Cleveland, OH
Plan your perfect Northeast Ohio winter break
Have time off at the end of the year? Home for the holidays with the kids? Need to rest and recharge?
From dazzling light displays and winter wonderlands to hands-on art workshops, outdoor adventures and seasonal markets – there’s lots to do in Northeast Ohio. Some of it is even free.
HOLIDAY SPIRIT
Crown Point Parkway Festival of Lights
When: Through New Year’s Day; 5:30–10 p.m. weekdays, 5:30–11 p.m. weekends
Where: Crown Point Pkwy, Strongsville, Ohio
Details: Free walk- or drive-through community light display hosted by creator Dan Hoag since 1988. Visitors often park on Bennington Drive and walk under the illuminated archways.
Gingerbread Building Workshop
When: Multiple dates and times; reservations required
Where: The Jolly Gingerbread Makery, 1300 W. 78th St., Cleveland, OH 44102
Details: A 3-hour workshop where participants build and decorate a gingerbread house while enjoying sweets, music, and a creative holiday atmosphere. Cost: $44.52 for two people. All materials included. Online reservations required.
Winter Wonderland at The Sixty6
When: Dec. 20, 9 a.m.– 6 p.m.
Where: The Sixty6 Music Lounge, 1966 E. 66th St., Cleveland, OH 44103
Details: Free family event with breakfast and photos with Santa, vendor market, reindeer pen, crafts, and live music. Online reservations encouraged.
Inaugural Parma Pierogi Drop
When: Dec. 31, 8 p.m.–1 a.m.
Where: Sloppy Bobs, 5994 State Rd., Cleveland, OH 44134
Details: Free admission with refreshments for purchase. Features State Meats pierogies, bicentennial Schnitz Ale, treats from Breads and Beyond Bakery, live music, a rooftop pierogi drop, and fireworks after midnight.
BUY LOCAL
Screw Factory Holiday Market
When: Dec. 19 (6–10 p.m.); Dec. 20 (10 a.m.–6 p.m.); Dec. 21 (10 a.m.–3 p.m.)
Where: 13000 Athens Ave., Lakewood, OH 44107
Details: Free admission and parking. Annual holiday market featuring local artists and makers offering handmade gifts, décor, art, and more inside a historic former factory.
Paradise Galleria
When: Open weekly, Tues.–Sun., 12–6 p.m.
Where: 3910 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113
Details: Free admission to explore a 13,000 sq. ft. “Mall of Dreams” filled with vintage designs, local vendors, a jacuzzi ballpit, secret passageways, and a whimsical slide to the basement vendor area.
LOOK AT ART
78th Street Studios Art Walk (THIRD FRIDAYS)
When: Dec. 19, 5–9 p.m.
Where: 1300 W. 78th St., Cleveland, OH 44102
Details: Free event showcasing art, music, food, and pop-up vendors across 60+ venues on four floors. Named Cleveland’s Best Arts Event by Scene and Yelp. A multisensory way to meet artists and explore Cleveland’s creative community.
Holiday Traditions Tours at the Cleveland Museum of Art
When: Through Dec. 28 on Wednesdays (5:45–6:45 p.m.), Saturdays (3–4 p.m.), and Sundays (3–4 p.m.)
Where: 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106
Details: Free with reservation. A guided tour exploring winter celebrations across cultures and time, highlighting art that represents light, generosity, and togetherness.
GET ACTIVE
MOCA Saturday FAM Day (Family, Art & Movement)
When: Jan. 3, 12–2:30 p.m.
Where: MOCA Cleveland, 11400 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106
Details: Free for Ohio residents. Movement and creativity session led by the 10K Movement, inspired by MOCA’s exhibitions. Open to all ages and skill levels.
Cleveland Toboggan – The Chalet
When: Open weekends (with or without snow) through late February
Where: 16200 Valley Pkwy., Strongsville, OH 44136
Details: Twin 700-foot refrigerated toboggan chutes. Tickets $13–$15 for multiple rides. Reservations required.
Ice Skating – Thornton Park Ice Arena (Shaker Heights)
When: Public skating schedule varies
Where: 3301 Warrensville Center Rd., Shaker Heights, OH 44122
Details: Admission $4–$9; skate rentals $3.
Ice Skating – Cleveland Heights North Rink
When: Public skating schedule varies
Where: 1 Monticello Blvd., Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
Details: Admission $2–$5; skate rentals $2.
Ice Skating – Public Square
When: Open daily 12–10 p.m.; check holiday hours
Where: 3 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44115
Details: $15 per person including skate rental.
Cross Country Skiing + Snowshoeing (Lake Metroparks)
When: Hours and availability depend on conditions
Where: Pine Lodge Ski Center & trails, 8668 Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
Details: Rentals $3–$5/hour or $12–$30/day. Trails at Penitentiary Glen and Chapin Forest offer scenic winter routes. Snowshoe rentals vary by site.
