University Circle announces details of 26th annual Holiday CircleFest

Friends and families skate with Santa on The Rink at Wade Oval at the 2017 Holiday Circlefest on University Circle, in Cleveland, Ohio, on December 2, 2017.

Friends and families skate with Santa on The Rink at Wade Oval at the 2017 Holiday Circlefest on University Circle, in Cleveland, Ohio, on December 2, 2017. (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer). The Plain DealerThe Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio — One of Cleveland’s most beloved holiday traditions will return for a 26th year on Sunday, Dec. 8: Holiday CircleFest.

The University Circle open house/party will feature a day’s worth of holiday fun beginning at noon and concluding with the Cleveland Museum of Art lantern procession at 5 p.m.

“It’s a great holiday tradition that kicks off the season in the right way,” says University Circle Inc. President Chris Ronayne. “You have arts and culture, you have the outdoor events, you have music … Holiday CircleFest showcases what we have at University Circle every day of the year.”

Most of University Circle’s museums, schools, churches and nonprofit organizations will be opening their doors with free activities, make-and-take crafts, music and dance performances, and shopping. University Circle Inc. will provide a free trolley from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. to take visitors to the participating locations.

Outside, Wade Oval will feature events from noon till 7 p.m.:

Noon-7 p.m. — Skate on The Rink at Wade Oval.

1-7 p.m. — Holiday Market.

1-7 p.m. — Horse-drawn carriage rides and photos with Santa.

1-5 p.m. — Live music at The Rink at Wade Oval, including Ohio City Singers and Chardon Polka Band.

1-6 p.m. — Ice carving demos at the top of each hour.

5 p.m. — Cleveland Museum of Art for a community lantern procession.

5:30 p.m. — Fire art performance by Fire and Light Performing Arts (new).

“It’s a truly Cleveland family experience,” says Ronayne. “A long-standing tradition that continues to grow.”

New this year, guests can prepay for parking in University Circle’s Ford Road Garage using the Parkmobile app. Parking spots, $9, can be reserved up until midnight on Saturday, Dec. 7. Guests will receive a ticket through their Parkmobile app, which can also be printed, to show to the parking garage attendant. More information: app.parkmobile.io/venue/wade-oval/events/91922/5195.

For more information on Holiday CircleFest, visit www.universitycircle.org/holidaycirclefest.

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