Ohio
21 Things to do in Northeast Ohio this weekend
CLEVELAND, Ohio – When you’re done cleaning up from Christmas, there’s plenty to do around Northeast Ohio. You can still catch holiday pop-up bars or get the family out for a lighting display through the New Year. The Cavaliers, Browns and Monsters are all playing home games. When you’re not shopping for a New Year’s Eve outfit, check out the places to celebrate the festive night around Northeast Ohio.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra is always busy this time of year spreading holiday cheer with a metal and orchestral mash-up of classic Christmas classics. The band brings its “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” tour, complete with laser light show and pyrotechnic, to Rocket Arena the day after Christmas. Tickets start at $55
3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Friday, December 26
Rocket Arena, 1 Center Court, Cleveland
trans-siberian.com
Public Square Cheer Garden
Public Square is busy for the winter holidays with ice skating, an outdoor bar, firepits with tasty s’mores, and holiday tunes. The IlluminateCLE Holiday Light Show takes place every hour. Free, except for ice skating fee.
5 to 10 p.m., Friday, Dec. 26
Noon to 10 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 27
Noon to 8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28
50 Public Square, Cleveland
winterlandcle.com
Holiday Lantern Tours
Take an interactive, lantern-lit walking tour of this outdoor living history museum as 19th-century villagers welcome you into their decorated homes and share seasonal traditions. Tickets $18-$28.
Through Dec. 28
Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath
wrhs.org
Frost: An Ice-Capped Garden Experience
Cleveland Botanical Garden turns into the an ethereal wonderland for the holidays, with towering ice arches, dazzling light installations, 500 poinsettias, kids activities and more. Tickets $7-$28.
Through Jan. 4
Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd. Cleveland
holdenfg.org
Magic of Lights
Now at Victory Park in North Ridegeville, this former drive-through holiday light display has been reimagined as a walk-through experience this year, letting visitors explore bright, festive scenes up close and at their own pace. Tickets $8-$17.
Through Jan. 3
Victory Park, 7777 Victory Lane, North Ridgeville
magicoflights.com
Wild Winter Lights
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s annual holiday display features over 1.5 million lights illuminating themed areas such as the Enchanted Forest, Swan Lake, Candy Lane, Polar Pathway and Santa’s North Pole Lodge. Tickets $24-$30.
Through Dec. 30
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
clevelandmetroparks.com
Deck the Hall
It’s the most wonderful time of the year at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron. The historic estate has been decked out for the holidays, with multiple Christmas trees inside and more than a million lights outside. Tickets start at $28.
Through Dec. 30
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron
stanhywet.org
Kwanzaa
Greater Cleveland Kwanzaa Alliance Kwanzaa! Celebrating 60 years of Nguzo Saba. The celebration starts on Friday, Dec. 26 and continues through the week. Free
6 p.m., Friday, Dec. 26
East Cleveland Public Library, 14101 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
facebook.com
Kwanzaa Celebration of Ujima at the Cleveland Public Library
The Cleveland Public Library offers immersion in the African and African-American cultural traditions of Kwanzaa. Clevelanders are invited to learn about the third principle of Kwanzaa: Ujima, a commitment to active and informed togetherness, where community problems are solved together. The event will include soulful music, storytelling and audience engagement. Free
Noon, Saturday, Dec. 27
Martin Luther King Jr. Branch of the Cleveland Public Library, 10601 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
cpl.libcal.com
A Night of Holiday Soul
Will Downing, Leela James and Avery*Sunshine perform together at KeyBank State Theater. Tickets start at $70.
7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28
KeyBank State Theater, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
playhousesquare.org
Home for the Holidays at Hilarities
Eight to 10 of Cleveland’s favorite comics, both old and new, will perform at Hilarities this weekend. Tickets $24
6:30 p.m. & 9:15 p.m., Friday, Dec. 26
Hilarities, 2035 E. 4th Street, Cleveland
hilarities.com
“The Hobbit”
Dobama Theatre transforms its intimate Cleveland Heights stage into Middle-earth for an imaginative staging of J.R.R. Tokien’s classic novel. Follow Bilbo Baggins as he leaves the shire and joins a band of dwarves on a quest filled with trolls, goblins and a fire-breathing dragon. Tickets $30-$48.
