Things to do: Holiday shows underway in Akron, Cleveland this weekend

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:

'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.

What to know: Akron Zoo sets dates and times for its holiday Wild Lights festivities

'The Nutcracker' at the Akron Civic Theatre

Nov. 25-Dec. 3 at Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S Main St. Ballet Theatre of Ohio will present six performances. Cost is $45-$55. See akroncivic.com or call 330-253-2488.

'Hairspray' at Connor Palace

Dec. 5-10 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

'Black Nativity' by Karamu House

Friday 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.

Mariah Carey at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 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. Dec. 8 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. Dec. 8 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. Dec. 8, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 9 and 2 p.m. Dec. 10 at Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N. The Friday and Saturday evening performances feature the Canton Symphony Orchestra. $18-$45. cantonballet.com.

'A Christmas Carol' at Mimi Ohio Theatre

Nov. 24-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.

'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.

Cleveland Cavaliers home games for December

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

  • 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 vs. Atlanta Hawks

  • 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:

“Bingo, I’m the King, Now!”: Through Jan. 14 at Massillon Museum, Studio M, 121 Lincoln Way E. Exhibit of ink drawings by Elena Masrour. massillonmuseum.org.

ABBA Brunch with Super Troopers: Noon Sunday at Music Box Supper Club and Concert Hall, 148 Main Ave., Cleveland. musicboxcle.com.

Rachel Brown’s Holiday Brunch: Noon Sunday at Music Box Supper Club and Concert Hall, 148 Main Ave., Cleveland. musicboxcle.com.

New York Voices: 3 p.m. Sunday at Goodyear Theater, 1201 E. Market St., Akron. $35-$45. goodyeartheater.com.

Massillon Community Candlelight Walk: 5-7:30 p.m. Sunday. A self-guided stroll through downtown Massillon among luminarias and Christmas lights to visit eight historic churches and five community attractions. Live music, storytelling, refreshments. Free musical program at 7:45 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 206 Cherry Road NE.

Mike Lenz: 7 p.m. Sunday at Standing Rock Cultural Arts, 300 N. Water St., Kent. Cost is $15 for adults, $12 for Folknet members and $5 extra for all the children in a family. www.folknet.org.

Jazz Is Dead: 7 p.m. Sunday at House of Blues, 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. houseofblues.com/cleveland.

Cleveland State University Jazz Showcase: 5 p.m. Tuesday at Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. themusicsettlement.org.

Goblins & Galaxies: Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hudson Library & Historical Society, 96 Library St. “Dune” by Frank Herbert. The group will meet in the Brewster Cafe on the first floor. To register, call 330-653-6658, ext. 1000.

The King’s Singers: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron. Tickets start at $19. 330-761-3460 or tuesdaymusical.org.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St., Kent. $48-$58. kentstage.org.

Peter Mayer: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Music Box Supper Club and Concert Hall, 148 Main Ave., Cleveland. musicboxcle.com.

Alan Greene and Tom Odegard: 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Sarah’s Vineyard, 1204 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls. Free. sarahsvineyardwinery.com.

Brent Kirby’s 10x3 Songwriter/Band Showcase: 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. themusicsettlement.org.

Stephen Kellogg: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Music Box Supper Club and Concert Hall, 148 Main Ave., Cleveland. musicboxcle.com.

Teenage Halloween: Doors open at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights. $12 in advance, $15 day of show. grogshop.gs.

Nate Yingling: 7 p.m. Thursday at Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. themusicsettlement.org.

The Marshall Tucker Band: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at MGM Northfield Park, 10777 Northfield Road, Northfield. ticketmaster.com.

The Friends of Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library Puzzle Sale: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Stow-Munroe Falls Library, 3512 Darrow Road, Stow. smfpl.org.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dynamics Community Theater, Tallmadge High School, 140 N. Munroe Road, Tallmadge. dynamicstheater.org.

Procession of Advent Lessons & Carols: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 50 N. Prospect St., Akron. Free. artsholytrinity.org.

Polka Night Before Christmas: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Music Box Supper Club and Concert Hall, 148 Main Ave., Cleveland. musicboxcle.com.

