Things to do: Holiday shows continue in Akron, Cleveland this weekend including Mariah Carey Thursday

It's never too early to plan your weekend because, let's be honest, we're looking forward to it as soon as the week begins. From concerts to festivals to farmers markets to comedy shows, we've got a regional list of events from Akron to Cleveland and more. Whether you're planning a girls' night out, a date night or a family-friendly activity, we've got you covered.

Here are the events coming up this weekend into the following weekend that are worth highlighting:

'Hairspray' at Connor Palace

Tuesday-Sunday at Connor Palace, Playhouse Square, 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Cost is $20-$105. See playhousesquare.org or 216-241-6000.

Welcome to the '60s: Canton native plays 2 roles in 'Hairspray' tour coming to Cleveland

Mariah Carey at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

7:30 p.m. Thursday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, 1 Center Court, Cleveland. Tickets start at $59.95. rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.

Get tickets: Queen of Christmas is coming to town: Mariah Carey to bring holiday tour to Cleveland

'The Hip Hop Nutcracker' at State Theatre

7 p.m. Friday at State Theatre, 1519 Euclid Ave., Playhouse Square, Cleveland. Cost is $28-$68. See playhousesquare.org or call 216-241-6000.

'Merriest Concert of the Year' at E.J. Thomas Hall

7:30 p.m. Friday at E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St. Akron Symphony Orchestra performs. Cost is $15-$60. See akronsymphony.org or call 330-535-8131.

'The Nutcracker' by Canton Ballet

7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N. The Friday and Saturday evening performances feature the Canton Symphony Orchestra. $18-$45. cantonballet.com.

WWE Monday Night Raw at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

7:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, 1 Center Court, Cleveland. Tickets start at $20. https://www.rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com/events/detail/wwe-monday-night-raw-231211.

'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical' at the Akron Civic Theatre

7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St. Cost is $35-$59. See akroncivic.com or call 330-253-2488.

The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus at Severance Music Center

Dec. 13-23 at Severance Music Center, 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. The Cleveland Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra Chorus will perform 12 holiday concerts. Cost is $49-$128. See clevelandorchestra.com or call 216-231-1111.

'The Nutcracker' at Connor Palace by Cleveland Ballet

Dec. 14-23 at the Connor Palace at Playhouse Square, 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Cost is $28-$131. Call 216-320-9000 Ext. 107 or see playhousesquare.org.

Darren Criss at MGM Northfield Park

8 p.m. Dec. 15 at MGM Northfield Park, 10777 Northfield Road, Northfield. A Very Darren Crissmas. https://www.ticketmaster.com/mgm-northfield-park-center-stage-tickets-northfield/venue/42085.

'Black Nativity' by Karamu House

Runs through Dec. 16 at Allen Theatre, 1407 Euclid Ave., Playhouse Square Cleveland. Gospel celebration by Langston Hughes. Cost is $50-$70. See playhousesquare.org or call 216-241-6000.

'Paddington Saves Christmas' at Magical Theatre Company

Runs through Dec. 17 at Magical Theatre Company, 565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton. Cost is $18-20. See magicaltheatre.org or call 330-848-3708.

'Elf' at Weathervane Playhouse

Runs through Dec. 22 at 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron. Cost is $14 to $36. See weathervaneplayhouse.com or call 330-836-2626.

Akron Zoo Wild Lights

Runs weekends through Dec. 29. Cost is $11 to $15. akronzoo.org.

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'A Christmas Carol' at Mimi Ohio Theatre

Runs through Dec. 23 at Mimi Ohio Theatre, Playhouse Square, Playhouse Square, 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Cost is $35-$80. A sensory-friendly performance for children and adults on the autism spectrum and their families will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 29. Cost is $14. Call 216-241-6000 or see greatlakestheater.org.

Cleveland Browns home games for December

All games at Cleveland Browns Stadium, 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleveland.

• 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

• 1 p.m. Dec. 17 vs. Chicago Bears

• 8:15 p.m. Dec. 28 vs. New York Jets

Cleveland Cavaliers home games for December

All games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, 1 Center Court, Cleveland.

• 7 p.m. Dec. 18 vs. Houston Rockets

• 7 p.m. Dec. 20 vs. Utah Jazz

• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 vs. New Orleans Pelicans

• 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29 vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Full list holiday shows, performances: From 'Nutcracker' to 'Rudolph,' Northeast Ohio has holiday shows covered

Here are other events in the area through this weekend into the following weekend:

Reindeer Day in Peninsula: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Santa’s live reindeer will be on the Bronson Church green. Make sure children see the educational reindeer display and pick up the recipe for magical reindeer snacks for Christmas Eve. Join in the reindeer fun by purchasing red Rudolph noses or antlers, with proceeds going to the Peninsula Chamber to support special events. https://peninsulaohio.com/reindeer-day/.

Elvis Brunch – Blue Christmas with Johnny Elvis & The Crown Electrics: Noon Sunday at Music Box Supper Club and Concert Hall, 148 Main Ave., Cleveland. http://www.musicboxcle.com/.

Emily Aleta Dorland and Duane Carlson in Home for the Holidays: 2-3 p.m. Sunday at Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., Wadsworth. Free.

Sonnenberg Station: 3 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church, 1830 W. Market St., Orrville. A love offering will be taken. http://www.sonnenbergstation.org.

