Looking for 2018 Rochester NY Christmas events and Holiday events in the Finger Lakes. There are many fun things to do in in December in Rochester and the Finger Lakes to celebrate the 2018 Holiday season, including Christmas Tree lightings and Festival of Lights, Christmas Finger Lakes wine events, Christmas shows and craft fairs, Children’s Christmas events, Breakfast with Santa, and more.
Dickens’ Christmas in Skaneateles 2018
Saturdays & Sundays (noon-4pm) from Thanksgiving thru Dec 23rd.
Join Christmas Carolers and dancers, listen to live music by bagpipers and a brass band, and enjoy special events as the streets of downtown Skaneateles transform into a winter wonderland straight out of Dicken’s novel A Christmas Carol. Charles Dickens and his cast of characters will interact with residents and visitors in the streets, stores and restaurants.
Festival of Trees
Granger Homestead & Carriage Museum, Canandaigua
November 9 – December 02, 2018 – Recurring daily
(585) 394-1472 – With well over one hundred items displayed each year, the Granger Homestead is a holiday wonderland. Enjoy a walk through the festively decorated period mansion. There are themed Christmas trees, wreaths, mantel pieces, tabletop decorations, holiday jewelry and more. Bring the family and get into the holiday spirit. View website.
Light Up The Holidays Downtown Rochester, NY
- December 1, 2018 – (4:30pm)
- Starts at Liberty Pole in Downtown Rochester, NY
- View Website
- Kick off the holiday season begining with the Liberty Pole Lighting Ceremony, then march in a parade from the Liberty Pole to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park Ice Rink for the official start of Rochester’s outdoor ice-skating season.
It’s a Wonderful Life in the South Wedge – Rochester, NY
- December 1, 2018 – (11am-4pm)
- Star Alley, German House, St. Boniface Church in Rochester NY
- View Website
- Star Alley will be decorated in a classic Christmas theme with pine boughs and decorations while shoppers explore the South Wedge neighborhood. Music, food and activities.
Canandaigua Wine Walk
- December 1, 2018 (4pm – 7pm)
- Downtown Canandaigua, NY
- Stroll around beautiful Downtown Canandaigua and sample the finest Finger Lakes wine at various shops along Main St. Start with a commemorative wine glass and enjoy all the tastings at any participating merchant along the way. Cash only and please bring proof of legal age. Local merchants include apparel shops, gift shops and novelty items, art galleries, restaurants and much more!
Santa Claus arrives in Downtown Ithaca!
- December 1, 2018 – (11am-3pm)
- Downtown Ithaca, NY
- View Website
- Santa repels from the roof of Center Ithaca onto the Commons at noon, followed by photos with Santa (bring your own camera.) Music and holiday fun activities inside Center Ithaca.
Sparkle – Corning Gaffer District
- December 1, 2018 (5pm-9pm)
- Market Street, Corning, NY
- View Website
- Celebrate the culmination of the Crystal City Christmas Events Season. Featuring horse and wagon rides, shopping and dining promotions, outdoor entertainment and activities for the whole family, craft and food vendors, holiday carolers, and photos with Santa in his Crystal House. Fireworks end the celebration.
Hammondsport’s Cookie Walk
- December 1, 2018 – (10am-3pm)
- Village Square, Hammondsport, NY
- http://www.hammondsport.org/
- Stroll through beautiful Hammondsport, NY while collecting Christmas cookies from participating vendors.
Geneva Rotary Santa Train Express
- December 1, 2018
- Behind Public Safety Building, 255 Exchange St. Geneva, NY
- http://www.genevasantatrain.com/
- Santa Claus will sit with each child and Santa’s elves will sing Christmas carols during each excursion. Food will be available for purchase. The last 2 trains of the day are special pajama train trips. The Geneva Rotary will also be conducting a new mitten and hat drive. Please consider bringing a donation the day of the Santa Train.
