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! Don't make your holiday plans until you have read through our HUGE weekend-by-weekend list below so you can choose the perfect activities for your family!

This is a LONG list, so make sure you scroll down! Headings are: Holiday light displays, Nutcracker performances, Messiah performances, Breakfasts with Santa and other holiday breakfasts, "other sweet things," and a weekend by weekend guide. Many are free or low-cost...this is all you need to enjoy the holidays on a budget!

Where to go and what to do

Where to get Christmas trees in greater Rochester

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

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

Downtown Holiday Events 2009 from the Rochester City web site.

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 10 and Community Night is December 11, 2009. 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.

Lights on the Lake, Onondaga Lake park, Syracuse, November 25, 2009 - January 10, 2009. 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 7, 2009 to January 4, 2010. 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. (Have not verified this for 2009.)

Nutcracker performances (also appear in week-by-week list)

The Nutcracker from the RPO and Rochester City Ballet, Eastman Theatre, November 27-29, performances at 2pm & 7pm daily.

The Nutcracker Story from M.C. Classical Productions, Friday Dec 18, 2009 at St. John Fisher College. 10am, 1pm, 7pm.

The Nutcracker from the Pittsford Ballet, Saturday December 12, 2009 at Calkins Road Middle School School, Pittsford, 1pm and 7pm.

The Nutcracker on Ice at ESL Sports Centre, Sunday December 13, 2009 at 2:30. A portion of the proceeds go to the Golisano Children’s Hospital. After-skate available too! Skate with your kids!

The Flower City Ballet presents The Nutcracker on Saturday and Sunday, December 19 and 20, 2009, at the beautiful new auditorium of East Bloomfield High School, 1 Oakmount Ave in Bloomfield. There are two performances, at 2pm Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for children.

Messiah Performances

Handel's Messiah, Sunday, December 6 at 7pm at Hochstein Performance Hall, Rochester. Rochester Chamber Orchestra, Festival Singers, Bach Children's Chorus.

Handel's Messiah, Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 3pm at Wadsworth Auditorium, SUNY Geneseo.

32nd Annual Community Messiah Sing-a-long, at First Congregational Church, Canandaigua, December 6. Optional rehearsal at 1:30 and performance at 3pm in the sanctuary.

Handel's Messiah from the Empire State Lyric Theatre, at Linehan Chapel at Nazareth College. Saturday, December 19, 7:30pm. Tickets for the concert are $25 and tickets to the concert and pre-concert reception at the Golisano Academic Center are $75.

Holiday Events

Holiday Breakfasts

Breakfast with Santa at the Seneca Park Zoo will be held Saturdays and Sundays, December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20, 2009. One-hour seatings are at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m. (Note: as of 12/1/09: the 9:45 a.m. seatings on Dec. 6, 12, 13 and 19 are sold out. So are the 11 a.m. seatings on Dec. 12 and 13.) Reservations required.

Breakfast with Santa at the Strathallan will benefit TYKEs (Theatre Young Kids Enjoy) on Saturday, December 5, 2009. Tickets $40 for family of four or $12 each.

Christmas with Santa Breakfast at Springdale Farm from Heritage Christian Services November 28, and December 5, 2009. Reservations required.

Breakfast with Santa at Avon Central School High School Cafeteria, Saturday, December 5, starting at 9am.

Breakfast with Santa at YMCA Camp Arrowhead, in Powder Mills Park, on December 5, 2009 from 9am-11am. Pre-Registration up until December 4 at 4p.m. - $6.50 per person/$30.00 per family up to six people. "Day of" Registration: $8.50 per person/$40.00 per family up to six people.

Lunch with Santa at the Red Wings Clubhouse, Saturday, December 12, 2009, 11:30. $20/person. Reserve by Dec 11.

Breakfast with Santa at Penfield Country Club, sponsored by the Kids Miracle Making Club, Saturday, December 12, 2009, 9am-11am.

Breakfast with Santa to benefit the Children's Organ Transplant Association, at the Webster Firemen's Exempt Building. Sunday, December 13, starting at 8:30am.