Christmas In The Heartland: 7 p.m. Sunday at Music Box Supper Club and Concert Hall, 148 Main Ave., Cleveland. http://www.musicboxcle.com/.

Jamey Haddad presents The Brazil/Jazz Connection Night 2: 7 p.m. Sunday at Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. https://www.themusicsettlement.org.

AARP Chapter #3820 Coventry December Banquet: 11 a.m. Monday at Guy’s Party Center, 500 E. Waterloo Road, Akron. Basket Raffles. 50/50 Raffle. Proceeds support local charities. The cost is $25 per person due by December 1. For reservations or details call Anne Riegler, 330-724-4190

A New Adventure Widows & Widowers: A social group for all ages meets for lunch and conversation at 2 p.m. Wednesday. For more information please call 330-630-9275 or 330-929-5430.

Solo at Sarah’s presents Little Steve-O Duo: 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Sarah’s Vineyard, 1204 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls. Free. https://www.sarahsvineyardwinery.com/.

Worship Live: 7 p.m. Wednesday at the House of Blues – Cleveland, 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. https://www.houseofblues.com/cleveland/concert-events.

Noah Gershwin Trio: 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. https://www.themusicsettlement.org.

Tab Benoit: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St., Kent. With The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. $43-$53. http://kentstage.org.

A New Beginning Lunch/Dinner Meetings: A social support group for widows and widowers meets for dinner and conversation Thursday. For time and location, call 330-7445-6239, 330-351-7322 or 330-331-7066.

Sugardeer "Good Names For Strays" Album Release Show: doors open at 7 p.m. Thursday at The Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights. With Dead Links, Fruitfly and Joseph Maxwell. $8 in advance, $10 day of show. https://grogshop.gs/.

A Little More Naughty Than Nice featuring Helen Welch: 7 p.m. Thursday at Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. https://www.themusicsettlement.org.

Straight No Chaser “Sleighin’ It Tour: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. $29.50-$69.50. http://www.akroncivic.com.

Vienna Teng: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St., Kent. $25-$35. http://kentstage.org.

A Little More Naughty Than Nice featuring Hele Welch: 7 p.m. Thursday at Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. https://www.themusicsettlement.org.

Smooth Jazz Holiday featuring Gerald Albright and Kevin Fournoy: 7 p.m. Friday at the Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. $45-$65. www.akroncivic.com.

Akron Civic Theatre’s BOOM! Theater presents “Scrooge: The Musical”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 17 in the Knight Stage, 182 S. Main St., Akron. Tickets are $25. http://www.AkronCivic.com.

Miracle on Easy Street: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at DeYor Performing Arts Center, Edward W. Powers Auditorium, 260 W. Federal St., Youngstown. Maureen Collins and Todd Hancock will once again serve as hosts for the extravaganza featuring over 100 singers, dancers and Little Rascals. https://deyorpac.org/events/miracle-on-easy-street-2022/.

Amanda Powell’s Waiting on an Angel: A Holiday Concert: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. https://www.themusicsettlement.org.

The Flatliners present The Holiday Melee: doors open at 7:30 p.m. Friday at The Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights. $20 in advance, $25 day of show. https://grogshop.gs/.

Jazz Jam Session: 10 p.m. Friday at Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. https://www.themusicsettlement.org.

A New Adventure Widow & Widowers Breakfast Meeting: 8 a.m. Saturday at Bob Evans, 175 Howe Ave. Cuyahoga Falls. For more information please call 330-630-9275 or 330-929-5430.

J@MS Combo Concert and Fundraiser: Noon Saturday at Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. https://www.themusicsettlement.org.

Rock The Halls: 6 p.m. Saturday at the House of Blues – Cleveland, 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. https://www.houseofblues.com/cleveland/concert-events.

Hubb's Groove: 6:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday at Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. https://www.themusicsettlement.org.

Lightwire Theater: A Very Electric Christmas: 7 p.m. Saturday at the Goodyear Theater, 1201 E. Market St., Akron. $20-$55. https://www.goodyeartheater.com/lightwire-saturday-december-16.

Hello!3D: doors open at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights. https://grogshop.gs/.

Macy Grey: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St., Kent. $50-$65. http://kentstage.org.

The Medina Community Band Winter Concert: 2 p.m. Dec. 17 in the Community Room of the Western Reserve Masonic Community, 4931 Nettleton Road, Medina. Under the baton of Marcus Neiman, conductor and Dr. Darren LeBeau, associate conductor. There is no admission charge for the program and free parking will be available.

Dave Banks Big Holiday Bash "Pop Goes Christmas": 3 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Goodyear Theater, 1201 E. Market St., Akron. $25-$35. https://www.goodyeartheater.com/pop-goes-christmas.

A Neil Diamond Christmas Tribute: 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at Music Box Supper Club and Concert Hall, 148 Main Ave., Cleveland. With The Diamond Project. http://www.musicboxcle.com/.

A Nat King Cole Christmas with Bryan Eng: 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. https://www.themusicsettlement.org.

New Concerts and Events

Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band: 7:30 p.m. March 14 at the Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St., Kent. $ 15 in advance, $20 day of show. http://kentstage.org.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Things to do in Akron this weekend: Christmas shows, Mariah Carey concert