Upcoming openings and current events from around Northeast Ohio
Compiled by Rebecca Meiser
Cleveland Museum of Art
“Renaissance to Runway: The Enduring Italian Houses” | On display through Feb. 1, 2026
Eleanora d’Arborea” Evening Ensemble,fall 2024. Antonio Marras (Italian, b. 1961) for Antonio Marras (Italy, est. 1987). Wool jacquard fil coupé, viscose, cotton, polyester, polyamide. Courtesy of Antonio Marras.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Step into five centuries of Italian artistry, where Renaissance grandeur meets modern couture. Over 100 iconic designs from Versace, Valentino, and Ferragamo sit alongside historical masterpieces, illustrating how centuries of Italian innovation continue to shape fashion today. At the entrance, an immersive video animates rare archival garments with AI, showing how they once moved and flowed. Renaissance to Runway celebrates centuries of Italian creativity, connecting past and present in a dazzling showcase of style and innovation. Special exhibit. Ticket required.
David Schwartz Photography
Holiday Open Studio: First Viewing of the USPS Route 66 Centennial Stamp Fine Art Prints | Dec. 4–7, 2025
The Golden Highway to Unlimited Dreams
Photo courtesy of the artist
Storm Light on Route 66
Photo courtesy of the artist
When the Road was Young
Photo courtesy of the artist
Lakewood photographer David J. Schwartz opens his studio for a special four-day Holiday Open Studio, showcasing the photographs selected for the upcoming 2026 USPS Route 66 Centennial Stamp Collection. For the first time, visitors can see and purchase fine art prints from the series, explore more than 200 photographs captured over two decades along Route 66, and browse other giftable pieces.
Schwartz—who has documented Route 66 over more than 40 trips—will be on hand to share stories behind the images, the stamp project, and his decades-long passion for preserving “the Mother Road.”
Open Studio hours: Thu., Dec. 4, 5:30–8:30 p.m.; Fri.–Sat., Dec. 5–6, 1–8 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 7, 1–5 p.m.
David Schwartz Photography, 17010 Madison Ave., Lakewood
The CAP Show – Cleveland Arts Prize
Dec. 12, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026 | Opening: Dec. 12, 5–8 PM
Bostwick Design Art Initiative Gallery
Brent Kee Young in his studio with A Matrix series work photo.
Photo courtesy of Michael Weil
Janice Lessman-Moss at her TC2 loom with Diamonds in the Sky II. Photo courtesy of Michael Weil
Laurence Channing Third Little Road Picture.
Photo courtesy of The Cap Show
See Cleveland’s most celebrated artists together for the first time in decades. From bold paintings to stunning glass, ceramics, and photography, 23 Arts Prize winners illuminate the city’s creative legacy. Select works available for purchase—support the artists who define Northeast Ohio’s cultural scene.
2729 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115
clevelandartsprize.org/events/the-cap-show
Lake Erie Folk Festival
Feb. 14–15, 2026
Artists from across the country and Northeast Ohio take center stage at the Lake Erie Folk Festival’s signature evening concert.
Photo courtesy of Lake Erie Folk Festival
Celebrate traditional music in Northeast Ohio at the Lake Erie Folk Festival, returning Valentine’s Day weekend to Case Western Reserve University. Produced by the Northeast Ohio Musical Heritage Association in partnership with WRUW-FM, LEFF has grown into the region’s largest winter gathering for traditional music, drawing visitors from five counties and three states. The festival offers something for everyone: all-day jam sessions, free community concerts, hands-on workshops, and a standout evening concert featuring national and local talent.
Daytime events run 1–6 p.m. in Thwing Center and are free to attend, while the evening concert takes place in the intimate, acoustically rich Harkness Chapel. Tickets for the concert are available in advance at lakeeriefolkfest.com.
Brite Winter
Feb. 21, 2026
An artist transforms a block of ice into art at the annual Brite Winter music and arts festival.
Photo courtesy of Robert Muller
Cleveland’s beloved winter arts festival arrives in a new neighborhood for its 17th season, bringing fire, music, and creative energy to the Waterloo Arts District. With at least five stages and more than 30 local, regional, and national acts, Brite Winter invites visitors to wander between galleries, clubs, outdoor bonfires, and pop-in bars and restaurants—all woven into six arts-filled blocks.
Known for its mix of live music, participatory art, and cold-weather camaraderie, the festival remains committed to accessibility and community. Expect warming stations, family-friendly activities, and plenty of chances to explore Waterloo’s vibrant studios and creative spaces. Ticket updates, volunteer info, and lineup announcements will be available at britewinter.com.