Through Jan. 4
Dobama Theatre, 2340 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights
dobama.org
Candy Land: It’s Wild in Ohio
Lake Metroparks turns the Candy Land board game into a nature-themed adventure, with crafts, scavenger hunts, exhibits, hot chocolate and weekend programs. Free.
Through Jan. 4
Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road, Kirtland
lakemetroparks.com
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Phoenix Suns
Celebrate New Year’s Eve Day with the Cleveland Cavaliers taking on the Phoenix Suns. Fans get a Cavalanche beanie. Tickets start at $62.
3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31
Rocket Arena, Cleveland
nba.com/cavaliers
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Browns takes on their favorite rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cleveland this weekend. Tickets start at $75.
1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28
Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland
clevelandbrowns.com
Cleveland Monsters vs. Rochester Americans
Cleveland Monsters face the Rochester Americans on the ice at Rocket Arena. Tickets start at $21
6:30 p.m., Dec. 29
Rocket Arena
clevelandmonsters.com
Cleveland Monsters vs. Toronto Marlies
Cleveland Monsters take on the Toronto Marlies. It’s Superman promotion night. The first 2,500 kids ages 14 years old and under receive Superman Monsters Capes. Tickets start at $21
6:30 p.m., Dec. 30
Rocket Arena
clevelandmonsters.com
The Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their ball-handling wizardry to Rocket Arena. The crowd will marvel at their skill and laugh at their comedy. Tickets start at $52
3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28
Rocket Arena, Cleveland
rocketarena.com/events
Cleveland Metroparks Toboggan Chutes
Find your thrill in the chill at the Chalet in Strongsville, whooshing down twin 700-foot refrigerated ice chutes on an old-timey toboggan. Reservations required. Tickets, $13-$15.
16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville
Through Feb. 22
clevelandmetroparks.com
Renaissance to Runway: The Enduring Italian Houses
The Cleveland Museum of Art’s largest fashion exhibition to date explores how Italy’s artistic past influences modern design. Pieces from Versace, Valentino, Armani, Ferragamo and Gucci are displayed alongside Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. Tickets $8-$17.
Through Feb. 1
Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland
clevelandart.org
LeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of Style
LeRoy Neiman (1921-2012) was for his brilliantly colored, expressionist paintings and screenprints of athletes, musicians, and sporting events. A special exhibition at the Kent State University Museum looks at his early work as a fashion illustrator and how it influenced his his interest in capturing the clothing, gesture and style of his subjects.
Through June 27
The Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent
kent.edu
Ohio
Wisconsin women’s hockey vs Ohio State for NCAA title; live updates
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa – Sunday offers a chance for redemption for the Wisconsin women’s hockey team.
The last time the Badgers met Ohio State, the Buckeyes cashed in on a couple of chances and left Minneapolis with a 2-1 win in the championship game of the WCHA’s Final Faceoff March 7.
The loss dropped Wisconsin from No. 1 in the polls for the first time this season. Ohio State assumed that spot.
But who is really the nation’s No. 1 team? We’ll find out this afternoon when No. 2 Wisconsin faces No. 1 Ohio State in the national championship game at Pegula Ice Arena.
This is the fourth straight year the teams have met in the final. Wisconsin (34-4-2) has a chance to capture its third title in four years; Ohio State (36-4) is going for its third championship in five seasons
Check here throughout the game for updates on the action.
Wisconsin has reclaimed the lead and its depth played key role in the score.
Senior Claire Enright, a member of the Badgers’ fourth line, scored off an assist from third line center Marianne Picard to give UW a 3-2 edge with 6 minute 18 seconds to play.
The goal was Enright’s ninth of the season and her first since Feb. 14.
