Holiday Season Starts Now: NEO Family Guide for Nov 13 to 15, 2026

Hi friend, it's Carey 👋

Somewhere between the last fall leaves and the first frosty morning, it happened: holiday season in Northeast Ohio officially started. This weekend the North Pole train pulls out for the first time, a free festival of 154 decorated trees opens in downtown Akron, and the holiday calendar is suddenly full of good stuff.

So this issue is part weekend plan, part holiday ticket calendar. I put the dates you may want to book ahead in one place, so you can plan the magic without the scramble. And because fresh air still matters, I'm sending you to one of my favorite river overlooks in Akron.

Grab your coffee. Here's the plan.

🎄 Top 5 This Weekend (Nov 13 to 15)

1. The North Pole Adventure opens on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (Independence)

When: Opening weekend, Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14 and Sun Nov 15. Trains leave at 5:00 p.m. (back at 6:30) or 7:55 p.m. (back at 9:25). The season runs through Dec 22.

Where: Rockside Station, 7900 Old Rockside Road, Independence. Free parking.

Cost: $60 to $110 per person, depending on seat.

Why I love it: Kids ride in pajamas on a heated train to the "North Pole" for milk and cookies, letters to Santa, and a visit from Santa himself with a gift. It's a 90-minute ride, so it fits right before bedtime. Plan to arrive 45 minutes early, and know that the railroad says seats fill up quickly, so if this is on your family's wish list, look at dates now. There is an ADA accessible car.

Link: cvsr.org/excursions/north-pole-adventure

2. Akron Children's Holiday Tree Festival opens (Akron) 🆓

When: Sat Nov 14, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sun Nov 15, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Runs daily through Sun Nov 22 (weekdays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.).

Where: John S. Knight Center, 77 E. Mill St., Akron.

Cost: FREE admission.

Why I love it: This is the 45th year, with 154 decorated trees, 84 wreaths and 179 gifts to wander through. It's pure holiday sparkle at zero cost, and it supports Akron Children's. Breakfast with Santa is offered at 8:30 a.m. on Sat Nov 14 and Sat Nov 21 with online registration.

Link: akronchildrens.org/treefestival

3. Prescription for Play: Playdate with Pediatricians at the Children's Museum of Cleveland (Cleveland) 🆓

When: Sat Nov 14, 2 to 4 p.m.

Where: Children's Museum of Cleveland, 3813 Euclid Ave., Cleveland.

Cost: FREE, registration required.

Why I love it: Open play at the museum plus a "sound safari" with ear, nose and throat specialists, comfort kits, giveaways and snacks, together with Akron Children's. It's a gentle, friendly way for little ones to meet doctors when nobody's sick. Register on the museum's events page before you go.

Link: cmcleveland.org/events

4. Winter Village Market at Holden Arboretum (Kirtland)

When: Sat Nov 14 and Sun Nov 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Holden Arboretum, 9550 Sperry Road, Kirtland.

Cost: Included with admission: adults $21, kids 3 to 12 $15, 2 and under free (Museums for All tickets are $1).

Why I love it: A brand-new indoor holiday market with local makers, a fire to warm up by, and festive drinks (including a mocktail). Kid-friendly finds include hand-sewn puppets and a build-your-own slime and play dough bucket (Saturday only). Off the Griddle food truck is there both days. Holden notes a road closure on Kirtland-Chardon Road (Route 306) between Sperry and Wisner Roads, so check directions before you leave.

Link: holdenarb.org/event/winter-village-market

5. Thanksgiving Dinner with Abraham Lincoln at Hale Farm & Village (Bath)

When: Sat Nov 14, 3 to 6 p.m.

Where: Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath.

Cost: $55 general public, $50 WRHS members, $25 youth ages 3 to 12.

Why I love it: A classic buffet Thanksgiving feast (turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and dessert) with President Lincoln and costumed interpreters telling stories from our nation's past. There are youth activities all afternoon and music of the season. Note: the village grounds are not open during this event, but the MarketPlace is open for holiday shopping.

