Looking for 2023 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 2022 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.
Events may be canceled or postponed. Check websites before heading to event.
Dickens’ Christmas in Skaneateles 2023
- Saturdays & Sundays (noon-4pm) – Thanksgiving thru Dec 24
- View Website
- 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.
Downtown Canandaigua Christmas
- Downtown Canandaigua in the Commons Park
- Santa’s House: Thurs & Fridays 6-8pm | Sats & Sundays (12-4pm)
- Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
Festival of Trees @ Granger Homestead, Canandaigua
- Nov. 10 thru Dec. 02, 2023
- View website
- 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.
Holiday Laser Show at the Strasenburgh Planetarium
- Nov. 11, 2023 thru Jan. 01, 2024
- Strasenburgh Planetarium – 657 East Ave. Rochester, NY
- View website
- This spectacular laser show features favorite holiday songs choreographed with dancing laser light among the stars of the Planetarium sky at the Strasenburgh Planetarium.
Ice & Lights Festival – Downtown Ithaca
- December 1, 2 and 9, 2023
- View Website
- Ice & Lights Festival (formerly Winter Lights Festival) in Downtown Ithaca in The Ithaca Commons. Enjoy ice bar, ice thrones, and a speed ice carving competition, Chowder Cook-Off, big block ice carving, Silent Disco, Fire Dancers, Sparky the Unicorn and Light Installations.
Roc Holiday Village 2023
- December 1-23, 2023 (Wed-Sun)
- 353 Court St. Rochester, NY
- View Website
- Roc Holiday Village is New York’s favorite winter festival! The enchanting village captures the spirit of the season in downtown Rochester with free ice skating & skate rentals, free visits and photos with Santa, free kids crafts, food trucks, unique shopping village, explore the village activities, holiday celebrations and so much more! Open Wednesdays – Sundays from 12/1 – 12/23, 2023. Admission is free.
Rochester Holidays at the Market 2023
- Sundays: Nov. 26, December 3 and 10, 2023 (8am-2pm)
- Thursday December 14, 2023 (6-9pm)
- Rochester Public Market – 280 North Union Street, Rochester, NY
- view website
- 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.
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2023 Lights on Wheels Parade – Penn Yan
- Friday, December 1, 2023 (6pm)
- Downtown Penn Yan, NY
- View Website
- Visit Downtown Penn Yan for the Lights on Wheels Parade of all different vehicles, tractors, and floats dressed in Christmas lights and decorations, with Santa bringing up the rear. Celebrate “StarShine, Christmas in the Village”, which features a variety of music, entertainment, colorful lights, treats, historic displays, an elf school, special sales, the arrival of Santa, and the crowning of Miss Penn Yan.
Festival of Lights in Clifton Springs
- Friday, December 1, 2023 (5pm – 8pm)
- Downtown Clifton Springs, NY
- View Website
- Festival of Lights in Clifton Springs – Victorian-era downtown is transformed into a winter wonderland! Horse-drawn wagon rides, refreshments, live entertainment, shopping and dining specials, ice sculpting demonstrations, kids activities, street vendors, and visits with Santa.
2023 Lights on the River Festival – Owego
- Friday, December 1, 2023
- Downtown Owego, NY
- View Website
- Join the 2023 Lights on the River Festival celebration in Downtown Owego for the 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, Parade of Lights, and Fireworks.
Honeoye Holiday Hometown Event – Honeoye, NY
- December 1-2, 2023
- Honeoye Central School – Honeoye, NY
- TWILIGHT PARADE- December 1st, 7pm – starting at Honeoye Central School we will be escorting and welcoming Santa in true Honeoye Style- an awesome parade and festival
- VENDOR VILLAGE- December 2nd, 9-2 pm at HCS
Light Up The Holidays Downtown Rochester, NY
- December 2, 2023 – (5pm)
- Starts at Liberty Pole in Downtown Rochester, NY
- View Website
- Kick off the holiday season beginning with the Liberty Pole Lighting Ceremony, and Family Lantern Parade to the ROC Holiday Village.
It’s a Wonderful Life in the South Wedge – Rochester, NY
- December 2, 2023 – (8am-4pm)
- Star Alley and multiple locations throughout the South Wedge, Rochester, NY
- View Website
- It’s a Wonderful Life in the South Wedge. 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.
Sparkle – Corning Gaffer District
- December 2, 2023 (5pm-9pm)
- Market Street, Corning, NY
- View Website
- Sparkle in the Corning Gaffer District features 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.
Hammondsport’s Cookie Walk
- December 2, 2023 (10am-2pm)
- Village Square, Hammondsport, NY
- view website
- Stroll through beautiful Hammondsport, NY while collecting Christmas cookies from participating vendors at the Hammondsport’s Cookie Walk.
Geneva Rotary Santa Train Express
- December 2, 2023
- Behind Public Safety Building, 255 Exchange St. Geneva, NY
- view website
- A wonderful holiday event! Ride a train, meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and listen to Santa’s singing elves. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on the trains.
- Geneva Rotary Santa Train Express: Train times: 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. (The last two trains of the day are the PAJAMA trains!)
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Hammondsport’s Christmas in the Park
- December 9, 2023 (4-8pm)
- 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!
“It’s A Wonderful Life” Festival – Seneca Falls
- December 8-10, 2023
- Seneca Falls, NY
- view website
- “It’s A Wonderful Life” Festival in Seneca Falls features 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.
The Nutcracker – Canandaigua
- December 8-10, 2023
- Fort Hill Performing Arts Center – Canandaigua, NY
- view website
- Rochester City Ballet returns to the Fort Hill Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua with performances of “The Nutcracker”.
Sea Breeze Christmas Parade and Fireworks
- Saturday December 9, 2023 (5:30pm)
- Sea Breeze FD – 4657 Culver Rd. Irondequoit, NY
- 2023 Sea Breeze Christmas Parade takes place on Saturday at 5:30pm and runs down Culver Road from Durand Blvd. to the Sea Breeze Firehouse. Fireworks start 20 minutes after parade.
Stars with Santa – Strasenburgh Planetarium
- Saturday December 9 and 16, 2023
- Strasenburgh Planetarium – 4657 Culver Rd. Irondequoit, NY
- View Website
- Enjoy a Family Fun Day at Rochester’s Strasenburgh Planetarium with a Holiday Laser show, visit with Santa, Constellation Ornaments, snow slime, and hot cocoa and cookie bar.
Rio Tomatlan Ugly Sweater Party – Canandaigua
- Saturday December 9, 2023 (6-10pm)
- Rio Tomatlan – 106 Bemis St. Canandaigua, NY
- View Website
- Enjoy a DJ, drinks and prizes for best ugly sweater.
Drive-Thru Live Nativity – Canandaigua
- December 16-17, 2023 (4-6pm)
- First United Methodist Church, 100 N, Main St, Canandaigua.
- Experience a re-enactment of the original Christmas Eve from the comfort of your vehicle. Drive through the church parking lot, and view shepherds and their sheep as they receive the angels’ message of “glory to God”. Roman soldiers will be ready to direct you through the town where you will see the busy Bethlehem market place, the Inn which had no room, and the stable where Mary and Joseph had to stay. This event is free.
Cut Your Own Christmas Trees | Rochester & Finger Lakes