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Last minute holiday events and toy giveaways in Cleveland

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Last minute holiday events and toy giveaways in Cleveland


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

Cleveland police arrest suspect in involuntary manslaughter investigation, find fentanyl and PCP

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Cleveland police arrest suspect in involuntary manslaughter investigation, find fentanyl and PCP


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Division of Police worked with multiple agencies to arrest a man in an investigation into involuntary manslaughter and found drugs during a police search Wednesday.

The Cleveland Division of Police Narcotics Unit worked with the U.S. Marshals Task Force to arrest 33-year-old James Williams as part of the division’s Violent Crime Reduction efforts.

Williams was taken into custody in the Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood in Cleveland’s Fourth District Wednesday.

He was previously wanted on an involuntary manslaughter investigation warrant in connection with three fatal drug overdoses, police say.

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In November 2025, Williams was identified by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office as one of 37 suspects in a large-scale drug trafficking organization.

Police say that during the investigation into Williams, they seized thousands of grams of illegal narcotics.

After Williams’ arrest, the Narcotics Unit executed a search of his home.

During the search, police say the unit found 83 grams of suspected cocaine, 76 grams of suspected fentanyl and 824 grams of suspected PCP.

During the search, police say the unit found 83 grams of suspected cocaine, 76 grams of suspected fentanyl and 824 grams of suspected PCP.(WOIO)

Investigators say they seized numerous items associated with drug manufacturing and distribution that contained suspected drug residue.

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Investigators say Williams was involved in distributing dangerous narcotics, including mixtures containing fentanyl and xylazine, a drug commonly used as a tranquilizer for animals.

Police say when xylazine is mixed with fentanyl, it can increase the risk of overdose and death.

Police said Narcan can reverse the opioid effects of fentanyl, but it cannot reverse the effects of xylazine, which makes those overdoses dangerous and in need of medical intervention.

“Every day, these men and women dedicate countless hours to complex investigations aimed at removing violent offenders, illegal firearms, and dangerous narcotics from our neighborhoods. We remain deeply concerned about the presence of Xylazine, a dangerous substance that does not respond to Narcan and is contributing to fatal overdoses,” Chief Dorothy Todd said. “We are grateful for the continued dedication of our local, state, and federal partners as we work together to reduce violent crime, disrupt criminal organizations, and keep Cleveland’s residents safe.”

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.

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Cleveland, OH

Woman killed, several children injured in Ohio Turnpike crash in Lorain County

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Woman killed, several children injured in Ohio Turnpike crash in Lorain County


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 28-year-old woman is dead, and three children are hospitalized following a one-car rollover accident in Elyria Township in the eastbound lanes of the Ohio Turnpike.

The crash happened around 11:54 a.m. at milepost 146.3.

During the investigation of the crash OSHP learned that the crash happened when the Toyota RAV4, driven by Najalee N. Rivera, drove off the right side of the road, struck a guardrail, and overturned.

The vehicle was also occupied by three children. A 7-year-old boy, a 8-year-old girl, and 4-year-old girl all from Lorain, they all suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported by LifeCare Ambulance to University Elyria Hospital.

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Rivera was not wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash, according to OSHP.

Two of the lanes were reopened about 4:15 p.m., according to a social media post from the Ohio Turnpike.

Check back with 19 News for the latest on this story.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.



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LOOK: Remembering the Cavs championship win, victory parade 10 years later

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LOOK: Remembering the Cavs championship win, victory parade 10 years later


CLEVELAND (WJW) — Ten years ago, Cleveland experienced one of the most unforgettable moments in the city’s history.

The Cavaliers became the first-ever team to overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a championship. By winning the 2016 NBA Finals, they also ended a 52-year championship drought for Cleveland.

Mr. Cavalier, Austin Carr, said he still relishes that moment 10 years later.

“The odds we overcame to win that championship,” he said. “Not only did we have to win three straight games, but we also had to have the right things happen at the right moment in order to win it. And that just tells me how difficult it is … with ‘The Shot’, ‘The Block’, and the defensive move. All those. It was just meant to be.”

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The victory over the Golden State Warriors catapulted LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith and the rest of the crew into essential Northeast Ohio sainthood.

When Akron’s own James screamed the now-famous phrase, “Cleveland, this is for you!” following the game, a whole legion of Cleveland fans around the country wept and cheered along with him.

CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 22: Kyrie Irving #2, LeBron James #23 and J.R. Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers look on during the Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 NBA Championship victory parade and rally on June 22, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)

When Smith refused to put a shirt on for what seemed like a whole summer in honor of the win, it felt right and proper.

Whenever the long-since traded Irving comes back to town, he’s remembered for his important 3-pointer at the end of Game 7 and not the way he left the team.

And the city made history again just a few days later, when more than 1.3 million people flooded downtown Cleveland for the championship parade. According to the Cavs, it remains the largest NBA championship parade ever.

The current Cavaliers (now in their Donovan Mitchell era) haven’t been back to the NBA Finals. They reached the conference finals this past spring for the first time since 2018. But a finals appearance has still eluded the wine and gold.



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