101 Ideas for Holiday Family Fun in Rochester - 2023
The activities we've listed here are confirmed for this year, but many require reserving ahead of time, so click through to make arrangements, and keep in mind that things can be canceled at any time, so be sure to check. If we're missing an activity that should be on our list, please email Mindy Mangan at mindy@kidsoutandabout.com. (Please make sure to include a link to the event when you email. Thank you!)
Below are items that have been posted to our calendar, both virtual and in-person. If you are affiliated with a business hosting a holiday event that should be on our calendar, we'd love to see it there... it's free to post! Click here for instructions about how to add your organization to our list and easily post your events to our calendar!
And... if you don't already receive our free weekly e-newsletter for Rochester, we have two: one for our BeyondTheNest.com site (for adults who want to know about local arts, culture, and recreation) and one for KidsOutAndAbout.com (for parents and grandparents who want to know about family-friendly events in the Rochester area). Click the link to sign up today for the newsletter that best suits you! In the meantime, enjoy the ideas on our calendar below (both in-person and virtual events) for holiday fun!
Santa Sightings
| Nov 4- Dec 24, 2023 | Visit Santa at Greece Ridge Mall |
| Nov 18- Dec 17, 2023 | All Aboard the Wonderland Express!- Arcade and Attica Railroad |
| Nov 18- 24, 2023 | Visit Santa at Eastview Mall |
| Nov 25- Dec 17, 2023 | The Polar Express Train Ride- Medina Railroad Museum |
| Nov 25, 2023 | Illuminate Light Parade- Canandaigua |
| Nov 25, 2023 | The Holiday Market at Perinton Square |
| Nov 25, 2023 | Annual Christmas Tree Celebration- I-Square |
| Nov 30, 2023 | Park Avenue Holiday Open House |
| Dec 1, 2023 | Santa's Coming to The Fire House- Gates Fire District Headquarters |
| Dec 1-3, 2023 | Holiday Pet Photos - Lollypop Farm |
| Dec 1, 2023 | Santa’s Magical Express Parade- Ogden Community Center |
| Dec 1, 2023 | Community Tree Lighting & Christmas Parade of Lights- Chili |
| Dec 1-23, 2023 | Visit with Santa at Roc Holiday Village |
| Dec 2, 2023 | Geneva Rotary Santa Train |
| Dec 2, 2023 | Parade of Lights - Village of Webster |
| Dec 2, 2023 | Skate with Santa- Dick's House of Sport |
| Dec 2, 2023 | Holiday Homecoming- George Eastman Museum |
| Dec 2, 2023 | Santa Comes to the Farm- Schutts Apple Mill |
| Dec 2, 2023 | Winter in the Village- Dansville |
| Dec 2-3 and 9-10 2023 | Shadow Hill Breakfast with Santa |
| Dec 8-9 and 15-16, 2023 | Santa Rides to the North Pole |
| Dec 9, 2023 | An Afternoon with Santa- Webster |
| Dec 9-10, 2023 | Cookies with Santa and Horse Drawn Wagon Rides- Duvall Farms |
| Dec 11, 2023 | Breakfast with Mr and Mrs Claus- Ontario Play and Cafe |
| Dec 9, 2023 | Breakfast with Santa- Gates |
| Dec 9 and 16, 2023 | Family Fun Day: Stars with Santa- Strasenburgh Planetarium |
| Dec 10 and 16-17, 2023 | Holly Trolley- New York Museum of Transportation |
| Dec 16-17, 2023 | Yuletide Pancake Breakfast with St. Nick - GCV&M |
Christmas Community Events
| Nov 10- Dec 2, 2023 | Festival Of Trees- Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum |
| Nov 11- Dec 31, 2023 | Sweet Creations Gingerbread Displays - George Eastman Museum |
| Nov 11, 203- Jan 1, 2024 | Holiday Laser Light Show - Strasenburgh Planetarium |