Sledding at Cleveland Metroparks
When: Open when weather and snow conditions permit
Where:
• Barrett Sledding Hill – Rocky River Reservation, Berea
• Engle Road Sledding Hill – Big Creek Reservation, Middleburg Heights
• Big Met Golf Course Sledding Area – Rocky River Reservation, Fairview Park
• Edgewater Park – upper area off the Shoreway
Details: Use hills only with proper equipment and safe conditions.
SEE NATURE
Light Up the Night Luminary Walk
When: Dec. 19, 2025, 6–8 p.m.
Where: Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Pkwy., North Olmsted, OH 44070
Details: Free self-guided luminary walk with hot chocolate, snacks, animal exhibits, and a craft. The trail is under one mile on natural surfaces.
Luminary Walk: Moonlight Mammal
When: Dec. 30, 2025, 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Where: Nature Education Building, 401 Buttermilk Falls Pkwy., Mayfield Village, OH
Details: Free luminary-lit marsh walk with crafts, hot chocolate, and animal exhibits. Indoor options available if weather is poor.
Rockefeller Park & Greenhouse
When: Open daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: 750 E. 88th St., Cleveland, OH 44108
Details: Free botanical garden with indoor/outdoor displays, seasonal exhibits, and specialty plant collections.
Candyland at Lake Metroparks
When: Open daily Nov. 22, 2025–Jan. 4, 2026, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Penitentiary Glen, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
Details: Free indoor Candy Land-themed adventure with crafts, exhibits, scavenger hunts, hot chocolate, weekend programs, and nature gift shop.
CREATE
Junk Journaling at the Library
When: Dec. 27, 2:30–4 p.m.
Where: Cleveland Public Library – South Branch, 3096 Scranton Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113
Details: Free journaling workshop using new and recycled materials. Supplies provided; bring personal items to customize your journal.
Holiday Pop-Up! Open Studio at the Cleveland Museum of Art
When: Dec. 27–28, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106
Details: Free, drop-in art-making sessions for all ages. Create reflective vessels inspired by the past year and the year ahead.
LISTEN TO MUSIC
Monday Night Jazz at Brothers Lounge
When: Every Monday, 8–10 p.m.
Where: The Brothers Lounge, 11609 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44102
Details: Free jazz orchestra performance inspired by classic large-ensemble traditions.
Chamber Music at the Cleveland Museum of Art
When:
• Wed., Dec. 17, 2025, 6–7 p.m. (Harpsichord program by QinYing Tan)
• Fri., Dec. 19, 2025, 6–7 p.m. (Linking Legacies ensemble performing works by African American composers)
Where: 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106
Details: Free concerts inspired by artworks displayed in the galleries where each performance takes place.
Cleveland, OH
Man who claims girl found in suitcase is his daughter says he begged courts and CPS for help
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – 19 News spoke with a man who claims he is the father of one of the two little girls found dead and buried in suitcases in Cleveland.
Deshaun Chatman shared that he was overcome with grief and anger as he came to terms with the terrible truth that his 8-year-old girl, Mila Chatman, is dead.
“I’ve been looking for my daughter for five years. I’ve been calling CPS, going to the courts, trying to get emergency custody, calling the police for welfare checks. But they denied all access,” Chatman alleged.
On Monday, she and her half-sister, Amor Wilson, 10, were found dead and partially buried, after a neighbor walking his dog near a field in the area of East 163rd and Midland Avenue called 911 after his dog picked up a scent.
Cleveland police on Wednesday detained a person of interest, whom officers later identified as Aliyah Henderson, 28, near the crime scene.
Records show Henderson was booked into the Cuyahoga County Jail on Wednesday evening.
According to Chatman, the little girl’s mother had been avoiding him and moving around a lot. The last time he said he saw her was when he helped buy clothes for kindergarten.
Chatman told 19 News that he is now working with detectives to prove he was Mila’s father.
“I’m still in contact with the detectives. We’re doing the DNA samples. So I’ll get more details within the next couple of days.”
Chatman visited the site where his little girl’s body was found with 19 News.
“What I’m feeling is hate. I’m not going to lie, I feel hate. I asked you on numerous occasions for my daughter. If it’s too much for you. I just want my daughter,” Chatman said when asked how he felt.
Chatman, so overwhelmed by the sight, needed to be comforted by a friend.
“I don’t get how you can hate your kids enough to kill them. To bury them. To do all this and go right there to that home, right there, and live there when your kids are right here. Go be a mother to another child, while you just killed your other two.”
Now, he tells 19 News that he wants changes to the system, which he said denied him a chance to be a father.
