Event
Nov 7 – Nov 8 · Sat–Sun Nov 7–8
Holiday Market & Preparing for Winter
Shop handmade gifts at the museum's holiday market, then wander the historic village to see how 19th-century families got ready for winter.
34 picks · Updated October 27, 2026
Holiday Fun in Rochester 2026
What holiday events are there for kids in Rochester this year? Start with Holiday Market & Preparing for Winter, Holiday Preview at The Strong or The Nutcracker with Rochester City Ballet & RPO. Every holiday event here has confirmed 2026 dates: Santa breakfasts, holiday villages, Nutcrackers, trolley rides and the zoo’s Noon Year’s Eve. Most sell out by mid-December, so book the ticketed ones early.
Written by the ROC Kids Activities team. Listings checked weekly.
November
Event
Event
Wed, Nov 11 · 11 am–3 pm
Holiday Preview at The Strong
An early taste of the season: Rochester City Ballet performs Nutcracker excerpts at 11 am and 1 pm, and Geva offers photo ops and a ticket drawing.
Event
Nov 25 – Nov 29
The Nutcracker with Rochester City Ballet & RPO
Rochester City Ballet dances the classic holiday ballet with the Rochester Philharmonic playing live, a Thanksgiving-week tradition at the Eastman Theatre.
Event
Nov 29 – Dec 10
Holidays at the Market
The Public Market's special holiday shopping days with extra vendors; the Thursday evening market on Dec 10 is a festive after-dark outing. More dates may be added.
Event
Sun, Nov 29 · 11 am–6 pm
Kwanzaa Celebration at Roc Holiday Village
A free cultural celebration in the Gingerbread House presented by the Rochester Kwanzaa Coalition.
December
Event
Dec 3 – Dec 4 · Thu–Fri Dec 3–4
Lake House Holiday Market
Local makers and seasonal treats fill the resort's Event Barn for two evenings of holiday shopping.
Event
Fri, Dec 4 · 6–9 pm
Lake House Tree Lighting
The lakeside resort lights its tree with carolers, live reindeer and visits from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Event
Dec 4 – Dec 6
The Nutcracker (Rochester City Ballet) in Canandaigua
Rochester City Ballet brings its Nutcracker to Canandaigua for five performances, a closer-to-home option for Ontario County families.
Event
Sat, Dec 5 · Afternoon (1–5 pm per Visit Finger Lakes)
Victor's Jingle Mingle
Victor's village holiday party has kids' activities, an artisan market, horse-drawn wagon rides, a parade and photos with Santa.
Event
Sun, Dec 6 · 30-min seatings 10 am–2 pm
Breakfast with Santa at Hotel Canandaigua
Breakfast, a hot cocoa bar and photos with Santa at the lakefront hotel.
Event
Dec 6 – Dec 20 · Sundays Dec 6, 13, 20
Breakfast with Santa at The Lake House
Three Sunday breakfasts with Santa on Canandaigua Lake, with two seatings each day.
Event
Dec 6 – Dec 13 · Sun Dec 6, Sat Dec 12, Sun Dec 13
Holly Trolley Rides
Ride a vintage trolley at the transportation museum during its holiday weekends; reserve ahead because time slots fill.
Event
Sun, Dec 6 · 11 am–6 pm
Three Kings' Day Celebration at Roc Holiday Village
A free family celebration of Three Kings' Day traditions presented by the Puerto Rican Festival.
Event
Dec 12 – Dec 20 · Sat Dec 12, Sat Dec 19, Sun Dec 20
Story Time with Santa
A ticketed morning at the Triple-O Lodge with a story read by Santa, a sing-along, photos and coloring, plus donuts, bagels and hot chocolate. Tickets go on sale Nov 2.
Event
Sat, