It’s December, and Rochester is a picturesque winter wonderland filled with joyful melodies, glistening lights, and festive jubilations. As we navigate through the varied public celebrations and personal reflections, let’s not merely observe but take part, adding our own stories to the rich narrative that defines our community.
Rochesterians have a deep-seated nostalgia for midtown at Christmastime. Roc Holiday Village encapsulates the holiday magic in one month-long event featuring yuletide festivities, shopping, refreshments, and entertainment.
Our city becomes a stage where traditional holiday performances such as the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s Gala Holiday Pops, Rochester Broadway Theatre League’s The Nutcracker, and Geva’s A Christmas Carol enchant audiences and kindle the holiday spirit within.
The Little Theatre and Dryden Theatre screen classic holiday movies while live music is performed in halls and houses of worship.
Because December is the darkest month, we welcome grand displays of Christmas lights to brighten the night. Pack the car with snacks and hot cocoa, and sing along to Christmas carols as you drive around the area. It’s a magical time of year, full of wonder and joyful celebration.
So, wrap yourself in something cozy and step into a month-long celebration of love, togetherness, and the enchanting allure of the holiday season.
Featured December Events
Nov 24–Dec 24: Dickens Christmas. The World’s Smallest Parade kicks off this month-long weekend festival on Bright Friday (the day after Thanksgiving). The festival continues every Saturday and Sunday, leading up to Christmas. Charles Dickens and other characters can be seen roaming the streets, shops, and restaurants, greeting guests and spreading holiday cheer. Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides around the village, caroling and plays at the gazebo, and chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Multiple venues, Skaneateles, Onondaga County, (315) 685-0552, skaneateles.com
Dec 1–Jun 14: Holiday Show at Lamberton Conservatory. Enjoy evening hours on Friday and Sunday nights until 9 p.m. to appreciate the holiday lights after dark. The show begins on the first Friday in December and continues through the second weekend in January. Note that Saturday evenings are reserved for weddings. Admission fee. 180 Reservoir Avenue, (585) 753-7270, learn more
Nov 11–Dec 31: Holidays at the George Eastman Museum. GEM is a gorgeous place to experience the joy of the holiday season. Besides the delightful Sweet Creations gingerbread houses, wreaths, and tabletop Christmas tree displays, Dryden Theatre offers a wide selection of festive films, including White Christmas on Saturday, Dec 23. Admission fee. 900 East Avenue, (585) 327-4800, eastman.org
Show schedule:
Dec 2: Little Women
Dec 7: The Muppet Christmas Carol
Dec 14: Scrooge
Dec 20: To Be Determined
Dec 21: Little Women
Dec 22: The Muppet Christmas Carol
Dec 23: White Christmas
Dec 2–21: Holidays at the Genesee Country Village. Experience the joys of past Christmases on a guided tour of the village. Meet families as they plan traditional meals, share stories, and prepare for the long winter. Take part in various December events, such as candlelit Yuletide in the Country Dec 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, and 16, Holiday Afternoon Teas Dec 13, 14, 20, and 21, Breakfast with St. Nick Dec 16, and the Holiday Open House and Breakfast with St. Nick Dec 17. Admission fee. 1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford, (585) 538-6822, gcv.org
Sundays, Nov 26, Dec 3, 10 from 8 a.m.–2 p.m. and Thursday, Dec 14 from 6 p.m.–9 p.m.: Holidays at the Rochester Public Market. This delightful tradition showcases vendors offering fresh trees, wreaths, decorations, specialty foods and drinks, handcrafted items, and more. You can enjoy music, carriage rides, and even see Santa on select Sundays. 280 N. Union Street, (585) 428-6907, cityofrochester.gov
Nov 13–Jan 12, 2024: Lights on the Lake. The drive-through holiday light show at Onondaga Lake Park features a two-mile route lined with towering displays, a fantasy forest, vibrant arches, and a magical fairy-tale ending. Admission fee. 106 Lake Drive, Liverpool, (315) 451-7275, lightsonthelake.com
Dec 1–23: Roc Holiday Village. The festivities kick off on the first Saturday of December with the Main Street Liberty Pole lighting and a Santa-led procession to Roc Holiday Village. In the heart of downtown, the charming village offers a range of free holiday-themed activities and community events, including ice skating, live music, and a visit with Santa Claus. Visitors can also shop and dine in the village. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 353 Court Street, rocholidayvillage.com
Dec 2: Sparkle. Held annually on the first Saturday in December, Sparkle is a joyful holiday experience transforming Historic Market Street into a Christmas shopping winter wonderland. The event features the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, concerts, caroling, and horse-drawn carriage rides. 1 West Market Street, Corning, gafferdistrict.com
Dec 8–10: It’s a Wonderful Life Festival. This three-day festival celebrates the bond between Seneca Falls and Bedford Falls. Members of the original It’s a Wonderful Life cast, their descendants, and the public gather to enjoy film screenings, themed dinners, and cast signings. Fall Street, Seneca Falls, (315) 568-5838, wonderfullifemuseum.com
Dec 16: Rutabaga Curl, mid-December. Whether you are watching or hurling, this is a high-energy, comedically absurd event with Olympic-style pomp and circumstance. You’ll witness the torchbearer run in from Mount Cruciferous and hear the choir perform “Roo-tah-bay-gah” to the joyful melody of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” 545 3rd Street, Ithaca, (607) 273-7109, ithacamarket.com
Dec 23: Carolcade. Bring a thermos of hot cocoa and join nearly 2,000 singers on Main Street in front of Vidler’s 5 & 10. 676 Main Street, East Aurora, (716) 652-8444, eanycc.com
Ops to Shop Locally
Dec 1–23
Roc Holiday Village
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Dec 2
- It’s a Wonderful Life in the South Wedge 2023 Holiday Festival
- Secondhand Wonderland
- Hodinöhsö:ni’ Art Show Ganondagan
Dec 2–3
Dec 2, 3, 16
Dec 3
Dec 5
Dec 7, 14, 21 (Thursdays, 3–9 p.m.)
