Finals are quickly approaching and so is the impending stress and exhaustion that typically accompanies them. However, with finals also comes that joyous time of the year when we can celebrate the holidays, and luckily for Case Western Reserve University students, there are several holiday events that can serve as temporary relieves for the finals strain.

Close to home, in University Circle, is Wade Oval Winter. The well-awaited rink at Wade Oval opened this past weekend, so head over and show off your ice-skating skills. Admission is free and skate rentals are $3. Live music will also be provided at the rink the next couple Wednesdays (Dec. 11 and 18) at 6 p.m.

Additionally, if you go skating, you’ll be provided with a wristband you can show at the Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Museum of Natural History and Western Reserve Society to receive a discounted admission.

Speaking of the Botanical Garden, the garden’s Glow event also opened last weekend. Glow features gorgeous seasonal decorations, including lights and several beautifully Christmas trees, that don’t fall short of the garden’s typically radiant florae.

Additionally, Glow will showcase a gingerbread display and Mrs. Claus’ Sweet Shoppe. There are also several events targeted toward children, including a wishing tree and a holiday-themed train ride on the Garden Express.

From Dec. 4-8, the CityMusic Cleveland Chamber Orchestra will be offering a once-in-a-lifetime performance featuring exquisite Viennese music. These performances will be held in several different European-style churches and cathedrals across Northeast Ohio. Two of the performances will be held in Cleveland and one in Cleveland Heights.

The orchestra will be following the tradition of the Vienna Philharmonic, which has performed an internally renowned concert each New Year’s morning since 1939 in the gorgeous Großer Saal of the Muskiverein.

Throughout the years, the music from these performances has featured waltzes, polkas and operetta songs. However, it has consistently concluded with Strauss II’s Blue Danube Waltz and Strauss I’s Radetzky March finale, during which audience members clap to the beat of the music with the bass drum.

Although few are lucky enough to experience the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s show in person, you can view an incredible reproduction by the CityMusic Cleveland Chamber Orchestra this coming week. Admission is free and free refreshments will be provided during intermission.