Coventry Village Transforms into “Coventry Land” during annual Holiday Fest and Lantern Parade

Connect with the Coventry Village neighborhood at the annual Holiday Festival and Coventry PEACE Campus Lantern Parade, returning Saturday, December 9, 2023. This free event will feature take-home crafts, free hot cocoa and cider stations, photo opportunities with Olaf, The Grinch, and Santa Claus and face painting, plus over 100 local small business vendors and merchants to buy from throughout the Coventry Village business district starting at 11 a.m. til dark. 

Inspired by the classic board game Candy Land, Holiday Fest shoppers will receive a whimsical “Coventry Land” board game designed by local artist, Jenna Fournier, and complete a series of tasks to earn stamps from local businesses. Once three stamps on the gameboard have been collected, players can turn in their cards at MADE Cleveland (1807 Coventry Rd.) to be entered into a raffle for more than $100 in prizes from Coventry merchants. Examples include purchasing real mistletoe from Diamond’s Flower Shop, getting a holiday-scented candle from Cleveland Candle Co., or getting a candy cane milkshake to-go from Tommy’s.

Businesses will be open throughout the day and offering discounts, interactive workshops, and more. Bodega and The Inn on Coventry will have extended hours, offering brunch and lunch. The Grog Shop and B Side will host more than 40 local vendors over two floors at the Jingle Bell Holiday Sip n’ Shop from 11 to 4 p.m. Little Babet, Whiff Goods, Salem Jane Creations, Cloth & Ink, Stone Church Press, Magicatalog, and Li’l Boîte Pâtisserie are just a few of the artisan shops that will be in attendance. 

Big Fun is popping up in their former location on Coventry! Open during the holiday season from 12-5 p.m. or later, daily. Mac’s Backs Books will host special guest authors and storytellers. Cleveland Heights High School Choir will be caroling on the street from 12-2 p.m. popping into businesses to serenade shoppers.

Artful and Coventry PEACE Campus will host workshops on the afternoon of December 9, so your family can make their own lanterns. The Lantern Parade will start at 5 p.m from the PEACE Building campus parking lot, led by creator Robin VanLear, featuring live drummers, dancers and larger than life “puppets.” Join in the parade with your lantern, winding through PEACE Park and the Coventry Village business district. The evening will end with a holiday sing-along featuring the Singers’ Club of Cleveland and snacks.

We hope that you can join us in having some fun while supporting your Cleveland Heights’ neighbors this holiday season!