Driving Cleveland’s Diversity and Distinctiveness Through Irresistible Experiences

 Together with the City of Cleveland and Mayor Justin Bibb, Destination Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Partnership, and Cuyahoga County, we are proud to support Mayor Bibb's plan to reimagine Downtown Cleveland into an 18-hour, 15-minute neighborhood that weaves districts and surrounding neighborhoods into a seamless urban fabric. The goal is to attract modern economic activity and provide a world-class experience for all who work, live, and play Downtown. In the Reimagining Downtown blog series, we will provide regular updates on our progress in implementing the plan and dive deeper into specific projects that move us toward our goals. 

Goal: Develop and Activate a Network of Dynamic Public Spaces Downtown

One of the tactics we committed to in Reimagining Downtown is: 

Activate Downtown’s public spaces with ongoing programming and amenities that improve Downtown’s quality of life and showcase Cleveland’s diversity and distinctiveness. Connect our lakefront and riverfront to the urban core to create opportunities for safe and enjoyable public access.

Status: In Progress

Snow Days on Mall B

Downtown Cleveland, Inc. uses events and community gatherings to keep Downtown vibrant and fun in all four seasons. Our public space activations are free of charge and accessible to all.

This winter season, Bright Nights and Snow Days have returned to Downtown Cleveland for the second year in a row. Bright Nights creates the cozy “backyard experience,” that Downtowners crave, featuring a cocktail cabin, firepits, and music. Snow Days, sponsored by Cleveland State University, spontaneously pop up on Mall B when enough snow accumulates, providing a space for winter activities like tubing and sledding. Lively, engaging public spaces throughout the year are central to building a world-class Downtown experience.

First Friday Hop on U.S. Bank Plaza

In 2023, Downtown Clevland, Inc. used twenty-nine programs to activate 155 days of the year, such as Gigs on the Green, Symphony at Sunset, and Walnut Wednesday. These events animated 13 spaces throughout the district.

In addition to our regular programming, we produced large-scale events in 2023 that drew crowds from across Northeast Ohio and beyond. Our WinterLand season kickoff brought over 181K people Downtown and 34K to Public Square during the tree lighting ceremony. Our MetroHealth Juneteenth Freedom Festival brought a crowd of 229.8K Downtown and over 7K to the day of festivities on Mall C. Additionally, our team produced Light Up the Lake, the Downtown 4th of July fireworks, and Ice Fest, and supported major annual events like Pride in the CLE and the Cleveland International Film Festival. These impactful events put Cleveland in the national spotlight and promote us as a destination city.

Annual WinterLand Tree Lighting Ceremony in Public Square

Downtown Cleveland, Inc. also manages North Coast Harbor in partnership with the City of Cleveland, keeping it clean, safe, and vibrant. We host a mix of community programming at Voinovich Park, such as North Coast Namaste weekly free yoga and our summertime Lakefront Leagues. In 2023, visitor traffic at North Coast Harbor surpassed pre-pandemic levels, achieving a remarkable 105.7% recovery compared to 2019 with 3.7 million visitors. North Coast Harbor activations allow the community to enjoy the lakefront to the fullest and support the businesses in that area.

MetroHealth Cleveland Juneteenth Freedom Festival on Mall C

Looking ahead to the 2024 event calendar we have a big year ahead of us. The Brite Winter music and arts festival takes place this month in the Flats. In April, the NCAA Women’s Final Four will take place in Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse and the total solar eclipse visits Cleveland. Juneteenth will return to Mall C for family family-friendly, city-wide celebration. July will bring Downtown Cleveland’s Light Up the Lake Fireworks Show. November will bring our annual Tree Lighting Ceremony the Saturday after Thanksgiving and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is also planned for 2024 with no set date yet.

Visit our events page and subscribe to our newsletter down below to see what is planned for the coming months because there is never a dull moment in Downtown Cleveland.

Read the full Reimagining Downtown Cleveland Plan Here.