Cleveland, OH

Last minute holiday events and toy giveaways in Cleveland

Published

3 months ago

December 17, 2025

Cleveland is in full holiday mode. Whether you’re on the hunt for Santa or looking for fun ways to celebrate Kwanzaa or Chanukah, there’s something magical (and sometimes free) happening from the East to the West Side, from Shaker Heights to Parma. Check out our list, sorted by holiday and date.

Chanukah party

CJC Chanukah Party

When: Sat., Dec. 20, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (5 p.m. games, 6 p.m. candlelighting, 6:45 p.m. latkes)
Where: Acacia Shelter, Lyndhurst
Details: All-ages Chanukah celebration with games, candlelighting, latkes and a dessert contest.

Christmas events and toy giveaways

Photo with Santa

When: Thursday, Dec. 18, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Where: McGregor Assisted Living, 14850 Private Dr., East Cleveland
Details: Free photo with Santa and hot cocoa. Register here.

Breakfast with Santa & Christmas Toy Giveaway

When: Saturday, Dec. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Sanctuary Baptist Church, 4004 E. 131st St., Cleveland, OH 44105
Details: Free breakfast with Santa and a toy giveaway for ages 0-13. Hosted by Sanctuary Baptist and We Care Ministries.

Cookies and Cocoa with Santa

When: Saturday, Dec. 20, from noon to 2 p.m.
Where: MetroHealth Old Brooklyn Campus, 4229 Pearl Road, first floor atrium
Details: Free event with holiday music, photos with Santa ($3), goodie bags for the first 150 kids (10 and under), and take-home cookie/cocoa bags. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Hosted by the old Brooklyn Community Collaborator.

Free Toy Drive

When: Saturday, Dec. 20, from noon to 4 p.m.
Where: East View United Church of Christ, Van Aken Boulevard, Shaker Heights, OH 44120
Details: Free toys for children in need. Contact: Elder Baker, 216-255-2385. Hosted by One Soul at a Time Ministries.

Galleria Holiday Event – Toys for Tots Giveaway

When: Saturday, Dec. 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 1301 E. 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44114
Details: Toy giveaway, cookies, Santa meet-and-greet, games and activities. Register for toys at swavlupus.org.

Angelo Miller Foundation Christmas Dinner & Toy Giveaway

When: Saturday, Dec. 20, from noon to 4 p.m.
Where: 6301 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, OH 44102
Details: Free dinner, entertainment and toys. Must register by email at AngeloMillerFoundation@gmail.com and include child’s name and gender and your phone number and ZIP code. Bring a bag to shop.

Donté’s Gift Express – Family Fun Day

When: Saturday, Dec. 20, from noon to 4 p.m.
Where: Skylight Park at Tower City, 230 W. Huron Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113
Details: Free holiday family event featuring crafts, family gift giveaways, a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree, and performances by Radio One, DJ Lily Jade, and the Shaw High School Marching Band. Activities include holiday photos, VR gaming, a hot chocolate station, sock skating, the “Story” slide, and more. Reserve a spot. Find more information at DontesGiftExpress.com.

Toy Giveaway

When: Sunday, Dec. 21, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: 6009 Fleet Ave., Cleveland, OH
Details: Toy giveaway for ages 0-12. Must register by Tuesday, Dec. 16. Food, music and toys included. Hosted by Loretta’s Helping Hands.

Christmas Toy Drive

When: Monday, Dec. 22, from noon to 5 p.m.
Where: 5489 Ridge Road, Parma, OH 44129
Details: Toy drive for ages 6-12. Registration required. Hosted by Royal Kutz Barbershop. Email: zeusroyalkutz@gmail.com or via Instagram or Facebook; children must be present. Donations accepted through Dec. 19.

Santa’s Workshop – Holiday Give Back

When: Tuesday, Dec. 23, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: Euphoria Lanes, 1812 E. 30th St., Cleveland, OH 44103
Details: Free community event with crafts, photos with Santa, toy giveaways, warm winter items and food.

Twinkle After Christmas Treat

When: Friday, Dec. 26, from noon to 3 p.m.
Where: 11406 Union Ave., Cleveland, OH
Details: Holiday brunch with drinks and a free toy. For more information, call Ms. Iris at 216-633-5014 or Teaira at 216-242-6742 ext. 103.

Kwanzaa celebrations

Greater Cleveland Kwanzaa Alliance & NROPI — Kwanzaa Celebration (Umoja)

When: Fri., Dec. 26, 2025, at 6 p.m.
Where: East Cleveland Public Library, 14101 Euclid Ave., East Cleveland, OH 44112
Details: Features presenter Dr. Haki Madhubuti, musical libation by Hue People. Free community celebration. info: 216-543-0066, nropi@aol.com

McMillian Family & The Extended Family Kwanzaa

When: Fri., Dec. 26, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Forest Hill Church, 3031 Monticello Blvd., Cleveland Heights, OH
Details: Family-oriented Kwanzaa celebration.

Together in Tradition: A Kwanzaa Celebration

When: Sat., Dec. 27, 2025, at 12 p.m.
Where: Cleveland Public Library – MLK Jr. Campus, 10601 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106
Details: Hosted by CPL, Black Employee Resource Group and Diapo Cultural Arts Institute. Info: 216-623-7019.

Kwanzaa Celebration – Alpha Xi Chapter

When: Sat., Dec. 27, 2025, at 1 p.m.
Where: Warrensville Heights Branch – Cuyahoga County Public Library, 4415 Northfield Rd., Warrensville Heights, OH 44128
Details: Community celebration hosted by Alpha Xi Chapter.

