FEATURED EVENTS

For years, we’ve enjoyed sharing in your family’s holiday traditions. For the 2020 Holiday Season we are happy to be able to continue this time honored tradition with you. Given current NY State guidelines, we will be making some adjustments to the Holiday Pet Photos experience to ensure the health and safety of our staff, volunteers and guests. Further details about check-in and photo set location will be included in your confirmation email. Please note that Santa Claus will not be available to join your party for a photo this year, in order to keep him healthy and well for his big night. Please plan to have someone in your party present in your photo with your pet, or that your pet is able to sit or lay down without a handler for the photo.

Join us as author Laura Gehl reads her new Hanukkah book, followed by Hanukkah and llama trivia and other interactive fun! Anyone can join this online event at 1:00 pm Eastern. To participate in this online event, you must register in order to receive the Zoom login information.

Celebrate the season with a magical medley of GCV&M holiday happenings on a self-guided excursion through the museum’s wide-open spaces! Stroll the Historic Village bedecked in its holiday finery amid villagers bustling with preparations, and offering greetings to their neighbors and friends. Visit nine historic homes open for small group visits to explore the evolution of seasonal customs, and how those customs influence our communities today. Pickup ideas for your holiday table as you savor the intoxicating scents of holiday dishes. Delight in high Victorian decorating, hear about Hannukah and the lighting of the menorah, investigate the growing popularity of gift-giving, experience the anticipation of a holiday wedding, and more. Stop by Town Hall or Brooks Grove Church for an array of timed programming, including the cathartic strains of holiday music and dramatic readings of classic holiday tales.

With the ongoing COVID-19 situation, unfortunately many organizations have had to canceled their Christmas festivals due to the guidance from the CDC. The Shortsville Reindeer Farm will be open on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas but we must limit it to 50 guests at a time. Visits must be booked in advance on the website (https://www.shortsvillereindeer.com/booking). Though we still have lots of spots available, I anticipate them filling quickly as we get closer to the holidays. You have the best chance to get your desired date/time if you book early. There will be opportunities to take pictures with the reindeer or in an old sleigh. We have 4 reindeer but some will be off site during the holiday season. There will always be at least 2 reindeer on site. There will also be a few local vendors selling honey, maple syrup, beeswax candles and goat milk soap and lotions.