| Nov 11 - Dec 3, 2023 | Wreath Display - George Eastman Museum |
| Nov 11- Dec 14, 2023 | Tabletop Tree Display - George Eastman Museum |
| Nov 18 - 19, 2023 | Holiday Market - GCVM |
| Nov 25- Dec 24, 2023 | Train Display- The Garden Factory |
| Nov 25, 2023- Jan 7, 2024 | Visit with the Reindeer - Shortsville Reindeer Farm, LLC |
| Nov 25, 2023 | Light Up Lima |
| Dec 1-23, 2023 | Roc Holiday Village |
| Dec 1, 2023 | The Old Farm's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony |
| Dec 2 - 16, 2023 | Yuletide in the Country Tours & Dinner- GCV&M |
| Dec 2, 2023 | Come Home for the Holidays - Fairport |
| Dec 2, 2023 | It's a Wonderful Life in the South Wedge |
| Dec 2, 2023 | Rochester Ugly Sweater 5K |
| Dec 3, 2023 | Visit with the Grinch- Perinton Community/Aquatic Center |
| Dec 5, 2023 | Pittsford's Annual Candlelight Night - Port of Pittsford |
| Dec 9, 2023 | Holiday Lights and Magic- Henrietta |
| Dec 9, 2023 | The Polar Express Family Film Party- Springdale Farm |
| Dec 9, 2023 | Honeoye Falls Fire Department Christmas Parade |
| Dec 9, 2023 | Geneseo Christmas Walk Gingerbread House Party |
| Dec 10, 2023 | Reindeer Run- Blue Cross Arena |
| Dec 16, 2023 | Marion Holiday Parade |
| Dec 17, 2023 | Santa Stampede Benefiting Bivona Child Advocacy Center |
| Dec 17, 2023 | Avon Christmas Parade |
Nutcrackers
| Nov 18, 2023 | Nutcracker One-Day, Fun-Day Event- Studio East Dance Company |
| Nov 22-26, 2023 | The Nutcracker- RPO |
| Nov 26, 2023 | The Nutcracker- Ithaca Ballet |
| Dec 2 and 8, 2023 | The Nutcracker- Genesee Dance Theatre |
| Dec 8, 2023 | Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet- RBTL |
| Dec 8-10, 2023 | The Nutcracker- Fort Hill Performance Arts Center |
| Dec 12, 2023 | The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine's The Nutcracker at Kodak Center |
| Dec 14-17, 2023 | New York State Ballet-The Nutcracker at Roberts Wesleyan Hale Auditorium |
Holiday Concerts
| Dec 2-3, 2023 | Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus: Holidays Around the World |
| Dec 3, 2023 | The Irish Tenors- A Family Christmas- RBTL |
| Dec 3, 2023 | Holiday Organ Concert Performed by Joe Blackburn |
| Dec 3, 2023 | Brockport College-Community Chorus: Sounds of the Season |
| Dec 6, 2023 | Live from Hochstein – Eastman Horn Choir: Holiday Music for Horns |
| Dec 7, 2023 | A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland |
| Dec 7, 2023 | The Magic of Giving- RPO |
| Dec 8, 2023 | Holiday Harmonies- Perinton Concert Band |
| Dec 10, 2023 | An Hour Long Concert Performed by Stringplicity |
| Dec 13, 2023 | Live from Hochstein – Madrigalia: A Cup of Good Cheer |
| Dec 16, 2023 | Almost Queen: Almost Christmas Concert |
| Dec 15-17, 2023 | Gala Holiday Pops Holiday - RPO |
Holiday Theatre
| Nov 11- Dec 23, 2023 | Nine Holiday Films on Screen- Dryden Theatre |
| Nov 28- Dec 30, 2023 | A Christmas Carol- Geva Theatre |
| Dec 1-2, 2023 | Rudolph: The Musical- RBTL |
| Dec 7-23, 2023 | White Christmas- The Musical- OFC Creations |
| Dec 7-10, 2023 | "The Gift of the Magi" Presented by Restivo Productions |
| Dec 8-30, 2023 | The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley - Blackfriars Theatre |
| Dec 15-16, 2023 | Into the Light- Smith Opera House |
| Dec 27-30, 2023 | Anansi Tales for the Holidays- MuCCC Theatre |
Living Nativities
| Dec 9, 2023 | Live Nativity- Crossroads Community Church |
