Ring in 2022 with community celebrations online or in person. This week’s list of arts and cultural offerings from Northeast Ohio features everything from outdoor activities to writing workshops.
New Year’s at Noon
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History has a fun way for families to welcome the new year early and online. The museum plans an hour of entertainment leading up to a dinosaur egg drop at noon. The free program begins Friday, Dec. 31, at 11 a.m. via the museum’s Facebook page.
Celebrate a Century
Summit Metro Parks toasts its 100 th anniversary on Friday, Dec. 31, with an outdoor celebration at Cascade Valley Metro Park in Akron. The festivities include a self-guided history tour, music and ice carvings. Visitors are welcome between 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Popcorn Ball Drop
The Popcorn Shop in Chagrin Falls has its own traditional ball drop. This year’s popcorn ball weighs more than 250 pounds and will drop at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Celebrants can gather Friday, Dec. 31, before the main event at Chagrin Falls Township Hall.
The Biggest Show on Turf
It’s last call to see the Rock Hall’s Super Bowl halftime exhibit, slated to come down Tuesday, Jan. 4. "The Biggest Show on Turf" celebrates 55 years of halftime entertainment, featuring performers such as Bono and Beyonce. The museum is open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and stays open until 9 p.m. Thursdays.
Literary Cleveland Writing Workshops
Several new writing workshops kick off at the start of January, including “Read Like a Writer: Short Fiction Analysis.” This particular series dives into one short story a month to study plot, tone, structure and more. The session is led by Literary Cleveland Executive Director Matt Weinkam and begins Tuesday, Jan. 4. Registration is required for this online workshop and others.