The holiday season in Cleveland leaped into high gear with the Winterland Tree Lighting Festival, drawing in hundreds to Public Square this past Saturday. Presented by K&D Group, the celebration featured a constellation of family-friendly activities, starting at 4 p.m., with the centerpiece tree lighting occurring promptly at 6 p.m. and a dazzling array of fireworks to follow. Hosted by Downtown Cleveland Inc., the event marks a nearly 40-year tradition for the city, as reported by FOX 8 and WKYC.
Attendees to the festive gathering partook in ice skating, savored food from trucks, and enjoyed live music amidst the glow of holiday lights. As temperatures dipped, spirits were buoyed by the warmth of the community and shared anticipation for the lighting of the tree. Ashley Pences of Middleburg Heights, accompanied by her young children, expressed her hope to make the festival a family tradition and remarked on the city's wintry charm, "Even though it’s Cleveland and it’s cold, it’s so pretty at night," she told cleveland.com.
Down the lively corridors of Public Square, Santa Claus appeared, much to the delight of children and adults alike. He joined Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb in the festivities, adding to a sentiment beyond simply flipping a switch to illuminate a tree. "WinterLand is more than just a tree lighting; it’s a staple in thousands of Clevelanders’ holiday traditions for nearly 40 years," stated Michael Deemer, President and CEO of Downtown Cleveland, in a sentiment obtained by WKYC.
While the tree lighting was a free event, Downtown Cleveland, Inc. hosted a raffle offering tickets to holiday shows like Pentatonix and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, with participants encouraged to donate. For those unable to attend in person, a livestream replay of the entire tree lighting ceremony remains available, ensuring that the holiday spirit can be shared far and wide. More information about the Winterland Tree Lighting Festival and its schedule can be found on the WKYC event page.
