WinterLand Kickoff FAQ

WinterLand is a free event! The only ticketed experience is ice skating. Tickets and skate rentals can be purchased on-site.

Enjoy Public Square Activations from 12-5:30pm!

• 2pm S’mores*

  12-4pm Trackless Train Rides

  12-5pm Food Trucks

  12-5pm Firepits

  12-5:30 Music & Live Entertainment Onstage

  • 12pm-5:30 DJ Kyro & Live Games

  • 3pm Da Land Brass Band

  • 4:30pm Apostle Jones

• 12-5pm Games & Activities at the Jingle Bell Tent

• 12-5pm Photos with Santa

• 12-10pm Ice Skating

• 2-5pm Photos with the Grinch

• 3pm Hot Chocolate*

*While supplies last

The tree will be lit every half hour with a holiday light show from Illuminate CLE from 5:30-11pm. See it light multiple times while you’re downtown!

There are also activities within walking distance all day long. For a full calendar of things to do on November 29, click here.

We will not be having fireworks at this year's kickoff. This will allow us to keep Superior Ave. open to pedestrian traffic creating better flow between Public Square and downtown restaurants and businesses. The Trackless Train will transport people to and from the library down Superior Ave!

A fun new addition this year includes the Destination Cleveland Holiday Light Show that will debut November 29. This includes three holiday songs written by local artists that will play every half hour starting at 5:30 and continuing throughout the night. The WinterLand tree with light up in sync with the holiday light show.

Yes, this is a family-friendly day! Children will enjoy pictures with Santa Claus and the Grinch, live music, giveaways, games, and more.

Minors (under the age of 18) will not be permitted entrance into the event without a parent or legal guardian (21+).

Yes, Public Square is ADA-accessible.

Click here for a full list of ways to get downtown, including a map of all parking options.

There will be Porta Potties in Public Square and bathrooms can also be found in Tower City.

Baby changing stations can be found in Tower City.

The Child Unification Center is located in Downtown Cleveland’s Co-Deployment Center in Tower City. If you enter from the Square, turn left.

Downtown has plenty of places to stay for a festive holiday weekend. Within a five minute walk of Public Square, check out Hotel Cleveland, the Ritz Carlton, Hyatt Regency at the Arcade, Fidelity Hotel on East 6th, the Kimpton Schofield, Holiday Inn Express, Cleveland Marriott at Key Tower, ROOST Cleveland, Drury Plaza, and Hotel Indigo.

Tickets to ice skate are available on-site and cannot be reserved in advance. Ice skates are available for rent on-site. Participants will be required to sign a waiver before skating. All levels are welcome!

skating rink info

Glad you asked! WinterLand takes place on Small Business Saturday, and there are plenty of options to get your shopping done while supporting local:

1.      HOLIDAY MARKET: Cleveland Bazaar hosts an annual holiday market featuring a variety of local artists, makers, and small business owners inside the 5th Street Arcades. The market will be open the day of the tree lighting ceremony from 10am-7pm. It is 5-minute walk from Public Square.

2.      TOWER CITY: There will be immersive holiday decorations and activities inside Tower City, in addition to the dozens of retailers open for business. It is a 1-minute walk from Public Square.

3.      ACROSS DOWNTOWN: For a full list of retailers downtown, click here.