Thanksgiving means free admission to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo -- but that's only part of the story. Whether you come early to get the kids out of the kitchen or later to walk off the holiday calories, we have lots of great activities for Zoo visitors on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2009.
******************************************************************************************************************************
**********************************************************************************************************************
holiday lights/events THERE ARE 17 PAGES OF EVENTS...PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:
*******************************************************************************************************
Holiday TV Guide: Three 'Christmas Carols,' two showings of 'Grinch, and much more
November 21, 2009, 12:00AM
The Grinch and his pal Max are back for another seasonal run of "How The Grinch Stole Christmas."Television programmers decorate for the holidays much the same as we do. They haul out the carefully stored old favorites and try to place them where all can see. They buy some fancy new ornaments, hoping that the glittering additions will attract attention and become cherished seasonal favorites.
They serve up a mix of traditional and contemporary tunes. They prepare for visitors by decking the prime-time halls with a bounty of holiday programming.
The parade of programming includes everything from classic movies to, well, parades. Marching past, you'll see such familiar faces as the Grinch, George Bailey, Ebenezer Scrooge, Rudolph and Frosty. You'll spot Charlie Brown with that needle-challenged tree and Ralphie Parker eyeing that Red Ryder BB gun. So, ask yourself . . .
Do you love a parade? "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" (9 a.m. Thursday, WKYC Channel 3): It's the 83rd annual attempt to control oversize balloons on the streets of Manhattan.
"121st Tournament of Roses Parade" (11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 1, Channel 3 and HGTV): You have two choices of coverage from Pasadena. OH -H- EYE -OH
Ghosts of Christmas (specials) Past "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (8 p.m. Saturday, TBS, and 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, WEWS Channel 5): This year's first stop: Whoville. Boris Karloff narrates and voices the Grinch in this beloved 1966 adaptation of the Dr. Seuss tale.
"A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" (8 p.m. Thursday, Channel 5): Snoopy and Woodstock help Charlie Brown serve Thanksgiving dinner.
"Shrek the Halls" (8:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, Channel 5): This special featuring Mike Myers' green ogre premiered last year.
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" (8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, Channel 5): Charlie Brown learns the true meaning of Christmas in this 1965 special.
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, WOIO Channel 19): This 1964 special features such songs as "A Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Silver and Gold."
"The Three Tenors Christmas" (9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, WEAO Channel 49, and 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, WVIZ Channel 25): Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti hit the seasonal high notes.
"Frosty the Snowman" (8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, Channel 19): Jimmy Durante is your narrator for this animated special first aired in 1969. It will be followed at 8:30 by "Frosty Returns," narrated by Jonathan Winters.
"Great Performances, Dance in America" (9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, Channel 25, and 10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, Channel 49): The San Francisco Ballet presents its version of "The Nutcracker."
New holiday treats "The National Tree" (8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, Hallmark Channel): This cable movie features Andrew McCarthy as a father bonding with his son during a cross-country trip.
"Behind the Magic: The Holidays at Disney" (8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, HGTV): A behind-the-scenes look at the holidays in Disney World.
"The Dog Who Saved Christmas" (8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, ABC Family): The season goes to the dogs this night, with two new movies about Christmas canines. First, Former Superman Dean Cain stars in this comedy about a cat burglar who encounters a cute pooch (voiced by Mario Lopez). Then . . .
"A Dog Named Christmas" (9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, Channel 19): This Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation tells of a young man with a developmental disability who wants every family in his Kansas town to adopt a dog for the holidays.
"Max & Rudy" (11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30, Nickelodeon): New Christmas and New Year stories are featured.
"Prep & Landing" (8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, Channel 5): Dave Foley and Sarah Chalke are the star voices in this animated Disney special about an elite team of Santa's elves.
"Mrs. Miracle" (8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Hallmark Channel): James Van Der Beek portrays a widowed dad in this cable movie.
"12 Men of Christmas" (9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Lifetime): Tony and Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth stars in this cable movie about a New York publicist who loses her job and moves to Montana.
"Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure" (8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, Nickelodeon): Dora moves to prime time for this special.
"Invasion of the Christmas Lights" (9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, TLC): This new cable special will be followed by another TLC premiere, "Chainsaw Ice Sculptors" at 10 p.m.
"The Backyardigans" (noon Monday, Dec. 7, Nickelodeon): Conan O'Brien provides the voice of Santa for the holiday episode, "The Action Elves Save Christmas."
