Rochester in December 2025: A Month of Sparkle & Celebration

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Last updated: October 24, 2025

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Rochester comes alive with warmth, light, and festive spirit during December and the holiday season. This guide includes a list of the city’s most cherished traditions, including heartwarming performances, vibrant holiday markets, nostalgic activities, and captivating outdoor light displays.

December Day Trips

Books & Coffee

For the perfect quiet escape this December, pair the warmth of a local coffee shop with the charm of an independent bookstore. Some spots, like Bookeater and Siren and the Sea, bring the best of both worlds together—offering espresso drinks right alongside thoughtfully curated shelves. Others invite you to create your own pairing, like browsing Book Culture in Pittsford before walking across the street to Collier’s Café for a cozy latte, or exploring Lift Bridge Book Shop in Brockport, followed by a sweet treat at Java Junction. However you combine them, books and coffee are always a good idea—and a perfectly slow, satisfying way to spend a December day.

Nature, Indoors

When the trees go bare and the skies stay gray, it’s comforting to know you can still find vibrant color and warmth in Rochester. The Lamberton Conservatory Holiday Show in Highland Park is a local favorite this time of year, filled with poinsettias, twinkle lights, and the soothing humidity of tropical plants. It’s a peaceful retreat on even the coldest days. For something more playful, head to the Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden at The Strong Museum of Play, where butterflies flutter freely in a lush, glass-enclosed habitat—offering a dose of summer in the heart of winter. 

Looking Ahead: New Year’s Eve & First Day Hikes

As the month winds down, it’s the perfect time to start thinking ahead—whether you’re planning a festive night out or a peaceful way to begin the new year. New Year’s Eve celebrations around Rochester range from family-friendly events to concerts, dinners, and downtown festivities (Roc Holiday Village often extends into the 31st with special programming). But if you’re craving a quieter start to 2026, consider joining one of the many First Day Hikes hosted across New York State parks on January 1st. It’s a tradition that encourages reflection, movement, and connection with nature—no resolutions required. Make a habit of starting the year with intention.

Featured 2025 Holiday-Themed Festivities

Roc Holiday Village

Dec 6–29, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park. The 16-day festival (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays) kicks off on the first full weekend of December. After the Liberty Pole lighting ceremony on Saturday, December 6, enjoy a Santa-led procession from Main Street to the Roc Holiday Village. In the heart of downtown, the charming village offers a range of free holiday-themed activities and community events, including free ice skating with rentals, a holiday shopping village, cozy igloos, live music, free crafts for kids, Santa visits, fire pits, and food and drinks from indoor and outdoor bars. For more information, please visit rocholidayvillage.com.

Christmas Lights: A Dazzling December Tradition

One of the simplest joys of the season is bundling up, grabbing a warm drink, and taking in the glow of twinkling lights across the region. From drive-through displays to entire neighborhoods that go all out, there’s something magical about seeing familiar places transformed with holiday sparkle. For a robust list of locations—from over-the-top shows to quiet, charming streets—visit my guide to Christmas lights around Rochester.

Holidays at the Genesee Country Village

Various Dates, Genesee Country Village & Museum. Experience Christmases past on a guided tour of the Genesee Country Village & Museum during “Yuletide in the Country.” Meet families as they plan traditional meals, share stories, and prepare for the long winter ahead. Take part in all of their heartwarming holiday events, including:

• Yuletide in the Country, Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 19, & 20
• Holiday Afternoon Teas, Dec. 10, 11, 16, 17, 18
• Breakfast with St. Nick, Dec. 7, 21
• Holiday Open House, Dec. 7, 21

For more information, please visit gcv.org.

Festive Displays

Genesee Keg Tree
December, Rochester, Facebook

Aman’s Farm & Market
December, Irondequoit, amansfarmandmarket.com

Bauman’s Farm Market Christmas Tunnel
December, Webster, baumansfarmmarket.com

Shamrock Jack’s Jameson Bottle Tree
December, shamrockjacks.com

Edgerton Model Railroad Room
Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27, edgertonmodelrailroadclub.com

Garden Factory Model Train Display
December Weekends, Gates, gardenfactoryny.com

Shopping Local This December

Find unique treasures and support local artisans at Rochester’s holiday markets. With handcrafted gifts, seasonal treats, and festive decorations, these markets are the perfect way to make your holiday shopping a joyful experience filled with community spirit.

• Nov 28, 29, 30, Dec 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21: The Market at Birdhouse Brewing Co., Honeoye
• Dec 5–7: The Yards Collective Holiday Bazaar, Rochester
• Dec 6: It’s a Wonderful Life Holiday Festival, Rochester
• Dec 6: Let’s ROC Holiday Market at 962 East Ave, Rochester
• Dec 7: Let’s ROC Holiday Market at Eagle Vale, Rochester
• Dec 13: Wintercraft at Flower City Arts Center, Rochester
• Dec. 22: Themata Last Minute Monday Market, Rochester

More December 2025 Events

Chronological highlights for 2025—verify hours, tickets, and venue updates before you go.