Breakfast with the Grinch at The Little Theatre, Rochester, on December 19 at 9:00am. Reservations required.

Other SWEET things to do!

Kids In The Kitchen -Holiday cookie making, entertaining, etc, Pittsford Wegmans

Tops Cooking School holiday classes: Make-and-take gingerbread houses, Christmas cookies and sweets, gifts for giving.

Sweet Creations: Gingerbread House Exhibition and Tabletop Tree Display and Auction at George Eastman House through December 16.

A Christmas Story at Geva Theatre Center November 25, 2009 through December 27, 2009. KOA readers can receive a 15% discount for adults, and 50% discount for kids ages 5-12. See this flyer for more information about this discount. For questions, or to order tickets, contact Colleen Brown at 585-232-1366 ext. 3057 or e-mail to: cbrown@gevatheatre.org.

Weekend by Weekend

Dec 4-6, 2009

Holiday Family Fun Day Saturday, December 5, 2009 from the city of Rochester, starting with the Liberty Pole Lighting at 3pm, continuing with a parade, free skating on Manhattan Square Ice Rink, face painting, and many other FREE activities!

Preschool Chanukah Program at Temple Beth El: Sunday, December 6, 2009, 2:00pm in the library at Temple Beth El. Chanukah stories, make crafts, and meet new and old friends. FREE! Click to find the details and register.

Santa Train Ride at Finger Lakes Scenic Railway Station, Geneva December 5, 2009. FL Scenic Railway Station, 68 Border City Rd., Geneva 90 minute train ride with Santa over Finger Lakes Scenic Railway between Geneva & Cayuga. Trains will depart promptly at 10:00 a.m.,11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and a special Pajama Train will run at 4:00 p.m. Actual boarding time will be 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time for any train. Phone: 315-209-1029 Web: www.genevarotaryclub.org.

Holiday Boutique all weekend, Friday-Sunday, December 4-6, at Museum of Wayne County History.

Savior, an original Christmas Ballet from the Yahweh Ballet, Saturday, December 5, 2009, 5pm at The Finney School.

Blackfriars Theatre presents The Santaland Diaries, December 5-19. Times vary, see listing.

Come Home for the Holidays Saturday, December 5, in Fairport, from the Fairport Perinton Merchant's Association

Holidays at the Market, Rochester Public Market, Sundays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20, 2009. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Madrigalia Holiday Concert: Light of the World concert Saturday, December 5th 7:30pm at the First Congregational Church, Canandaigua. Tickets- $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Call 394-2184 for information.

Village Gate Toy Show, Sunday, December 6, 2009. 11am-5pm

Handel's Messiah, Sunday, December 6 at 7pm at Hochstein Performance Hall, Rochester. Rochester Chamber Orchestra, Festival Singers, Bach Children's Chorus.

Handel's Messiah, Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 3pm at Wadsworth Auditorium, SUNY Geneseo.

32nd Annual Community Messiah Sing-a-long, at First Congregational Church, Canandaigua, December 6. Optional rehearsal at 1:30 and performance at 3pm in the sanctuary.

Victorian Christmas Open House at Tinker Nature Park, Henrietta, December 5-6, 2009, noon-3pm. Tour the pleasantly decorated Tinker Homestead while enjoying traditional holiday music. Santa will pay a visit to the Hansen Nature Center and help the children craft holiday ornaments.

Holiday Laser Show 2009 at Strasenburgh Planetarium: Holiday Songs and Skies with Mr. Jack Frost: Narrator Mr. Frost delights families with colorful lasers, holiday songs, winter stargazing tips, and corny jokes. Unique family entertainment-a holiday must-see! Length: 45 min. For all ages. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in late November and through December. Admission: $9 adults, $8 seniors and college students, $7 ages 3-18. RMSC members receive $1 discount.

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

A Christmas Story at Geva Theatre Center November 25, 2009 through December 27, 2009. KOA readers can receive a 15% discount for adults, and 50% discount for kids ages 5-12. See this flyer for more information about this discount. 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 Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, weekends in December through Christmas. $22 adults, $15 youth.

