Holiday Resources for Families in the Greater Rochester, NY Area

If you thought living in Rochester was great in the fall, just wait until you take advantage of all of the holiday activities we have here! Take the kids out and about -- or keep them in, cozy and warm -- and celebrate in style!

Where to go and what to do

In the mood for gingerbread? A carol or two? A visit with Old Saint Nick himself? Don't miss a thing that's going on!

Places to sled, skate, ski, and hike in Rochester's winter

Where to get Christmas trees in greater Rochester

Readers' suggestions for where kids can write to Santa - and get replies!

(For ideas for places to shop in Rochester, and Rochester parents' recommendations about the best toys for kids, see the list below all of the events.)

Events

Ongoing

Holiday Laser Show 2007 at Strasenburgh Planetarium

Sweet Creations: Gingerbread House Exhibition and Tabletop Tree Display and Auction at George Eastman House through December 19.

A Christmas Carol at Geva Theatre Center through December 23. KOA readers can receive a 15% discount for adults, and 50% discount for kids ages 5-12 to a performance of Christmas Carol. For questions, or to order tickets, contact Colleen Brown at 585-232-1366 ext. 3057 or e-mail to: cbrown@gevatheatre.org.

Yuletide in the Country tours at Genesee Country Village through the weekend before Christmas.

A Dickens Christmas in the village of Skaneateles, weekends until Christmas. For the 14th year in a row, the village streets of Skaneateles will be transformed into a stage for Charles Dickens and his cast of characters. Every Saturday and Sunday, from noon-4 pm (plus the Friday after Thanksgiving) you are invited to step back in time and enjoy Christmas the old-fashioned way.

Holly Trolley Rides at New York Museum of Transportation weekends through December 16.

Santa Claus will be at the Perinton Square Mall (Routes 31 and 250 in Perinton) on Saturdays from 12-2 until December 22.

Sundays with Santa at Horizon Fun FX

Holiday Crafts at Michael's at Eastview at various times and days

Holiday Breakfasts

Breakfast with Santa at Springdale Farm from Heritage Christian Services December 1, 8 and 15, 2007

Breakfast with Santa at Camp Arrowhead from the YMCA December 1. Pre-register.

Pancake Breakfasts with Saint Nicholas at George Eastman House on December 2 and 9.

Breakfast with the Grinch at The Little Theare on December 15 at 9:30am.

Dec 1-2, 2007

Holiday Cookies for Kids at Tops Cooking School December 1, 2007

Santa Train Ride at Finger Lakes Scenic Railway Station, Geneva December 1 and 2. FL Scenic Railway Station, 68 Border City Rd., Geneva 90 minute train ride with Santa over Finger Lakes Scenic Railway between Geneva & Cayuga. 11am, 1:30pm & 4pm Phone: 315-789-0574 Web: www.genevarotaryclub.org.

Wigilia, A Traditional Polish Christmas Eve at the Rochester Museum & Science Center. Saturday, Dec 1 at 1pm.

Nutcracker Story Time at Pittsford Community Library on December 2 at 12:15pm

Village Gate Toy Show December 2, 2007

Santa's Workshop Holiday Fair at Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church on December 2.

30th Annual Community Messiah Sing-a-long, at First Congregational Church, Canandaigua, December 2. Rehearsal at 1:30 and performance at 3pm in the sanctuary. For information, call Jo-el Hibbard at 585-394-2184.

Dec 6-9, 2007

Performance of The Christmas Shoes at Open Door Baptist Church December 6, 7, and 8.

The Nutcracker from the Pittsford Ballet, Saturday December 8 at Sutherland High School, Pittsford, 1pm and 7pm.

Holiday OrKIDStra featuring the Polar Express. Eastman Theatre, RPO, Bach Children's Chorus, Amadeus Chorale. 2pm Sunday, December 9, Eastman Theatre.

Handel's Messiah with the Rochester Chamber Orchestra featuring the Bach Children's Chorus, Hochstein School of Music & Dance, 4pm Sunday, December 9.

Holiday Cheer at Strong Museum weekends December 8-9 and December 15-16.

Holiday Event for Kids at All Things Art Canandaigua, December 8.

Hanukah Brisket Dinner at Temple Beth El, Geneva on December 8, 6:30. Reservations are appreciated. Please call Linda Bell at 585-396-2089.

Chanukah: The Jewish Festival of Lights at the Rochester Museum & Science Center December 9 at 1pm

Dec 14-16 and beyond

Carols by Candlelight, Bethany Presbyterian Church, 3000 Dewey Ave, Greece. December 14, 7:30pm. Free. Bach Children's Chorus performing.