Link: wrhs.org Thanksgiving Dinner with Abraham Lincoln

💸 Free Fun

• Autumn Hike and Leaf Art (Sat Nov 14, 1 to 3 p.m.): Hike around Sanctuary Marsh at North Chagrin Reservation, collect fallen leaves, learn local trees, then head inside the Nature Education Building to make tree art. Free. clevelandmetroparks.com
• Second Saturday Science at Mentor Marsh (Sat Nov 14, 8 a.m. to noon): Drop in with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History at Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve. Free, no registration. cmnh.org
• Nature's Harvest (Sun Nov 15, 2 to 4 p.m.): Search for nuts and seeds that plants leave behind for wildlife with a Cleveland Metroparks naturalist at Brecksville Nature Center. Free. clevelandmetroparks.com
• Save the date, Candy Land Wild about Winter (opens Sat Nov 21): The FREE family tradition returns to Penitentiary Glen Reservation in Kirtland, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Jan 3. The game comes to life indoors with a wintry theme, crafts, scavenger hunts and hot chocolate in Snowshoe Lodge. lakemetroparks.com
• And don't forget: the Holiday Tree Festival in Akron (Top 5 #2) is free all week.

☔ Rainy Day Pick: Great Lakes Science Center (Cleveland)

Hundreds of hands-on exhibits, daily science demonstrations, and the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, all on Cleveland's lakefront. It's my go-to when the weather turns and the kids need to burn off energy with their brains switched on.

Hours: Fri Nov 13 and Sat Nov 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Heads up: the Science Center is CLOSED Sun Nov 15 (it closes on home Cleveland Browns game days), so plan this one for Friday or Saturday.

Cost: Adults $19.95, youth ages 2 to 12 $14.95, members free.

Link: greatscience.com/visit/hours

🥾 Hike or Waterfall of the Week: Cascade Valley Metro Park, Oxbow and Overlook Trails (Akron)

This is one of my own photos from Cascade Valley, and it's the view that makes me stop every single time: the Cuyahoga River curling around a sandy bend, way down below the overlook.

The short and sweet version: The Overlook Trail is a flat, easy 0.5 mile and ADA accessible, with views of the river oxbow 125 feet below the Overlook Deck. Park at the Overlook Area, 354 Sackett Ave., Akron.

The adventure version: The Oxbow Trail is a moderate 1.2 miles along the river on hilly ground, starting from the Oxbow Area, 1061 Cuyahoga St., Akron. With a steep uphill climb you can connect to the Overlook Trail. When I went, I loved the timber staircase down the gorge and the riverside benches.

Did you know? In 1833, Eliakim Crosby built the Cascade Race here, a channel that powered mills along the Ohio & Erie Canal and helped turn Akron into a boomtown.

Good to know: Park areas are open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The paddling access at Oxbow is for expert paddlers only, and the Chuckery Area is currently closed for Gorge Dam removal work.

Links: Summit Metro Parks: Cascade Valley | My Cascade Valley listing

🍔 Eats Near You: 56 Kitchen (Mayfield Heights)

Doing the leaf art hike at North Chagrin on Saturday? 56 Kitchen is a short drive away, and it's one of my 5-star picks.

What I order: The Double Smashed Cheeseburger Supreme (two 4-ounce smash burgers) is outstanding, and you can swap in a gluten-free bun. On my visits I've also loved the pierogis and a flourless chocolate cake that eats like a fudge brownie.

For the kids: There's a kids menu and high chairs.

Where: 1433 Som Center Rd., Mayfield Heights. (440) 684-5600.

Hours: Mon to Thu 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri and Sat 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Links: 56kitchen.com | My 56 Kitchen review

📅 Coming Up: Your Holiday Ticket Calendar

This week (Nov 16 to 22)

• Mon to Thu, any week: Free chocolate factory tour at Fannie May (North Canton). Free guided tours about 45 minutes long, on the hour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Thursday. Reservations are encouraged: call 330.433.4148. 5353 Lauby Road. Tours depend on the production schedule. fanniemay.com/chocolate-tours
• Through Sun Nov 22: Holiday Tree Festival (Akron). Free, John S. Knight Center. akronchildrens.org
• Starts Wed Nov 18: Wild Winter Lights at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (Cleveland). More than 1.5 million lights, 5 to 9 p.m. on select nights. Drive-through nights start Nov 18 ($59 per vehicle, $49 members); walk-through nights start Nov 19 ($27 per person in advance for non-members, under 2 free, with a 4-pack option). Prices go up closer to the date, so buying ahead saves money. clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo
• Starts Fri Nov 20: Wild Lights at the Akron Zoo (Akron). First nights are Nov 20 and 21, then select dates through Dec 27. Adults $20 to $27, kids $16 to $23. Library passes are not valid. akronzoo.org/wild-lights
• Fri Nov 20 to Sun Nov 22: Medina Candlelight Walk (Medina). The 42nd annual: tree lighting Friday at 7 p.m. at the gazebo, Holiday Parade of Lights Saturday at 5:30 p.m. followed by fireworks (weather permitting), and Santa photos and holiday activities Sunday. mainstreetmedina.com
• Sat Nov 21: Crocker Park Tree Lighting (Westlake). Free block party 4 to 8 p.m., and Santa arrives at 7 p.m. to light the tree at Center Circle. crockerpark.com
• Sat Nov 21: Candy Land Wild about Winter opens (Kirtland). Free. See Free Fun above.

