Christmas in Cleveland: The Ultimate Guide
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Where to holiday shop
South Park Mall is my favorite place to shop over the holidays. First off, the decor is beautiful (check out the standout tree!). There is a great mix of casual and upscale shops including Dillards, Macy’s, FYE, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and many others. The restaurants options aren’t the best, but there is a Buca di Beppo right outside the mall. I love that there is a Starbucks on-site so I can enjoy their fabulous Christmas blend while strolling around. Check out the mall directory for more details.
Where to get your tree
Maria Gardens, a local gem in North Royalton (and Strongsville), is a winter wonderland this time of year. Not only are there trees super high quality (and surprisingly affordably priced), but their decor is absolutely amazing. Just taking a stroll around is like visiting Santa’s workshop with all the gifts, decorations, and colorfully lit trees. I have never bought a tree so cheap with such sturdy branches!
Right next door is a great local ice cream shop called Pine Cone. It’s open through mid December, so you can treat yourself to something sweet after picking out your tree. Recent holiday flavors have included apple pie and peppermint.
Holiday dining and lodging
Best place to eat: Little Italy is home to a number of authentic Italian restaurants, coffeeshops, and dessert cafes. It’s one of the more festive areas this time of year, so I like to head here before the zoo lights. Mama Santa’s makes the best pizza. If you are looking to go a bit fancier, check out Mia Bella or Guarino’s.
Best coffeeshop: Civilization is a classic choice which has been in the city for a long time. It’s located in the historic Tremont neighborhood, not far from A Christmas Story house. Also, their coffee and pastries are delicious and the space is decorated nicely for the holidays!
Holiday shows: 2025 productions include: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Nutcracker, and Trans Siberian Orchestra. Check out the full 2025/2026 guide to upcoming shows.
Where to stay: Mr Kringle Suite at the Hilton downtown for the most upscale choice. Very pricey but the room is super festive with over the top decor. Also, if you want to really splurge you can stay in the house from A Christmas Story for a very high price tag ($1300!). The Bumpus house next door is a bit cheaper at $250-300 per night. Also, there are budget friendly common chains throughout the metro.
