From It’s a Wonderful Life to Geauga Lake: Rediscover Holiday Nostalgia in Cleveland

There’s something about the holidays that makes us nostalgic. A favorite Christmas movie you watch every year. A trip to see Santa. The places around Cleveland that instantly bring back childhood memories.

At this year’s Cleveland Christmas Connection, nostalgia is part of the experience. The show returns to the I-X Center November 20–22 for its 40^th anniversary, bringing together holiday shopping and entertainment alongside experiences inspired by classic movies, beloved Cleveland institutions and Northeast Ohio memories.

Here are a few of the nostalgic stops you won’t want to miss:

• Celebrate 80 Years of It’s a Wonderful Life with Karolyn Grimes: Few movies are as closely tied to the holiday season as It’s a Wonderful Life, and this year marks the film’s 80th anniversary. Karolyn Grimes, known for playing Zuzu Bailey in the holiday classic, will return to the Cleveland Christmas Connection to meet fans. Visitors can find her in Booth 2020, where she’ll also have keepsakes available.
  
  
• Take a Piece of the West Side Market Home for the Holidays: For generations of Clevelanders, a trip to the West Side Market has been part of life in Northeast Ohio. This year, a piece of that local tradition is coming to the Cleveland Christmas Connection with Home for the Holidays with West Side Market, sponsored by Superior Sleep. The experience will feature Market merchandise and holiday décor, along with unique gifts and products from West Side Market merchants.

• Remember Summers at Geauga Lake and Euclid Beach: Remember the thrill of spending the day at Geauga Lake or hearing stories of afternoons at Euclid Beach? The Amusement Preservation Museum is bringing a piece of Northeast Ohio amusement park history to the show. Its collection preserves artifacts and ride cars from more than 40 parks, including Geauga Lake, Euclid Beach, Cedar Point and Chippewa Lake. Show attendees will be able to see historic ride cars from these great amusement parks and stop for a nostalgic photo with them.

• All Aboard for a Holiday Tradition: Vintage amusement parks aren’t the only transportation-inspired trip down memory lane. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s Large-Scale Tinseltown Train Area, sponsored by Ohio State Waterproofing, gives visitors a chance to enjoy another holiday favorite: trains. Guests can operate the train, earn a Junior Engineer certificate and talk with trainmen, conductors and engineers at the display.

• Catch Up with a Cleveland TV Favorite: The nostalgia continues with Lil John, known throughout Northeast Ohio as co-host of the Big Chuck & Lil John Show. He’ll be appearing in Booth 1107 throughout the weekend, giving longtime fans another opportunity to reconnect with a familiar face from Cleveland television. Visitors can see him Friday, November 20 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday, November 21 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and Sunday, November 22 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• And, Of Course, Visit Santa: Some traditions never get old. SantaLand brings one of the most enduring Christmas traditions to the show, where children can visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Elves. Don’t forget to bring your phone or camera to capture photos! Kids can also bring along their letters to drop into the Santa Mailbox.

Whether you’re reliving a favorite Cleveland memory or introducing the next generation to a beloved holiday tradition, the Cleveland Christmas Connection is a chance to celebrate the past while making new memories together. Make it part of your holiday tradition this year and get your tickets for the 40th anniversary show, November 20–22 at the I-X Center.