CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Brite Winter will kick off its 11th year of wintery festivities in Cleveland on Saturday, Feb. 22. The festival, which regularly draws tens of thousands of attendees to the West Bank of Cleveland’s Flats, will feature music, art, food and other fun.

Here’s what you need to know before you go to Brite Winter this year:

People watch a show. — (Photo by David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com)

Time & Location

Brite Winter kicks off at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, underneath the Main Avenue Bridge on the West Bank of Cleveland’s Flats. Performances take place on outdoor stages underneath the bridge and inside at bars such as Mulberry’s and McCarthy’s. Headliner Ra Ra Riot performs at 10 p.m. An official Brite Winter afterparty begins at 11 p.m. in Mulberry’s, 2316 Mulberry Ave., just west of Main Avenue. Wave Magnetik will provide the entertainment at midnight.

Tickets

The festival is still free and open to the public but tickets are required for entry this year. You can reserve and print them on Eventbrite. A $10 donation is suggested but not required.

VIP tickets are available for purchase. They are $45 and include a private restroom trailer, unlimited coffee and hot chocolate, private heated tents and VIP sections near the stages. Hotel packages are also available for $250 through Brite Winter’s Eventbrite link.

Music

More than 40 bands will perform on five stages at Brite Winter this year. Here are five recommendations of acts you should check out:

Cassidy King

A defining pop presence in Northeast Ohio, Cassidy King has been hitting it big with her singles released in the past few years. They have generated millions of streams online. It’s worth catching one of King’s performances. She may give a sneak peek to some music from an upcoming 2020 EP. (7:30 p.m., Cle Clothing stage)

Ra Ra Riot

New York indie-rock band Ra Ra Riot has earned popularity for upbeat songs like “Water,” “Absolutely,” “Winter ’05” and “Valerie.” It’s released five studio albums, including 2019′s “Superbloom," since forming in 2006. (10 p.m., Covermymeds stage)

ALOOF

ALOOF (standing for “Alls Lost Outside Our Fantasy”) is a collective of some of Cleveland’s best rappers. Expect to see performances by 2ssaint, Case Bargé and Unknownphrazes during ALOOF’s combined set. (10 p.m., McCarthy’s stage)

The Vindys

Last year, The Vindys drew a massive crowd for its Brite Winter performance and this year, the Youngstown soul-rock band is expected to do the same. The band has drawn regional acclaim, so much so that it was set to headline Brite Winter 2020, before Ra Ra Riot was added to the festival’s lineup. (8:50 p.m., Covermymeds stage)

Red Rose Panic

Akron hip-hop band Red Rose Panic combines rock, jazz and hip-hop to create its own unique mix, performed in lively shows. Expect a lot of energy -- and a whole lot of different sounds -- from Red Rose Panic on Saturday. (9:20 p.m., Adcom stage)

Art tent at Brite Winter. — (Photo by David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com)

Art

Music is only half of the show at Brite Winter. Art tents and interactive displays will be scattered around the grounds of the festival, with a storytelling theme of getting through wintertime blues. Tents will have themes like “The Living Room” and “The Campfire Tent.”

One major art performance takes place at 8 p.m., when an ice tower is lit on fire in a massive blaze. You won’t want to miss the spectacle.

Food

This year, Brite Winter will include an unexpected star guest in its food lineup -- Pierogi Joe. The food cart, which was previously glimpsed in a Cleveland-based episode of dating reality show “The Bachelor,” has been brought to life for the festival this weekend.

Other food will be available at Brite Winter, including food trucks from Barrio, Sauced, Swensons, Manna and more. Platform brews will be on tap at a variety of beer tents.

Parking

Brite Winter recommends using public transportation to get to the festival, as there is limited street parking available in the neighborhood. Free RTA shuttles will run from the West Bank of the Flats to the West 25th Street stop of the Red Line. The festival also encourages the use of ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft.

Weather

Fingers are crossed, but it looks like Cleveland should pull through with good weather on Saturday. National Weather Service forecasts show sunshine and temperatures in the 40s during the day, down to 31 at night.

Heated tents and outdoor fire pits will be available to help Brite Winter attendees stay warm, in case of chilly temperatures.

Subscribe to our free To Do Cleveland newsletter

Cut through the noise with our expert picks and recommendations for restaurants, bars, concerts, nightlife, movies, festivals, family fun, theatrical performances, art exhibitions and more with To Do Cleveland, delivered every Thursday to your inbox. SIGN UP NOW

Read more recent entertainment stories:

Brite Winter 2020: What to know before you go (Music, food, games, art & more)