You just knew it wasn’t going to be easy against Ohio State.
The Buckeyes have stormed back with two goals in the span of about 2 minutes early in the third period.
Kassidy Carmichael put Ohio State on the board at the 3 minutes 32 seconds into the third period off a pass from Mira Jungaker.
Jocelyn Amos evened the scored at the 5:34 mark. Ava McNaughton got the initial save, but Amos stuck with the play and back handed the tying goal.
Wisconsin 2, Ohio State 2, 13:33 to play.
The Badgers missed a great chance to add to its 2-0 lead 6 minutes into the second period when Ohio State’s Kassidy Carmichael was called for interference on Cassie Hall.
The 2 minutes produced no goal, and very few opportunities. It’s still a 2-0 game, but the Buckeyes are controlling the action. About 7 minutes have passed in the second period.
Wisconsin leads, 2-0, after one period, but the Buckeyes almost cut that deficit in half when All-American Joy Dunne got a shot opportunity near the crease against Badgers goaltender Ava McNaughton.
In a matchup of two Olympians, McNaughton won the battle with an impressive save.
The play highlight a strong defensive showing for UW during the final half of the first period when it eliminated many of the shot opportunities that Ohio State was able to generate earlier
Ohio State leads the Badgers in shot attempts, but UW is making better use of its chances.
Wisconsin now has two goals in its first four shots. Junior defender Laney Potter did the honors this time at the 7:34 mark of the first period. Gorbatenko, who got UW’s first goal, got the assist as did Adela Sapovalivova.
Gorbatenko and Sapovalivova have two point each and the Badgers are officially off to a hot start.
In the teams’ last meeting, Ohio State set the tone.
Not today.
Kelly Gorbatenko put the Badgers on the board 78 seconds into play off passes from Adela Sapovalivova and Lacey Eden. It was their first shot of the game.
And with 13:46 to play in the first period, UW leads, 1-0.
The championship will feature 10 players who competed in the Olympics Games in Milan, Italy. Here is the run down.
Ohio State Buckeyes
16 – Joy Dunne, jr. F, Team USA: The second-team All-American is averaging a career-best 1.67 points per game. That ranks fifth in the country. Her .90 goals per game average ranks third nationally. She scored the game-winning goal in the Buckeyes’ 1-0 win over Wisconsin in 2024 championship game..
14 – Mira Jungaker, fr., D, Sweden: At the Olympics she ranked second for Sweden in ice time. She has six goals and 18 assists this season.
9 – Jenna Raunio, fr., D, Sweden: She played in seven games at the Olympics and scored four points. She made the WCHA all-Rookie Team.
8 – Hilda Svensson, fr. F, Sweden: The WCHA rookie of the year leads the Buckeyes in points (51) and assists (33) and is third with a plus/minus of 46.
21 – Sanni Vanhagen, fr., F, Finland: In addition to her Olympic experience she has played five World Championships for Finland. She entered the final with 14 goals and 15 assists. She scored in the semifinal win over Northeastern.
4 – Caroline Harvey, sr. D, Team USA: The Olympic MVP was named the winner of the Patty Kazmaier Award March 21. She ranks second in the country with 1.97 points per game and first with 1.41 assists.
10 – Laila Edwards, sr., F, Team USA: She played defense for Olympic team, but has split time between forward and defense for the Badgers. She has played forward the past couple of games and scored two game-tying goals in the semifinals.
27 – Kirsten Simms, sr., F, Team USA: Her overtime goal against Penn State Friday was her fourth game winner in the Frozen Four. Her average of 1.97 points per game is tied for second in the nation.
30 – Ava McNaughton, jr., G, Team USA: The all-WCHA second-team selection didn’t get much playing time in the Olympics. Since her return she has recorded two shutouts and posted a 1.7 goals against average.
26 – Adela Sapovalivova, fr., F, Czechia: Spent a good portion of the season as the Badgers’ No. 1 center, but has played with the second since returning from the Olympics. She ranks seventh on the team with 45 points.