| Weekends Nov 24 - Dec 10, 2923 | Live Nativity - part of the Christmas Experience at Stokoe Farms |
| Dec 15-16, 2023 | Live Nativity- Avon Wesleyan Church |
Christmas Tree Experience
| Starting Nov 18, 2023 | Stokoe Farms Christmas Tree Farm |
| Starting Nov 18, 2023 | Woody Acres |
| Starting Nov 18, 2023 | Wilbert's Christmas Tree Farm |
| Starting Nov 24, 2023 | Crossen Tree Farm |
| Starting Nov 24, 2023 | Bauman's Farm Market |
| Click here for our full list of places to get live Christmas Trees |
Holiday Lights
| Nov 13, 2023 - Jan 12, 2024 | Lights on the Lake Drive- Thru - Onondaga Lake Park |
| Opens Nov 22, 2023 | Winter Festival of Lights |
| Nov 24- Dec 30, 2023 | Holiday Light Show at Victor Hills Golf Club |
| Dec 1, 2023 | 2023 Keg Tree Lighting- Genesee Brew House |
| Dec 9, 2023 - Jan 1, 2024 | Holiday Lights Tour - Bivona Child Advocacy Center |
| Dec 16- 23, 2023 | Christmas at RCCM |
| Be Sure to Check Out our list of Driving Tour of Holiday Lights! |
Crafty & Cookin' Christmas
| Nov 30, 2023 | Holiday Grapevine Wreath Making Class- Schutt's Apple Mill |
| Dec 2, 2023 | Gingerbread Houses- Penfield Public Library |
| Dec 2, 2023 | Santa's Workshop: Crafting, Cocoa and Cookies! |
| Dec 2-3, 2023 | Christmas at CSM |
| Dec 2, 2023 | Holiday Greens Workshop- Casey Park |
| Dec 3, 2023 | Letterpress Holiday Cards- Flower City Arts Center |
| Dec 3, 2023 | DIY Nutcrackers- Sunshine & Pepper |
| Dec 6, 2023 | Christmas Wreath Making Class- Schutt's Apple Mill |
| Dec 9, 2023 | Glass Flameworking Specialty Sampler: Holiday Ornament |
| Dec 15, 2023 | Kids Night Out- Christmas Party |
Ice Skating
| Open Nov 17, 2023 | DICK’S House of Sport at The Eastview Mall |
| Open Nov 18, 2023 | Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square |
| Lakeshore Hockey Arena | |
| Open now through April 7, 2024 | Genesee Valley Sports Complex |
| Paul Louis Arena | |
| Tim Horton's Iceplex |
Chanukah
| Nov 30, 2023 | Park Avenue Holiday Open House |
| Dec 2-3, 2023 | The Sinai Artful Chanukah Happening & Bazaar |
| Dec 8, 2023 | Chanukah Dinner and Celebration |
| Dec 9, 2023 | Hanukkah Concert- Temple Beth El |
| Dec 13, 2023 | Annual TBE Hanukkah Party |
Journey to an Old-Fashioned Christmas
| Nov 24- Dec 24, 2023 | Dickens Christmas at Skaneateles |
| Dec 2-16, 2023 | Yuletide in the Country Tours & Dinner- GCVM |
| Dec 7-10, 2023 | It's A Wonderful Life- Seneca Falls |
Shopping & Craft Fairs
| Nov 10-12, 2023 | Christkindl Market- Granger Homestead |
| Nov 10-12, 2023 | Christmas in the Country- Rochester Dome Arena |
| Nov 11, 2023 | Christkindlmarkt- Lutheran Church of Our Savior |
| Nov 18-19, 2023 | Holiday Market - GCV&M |
| Nov 24-25, 2023 | Holiday Craft & Wine Marketplace |
| Nov 26- Dec 14, 2023 | Holidays at The Market |
| Dec 1-3, 2023 | Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit Christmas Bazaar and Food Sale |
| Dec 2, 2023 | 7th Annual Holiday Open House - Upstate Vintage Market |
| Dec 9, 2023 | Hope Hall's One-Day Holiday Woodworking Sale |
| Dec 10, 2023 | Crafty Affair- Lovin' Cup |
New Year's Eve
| Dec 29, 2023 |
Noon Year's Eve Party - Penfield Library |
| Dec 30, 2023 |
Noon Year's Eve Party - Henrietta Public Library |
| Dec 31, 2023 |
Winter Festival of Lights NY Wagon RIDES - Log Cabin Restaurant |
| Dec 31, 2023 |
New Year's Eve Celebration - Holiday Valley |
| Dec 31, 2023 | New Year’s Eve Celebration - Swain |
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