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Local Experts

Things to Do in December in Cleveland (2026)

TL;DR

Our curated guide to things to do in cleveland in december -- hand-picked by locals who know the city best. Each listing includes ratings, photos, hours, and directions pulled from real data.

40Places
28Rated 4.5+
4.5Avg Rating
Museum of Illusions in Cleveland1

186 Euclid Ave, Cleveland

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleTourist Attraction
Greater Cleveland Aquarium in Cleveland2

2000 Sycamore St Main Tank Viewing, Cleveland

Interactive marine exhibits, including a walk-through experience & a mock research vessel.

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleAquarium
Cleveland Botanical Garden in Cleveland3

11030 East Blvd, Cleveland

All-seasons living museum with a greenhouse, a conservatory, outdoor gardens & an education center.

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleBotanical Garden
Scene75 Entertainment Center | Cleveland in Cleveland4

3688 Center Rd, Brunswick

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleFree parkingAmusement Park
The Arcade in Cleveland5

The Arcade

4.3(4,484)

401 Euclid Ave, Cleveland

Soaring, ornate indoor mall, opened in 1890, today housing the Hyatt hotel, shops & restaurants.

Wheelchair accessibleShopping Mall
Skeleton Manor in Cleveland6

4200 Buechner Ave, Cleveland

Kid-friendlyTourist Attraction
North Chagrin Nature Center in Cleveland7

401 Buttermilk Falls Pkwy, Willoughby

This 1,700-acre wildlife sanctuary has trails, picnic areas, & a nature center & education building.

Kid-friendlyDog-friendlyWheelchair accessibleFree parking
The Holden Arboretum in Cleveland8

9550 Sperry Rd, Kirtland

A 3,600-acre horticultural haven offering lakes, trails, cultivated gardens & educational programs.

Kid-friendlyDog-friendlyWheelchair accessibleFree parking
Cleveland Museum of Natural History in Cleveland9

1 Wade Oval Dr, Cleveland

Planetarium & museum focusing on local prehistoric discoveries, fossils & geological specimens.

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleMuseum
Cleveland Public Square in Cleveland10

50 Public Square Suite 1910, Cleveland

Large landscaped city plaza with a memorial, a splash pad, a seasonal skating rink & food trucks.

Wheelchair accessiblePlaza
Susie's Bear Hollow in Cleveland11

3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland

Kid-friendlyTourist Attraction
Cleveland Script Sign - The Foundry in Cleveland12

10119021, Cleveland

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleFree parkingTourist Attraction
I-X Center Indoor Amusement Park in Cleveland13

1 I-X Center Dr, Cleveland

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleAmusement Center
The Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland14

11150 East Blvd, Cleveland

Museum featuring over 45,000 works covering 6,000 years plus films, music, lectures & a restaurant.

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleArt museum
Rocky River Nature Center in Cleveland15

24000 Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted

Educational center offering wildlife exhibits, a river observation deck & a bird-feeding station.

Kid-friendlyDog-friendlyWheelchair accessibleFree parking
Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland16

601 Erieside Ave, Cleveland

Kid-friendly venue with interactive exhibits, plus a giant-screen movie theater & steamship tours.

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleMuseum
Kringle's Inventionasium Experience (Cleveland) in Cleveland17

230 W Huron Rd #7294, Cleveland

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleTourist Attraction
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland18

1100 E 9th St, Cleveland

Iconic music-minded museum loaded with pop-culture memorabilia, artifacts, instruments & a jukebox.

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleMuseum
Mill Stream Run Reservation in Cleveland19

Strongsville

Year-round destination for outdoor recreation, including hiking, swimming, boating & sledding.

Kid-friendlyDog-friendlyWheelchair accessibleFree parking
Rockefeller Park & Greenhouse in Cleveland20

750 E 88th St, Cleveland

Picturesque garden with a greenhouse showcasing floral displays & exotic & native plant collections.

