Miracle on Cleveland Street: A Florida-Style White Christmas
Our warm coastal subtropical city doesn’t face blizzards, road closures, or worries about engine warmers in winter, but let’s face it: a White Christmas is a pretty cool Yuletide symbol. Fortunately, every December a festival occurs in Clearwater where residents can experience those wondrous white falling flakes: Miracle on Cleveland Street.
It’s a presentation by Macy’s, made possible via the Ruth Eckerd Hall Experience — and the best part about Miracle on Cleveland Street in downtown Clearwater is that it’s free.
The Event
The most recent Miracle occurred on Saturday, Dec. 7th, which entailed closing the 400–600 blocks of downtown Clearwater to motorized vehicles. Those visiting experienced a Florida-style winter wonderland, complete with a very tall Christmas tree, holiday music, and falling snow at Station Square Park, along with an ice skating rink and train rides.
Activities & Pricing
| Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Santa’s scavenger hunt | Free |
| Face painting | Free |
| Craft station | Free |
| Letters to Santa | Free |
| Falling snow | Free |
| Photo with Santa | $5 |
| Train rides | $8 |
| Ice skating | $8 |
| Inflatable bounce houses | $8 |
The scavenger hunt offered a chance to win a brand-new child’s bicycle, courtesy of Baystar Restaurant Group.
Food & Vendors
The event featured vendors offering holiday-themed food and holiday arts and crafts. I took along one of my grandsons, and we purchased an array of jerky varieties — gator, buffalo, elk, duck, and pheasant. We couldn’t quite bring ourselves to try kangaroo.
Street-side restaurant tables offer the best viewing, so secure a reservation, as all the eateries fill up with diners. Other food options include tent vendors and food trucks — don’t even think about leaving without trying the freshly made donuts.
Entertainment
The Romantics provided free entertainment at the Tampa Bay Times stage on Cleveland Street. On some occasions over the years, Miracle on Cleveland Street has also offered:
- Horse-drawn carriage rides
- Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots — where players climb inside caged buggies and robotically control punches aimed at their opponents. It sounds silly, but it’s actually fun to play or watch.
Double-circle Miracle on Cleveland Street in December 2020 when you see it, and let that faux snow remind you of White Christmases past.