“Change these laws. Make it better. A man do have a say so in their child’s life, married or unmarried,” Chatman said.
19 News has reached out to Cuyahoga County Children and Family Services to learn if it was involved in any way and if Chatman had any contact with the office.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Several schools throughout Ohio were placed on lockdown on Wednesday due to threats.
ROCKY RIVER CITY SCHOOLS
Rocky River High School got a phone call at approximately 10:53 a.m. threatening the safety of the school.
The Rocky River Police Department said the caller said they were heading to the school with weapons, RRPD later shared in a press conference.
Police officers teamed up by mutual aid swiftly arrived to ensure no unauthorized persons were on campus, RRPD stated.
“Rooms were cleared and no dangers were located,” RRPD said. “There are no indications that there was ever any danger to any of the students, staff or buildings of the district.”
Parents told 19 News their kids sent them pictures of officers walking through the halls with rifles.
Rocky River High School will have early dismissal as there will be a heavy police presence in and around the Rocky River Schools for the rest of Wednesday and throughout the week, according to RRPD.
Students who drive were expected to be released by 12:30 p.m., while students who walk or are picked up by parents were released at 1 p.m., RRPD shared.
RRPD called the phone call a swatting incident, and said “any person or people behind hoax threat calls will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Chief George Lichman says they are working with other agencies to find out who made the call. They said the number that popped up was not local. They do not know at this time if it was an incorrect number or a computerized message.
Chief Lichman says he doesn’t believe the school system has experienced a swatting call before.
There will be additional officers on campus throughout the week.
AUBURN CAREER CENTER
Auburn Career Center in Lake County’s Concord Township received a threat over the phone at approximately 10:16 a.m., Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno stated.
Deputies were immediately sent to the school to assist the School Resource Officer in the investigation as a lockdown was implemented as a precaution.
Auburn Career Center shared at 12:55 p.m. that a thorough investigation determined the threat to be not credible, and all students were safely dismissed and left the building, which remained guarded by deputies.
All afternoon and evening classes for both high school and adult education scheduled for Wednesday have been canceled in light of the morning’s event.
“We want to thank the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for their immediate response and partnership during this situation,” said Superintendent Joe Glavan. “I also want to thank our staff and students for following procedures and doing exactly what was necessary to ensure everyone’s safety. While this threat was ultimately deemed not credible, we will always prioritize the safety of our students and staff.”
Leonbruno confirmed there is no active threat at Auburn Career Center, but the incident remains under investigation.
SHAKER HEIGHTS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Shaker Heights High School briefly went under lockdown as a precaution during Pre-ACT and ACT testing after getting a call of a possible bomb threat outside of the building, Shaker Schools stated.
Shaker Schools also said Fernway and Onaway elementary schools briefly went into a lockdown.
Shaker Heights Police Department officers are at the high school and “have not found any evidence of a credible threat,” Shaker Schools stated.
FBI CLEVELAND
FBI Cleveland shared the following statement in regards to their response to the Northeast Ohio school swatting incidents:
OTTAWA HILLS LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
In the Toledo area, Ottawa Hills Superintendent Adam Fineske said a call for a bomb threat came in at 10:45 a.m., targeting the Junior/Senior High School, stating “Bombs all over the school and coming with guns.”
Toledo Police K-9 units swept the school and nothing was found.
BOWLING GREEN CITY SCHOOLS
Bowling Green High School was also affected by the treats and placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure just before noon.
INDIAN HILL EXEMPTED VILLAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Indian Hill High School in Cincinnati evacuated students and staff around 11 a.m. on Wednesday with the help of Indian Hill Rangers after getting a potential bomb threat.
Indian Hill Middle School was evacuated as a precaution.
MASON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Mason High School received a threatening phone call on Wednesday morning, Mason City Schools confirmed.
The Mason Police Department and Campus Safety team determined it was safe to resume normal school operations at 11:44 a.m. when law enforcement confirmed there was no credible threat to the schools, Mason City Schools stated.
CINCINNATI PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Cincinnati Public Schools’ Walnut Hills High School was under lock-in after receiving a bomb threat.
The lock-in was lifted after Cincinnati police cleared the area, and school resumed normal operations.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
Medical examiner releases new details about bodies of 2 young girls found in suitcases near Cleveland school
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner released new information about the bodies of two young girls found in suitcases in Cleveland’s South Collinwood neighborhood.
On Wednesday morning, the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner confirmed through DNA that the two girls are half-siblings.
At this time, they have not been positively identified, and no further information is available while the investigation is ongoing.
In a news conference on Tuesday, Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd confirmed the bodies of two young girls were found in suitcases on the city’s East Side on 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 a while, 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 doorstep,” 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.
“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.
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.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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