Fall fun In Cleveland – The Cauldron

The Cleveland skyline from the flats during early fall. Photo courtesy of Michelle McQuade

Spectacularly spooky, this 2021 autumn season is in full swing. Vibrants colors, crisp apple treats, sweet spices, and eerie evenings- who doesn’t like fall? Here are some of the best ways Cleveland has celebrated the season and some things that are yet to come this season in and around Cleveland.

A glance at some events that already past include:

The Fall Festival of Leaves in Downtown Bainbridge: Oct. 15-17

Starting the season off right, the perfect place to see the prettiest leaves in Ohio was definitely in Bainbridge. Around 30 minutes from the CSU campus, this place has all the autumnal revelry with arts and crafts, parades, tractors, log-sawing, and much more. There was even a 5K run and four self-guided “Skyline Drive” scenic tours.

Bootanical Bash at Cleveland Botanical Gardens: Oct. 16 10:00 – 4:00 pm

Right around the corner from campus, the Botanical Gardens were hosting a boo-worthy event along the Hershey Children’s Garden and White Oak Walk. With trick-or-treating, crafts, dancing, and partying this was a spooktacular place to be.

Great Harvest Haunt Experience at Holden Arboretum: Oct. 15-17, 9 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Feel the ghostly spirit of exploration and adventure overcome you? Many let it out at the Holden Arboretum, about a 30 minutes drive from campus. There was a plethora of activities to delve into, like perusing exquisite artisans, strolling along beautiful canopy walks, and enjoying pretty forest trails.

Corn and Pumpkins Weekend at Kirtland Farmpark: Oct. 16-17, 9 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Corn and pumpkins- two of Ohio’s main crops. No wonder Kirtland celebrated the harvest season with a corn maze, farm-themed playground, and pumpkin painting. Some events, like cooking demonstrations, were only available on Oct. 17, but both days were definitely satisfying any inkling of corn fever.  

Spooky Pooch Parade at Madison Park: Oct. 16, 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Want to enjoy the spooky season and show off your adorable pup? No problem- The City of Lakewood had you covered. Only about 20 minutes from the CSU campus, a free festival and spooky parade begun around Madison Avenue in the city’s Birdtown neighborhood. Proceeds benefited the LakewoodAlive non-profit organization.

Halloween Flea Market at The Foundry Lakewood: Oct. 16, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Another reason to visit Lakewood was the event full of everything Halloween! Many vendors with decorations, toys, arts and crafts, and more set up tables on Detroit Avenue, along with delicious trick-or-treating. The Foundry kitchen also opened for the event.  

Zombie Prom at the Foundry Lakewood: Oct. 16, 7 p.m. – 2 a.m.

After the haunted Flea Market was the creepy, but definitely cool, zombie filled party at The Foundry Concert Club on Detroit Avenue. Unlike the other events in this article, this one was for cool kids that are 18 years and older. With fun prizes for best dressed and drag show performances, several partied all night to the best Halloween tunes.

Yet to come in Cleveland includes:

Blithe Spirit at Outcalt Theatre: Oct. 21-31

A whopping eight-minute walk from Cleveland State University, be prepared to see the production of a lifetime. Cleveland State’s Department of Theatre and Dance is performing at the OutCalt Theatre in Playhouse Square. A spooktacular play with spirits, supernatural conflicts, and plenty of drama, this is a must-attend for fall. Join them on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. starting Oct. 21; Oct. 28 is ASL night. Tickets start at $5 for students. 

Halloween Bake Sale at CSU Campus: Oct. 22, 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity is hosting a delicious bake sale to support their chapter and to satisfy CSU students’ itch for spooky treats. It will be held at the Student Center inner link tables, so grab a snack on your way to class. This is an event for CSU students, visitors, and staff only. 

Free October Feast at Quarry Park North: Oct. 23, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

The ultimate festival of everything fall, this is definitely the best event to attend. With pumpkin carving, polka dances, an obstacle course, bubbles, costumes, pets, and the showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas, nothing else will top the season like this. Only 20 minutes from campus, it’s a brief trip to have an absolute blast in The City of South Euclid. 
No matter if you spend the season out and about or curled up with a warm pumpkin drink, enjoy fall before it’s over! For even more events, visit the Northeast Ohio Family Fun website or the Cleveland Bucket List.