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It's nearly here! The holiday season has snuck up on us once again and pretty soon strings of lights will be adorning the fronts of houses and your mailbox will be bulging with Christmas cards. This time of year, our calendars fill with family get-togethers, ugly Christmas sweater parties and white elephant gift exchanges. Take a breather from the craziness of the holidays and visit one of the many events happening this season in Akron and Canton! From watching the Nutcracker to swimming with Santa, there's something for everyone this time of year. We tracked down some of the most exciting events going on this season, so mark your calendars and make the holiday one to remember!

The 6th Annual Marketplace Holiday Gala

When: November 8-10, 11 a.m-9 p.m Where: The Marketplace at Gervasi Vineyard, Canton

Photo courtesy of Gervasi Vineyard

For the wine lover in your family, visit this year's Market Place Gala at Gervasi Vineyard! Enjoy tiny treats while you shop their new holiday lines, dine in the Crush House for a special holiday lunch, and get an expanded tour of the winery. They promise a memorable experience that appeals to all the senses!

37th Annual Holiday Tree Festival

When: November 17-25, Times Vary Where: The John S. Knight Center, Akron Make sure to mark your calendars for the 37th Annual Holiday Tree Festival in Akron, where you can see more than 200 trees, 85,000 strings of lights and other holiday creations! It's a truly beautiful sight and all proceeds benefit the Akron Children's Hospital.

Wild Lights at the Akron Zoo

When: Saturday and Sundays Starting November 23, 5-9 p.m. Where: The Akron Zoo

Photo courtesy of the Akron Zoo

The Akron Zoo will most definitely have the wildest light display this holiday season. Almost the entire zoo will be decorated and many animals will be on exhibit. While you're there, stop by Santa Land and tell Santa your holiday wishes, visit Holly Jolly Hillside which will feature lighted North American animals and trees synchronized to music, take a ride on the Wild Winter Express train ride, and stop by Mrs. C's Sweets for a s'more!

15th Annual Tree Lighting and the Welcome Santa Parade

When: November 23 at 7 p.m. and November 24 at 11 a.m. Where: Lock 3, Akron The night after Thanksgiving, be sure to head over to Lock 3 to watch the streets of downtown Akron light up with thousands of holiday lights and fireworks! There will also be live performances, ice skating and holiday treats.

Main Street Holiday Window Displays

When: November 23-January 1 Where: Main Street, Akron Take a stroll down Main Street between Bowery and State this holiday season and enjoy the largest seasonal vintage collection in Ohio. Department store's will showcase animated displays from the 1960's-80's in the windows of the O'neil's, Polsky and Landmark buildings.

Christmas at Beech Creek Gardens

When: November 24-December 23, Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays 12-5 p.m. Where: Beech Creek Gardens, Alliance There's so much to see at this weekend holiday event! Have fun and learn something new at the Beech Creek Gardens. Enjoy Candyland and the Christmas Express, explore the Festival of Trees, visit with the Grinch, learn about animals in winter, complete workshops for adults and children, sip hot cocoa, and more!

The Nutcracker Presented by the Ballet Theatre of Ohio

When: November 24-December 2, Saturdays at 2 and 7 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Where: Akron Civic Theatre This wonderful holiday tradition lives on in Akron and is a "must-do" for you and your family. Roger Durbin of the West Side Leader wrote,"... the production levels in Artistic Director Christine Meneer's version — as well as her engaging choreography — capture the audience and transport it for a couple of hours into a magical, wonderful, escapist wonderland." Get your tickets here.

Christmas Candlelight Tea

When: November 30, 4:30 and 7 p.m. Where: Dragonfly Tea Room, Canal Fulton Make sure to start off the holiday season right. Sip an invigorating cup of tea in the Dragonfly Tea Room while snacking on holiday treats and listening to live music. Call ahead to make a reservation!

McKinley Presidential Library & Museum's Annual Holiday Party

When: November 30, 6-8 p.m. Where: McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, Canton This annual party will definitely be a fun time for the entire family. There will be musical entertainment, crafts for kids, open-hearth cooking demonstrations, special planetarium and science shows and, of course, a visit from Santa! The museum will be beautifully decorated with over 30 trees and holiday scenes. Reservations are appreciated.

Christmas on the Canal

When December 1, 3-7 p.m. Where: Downtown Canal Fulton

Photo courtesy of Cliff Franks Photography

Historic Canal Fulton invites you to stroll the streets of the downtown area and celebrate this holiday season. The blocked off streets will allow space for wood and ice carvers, carolers, and wagon rides. Stop by and visit Santa and meet Mrs. Oberlin for tours of the Oberlin House and Olde Canal Days Museum. Shops will be open late to offer special discounts, refreshments and entertainment. When the sun goes down, the electric lights parade and tree lighting ceremony will commence!

Hands-On Holidays

When: December 2, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Akron's Children Museum For an event the whole family will enjoy, Hands-On Holidays at the Akron's Children's Museum is perfect! Meet fun holiday characters as you explore interactive exhibits with special make-and-take crafts. Paint your own snowman, design your own cookie, enjoy a live DJ and more — plus, adults AND kids can enter to win fun prizes. They will also be hosting a Winter Warmth Drive at the event and collecting gloves, hats, socks and scarves for kids and adults for Family Promise of Summit County.

Holiday Celebration at the Huston-Brumbaugh Nature Center

When: December 2, 3-6 p.m. Where: Huston-Brumbaugh Nature Center, University of Mount Union, Alliance Celebrate the holiday season in nature. The Huston Brumbaugh Nature Center's annual holiday celebration features crafting, s'mores and hot chocolate by the fire, live acoustic music, and a visit with Santa Claus in a 1800's-era cabin. This event is truly simple holiday fun for the whole family!

