The Official Start to the Holidays in Cleveland!
Each year, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Winterfest Celebration on Public Square ushers in the holiday season with fireworks, a live stage show and the traditional lighting of the Public Square lights. In addition to the Public Square events, shopping specials, concerts and other family activities take place throughout Downtown.
Winterfest 2009
On Saturday, November 28th, Winterfest 2009 presented by Giant Eagle and GetGo brought an estimated 40,000 people into Downtown throughout the day. Over 500,000 LED lights lit the city’s Christmas tree and Public Square, and for the first time since being renovated, Terminal Tower's new LED lighting display was part of the event.
New to Winterfest 2009 were the Dollar Bank Winterfest Village and the free horse drawn carriage rides through the Square. Both will be back next year due to their popularity. Events throughout Downtown included:
- Stage show featuring local bands and the Radio Disney Road Crew
- The Annual Old Stone Church Christmas Choir Concert
- 20th Anniversary performance of the Tower City Toy Soldier and Mother Goose
- Pictures with Santa on his vintage 1800's sleigh at The Arcade
- "Take a Hike" historic tours of Downtown
- Ice Sculpting on E.4th Street
- Holiday performance at the Cleveland Public Library
- NBA 2K10 Challenge at Cadillac Ranch
- Guitar Hero Competition at the House of Blues
- Public after-party at the Cleveland Plus Visitor's Center following the lighting ceremony on Public Square
We would like to extend a huge thanks to all of our partners and sponsors for making this year's Winterfest so outstanding!