Arts & Entertainment at CSU: December 2024 catalog – The Cauldron
Credit: Martina Cass | The Cauldron
Students may find it difficult to keep track of and coordinate for all that happens around them on campus. This monthly collection of local arts & entertainment is meant to provide a varied starting point, including dates, times, locations, prices and more, so hopefully, everyone can find something of interest and plan to attend!
December’s events will bring cheer, festive art and sparkling displays to the Cleveland area, closing out 2024 with a bang.
On Campus
Dec. 2 and 6, 2024: Zine Creation Session
Join The Mareyjoyce Green Women’s Center in BH 142 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. for one of their open sessions, held on Mondays and Fridays throughout the semester. This event is a space for engaging with current topics, using zines as an artistic medium to amplify voices of marginalized people.
Dec. 5, 2024: Winter Gala
Celebrate the end of the semester with the Campus Activities Board from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Student Center. The event will be Northern Lights-themed, offering a variety of food, activities and games.
Dec. 5-8, 2024: The Lady From the Sea
Support CSU theater and dance students in the final production of the semester. Staged in the CSU Black Box Theatre, watch the story of lighthouse keeper’s daughter, Ellida, unfold in this Workshop Production exploring themes of “choice, marriage, responsibility and freedom.”
Dec. 7, 2024: CSU Choirs Concert with Strongsville High School Cantorum
Enjoy this musical presentation of the CSU Chorale and University Chorus conducted by Dr. Brian Bailey. Along with the Strongsville High School Cantorum directed by Vickie L Eicher, witness a festive end to the semester from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Waetjen Auditorium in the Music and Communication Building.
Dec. 9, 2024: Moonlight Malt
Take a break from studying for finals at The Viking Marketplace. From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., enjoy melts, pancakes and a chocolate fountain while listening to music together at the dining hall.
Downtown
Nov. 29, 2024-Jan. 20, 2025: WinterLand
Embrace the seasonal festivities under the city lights with this variety of free events and visuals presented by Downtown Cleveland. From ice skating to music by local artists to the thousands of twinkling lights set up by Cleveland volunteers, Public Square will be full of things to do from now into the new year.
Nov. 30-Dec 22, 2024: A Christmas Story
Presented by the Cleveland Play House, this show is a Cleveland holiday tradition just steps away from CSU’s campus. Enjoy the performance at the Allen Theatre for only $6 using the CSU student discount CSUSTU when buying tickets. For a more immersive “A Christmas Story” experience, the A Christmas Story House offers tours all season long.
Nov. 30, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025: Take a Hike Holiday Tours
Explore historic hotels, department stores, Little Italy and the Santas of the World exhibit with Take a Hike. Self-guided tours are also available for free, offering experiences in the Playhouse Square District, Public Square and University Circle. Learn fun facts about parts of Cleveland you may have never seen before, or walk past every day!
Dec. 4, 2024: The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Experience The Hip Hop Nutcracker on tour for one night only in Playhouse Square. This contemporary re-imagining of the holiday classic presents hip hop dances to remixes of Tchaikovsky’s composition in the streets of modern New York City.
Dec. 6, 2024: Krampus Fest – Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
Celebrate the holidays with Krampus at Hofbräuhaus Cleveland between 7 p.m. and midnight. Wear an ugly sweater and enjoy the live music and festivities. A free experience for those dining in, enjoy your dinner in the presence of the classic German cryptid.
Dec. 13-22: The Nutcracker
Presented by Cleveland Ballet, this yearly performance returns to Connor Palace for the holiday season. Audiences will be immersed in the magical world of E.T.A. Hoffman and Tchaikovsky, following Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy and dancing snowflakes through the classic tale we all know and love.
Dec. 27, 2024: Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve
Witness “The Lost Christmas Eve” album’s 20th anniversary tour by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at one of their two performances at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Known for their spectacular pyrotechnics, storytelling and tradition of donating at least $1 for every ticket sold, the group puts on not only a concert but a show.