• Through Dec 6: Festival of Trees, Granger Homestead, Canandaigua
• Through Dec 7: OFC’s Broadway in Brighton Series™ Presents Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas
• Through Dec 21 (weekends), plus Dec 23: Polar Express, Medina Railroad Museum
• Through Dec 28: A Christmas Carol, Geva Theatre
• Through Dec. 31: Wonderland of Trees, Holland Land Office Museum, Batavia
• Through Jan 4, 2026: Sweet Creations Gingerbread Display, George Eastman Museum
• Through Jan 4, 2026: Holiday Laser Show, RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium
• Through Jan 5, 2026: Festival of Lights at Fatima Shrine, Youngstown
• Through Jan 12, 2026: Lights on the Lake, Onondaga Lake Park (Syracuse)
• Through Mar 1, 2026: Frontiers of Impressionism: Paintings from the Worcester Art Museum, Memorial Art Gallery
• Dec 2: Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, RBTL
• Dec 2: A Peter White Christmas with Mindi Abair and Vincent Ingala, Kodak Center
• Dec 3: Straight, No Chaser: Holiday Road Tour, RBTL
• Dec 4: Park Ave Holiday Open House, Rochester
• Dec 4: A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage, Kodak Center
• Dec 5: Ugly Sweater Silent Disco Party, ARTISANworks
• Dec 5, 6, 12, 13: Real Santa Train Rides to the North Pole at the R&GVRR Museum
• Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 19, & 20: Yuletide in the Country, Genesee Country Village
• Dec 5–7, Same Holiday Show, Different Title!, Lovin’ Cup
• Dec 6: First Friday, Rochester
• Dec 6: Liberty Pole lighting ceremony, Rochester
• Dec 6: Home Alone: A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin Following a 35th Anniversary Screening, RBTL
• Dec 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, and 24: Dickens Christmas, Skaneateles
• Dec 6–7: Holiday Open House, Corning Museum of Glass
• Dec 6–29: Roc Holiday Village, Rochester
• Dec 6–Jan 11, 2026: Lamberton Conservatory Holiday Show, Rochester
• Dec 6, Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus presents Yuletide Radiance: From Darkness to Light,
• Hochstein Performance Hall
• Dec 7, Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus presents Yuletide Radiance: From Darkness to Light, Downtown United Presbyterian Church
• Dec 7: The Drifters, The Platters, and Cornell Gunter’s Coasters, RBTL
• Dec 7, Holiday Gala, Nazareth University
• Dec 7: Frosty in Snowland, Orkidstra, RPO at Hochstein
• Sun, Dec 7, 14 (8 a.m.–2 p.m.) and Thu, Dec 18 (6–9 p.m.): Holidays at the Rochester Public Market
• Dec 7, 13, 14: Holly Trolley Rides, New York Museum of Transportation
• Dec. 7, 21: Holiday Open House, Genesee Country Village
• Dec 8, Jessica Lynn’s A Very Merry Christmas, Innovation Square
• Dec 9–14: & Julia the Musical, RBTL
• Dec 11: Kodak Hall Series Presents: Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, featuring Jeff Coffin & Alash – Jingle All the Way, Eastman School of Music
• Dec 11–14: Home For The Holidays with The Calamari Sisters, OFC Creations
• Dec 11–28: Rumors, Blackfriars Theatre
• Dec 12–14: It’s a Wonderful Life Festival, Seneca Falls
• Dec 12–14, 17–23: Christmas at RCCM, Gates
• Dec 13: Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland, Kodak Center
• Dec 14: Rochester TubaChristmas, Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre
• Dec 14: Santa Stamped, a three-mile community walk, Rochester
• Dec 18: The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight, Kodak Center
• Dec 18, Nutcracker Grand Kyiv Ballet, Innovation Square
• Dec 18: Third Thursday Concert, Memorial Art Gallery
• Dec 18–Jan 4, 2026: OFC’s Broadway in Brighton Series™ Presents Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
• Dec 19: Jim Birckman: The Gift of Christmas, RBTL
• Dec 19-21: Gala Holiday Pops, RPO
• Dec 20: Christmas Carolcade, East Aurora
• Dec 20: Rutabaga Curl, Ithaca
• Dec 21: The Rochester Theater Organ Society (RTOS) Presents: A Holiday Concert, RBTL
• Dec 21: Reindeer Run 5K & Kids 1/2 Mile, Rochester

What are your favorite things to do in December to get into the holiday spirit?

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I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.