Motown Christmas: 8 p.m. Friday at Goodyear Theater, 1201 E. Market St., Akron. $44-$89. goodyeartheater.com.

Total Downer: Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights. With Wish Queen, Charity Cunningham and Anya Van Rose. $15 in advance, $18 day of show. grogshop.gs.

Brian Regan: 7:30 p.m. Friday at MGM Northfield Park, 10777 Northfield Road, Northfield. ticketmaster.com.

Theron Brown Trio featuring Johnny Cochran: 8 p.m. Friday at Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. themusicsettlement.org.

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

A New Beginning: 9 a.m. Saturday at Fa-Ray’s, 1115 Wooster Road N., Barberton. A social support group for widows and widowers meets for breakfast and conversation every Saturday morning. 330-745-6239.

Polka Brunch with Santa & Krampus: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday at Music Box Supper Club and Concert Hall, 148 Main Ave., Cleveland. musicboxcle.com.

Food and Friends Holiday Cookie Swap: 1-2 p.m. Saturday at Green branch library, 4046 Massillon Road. Bring up to four dozen cookies to swap and an appetizer to share. Participants will discuss holiday cooking and baking.

The Master Singers Chorale of Northeast Ohio: 3 p.m. Saturday at First Congregational Church of Hudson, 47 Aurora St. The Master Singers will perform Camille Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio, Ola Gjeilo’s Dreamweaver and other songs of the season. Free. To register, visit hudsonucc.org/events.

Sonnenberg Station: 3 p.m. Saturday at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 68 W. Main St., Apple Creek. A love offering will be taken. sonnenbergstation.org.

The Magical Polar Experience: 7 p.m. Saturday at DeYor Performing Arts Center, 260 W. Federal St., Youngstown. deyorpac.org.

Sonnenberg Station: 7 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 127 Cherry Road NE, Massillon. A love offering will be taken. sonnenbergstation.org.

Dirty Honey: 7 p.m. Saturday at House of Blues, 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. houseofblues.com/cleveland.

The Clarks: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St., Kent. $25-$35. kentstage.org.

Obnox: Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Grog Shop, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights. With Muamin Collective, This Moment In Black History and Malik X. $12 in advance, $15 day of show. grogshop.gs.

Coop’s Nightmare: Nightmare Before Christmas: 8 p.m. Saturday at Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St. With Thunder Kiss ‘65. $20-$25. akroncivic.com.

Rhythm of The Dance: 8 p.m. Saturday at Goodyear Theater, 1201 E. Market St., Akron. $25-$45. goodyeartheater.com.

Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes: 8 p.m. Saturday at MGM Northfield Park, 10777 Northfield Road, Northfield. ticketmaster.com.

Reindeer Day in Peninsula: Noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 10 in downtown Peninsula. Live reindeer on the Bronson Church green. Reindeer snacks, Rudolph noses, antlers. Proceeds go to the Peninsula Chamber to support special events. peninsulaohio.com.

Blue Christmas with Johnny Elvis & The Crown Electrics: Noon Dec. 10 at Music Box Supper Club and Concert Hall, 148 Main Ave., Cleveland. musicboxcle.com.

Emily Aleta Dorland and Duane Carlson in Home for the Holidays: 2-3 p.m. Dec. 10 at Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St. Free.

Sonnenberg Station: 3 p.m. Dec. 10 at First Presbyterian Church, 1830 W. Market St., Orrville. A love offering will be taken. sonnenbergstation.org.

Christmas In The Heartland: 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at Music Box Supper Club and Concert Hall, 148 Main Ave., Cleveland. musicboxcle.com.

New concerts

TR3: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St., Kent. With Tim Reynolds. $30-$35. kentstage.org.

Avenged Sevenfold: 6:30 p.m. March 9 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, 1 Center Court, Cleveland. With Poppy + Sullivan King. Tickets start at $39.50. rocketmortgagefieldhouse.com.

Rufus Wainwright: 7:30 p.m. May 8 at the Kent Stage, 175 E. Main St., Kent. $53-$73. kentstage.org.

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