A Dickens Christmas in the village of Skaneateles, weekends until Christmas. For the 16th 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 Saturdays and Sundays in December through December 20, 2009.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Live from Hochstein, A Cup of Good Cheer: Free concert at 12:10pm. Annual Holiday offering of music, song, and spoken word. Featuring Madrigalia.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Put a Twist on Hanukkah: 3:00-4:30pm: For children ages 2-10, to learn about Hanukkah and make take-home treasures connected with the Jewish holidays. Hanukkah crafts, baking project, sing-along and learn about the holiday of lights. Registration is required and space is limited, click for details..

Dec 11-13, 2009

YOHP's "A Christmas Carol: A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts" 7pm Friday/Saturday Dec 11-12. Young, Open, and Honest Players present this fun show at Penfield Recreation. Tickets for the performance are $10. Tickets purchased in advance include a free cup of soup and bread! For purchases at the door, soup and bread will be sold separately beginning at 6:00 PM. Soups are also available for take out on both nights.

Annual Chanukah Party at Temple Beth El: Sunday, December 13, 2009, 5pm-7pm. A delicious Chanukah dinner; music by Temple Beth El's high school group, the Nefesh Orchestra; un, games and prizes for all.

Giant Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Washington Square Park, Saturday, December 12, 2009, 7pm. The Largest Menorah In Monroe County! Followed by the Car Menorah Parade.

Chanukah Extravaganza at Chabad Lubavitch of Rochester, Sunday, December 13, 2009, 1:30pm

Green Chanukah Menorah Lighting at the Jewish Community Center, 1200 Edgewood Ave Rochester, Friday, December 11, 2009 at 4:30pm. Bring new relevance to an old holiday! Internationally acclaimed artist Henner Kuckuck constructed the 10-foot high Chanukah menorah primarily out of scrap automobile fuel tanks using energy efficient light bulbs as a symbol of our local Jewish community's response to climate change, foreign oil dependence and non-sustainable consumption patterns. Free and open to the public.

Public Menorah Lighting from Chabad of Pittsford, 4 Corners, Pittsford Village, Saturday, December 12 at 6:30 pm.

Chanukah Dreidel House from Chabad of Pittsford, three days only: December 13-15, 39 S. Main St. in Pittsford. Stop by the Dreidel House for some Chanukah treats, crafts, and gear.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the Auditorium Theatre, Rochester, December 8-13, 2009.

Holidays at the Market, Rochester Public Market, Sundays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20, 2009. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Blackfriars Theatre presents The Santaland Diaries, December 5-19. Times vary, see listing.

The Nutcracker from the Pittsford Ballet, Saturday December 12 at Calkins Road Middle School School, Pittsford, 1pm and 7pm.

Happy Holidays Weekends at Strong National Museum of Play weekends December 12-13 and December 19-20.

OrKIDStra the Snowman from the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, at Eastman Theatre, Sunday, December 13 at 2pm

Holidays at the Market, Rochester Public Market, Sundays, December 7 and 14, 9am-3pm

Holiday Laser Show 2009 at Strasenburgh Planetarium: Holiday Songs and Skies with Mr. Jack Frost: Narrator Mr. Frost delights families with colorful lasers, holiday songs, winter stargazing tips, and corny jokes. Unique family entertainment-a holiday must-see! Length: 45 min. For all ages. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in late November and through December. Admission: $9 adults, $8 seniors and college students, $7 ages 3-18. RMSC members receive $1 discount.

Yuletide in the Country tours at Genesee Country Village Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, weekends in December through Christmas. $22 adults, $15 youth.

A Dickens Christmas in the village of Skaneateles, weekends until Christmas. For the 16th 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 Saturdays and Sundays in December through December 20, 2009.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Free Holiday Concert and Book Fair at Pittsford Barnes & Noble, from the Bach Children's Chorus and Mozart Children's Chorus. Mozart Children's Chorus (ages 4-8) performs at 6:00, Bach Children's Chorus (ages 8-16) performs at 6:30. Bring your children to listen to see whether they would be interested in joining the choruses, and Barnes & Noble will donate 10% of your purchase to the Choruses if you indicate at the cash register.