The Nutcracker Story from M.C. Classical Productions, Friday Dec 14 at 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, 7:00 pm. St. John Fisher College, on the Cleary Auditorium stage, in the Kearney Building.

Handel's Messiah from the RPO and the Rochester Oratorio Society, Eastman Theatre, December 14-15 at 7:30pm.

Santa's Secret Art Shop at Art & Soul Studio, Packett's Landing, Fairport, from 10-12:30 or 1:30-4 on December 15. Pre-register by Dec 8.

Kwanzaa Luncheon Celebration at All Things Art, Canandaigua, December 15. Food and education about this holiday will be offered. Donations at the door. For information, call 585-396-0087.

Holiday Arty Pajama Party at Art & Soul Studio, Packett's Landing, Fairport, from 10-12:30 or 1:30-4 on December 15. Pre-register by Dec 15.

Holiday Fireworks Display from the Wallington Fire Department in Sodus. December 16, 6pm.

Amahl and the Night Visitors from Mercury Opera Rochester. December 20-22, 6pm. Being performed at three different churches; click the link for details.

Holiday Pops concert with the RPO at Eastman Theatre, December 20-23, 2007. Thurs-Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm & 6pm.

Winter Solstice Celebration at Genesee Country Nature Center, Friday, December 21 at 7pm.

Kwaanza: An African-American Celebration at the RMSC, December 28 at 5:30pm

Holiday Science & Technology Days at the RMSC, December 27-December 30.

Holiday Light Displays

Light up Canandaigua: Make reservations at the Chamber (585-394-4400)to ride the bus and see the Christmas lights. Senior Night is Thursday, December 14 and Community Nights are December 13 and December 14, 2007. Buses depart from the Chamber at 6:00pm, 6:30pm, or 7:30pm. Riders are asked to donate a non-perishable food item or a new toy. Pick up a tour map at the Chamber and tour the area with your family until January 1. www.Canandaigua.com.

Lights on the Lake, Onondaga Lake park, Syracuse, November 20, 2007 - January 6, 2008. Celebrate the Season with the whole family at Central New York's #1 holiday attraction. Two miles of breathtaking beauty featuring: Towering Holiday Displays, Memorable Animated Scenes, Larger-than-Life Wizard of Oz Twinkling Fantasy Forest, Colorful New Section Arches Delightful Victorian Village, Fairytale Magic Grand Finale. $8 per car every night; $6 per car Monday & Tuesday with Wegmans Shoppers Club Card. www.lightsonthelake.com.

Winter Festival of Lights, Niagara Falls, Canada every night beginning at 5 pm from November 3rd, 2007 to January 7th, 2008. The principal lighting area for the Winter Festival of Lights is known as the Niagara Parks Winter Wonderland, a five-kilometre route stretching from Mowat Gates at the base of Clifton Hill along the Niagara Parkway to the Great Canadian Outdoors displays located in Dufferin Islands. http://www.wfol.com.

Liberty Pole and other decorations, Main Street, Rochester.

Rahway Circle, off Lyell Rd and right past the intersection of Lyell and Wegman Rd. They also on the weekend have a family dressed up as Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Get the good stuff!

Santa needs to find the best deals on the best toys, so where does he go for advice? See below!

Sweet Gifts for Holiday Swaps - Great ideas for low-cost gifts that will solve your gift exchange woes - from Jackie Perrin

The Best Toys that Last Beyond the Holidays - from a survey of 1600 parents in Rochester, NY

'Tis a Gift to be Free - Simple Toys Made for the Holidays, from educational consultant Linda Pratt

What you see on T.V. isn't always real - Holiday humor plus some super toy suggestions from Jackie Perrin

Catalogs that carry low-tech and educational toys - easy, hassle-free, and sometimes even last-minute, shopping

Reviews of music, books, toys, and products - check these out before you shop!

Shopping in Rochester

It's our duty to jump-start the local economy -- at least, that's what I tell my husband as I pull out the credit card yet again.

Where Rochester parents buy great toys locally - all kinds of places you might not have thought of

Kid-friendly places to shop in Rochester - They have special places or areas to keep kids occupied, and give you some peace

Resources to get you in the holiday spirit

Don't forget the teachers -- our local craft stores can give you some great advice. And why not take the opportunity to get organized!

Holiday Gifts Kids Can Make for Teachers (that don't necessarily look like kids made them)

Where to donate gently used toys in the greater Rochester area After all, you need some place to put the new stuff!

And what to do in January?

Snowy Days Ideas - for when you're cooped up inside the house with your kids

Ideas for a Preschoolers in January - Berry Best Preschool has a great month-by-month curriculum and all the supplies you need to make each month of the year fun and educational.