"Yes, Virginia" (8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, Channel 19): Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Alfred Molina are among those providing the voices for this half-hour animated special about New York Sun editor Frank Church's 1897 response to a little girl's letter.
"Phineas and Ferb Christmas Vacation" (8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, Disney Channel): Phineas and Ferb try to transform their town into a giant thank-you card to Santa.
"Christmas in Canaan" (8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Hallmark Channel): Billy Ray Cyrus has top billing in this cable movie set in the era of the civil rights movement.
"True Jackson, VP" (8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Nickelodeon): The Nick teen series fields an episode set around the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It will be followed at 9 p.m. by a new holiday episode of "The Troop."
"Olivia" (4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, Nick Jr.): The animated series premieres an episode about Olivia's mother trying to take the perfect family Christmas picture.
"Three Gifts" (8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, Hallmark Channel): It's a busy Christmas season for Dean Cain, who also stars in this movie about a couple taking in three orphaned boys.
New music specials "Radio City Christmas Spectacular With the Rockettes" (4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, Channel 25, and 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, Channel 49): It features the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers and the Living Nativity.
"Christmas in Rockefeller Center" (8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, Channel 3): Performers for the annual concert include Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow, Shakira and the Rockettes.
"Great Performances" (9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, Channel 49): Andrea Bocelli and David Foster present a program of holiday favorites.
"Christmas With the Annie Moses Band" (4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Channel 25, and 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, Channel 49): The six-member band draws on many styles, including classical, jazz and pop.
"Jennifer Hudson: I'll Be Home for Christmas" (8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, Channel 5): The Oscar winner heads home to Chicago for this holiday special.
"Michael McDonald -- This Christmas: A Soundstage Special Event" (7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, Channel 49, and 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, Channel 25): The singer performs holiday favorites and some of his hits.
"Christmas in Washington" (8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, TNT): Scheduled performers include Mary J. Blige, Neil Diamond, Sugarland, Rob Thomas and Usher.
"The 11th Annual Home for the Holidays With Faith Hill" (8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, Channel 19): The country singer is joined by Mary J. Blige, Reba McEntire, Shakira, Carrie Underwood and others for the annual special that features inspirational stories about adoption.
"Great Performances, Sting: A Winter's Tale" (8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 23, Channel 49): Sting presents an atmospheric celebration of wintertime.
"Live From Lincoln Center, New York Philharmonic New Year's Eve" (8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, Channel 25, and 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, Channel 49): The celebration features the music of Gershwin, Copland and Broadway.
"NBC's New Year's Eve With Carson Daly" (10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, Channel 3): Musical guests include Green Day.
"Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve With Ryan Seacrest" (10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, Channel 5): Three-and-a-half hours of musical performances welcome 2010.
"Great Performances, From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration 2010" (10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, Channel 49): Julie Andrews is the host of the special that spotlights the Vienna Philharmonic.
They're wonderful movies "The Santa Clause" (8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, TBS): Tim Allen has top billing in this 1994 comedy about an advertising executive chosen to become Santa.
"National Lampoon Christmas Vacation" (8 and 10:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30 to Friday, Dec. 4, AMC): Here are 10 chances to watch Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) turn the holidays into disaster in this 1989 comedy.
Tom Hanks plays the conductor in "The Polar Express.""The Polar Express" (6 and 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, ABC Family): Tom Hanks plays several roles in the 2004 film version of the story about a Christmas train.
"A Christmas Carol" (8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3; noon Saturday, Dec. 12; and 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 25, TCM): Reginald Owen is Ebenezer Scrooge in MGM's 1938 adaptation of the Charles Dickens story.
"White Christmas" (8 and 10:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, AMC): Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye save a former general's failing Vermont inn in this 1954 favorite stuffed with Irving Berlin tunes.
"Christmas in Connecticut" (Noon Sunday, Dec. 6; 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17; and 12:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 25, TCM): The 1945 gem stars Barbara Stanwyck as a homemaking columnist who knows nothing about homemaking but must host a traditional Christmas gathering.
"It's a Wonderful Life" (8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, and Thursday, Dec. 24, Channel 3): George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) is on that bridge again in director Frank Capra's 1946 Christmas classic.
"A Christmas Story" (8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, TBS): Little Ralphie Parker sets his sights on a Red Ryder BB gun. It's the annual 24-hour marathon of the 1983 Christmas classic filmed partly in Cleveland. Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin star.