Last year’s national title game between the Badgers and Buckeyes symbolized the slim difference there is between winning and losing in this rivalrly. This will be the 17th straight gamesthe teams have met ranked 1-2 in the country. Seven of those games ended in one goal or a tie.
Here is a look at back at least year’s classic.
Ohio
How to watch Ohio State, Wisconsin in NCAA women’s hockey title game
US women’s hockey team takes home the gold against Canada in OT
USAT’s Cydney Henderson and Helene St. James break down the thriller of a gold medal game, as the USA took on rivals Canada in Milan.
Sports Seriously
Wisconsin and Ohio State ought to just put the NCAA title game on their schedules.
For the fourth consecutive season, the Badgers and Buckeyes will play for the NCAA title in women’s hockey on Sunday, March 22. Top-seeded Ohio State beat Northeastern in the Frozen Four semifinal while defending champion Wisconsin, the second seed, edged Penn State in overtime.
“It’s special and I’m just really pumped to be able to try and do it again [Sunday] with this group that we have here,” Wisconsin’s Kirsten Simms told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel after the Badgers’ Frozen Four win on Friday, March 20.
“It’s a special team, a special group, a special energy, and so I’m really excited that that put us into the game Sunday.”
Here’s how to watch the NCAA title game:
When and where is the NCAA title game?
The NCAA championship game is at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 22. It will be played at Pegula Ice Arena on the Penn State campus.
How to watch the NCAA title game
The NCAA hockey championship game will air on ESPNU.
How to stream the NCAA title game
The Frozen Four games will be streamed on ESPN+.
Who is playing in the NCAA title game?
Ohio State and Wisconsin, and it’s going to be a doozy. The Badgers were the No. 1 team in the country for most of the season until the Buckeyes upset them in the WCHA title game. Now Wisconsin gets a chance to avenge that loss with a national title on the line.
The teams have met in the last three NCAA title games, with Wisconsin winning last year and in 2023 and Ohio State winning in 2024.
Players to watch
Wisconsin is led by Caroline Harvey, who added the Patty Kazmaier Award for college hockey’s best player to her MVP award from the Milano Cortina Olympics. The Badgers also have Olympic gold medalists Laila Edwards, Ava McNaughton and Simms.
In addition to Olympian Joy Dunne, Ohio State has the country’s best freshman, Hilda Svensson.
Ohio
City of Dublin, Ohio unofficially breaks Guinness World Record with human shamrock
An Ohio city appropriately named Dublin had the luck of the Irish on its side this St. Patrick’s Day, unofficially breaking a Guinness World Record by organizing 1,050 people into the shape of a shamrock.
The human shamrock, which took on its verdant hue thanks to the green ponchos worn by participants, was formed immediately following the St. Patrick’s Day parade in the city, located 15 miles northwest of downtown Columbus, and nicknamed “The Other Dublin.”
The record-breaking attempt was hosted by the creative agency Cornett and the tourism group in the city, as per Marketing Communication News.
The impressive feat topped the previous record of 815 participants, set by Dublin, Ireland — though the new mark won’t be official until Guinness certifies it.
-
Detroit, MI4 days agoDrummer Brian Pastoria, longtime Detroit music advocate, dies at 68
-
Oklahoma1 week agoFamily rallies around Oklahoma father after head-on crash
-
Georgia7 days agoHow ICE plans for a detention warehouse pushed a Georgia town to fight back | CNN Politics
-
Alaska1 week agoPolice looking for man considered ‘armed and dangerous’
-
Science1 week agoFederal EPA moves to roll back recent limits on ethylene oxide, a carcinogen
-
Movie Reviews4 days ago‘Youth’ Twitter review: Ken Karunaas impresses audiences; Suraj Venjaramoodu adds charm; music wins praise | – The Times of India
-
World1 week agoThousands march worldwide in solidarity with Palestine, Iran on al-Quds Day
-
World1 week agoJamal Rayyan, the first face of Al Jazeera, dies at 73