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleFree parkingPark
Cleveland Christmas Connection in Cleveland21

I-X Center, 1 I-X Center Dr, Cleveland

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessible
Castle Noel in Cleveland22

Castle Noel

4.7(2,064)

260 S Court St, Medina

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleFree parkingMuseum
Truss Event Venue in Cleveland23

2061 W 25th St, Cleveland

Wheelchair accessibleFree parkingEvent Venue
Cleveland Christmas Club in Cleveland24

2090 W 25th St 2nd Floor, Cleveland

Good for groupsBar
Nela Park Management in Cleveland25

1975 Noble Rd, East Cleveland

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleHistorical Landmark
Tower City Center in Cleveland26

230 W Huron Rd, Cleveland

Retail complex in a 1920s building offering shops, a food court, a casino & access to trains.

Wheelchair accessibleShopping Mall
House from A Christmas Story in Cleveland27

3159 W 11th St, Cleveland

House used in "A Christmas Story" film, now a museum with a replicated interior & film memorabilia.

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleFree parkingMuseum
Lake Affect Studios & Event Space in Cleveland28

1615 E 25th St, Cleveland

Wheelchair accessibleEvent Venue
International Exposition Center in Cleveland29

1 I-X Center Dr, Cleveland

This large exposition center hosts a variety of major events, from car shows to travelling exhibits.

Wheelchair accessibleConvention Center
The Lakehouse in Cleveland30$$

The Lakehouse

4.2(1,606)

1146 Old River Rd, Cleveland

Light & contemporary riverfront restaurant with a terrace & a modern menu including sharing plates.

Kid-friendlyGood for groupsDog-friendlyWheelchair accessible
Windows On The River in Cleveland31$$$

2000 Sycamore St, Cleveland

Wheelchair accessibleBanquet hall
Lady Caroline in Cleveland32

1153 Main Ave, Cleveland

Wheelchair accessibleTour Agency
Flats East Bank | Entertainment District in Cleveland33

950 Main Ave #190, Cleveland

Wheelchair accessibleTourist Attraction
Playhouse Square in Cleveland34

1501 Euclid Ave #200, Cleveland

Performing arts center for Broadway-style shows, concerts, dance productions, plays, comedy & opera.

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleFree parkingPerforming Arts Theater
Connor Palace in Cleveland35

Connor Palace

4.8(1,949)

Keith Bldg, 1615 Euclid Ave, Cleveland

This ornate former vaudeville theater, built in 1922, presents live music, plays & comedy acts.

Wheelchair accessibleFree parkingPerforming Arts Theater
Adrenaline Monkey Adventure Park Cleveland in Cleveland36

26800 Renaissance Pkwy, Cleveland

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleAmusement Park
The Children's Museum of Cleveland in Cleveland37

3813 Euclid Ave, Cleveland

A family-oriented venue with interactive exhibits designed to foster playful learning.

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleFree parkingMuseum
Swings-N-Things Fun Park in Cleveland38

8501 Stearns Rd, Olmsted Falls

Entertainment hub featuring bumper boats, paintball, ice cream & snacks, mini-golf & batting cages.

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleFree parkingAmusement Park
Nature Center At Shaker Lakes in Cleveland39

2600 S Park Blvd, Cleveland

Featuring 2 trails through diverse habitats, this center offers educational programs & exhibits.

Kid-friendlyWheelchair accessibleFree parkingNature Preserve
Hershey Children's Garden in Cleveland40

1 Wade Oval Dr, Cleveland

Wheelchair accessibleGarden

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in cleveland in december?

See our full ranked list above with 40 top picks, including ratings, photos, and directions from Google Places.

How often is this list updated?

We refresh our activity data regularly and our editorial picks every 3-4 months to reflect new openings, closures, and quality changes.

Are these recommendations paid placements?

No. Our editorial picks are independent. Activity data comes from Google Places. Some links may earn us a commission, but this never influences our selections.

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