December Deck The Halls Weekend – Seneca Lake Wine Trail
- Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, 2018
- Seneca Lake Wine Trail
- view website
- Each attendee will enjoy a complimentary sample of the dish served by the winery, paired with about 3 different modest samples of wine intended to complement that dish best. Enjoy a weekend of fun and festivities while sampling holiday wines and food tastings. The wineries are decorated for the holiday season. Over the 2-1/2 day weekend event, visit the participating wineries, receive a recipe book and collect ornaments to decorate your handmade grapevine wreath.
“It’s A Wonderful Life” Festival – Seneca Falls
- December 7-9, 2018
- Seneca Falls, NY
- view website
- Three full days of family fun and special events in Seneca Falls, NY – “The Real Bedford Falls,” including “It’s a Wonderful Parade”, Santa at the North Pole, Free Roasted Chestnuts, Craft Fair, Free Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides, It’s a Wonderful Bonfire, Tree Lighting, Caroling and Santa in People’s Park, “Bedford Falls” BBQ & Bake Sale, and more.
Festival of Lights in Clifton Springs
- December 7, 2018 (5pm – 8pm)
- Downtown Clifton Springs, NY
- View Website
- Victorian-era downtown is transformed into a winter wonderland! Free horse-drawn wagon rides, refreshments, live entertainment, shopping and dining specials, kids activities, tours of the historic Tiffany Chapel, street vendors, and visits with Santa. View and purchase decorated trees.
2018 Lights on the River Festival – Owego
- December 7, 2018
- Downtown Owego, NY
- View Website
- Join the celebration in Downtown Owego for the 2018 holiday lighting and festivities. Christmas lights reflecting on the river, historic buildings lit with candles, Children’s choirs, horse and wagon rides, ice sculptures, dancers, strolling musicians, a visit with Santa, food, Christmas specials and Fireworks.
Ithaca Ice Festival
- December 6-8, 2018
- Ithaca Commons, Ithaca, NY
- View Website
- Ice Fest is an annual tradition in Downtown Ithaca! Witness the nation’s finest ice carvers as they compete for prizes in Downtown Ithaca. The Ithaca Ice Festival features ice sculptures and fire demonstrations. There is also a really cool Ice Bar, an outdoor bar made entirely of ice, where you can buy beer, wine, and hot cocoa. Ithaca Ice Festival ice carving competition is a National Ice Carving Association sanctioned event.
Ithaca Chowder Cook-off
- December 8, 2018 – (12pm-5pm)
- Ithaca Commons, Ithaca, NY
- View Website
- The Ithaca Chowder Cook-off takes place on the last day of the Ithaca Ice Festival and takes place on the Commons and surrounding streets from 12-5pm. Sample over 20 different traditional, exotic, and gourmet chowders from local restaurants competing to be crowned the next Chowder Cup Champion!
Hammondsport’s Christmas in the Park
- December 8, 2018 – (4pm-8pm)
- Village Square, Hammondsport, NY
- Visit Website
- Hammondsport’s Christmas in the Park is an old fashioned Christmas celebration with live music, food, vendors, horse drawn wagon rides, raffles, Santa & Mrs. Claus, storytelling, and fun for all!
East Rochester Christmas Festival
- December 8, 2018 – (10am-5pm)
- Several locations in and around East Rochester, NY
- View Website
- East Rochester Christmas Festival has music, caroling, food, games, crafts and horse-drawn wagon rides throughout several locations in and around East Rochester, NY.
Christmas in Big Flats
- December 8, 2018
- Big Flats, NY
- Businesses in Big Flats will celebrate the Christmas season with town-wide open houses and refreshments.
Rochester Holidays at the Market 2018
- December 2, 9 and 16, 2018 9-3pm
- Rochester Public Market – 280 North Union Street, Rochester, NY
- Rochester Holidays at the Market features a festive mix of holiday-oriented vendors with art, crafts, decorations, holiday food delicacies, gifts, stocking stuffers, carriage rides with Santa, and much much more at the Rochester Public Market.