December 17, 2009

Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker, 8pm, Auditorium Theatre, December 17, 2009.

Dec 18-20 and beyond

Temple Beth El's 4th Annual Movies and Kosher Chinese Dinner, Thursday, December 24, 2009, 5:00pm - 9:00pm, Temple Beth El 139 Winton Road South, Rochester, NY 14610. Movies start at 5pm (Monsters vs. Aliens (rated PG), Julie & Julia (rated PG-13) and Beau Jest (rated PG).) Dinner begins at 7:15pm.

The Nutcracker Story from M.C. Classical Productions, Friday Dec 18, 2009 at St. John Fisher College. 10am, 1pm, 7pm.

Rochester's 27th Annual Merry Tuba Christmas, Saturday, December 19, 2009 from the city of Rochester. FREE at Hochstein Performance Hall, 3pm

Holidays at the Market, Rochester Public Market, Sundays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20, 2009. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Madeline's Christmas performance from Cara D'Emanuele Productions. Friday-Sunday, December 18-20, 2009. The Theatre at Monroe Community College. Tickets $15.

A Christmas Story at Geva Theatre Center November 25, 2009 through December 27, 2009. KOA readers can receive a 15% discount for adults, and 50% discount for kids ages 5-12. See this flyer for more information about this discount. For questions, or to order tickets, contact Colleen Brown at 585-232-1366 ext. 3057 or e-mail to: cbrown@gevatheatre.org.

The Flower City Ballet presents The Nutcracker on Saturday and Sunday, December 19 and 20, 2009, at the beautiful new auditorium of East Bloomfield High School, 1 Oakmount Ave in Bloomfield. There are two performances, at 2pm Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for children.

Blackfriars Theatre presents The Magic Corridor-A Theatrical Journey Through the Greatest Christmas Stories Ever Told, Friday-Sunday. Times vary, see listing. 20% discount for KOA readers who use the code "KOA" when they place their ticket order!

Happy Holidays Weekends at Strong National Museum of Play weekends December 12-13 and December 19-20.

Christmas at the Memorial Art Gallery, Sunday, December 20, 2009.

Holiday Pops concert with the RPO at Eastman Theatre, December 18-20, 2009. Fri 8pm, Sat 2 & 8pm, Sun 2pm. Enjoy this festive holiday tradition as Jeff Tyzik conducts the RPO with the scintillating sounds of the Festival High School Chorale.

Holiday Laser Show 2009 at Strasenburgh Planetarium: Holiday Songs and Skies with Mr. Jack Frost: Narrator Mr. Frost delights families with colorful lasers, holiday songs, winter stargazing tips, and corny jokes. Unique family entertainment-a holiday must-see! Length: 45 min. For all ages. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in late November and through December. Admission: $9 adults, $8 seniors and college students, $7 ages 3-18. RMSC members receive $1 discount.

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

A Christmas Story at Geva Theatre Center November 25, 2009 through December 27, 2009. KOA readers can receive a 15% discount for adults, and 50% discount for kids ages 5-12. See this flyer for more information about this discount. 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 Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, weekends in December through Christmas. $22 adults, $15 youth.

A Dickens Christmas in the village of Skaneateles, weekends until Christmas. For the 16th 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 Saturdays and Sundays in December through December 20, 2009.

Community-wide celebration of Kwanzaa 2009! from Rochester Kwanzaa Coalition, December 26-31, 2009, at various local community centers (once venue per day): Central Library, Memorial Art Gallery, North Street Recreation Center, Rochester Museum & Science Center, Baobab Cultural Center, and Dunwoody Studios.

Kwanzaa Family Day at the Memorial Art Gallery, Sunday, December 27, 2009.

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

Get the good stuff!

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

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 to buy great, creative, local gifts: An article by Jackie Perrin

Local gifts for the mom on your list: More creative ideas from Jackie Perrin!

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