Dec 9
- Local Author Day at Irondequoit Public Library
- Viciously Crafty Holiday Makers Market and Poutine Pop-Up at The Factory Building
- Wintercraft at Flower City Arts Center
- Holiday Bazaar at The Yards
Dec 10
Dec 16
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Holiday Trains Rides and Displays
Nov 18–Dec 17: Arcade and Attica Railroad. Hop on the Wonderland Express and travel to the North Pole to spend quality time with Santa and his elves. Admission fee. 278 Main Street, Arcade, (585) 492-3100, aarailroad.com
Nov 25–26, Dec 2–3: Medina Railroad Museum. Experience the magic of The Polar Express™ as you journey to pick up Santa. Admission fee. 530 West Avenue, Medina, (585) 798-6106, medinarailroadmuseum.org
Dec 8, 9, 15, 16: Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. The 1909 train station at Industry, 20 minutes from downtown Rochester, offers festive real Santa train rides to the North Pole. Visitors can enjoy a holiday atmosphere, complimentary hot chocolate, and cookies. Aboard vintage cabooses, you’ll journey through scenic forests and countryside. Upon reaching the North Pole, children meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and receive a candy cane from an elf. Suited for young children, the entire enchanting experience, including the train ride and Santa visit, lasts approximately one hour. 282 Rush Scottsville Road, Rush, (585) 533-1431, rochestertrainrides.com
Dec 9–10, 16–17: Medina Railroad Museum. The Medina Railroad offers a festive one-hour round trip to the North Pole on Santa’s Toyland Express, providing guests with a heartwarming journey filled with hot chocolate, cookies, and Christmas carols. Admission fee. 530 West Avenue, Medina, (585) 798-6106, medinarailroadmuseum.org
Dec 10, 17: New York Museum of Transportation. Start your day with a ride on the Holly Trolley and a visit with Santa. Then, explore the museum to find the two Midtown Plaza monorail cars on display. Admission fee. 6393 E. River Road, Rush, (585) 533-1113, nymtmuseum.org
Edgerton Model Railroad. In December, the Edgerton Model Railroad is open for additional hours and offers free tours of its four season-themed model train layouts. 41 Backus Street, (585) 428-6769, edgertonmodelrailroadclub.com
The Garden Factory. Check out the magnificent model train display on weekends through mid-December and every day during the school break. 2126 Buffalo Road, Gates, (585) 247-6236, gardenfactoryny.com
Aman’s Farm & Market. The Stuhler Family Whyte Winter Village returns to Aman’s Farm Market annually. Be sure to visit us this holiday season and see this spectacular, one-of-a-kind display. 2458 E Ridge Road, Irondequoit, 585-544-8360, amansfarmandmarket.com
More December Events
City of Rochester
Sep 14, 2023–May 5, 2024
Nov 28–Dec 30
Dec 1
Dec 1–2
Dec 2
- Kodak Center: The Wait Wait Stand-Up Tour
- Corn Hill Holiday Tour Of Homes (Sold Out) – Note that this sells out as soon as it’s announced in October. Sign up for their newsletter to be notified next year.
- Silent Disco at Comedy @ the Carlson
Dec 2, 7, 14, 20, 21, 22, and 23
Dec 3
Dec 7
Dec 7–10
Dec 8
Dec 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, and 20
Dec 8–30
Dec 10
- Rochester TubaChristmas (The free tickets go quickly—watch the live stream.)
- Reindeer Run 5K & Kids Half Mile
Dec 12
Dec 12–17
Dec 13
Dec 14
Dec 15
Dec 16
Dec 17
Dec 30–31
Dec 31
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Monroe County
Dec 1–3
Dec 2
Dec 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, & 17
Dec 3
Dec 4
Dec 7–23
Dec 9
Dec 17
Dec 18
Greater Rochester
Nov 24–Dec 31, Friday–Sunday
- Winter Festival of Lights Macedon
Dec 1
- Festival of Lights Clifton Springs
Dec 2
Dec 2, 3, 9, 10
Dec 10
Surrounding Counties
Nov 25 & 26, Dec 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 30
- It WAS a Wonderful Life at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo
Dec 2–3
Dec 7
Dec 16
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Our 4 Favorite Extreme Christmas Lights Around Rochester: 2023 Edition
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First-Day Hikes on January 1, 2024
Welcome the New Year with a guided First-Day Hike at several parks, including Highland, Letchworth, and the Genesee Valley Greenway.
What are your favorite December events?
Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.
People often ask me if I get free access to places while exploring. The answer is no unless I’m invited to previews or granted behind-the-scenes access as part of my media role. Generally, I don’t mention my project, Day Trips Around Rochester, NY, because I want the same experience you would have. I create and share content simply because it brings me joy. I would appreciate your support—a cup of coffee or two to help fuel future field trips—if you have found valuable information here that has helped you explore the Rochester area.