Dec. 28: The Cleveland Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival
Returning for its 62nd year, the festival occurs at 2 p.m. and again at 4:30 p.m. at the Trinity Cathedral. Full of color, pageantry, music and food after the second performance, this festival is centered around medieval tradition.
Dec. 28, 2024: The 2nd Annual Legendary Soul Jam
One night only for the second year in a row, enjoy the music of top ranked Soul artists. Starting at 7 p.m. the show features The New Stylistics, The Dramatics and Enchantment, offering a unique night of music and Soul.
Dec. 31, 2024: New Year’s Eve at Hofbräuhaus
Whether one is attending the dinner from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. or the party from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., New Year’s Eve at Hofbräuhaus offers a variety of live entertainment and fun. At the free event included with dinner, toast to the New Year in Munich. The party later in the evening requires a ticket, starting at $50, which includes the buffet, drink tickets and 2nd floor entertainment access.
Cleveland area
Dec. 6: MIX: Art of the Game
Presented in partnership with the Cleveland Cavaliers, enjoy December’s rendition of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s monthly 21+ party. Tickets are $16 for a night with the Cav’s DJ and Dance Team, full of music and dancing in the museum atrium. Late-night access to the galleries is also included with entry.
Dec. 6 and 8, 2024: Little Italy Holiday Art Walk
Wander through Little Italy, full of art and community around the holidays. The “Passport to Little Italy” event offers a tour of local ArtWalk vendors and a chance to win a prize for completing the full passport. Tours are free and begin at 5 p.m. both days.
Dec. 7, 2024: Light Up Lakewood 2024
Celebrate the start of the season on Detroit Avenue in Downtown Lakewood from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a free night of fireworks, lights and festivities. The street will be full of outdoor vendors, food trucks, music, a holiday parade and local businesses. Enjoy an evening with the local community.
Dec. 7, 13, 20 and 22, 2024: The Improvised Hallmark Holiday Show + A Very Silly Christmas Carol
Laugh along with comedic retellings of classic holiday stories at the Imposters Theater. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. and tickets are $15. This special holiday double-feature takes inspiration from the audience, building the story as they go along.
Dec. 11-22: Cleveland Orchestra Holiday Concerts
Join the The Cleveland Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra Chorus for an evening of holiday tunes at the Mandel Concert Hall. Students can enroll in the membership program for free to receive $15 tickets to shows all season long.
Dec. 14, 2024: Better Streets Film Festival
Enjoy 90 minutes of short documentaries themed around building walkable, sustainable cities. This inaugural free event will take place from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Capitol Theater. Get involved with community partner organizations, and enjoy a post-showing reflection at Superelectric Pinball across the street.
Dec. 14-15: Cleveland Holiday Bazaar – 20th Anniversary
Spend the weekend at the 78th Street Studios at their biggest show of the season and their 20th anniversary of the Bazaar. Browse local and handmade goods from over 125 artists, studios and food trucks.
Dec. 20, 2024: Chamber Music in the Atrium: Holiday Brass with Gabrieli’s Horns
This holiday edition of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Chamber Music in the Atrium concert series will be presented from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for free to museum-goers. The classical brass quintet will fill the Ames Family Atrium with arrangements of holiday favorites.
Dec. 31, 2024: NYE 2025 at Music Box
Ring in the new year with four different concerts presented by Music Box Supper Club. The two shows at noon and two at 6 p.m. present a variety of music genres, from motown to yacht rock to a Fleetwood Mac tribute to the Big Polka Dance Party. Ticket prices and locations vary by concert with prices starting at $20.
Dec. 31, 2024: New Year’s Eve Celebration – Windows on the River
Toast to 2025 with views of the Cleveland skyline and underwater experiences at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. Tickets start at $195 and include shuttle service, open bar, food, aquarium entry and more.