are plenty more events that will be popping up throughout Winterfest, so we suggest that you check it out for some fun, Winter days this holiday season.
On the note of safety, Winterfest is being presented by the Downtown Cleveland Alliance, which states that all events will be conducted in accordance with CDC guidelines. Simply, safety is a priority amongst all of this. For more information on the guidelines, how they will be enforced, and a schedule of programming/events, go to winterfestcle.com.
Have fun, stay safe this holiday season, and be sure to check out Winterfest this year!
We all need a little brightness in our lives.
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 