ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Need ideas for celebrating the holiday season with family? We have you covered with our list of fun holiday events in the Rochester area.

If you know of an event that should be added to our growing list, please send it our way!

Ongoing Events

A Christmas Carol at Geva Theatre, a Rochester holiday tradition since 1985. The event runs from November 28 until December 30. For ticket information, click here.

Bristol Mountain. The mountain is open now for the 2023-2024 winter season.

Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Park Ice Skating. Now through March 10. Open skate Noon-8:50 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Adult-only free skate 1:50-3:10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Click here for more information on fees and skates.

Edgerton Model Railroad Club. Special holiday hours with displays depicting winter scenes. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturdays in December at 41 Backus Street.

Genesee County Village & Museum. From Yuletide tours to breakfast with Santa, there’s an entire Christmas calendar of events. Check out their schedule here.

Holidays at the Market. Sundays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. November 26 through December 10, plus Thursday, December 14, from 6-9 p.m. at the City of Rochester Public Market. Products, gifts, decorations, crafts, and food.

Holiday Laser. Now through January 1 at the RMSC’s Strasenburgh Planetarium. Your favorite holiday songs are set to a stunning laser show.

The Nutcracker at the Eastman Theatre and Fort Hill Performing Arts Center. The event runs through December 10. For ticket information, click here.

Mall Santa. Visit the jolly old elf at The Mall at Greece Ridge and Eastview through Christmas Eve, Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Click on the mall links for more information.

Ontario Beach Park Ice Skating. Don’t worry about the weather, you can skate on synthetic ice from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Powers Farm Market. Christmas tree shopping, hand-crafted gifts, ornaments, seasonal items and, more. 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sundays. These times will change to extended hours the second week of December. Click here for more info.

ROC Holiday Village. The city’s Roc Holiday Village will open up to the public from Friday, December 1 through Saturday, December 23 at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Gala Holiday Pops, December 15-17. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

Stokoe Farms. In addition to Christmas tree shopping, wagon rides, and animals, Walkabout Encounters are available on Black Friday and weekends. Click here for info.

Sweet Creations Gingerbread Displays. The George Eastman Museum will display gingerbread houses from Saturday, November 11 – December 31, 2023.

November 30

In the Community Room at the Fairport Public Library, there will be a showing of “The Polar Express.” Organizers said all ages are welcome to attend. No registration is required, and popcorn and water will be served.

Park Avenue Open House. Park Avenue transforms into a winter wonderland with tree and menorah lightings, Santa, and of course, shopping with merchants open 5-9 pm.

December 1

Chili Tree Lighting CANCELLED. Due to the forecast of rain, the town of Chili will not be holding a tree lighting ceremony. There’s still plenty to do from 6:00 – 8:15 p.m. at the town recreation center. Live music, cookie decorating, crafts, and more.

In Dansville, the annual “Winter in the Village” day-long holiday celebration runs throughout the entire community. Highlights will include the Jingle Bell 5K Run and Walk at Dansville Foursquare Church, artists, crafters, and vendor booths, shopping, dining, activities, and experiences. Santa will visit with children at the Dansville Public Library. For a full list of events throughout the day, visit the Dansville Area Chamber website.

Penfield Tree lighting. 5 p.m. Celebrate the lighting of a new, 30-foot tree in Schaufelberger Park (1820 Penfield Rd.). Hot chocolate and holiday cheer provided.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. RBTL presents a musical version of the Christmas classic. Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday (Dec. 2) at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m. Click here for

tickets.

Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting Ceremony in Canandaigua. This is a free event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Lake House. Come for the music & carolers, holiday drinks, reindeer and sleigh, Gingerbread boat reveal, and a donut food truck. The tree lighting will be at 6:30 p.m.

December 2

From 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Liberty Pole Lighting and Parade will be held from the Liberty Pole to Roc Holiday Village. There will be characters dressed as elves, Santa, and more to greet the kids.

Joseph Avenue Arts and Culture Alliance. Art-making party with RIT, including free cookies and cocoa. 11 a.m. -2 p.m. at the gymnasium at Baden Street Settlement.

December 1, 2, and 3

Holiday Pet Photos at Lollypop Farm. Want to take family photos that include your furry friends? Bring them in for some festive photos that feature a hot cocoa and peppermint stand. Tickets are $50 and space is limited.

December 3

“Let us Adore Him – A Christmas Celebration”. The Lyons Community Ecumenical Choir presents a mix of traditional and original compositions by Rober C Lau at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Lyons (11 Queen St.).

