Cleveland Winterfest 2023

Cleveland Winterfest 2023

Winterfest is Cleveland’s official kick-off to the holiday season each year. The event is hosted by the Downtown Cleveland Alliance.

• Visiting Cleveland for the Holiday Season? Stay in the Downtown Cleveland area, close to all the Christmas activities.  The Drury Plaza Hotel is rated “Fabulous” by guests, just steps from the festival featuring spacious rooms and delicious breakfast options.

The Winter Festival

• Held the first Saturday after Thanksgiving (Nov 25th 2023), Downtown Cleveland’s annual Winterfest is everything you want out of a holiday season kickoff: twinkling lights, festive holiday trees, horse-drawn carriage rides, hot cocoa and caroling.
• Since this is Cleveland, add in some live music, a beer festival and a massive fireworks display.

The Lighting of the Christmas Tree

• Winterfest marks the official beginning of the holiday season in Cleveland. The event ends with the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree.
• Events take place in Public Square and are inspired by traditional European Christmas markets. There’s ice skating, a Christmas village and live music.
• After dark, after the tree lighting, stay for the fireworks show and a visit from Santa Claus. Have you been naughty? Food trucks are always on hand to give visitors a taste of the best that Cleveland has to offer with traditional Christmas Dishes and mulled wine.

Nightly Light Shows

• Don’t worry if you miss the Christmas lighting of the tree. Head down to Public Square to enjoy nightly light shows from 5pm – 11pm.

Other events

• The Cleveland Bazaar, an indie craft favorite, opens a holiday-themed pop-up shop at a designated location (more recently at the 5th Street Arcades).

The after party

Don’t forget the after-party! Whether it’s enjoying cookies and hot chocolate after the tree is lit, or heading to the gay districts for some adult beverages, Cleveland makes sure there’s a whole sleigh full of chances to unwind after the cold and eventful day.

• Twist Social Club (11633 Clifton Blvd.). An upscale lounge at the Cleveland/Lakewood border, Twist is especially nice during summer months when its giant windows are opened and the crowds spill out onto the patio.
• Union Nightclub (1392 W. 6th St.) Music transcends everything and this premier Downtown nightclub is open for anyone who enjoys EDM, House and International music.
• The Hawk (11217 Detroit Ave.) A down-to-earth,cozy bar serving the LGBTQ community for nearly 40 years in Cleveland’s west side Cudell neighborhood. A local fave.
• Cocktails Cleveland (9208 Detroit Ave.) The basement bar opens in the evenings, Wednesday through Sunday.
• Vibe Bar + Patio (11633 Lorain Ave.) Voted the best LGBTQ bar in Cleveland, this west side hot spot features a large outdoor patio and daily Happy Hour. Open to everyone – gay, lesbian, transgender or straight – come as you are.
• Leather Stallion (2205 St. Clair Ave.). Cleveland’s oldest leather bar features regular theme parties that have built a community feel. But it’s best known for its patio, a huge draw on summer Sunday evenings, when even those who don’t have an interest in leather can’t resist.
• Interbelt (70 N. Howard St., Akron) and Square(820 W. Market St., Akron). These two Akron hotspots are your best bets for parties that range from karaoke to dancing to drag, and often include national DJs and performers.
• G2H2 (various locations). By far the most happening LGBTQ happy hour in town, this gathering moves around to different restaurants and bars the third Friday of each month from 5:30-9pm. Mostly men, however everyone is welcome.

Recommended Hotels in Cleveland

The following hotels are close to the Christmas markets and a short ride to the gay bars:

The Westin,  Hilton Cleveland,  Drury Plaza Hotel,  Hampton Inn