CLEVELAND, Ohio — The city of Cleveland saw a lot of action last year. 

  • Cleveland is coming off a big year in 2019 after hosting a number of major events, including the MLB All-Star Game
  • The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament will take place at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and blockbuster shows will hit Playhouse Square
  • The 25th anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will bring the return of the induction ceremony to the Cleveland Public Auditorium

“One of the big highlights in 2019, of course, was the MLB All-Star Game this July... so exciting to have all those people out and about in downtown Cleveland,” said Kristen Jantonio, Destination Cleveland. "We had great events like Cuyahoga50 celebration, we had CONCACAF Gold Cup at FirstEnergy Stadium... pair that with great concerts around the region, as well. It was a stellar year here in Cleveland, i think,” said Jantonio.

Destination Cleveland’s Kristen Jantonio says this year, there is just as much in store for Cleveland residents and visitors —

From sports …

“At Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse this March, the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament will be in Cleveland, the first and second rounds... so, an exciting time for people to come downtown, experience March Madness, maybe see those bracket-buster games,” said Jantonio.

To art… 

“You have the Cleveland Museum of Art’s “Picasso and Paper” exhibition starting in May, so you'll be able to see 300 pieces of art from Picasso here in Cleveland,” said Jantonio.

And entertainment...

“We cannot forget blockbuster Broadway shows coming to Playhouse Square, and you will have Disney's Frozen in July, and the return of Hamilton in September, so you're not going to want to throw away your shot at getting those tickets,” Jantonio said.

And this year, you also can’t forget about politics. 

“2020 is a big year for women and for politics and for voting, and 100 years ago, in 1920, women got the right to vote with the 19th amendment,” said Dennis Barrie, Cleveland History Center. 

Over at the Cleveland History Center, an exhibition called “Women in Politics” will open. 

“It traces the struggle of women to get the vote from the late 19th century, all the way to their success in the early 20th century... and we're following it all the way through to today, how women have influenced politics, Cleveland, Northeast Ohio and the country as a whole,” said Barrie.

Other exciting events taking place in 2020 include:

  • Cedar Point's 150th anniversary season kickoff
  • Cleveland Orchestra hosting its Censored: Art & Power" citywide festival
  • 25th anniversary of the Rock Hall and the return of the induction ceremony to Public Auditorium

Jantonio says although Destination Cleveland works year-round to attract people to Cleveland, the city’s residents are the best ambassadors, as 77% of them would recommend Cleveland as a place to visit.

“Have them take that next step and invite their family and friends, and we saw so many people come to Cleveland this summer who are from out of town, showing them around the city, and it's exciting to continue that momentum in bringing more people to the region,” said Jantonio.

This March, Destination Cleveland will be hosting the “Be A Tourist in Your Hometown Weekend” and in June, their “Visit Me in CLE” weekend.