From prank playing to gift giving, Halloween traditions have changed significantly in Cleveland over the past century. And over the last few years, Candlelight Halloween Cleveland has lit up the city for spook-tastic evenings inspired by the mystery and macabre of the season. Under the bewitching glow of thousands of candles, classically trained musicians entrance audiences with renditions of Halloween hits and horror movie scores.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
Certain melodies possess the supernatural ability to transport listeners across time and space with just a few notes. Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Danse Macabre” invites audiences to dance with death through its fiddle-playing skeleton’s midnight waltz, Mike Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells” creates hypnotic dread through repetitive patterns that burrow into consciousness, and Vic Mizzy’s “The Addams Family” theme proves that spooky can be irresistibly charming.
When performed by string quartet, these beloved pieces gain haunting new dimensions that larger ensembles cannot achieve. The intimate scale means every bow stroke resonates directly with listeners, creating immediate emotional connections. Two violins engage in spectral conversations, the viola weaves mysterious middle harmonies, and the cello provides dark, velvety foundations. Under Candlelight’s signature glow, familiar horror becomes beautifully unfamiliar.
Candlelight Halloween at Maltz Performing Arts Center
The soaring arches and stained glass of Maltz Performing Arts Center are transformed by the glow of thousands of candles, casting flickering shadows and a warm, golden hue that amplifies the concert’s mysterious ambiance. With a 60-minute performance and doors opening 30-45 minutes early, guests are given time to be fully immersed in this enchanting, subtly spooky setting.
As the string quartet performs Stranger Things (Theme) by S U R V I V E, Halloween (Theme) by John Carpenter and a medley from The Nightmare Before Christmas by Danny Elfman, the interplay of music and candlelight creates an unforgettable Halloween experience. With these concerts among the most popular, planning ahead ensures you don’t miss out.