Webster’s Winter Wonderland. From 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., you can celebrate the holidays with a “stroll along Main Street” including food trucks, carolers, and carriage rides. There is also a “Visit the North Pole” event at Veterans Memorial Park which includes cookie decorating, library storytime, hot cocoa & more! The night will end with a parade of lights at 6:30 p.m. from Main Street to the Fireman’s Field.

December 7

At the Wadsworth Library in Geneseo, gingerbread houses will be the main attraction! The library will offer the chance for children ages four and up to make gingerbread houses with graham crackers, frosting, and candy! Registration is required and can be found here.

Greece Christmas Tree Lighting. The town of Greece will be lighting its tree at 6 p.m. This event will include Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides, live music, treats for purchase, and potential fire pits.

December 8

Ogden Christmas Tree Lighting. The Town of Ogden will be lighting its tree at 6:30 p.m. The town will be providing hot chocolate, festive treats, and baked goods. Singers from the Robert Dean Chorale will be singing Christmas carols and Santa will be handing out candy canes.

December 9

Evergreen Place Senior Living Holiday Marketplace. Come enjoy a holiday craft fair, throw snowballs with elves, and have breakfast with Santa at this senior living facility in Brockport! Breakfast is from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and the craft fair goes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Brockport Winter Market. Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brockport Merchants Association hosts over 25 local crafters and artists throughout Main and Market Streets. Santa will be in attendance along with a campfire, street musicians, and more!

Children’s Art Market. At the Irondequoit Art Center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., young artists will have the chance to sell their artwork. Each child will be provided with their own station to display their work and will keep all of their profits.

Gingerbread house decorating for kids! From 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Harley School kids ages 3 and up are welcome to join in on the gingerbread house decorating class. This includes a fun activity and a sweet treat after!

Painting With a twist, Family fun: Freddie the Yeti (ages 7+) Come paint Freddie the Yeti from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $29 per person.

Come see Santa and Mrs. Clause at Casa Larga Vineyards. This event takes place December 9 and 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot chocolate or coffee, kids’ crafts, and a tractor ride through the vineyard. Kids will have the chance to tell Santa what they want for Christmas, mail their letter to the North Pole, and have their photos taken.

December 10, 16, 17

Holly Trolley Rides. Relive the days when a ride on the Midtown Plaza Monorail was a Christmas tradition at the New York Museum of Transportation in Rush. Click here for tickets and times.

December 10

Crafty Holiday Market. Located at Lovin’cup Bistro and Brews from 1 p.m. to 6. p.m. Enjoy some live music while you sip and shop handmade soaps and oils, art, jewelry, clothing, scarves, patches, baby/children gifts, and more!

December 14

Christmas Cookie Decorating with Cider! Everyone is welcome to come to this Cookie decorating class at Blue Barn Cidery. Every person will recieve a dozen cookies to decorate, piping bags, and cider. This event starts at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m.

December 16

Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus. First Baptist Church of Penfield. 8-10 a.m. Pancake breakfast with eggs, sausage, and more for $10 for a good cause.

Brockport CountryMax. Country Christmas. 1-4 p.m. Pony rides, petting zoo, baked goods and Santa.

Buddy and his friends are stopping by the Penfield Public Library for a screening of the film, “Elf.” The event is open to grades four through eight and requires registration prior to attending. More information can be found here.

December 17

From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., A hockey competition will provide a chance to meet retired New York Rangers captain and Olympic Silver medalist for Team USA, Ryan Callahan. This event will be held at the Roc Holiday Village skating rink by the Ryan Callahan Foundation which is a non-profit created for children who are battling cancer.

Charlie Brown Christmas Musical Performance by Charlie Linder Feat. Alex Vine. Located at ARTISANworks from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online or at the door.

Light Up Gates Parade. The Gates Police Department announced that Santa Claus is passing through the town. On December 17 and 18, the town will be divided into two zones for the Light Up Gates parade. The first will take place at 4 p.m. and the second will start at 5 p.m. More info here.

December 20

Join the Little Lakes Community Center in Hemlock for a community cookie and ornament exchange! From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., guests are asked to bring three dozen holiday cookies and a wrapped ornament. The event will also feature games, tea, and coffee!

December 21

Third Thursday Concert: The Twelve Days of Christmas. Come to the Memorial Art Gallery Fountain Court from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to listen to Baroque music. There will also be holiday poetry and Caroling sing-alongs!

December 27

When school is out, the Seneca Park Zoo is offering a week-long program where children can learn more about their favorite animals and will have the chance to explore the Seneca Park Zoo in the winter. For registration and pricing information, click here.

For a full list of events in the area, visit the RochesterFirst Calendar.