2018 Light Up Downtown

When: December 6, 6-8:30 p.m. Where: Central Plaza + Downtown Canton

Photo courtesy of the Canton Chamber of Commerce

This spirited festival will feature 14 city blocks of attractions, ice skating, entertainment, refreshments, sleigh rides, singers and dancers, a visit from Santa, and incredible fireworks! The best part is, this event is free and fun for all ages.

Holiday Open House

When: December 7, 5-8 p.m. Where: Canton Women's Club, Canton Put a little history in your holiday festivities by visiting Canton Woman's Club on December 7 to see their 150-year-old Victorian home decorated for the holidays! Admission to the house is free and dinner will be available at an additional cost.

Carol of the King: Irish Dance Christmas Spectacular

When: December 7, 7:30 p.m. Where: Akron Civic Theatre Looking for a unique holiday experience this season? Make sure to check out this event featuring 20 of the world's most skilled Irish dancers and musicians. Carol of the Kings brings an exciting story of love that will transport the audience to a new time and place.

Home for the Holidays

When: December 7, 7:30 p.m. Where: Edwin J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, The University of Akron Join the Akron Symphony Orchestra as they ring in the holidays with an evening of traditional carols, inspiring songs and holiday cheer. There's also a rumor that a certain special visitor from the North Pole will be making an appearance so make sure to reserve your seat soon!

A Christmas Carol

When: December 7-23, Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Where: The Players Guild Theatre, Canton

Photo courtesy of The Players Guild Theatre

See the story of Ebenezer Scrooge brought to life! This classic Christmas story will surely get you into the holiday spirit.

Home Sweet Home : A Gingerbread Tradition

When: December 8, 1-5 p.m. Where: Fieldcrest Estate, Canton Don't buy the prepackaged gingerbread houses this year, go visit Fieldcrest Estate and build one there! This event is perfect for families, friends, couples or crafty singles. Visitors get to choose their floor plans to build and decorate, so you can create an original masterpiece. Reservations are required.

Santa Fly-In 2018

When: December 9, 1 p.m. Where: Akron Canton Airport

Photo courtesy of Maps Air Museum

Santa left the reindeer behind this year and is arriving in Akron and Canton a little differently — by plane! Go watch him touch down and get a photo of your loved ones with Santa. In return, you are asked to bring a food donation for the Reserves/National Guard Family Services Food Pantry that services troops stationed at the Akron Canton Airport.

Holiday Pops 2018

When: December 9, 3 p.m. Where: Umstattd Performing Arts Hall, Canton Join the Canton Symphony Orchestra for their celebration of the holiday season! Sing along to some of your favorite carols and listen to beautiful renditions of holiday songs. Individual tickets are on sale now.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage

When: December 14, 7:30 p.m. Where: Akron Civic Theatre Don't miss out on this opportunity to see a Christmas classic live on stage. This is a fresh take on A Charlie Brown Christmas so you'll be experiencing the storyline in a completely new way. This Peanuts experience also includes an intermission — and after the show, audience members are invited to join the Peanuts gang in singing Christmas favorites!

It's a Wonderful Life

When: December 14, 8 p.m. Where: Avenue Arts Marketplace + Theatre, Canton The story of It's a Wonderful Life is a natural for a stage adaptation. Come watch the saga of George Bailey as he discovers how amazing his life really is, live on stage. Support your local theater and experience the true meaning of Christmas!

Christmas Music Celebration by Majestic Voice

When: December 15, 7:00 p.m. Where: Canton Palace Theatre Celebrating 10 years of making Christmas memories, bring the whole family to enjoy holiday carols, heartwarming new melodies, a rockin' band segment, and a singalong! Majestic Voice Chorus will be joined by dancers from "A Time to Dance" in North Canton, featuring ballet, a chorus line and Irish Step Dancing.

Lightwire Theater presents A Very Electric Christmas

When: December 15, 7:30 p.m. Where: Akron Civic Theatre After gaining recognition on America's Got Talent and TRU TV's Fake Off, Lightwire Theater has gone on to perform all over the world. By using a combination of puppetry, theater and dance with the music of holiday classics, Lightwire Theater promises an exhilarating holiday experience for the whole family.

Swim with Santa

When: December 16, 1-4 p.m. Where: Massillon Recreation Center Santa Claus is coming to town, but he needs a break. To relax, he decided to pay a visit to the Massillon Rec Center for a swim and some cookies. Bring your kids to join him! They'll be able to hang out with Santa while listening to some Christmas music and taking a dip themselves. You must have proper swim attire to participate in the event.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

When: December 18, 7:30 p.m. Where: E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, The University of Akron Over 300 incredible costumes, 20 world-class acts, amazing singers, and original music, as well as seasonal favorites come together in a two-hour breathtaking event. Boston Globe calls it "Entrancing… Las Vegas meets family entertainment". You don't want to miss this high-flying spectacle this season!

Wizards of Winter

When: December 22, 7 p.m. Where: Akron Civic Theatre This is a holiday rock event for the whole family, featuring former members of classic rock giants — Rainbow, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent Band and others — along with Broadway and Theater veterans. This diverse group will perform a holiday rock opera titled "Tales Beneath a Northern Star". Join them on their journey inside a snow globe in search of the true meaning of Christmas.

The Polar Express – The Movie

When: December 23, 2:30 p.m. Where: Akron Civic Theatre Experience this holiday classic on the big screen! Akron Civic Theatre will be playing The Polar Express in their gorgeous theater for free — all you need is a ticket which you can get from the Akron Civic Box Office. These tickets are almost gone, so get yours soon!

Have a Happy Holiday!

However you and your family decide to celebrate the holidays this year, remember to stay safe and have fun. From all of us at Cutler Real Estate, have a happy holiday season!

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