Ohio Cleveland Association of Black Social Workers & Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers Presents Kwanzaa: Kujichagulia

When: Sat., Dec. 27, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: The Friendly Inn Settlement, 2386 Unwin Rd., Cleveland, OH
Details: Community Kwanzaa event for all!

Let’s Pray Ministries & Sheroes — Kwanzaa Celebration

When: Sun., Dec. 28, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: United Temple Tabernacle, 14284 Superior Ave., Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
Details: Kwanzaa celebration. Contacts: Pastor Pam 216-324-5303; Obatala Sangofunmi 216-785-8109.

Golden Ciphers & National Rites of Passage Institute— Kwanzaa Celebration

When: Tues., Dec. 30, 2025, at 5 p.m.
Where: 4450 Cedar Ave., Cleveland, OH
Details: Community Kwanzaa celebration. Contact: Pam Hubbard, phubbard5704@gmail.com

Kings & Queens of Art / Larchmere Cultural Arts – Kwanzaa Celebration

When: Wed., Dec. 31, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 1385 E. 34th St., Cleveland, OH (enter via St. Clair Ave.)
Details: Vendors welcome (contact 216-780-2470). Co-sponsored community event.

African American History Museum – Kwanzaa

When: Thurs., Jan. 1, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 1765 Crawford Ave., Cleveland, OH
Details: Part of the Greater Cleveland Kwanzaa Alliance series.

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Cleveland, OH

Bodies of 2 young girls found in suitcases in Cleveland’s South Collinwood neighborhood

Published

6 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Bodies of 2 young girls found in suitcases in Cleveland’s South Collinwood neighborhood

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd on Tuesday confirmed the bodies of two young girls were found in suitcases on the city’s East Side Monday evening.

Cleveland police were called just after 6 p.m. to a field in the area of East 163rd and Midland Avenue for a suspected dead body.

According to police sources, a man was walking his dog in the area, for the first time in awhile due to the snow, and the dog hit on the scent.

The man immediately called 911.

“The officers responded out and located a deceased individual that was in a shallow grave inside of a suitcase,” said Chief Todd.

When officers and homicide detectives got to the scene, Todd said they found the second body nearby.

According to the chief, both suitcases were partially buried in shallow graves. She said the victims had been there quite some time.

“It is traumatic for everyone. It is traumatic for those who live in the area to know that this was right there at their door step,” said Todd.

Authorities said one victim is believed to be 8-and-a-half to 13 years old and the other is believed to be 10-and-a-half to 14 years old.

There is no indication at this time on their identities, according to police.

“locally we have no reports of missing children to match these identifications. We are checking statewide as well. We have assistance from our state federal and local partners,” said Todd.

Detectives are checking with state and federal partners as well.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner has taken custody of the bodies and will conduct further examination to determine the cause of death.

This crime scene is located near Ginn Academy in the city’s South Collinwood neighborhood.

Police said the investigation remains in its very early stages and there is no indication of an ongoing threat to public safety.

If anyone has any information, they are asked to call the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit at 216-623-5464.

Tips can remain anonymous.

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Cleveland, OH

More than 30K FirstEnergy customers without power in Cuyahoga County

Published

18 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

More than 30K FirstEnergy customers without power in Cuyahoga County

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Thousands of FirstEnergy customers are without power in Cuyahoga County this Tuesday.

The total number reached 31,785 reported outages in Cuyahoga County at noon.

That number decreased to 16,486 as of 1:10 p.m.

There were just 2,751 still without power less than an hour later at 2 p.m.

FirstEnergy estimates power to be restored to most impacted customers between 2-4 p.m. Tuesday.

FirstEnergy spokesperson Brooke Conlan said this is due to small fires on poles.

According to Conlan, the misty rain combined with salt on the road can cause contamination on utility poles, which causes electricity to travel across the the pole and cause the fire.

Conlan added their crews are working as quickly as possible to restore power.

Due to the outages, the Parma Justice Center is closed, and all court proceedings are suspended for the remainder of Tuesday.

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Cleveland, OH

David Henry Obituary – Vermilion, OH

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

David Henry

OBITUARY

David G. Henry, 70, of Vermilion, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2026, at his home following a lengthy illness.He was born December 14, 1955, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and had made Vermilion his home for the past 42 years, moving from Irwin, Pennsylvania.Dave began his career with Westinghouse in Pennsylvania before relocating to Ohio in 1983. He was employed at Elyria Foundry for 20 years and later worked as a machinist for 14 years at Betcher Industries, where he retired. He was known throughout his career for his strong work ethic and skilled craftsmanship.In his free time, Dave enjoyed woodworking, taking pride in the projects he created with his hands. Above all, he cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his children and grandchildren.He is survived by his daughter, Alicia Parsons of Vermilion; his sons, David (Fiona) Henry of Bloomington, Indiana and Jonathan (Joanna) Henry of Vermilion and Anthony (Ashley) Cico of Amherst; and 13 beloved grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene (nee Eckenrode) Henry in 2017; his parents, Charles and Gloria (nee Krider) Henry; his brother, Howard Henry; and his son-in-law, Cliff Parsons.The family will receive friends on Friday, March 20, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 5:00 p.m. at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio.Memorial contributions may be made to Friendship Animal Protective League of Lorain County, Inc. 8303 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035 or Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 95000 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com

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