Thanksgiving weekend (Nov 27 to 29)

• Fri Nov 27: Stan Hywet Deck the Hall opens (Akron). "Holidays Through the Decades" in the Manor House, lights across the estate, and Santa visits 4 to 8 p.m. through Dec 23. Runs through Dec 30, 3 to 9 p.m. (last admission 8 p.m.). Non-member adults $28, youth 3 to 17 $15. Stan Hywet notes that popular dates may sell out, and tickets are nonrefundable, so pick your date carefully. stanhywet.org
• Fri Nov 27: Hudson Lighting of the Greens (Hudson). The 78th year. Carolers gather at 4:30 p.m. at Old School Park, and the main festivities are on the Gazebo Green 5 to 7 p.m., with food trucks 4 to 7 p.m. hudson.oh.us
• Fri Nov 27 to Sun Nov 29: Holiday Ice & Lights Festival at Lake Metroparks Farmpark (Kirtland). 4 to 9 p.m. Live ice carving, a North Pole throne made of ice, tractor-drawn wagon rides through the lights, a holiday equine show, a North Pole train display and Santa. Daily admission applies; cookie decorating is a small extra fee. lakemetroparks.com
• Fri Nov 27: Sugar Pines Farm opens for Christmas trees (Chesterland). Cut your own or pick a pre-cut tree, plus hay wagon rides, s'mores, hot chocolate and kettle corn. No pre-tagging. 9500 Mulberry Road. sugarpinesfarm.com

🤝 Business Connections: Moms Who Own Businesses, Let's Connect!

So many of you are building something on the side of (or right in the middle of) mom life. These local networking events are a great place to find referrals, collaborations, friendships and mentors who get it. Pick one, bring your business cards, and go meet your people.

• Tue Nov 17: BUILD Akron Business Networking Lunch. 11:30 a.m. at Akron Family Restaurant, 250 W. Market St., Akron. A small table of business owners: everyone shares what they sell and what they need, then the room tackles one real question together. No membership needed; RSVP and ticket details on Eventbrite. buildowners.com/akron-lunch
• Tue Nov 17: CLEO on the Go Luncheon, Solon. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mavis Public House, 6025 Kruse Drive, #148, Solon. Women's business networking and professional development. No fee to attend; you pay for your own lunch. Guests may attend two CLEO events before membership is required. Register on Eventbrite
• Wed Nov 18: Twinsburg Chamber Lunch with Leaders. 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hilton Garden Inn Twinsburg (Parmalee conference room). A monthly networking lunch with local professionals. $25 members, $30 non-members. twinsburgchamber.com
• Thu Nov 19: NAWBO Northeast Ohio Virtual Speed Networking. Noon to 1 p.m., online. Meet dozens of women business owners in one lunch hour, from your own laptop. Guest registration is available. NAWBO Northeast Ohio event page
• Tue Nov 24: CLEO on the Go Luncheon, Wadsworth. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Galaxy Restaurant, 201 Park Center Drive, Wadsworth. No fee to attend; you pay for your own lunch. Register on Eventbrite
• Wed Dec 2: Greater Medina Chamber Business Brew. 4 to 6 p.m. at Lagerheads Taproom, 325 W. Smith Rd., Medina. A relaxed, come-and-go networking happy hour. No cost to participate; registration preferred; food and drinks on your own. medinachamber.com

Please confirm event details and registration requirements with the organizers before attending.

Let's connect in the comments:

• What business do you own, and where?
• What connections or referrals would help you most right now?
• Know another local networking group we should feature?

Moms supporting moms. Local businesses supporting local businesses. 💕

💬 Before you go

Your turn: What's the one holiday tradition your kids would never let you skip? Tell us in the Moms of Northeast Ohio Facebook group. I love hearing your ideas, and the best ones may end up in a future issue.

One favor: If this helped you plan your weekend (or your holiday calendar), forward it to a mom friend who's always asking "what should we do this weekend?"

Find more family-friendly places at momsofnortheastohio.com and come hang out with us in the Moms of Northeast Ohio Facebook group.

See you out there,

Carey 🧡

Moms of Northeast Ohio

Dates, times and prices can change. Always confirm on the event's official page before you head out.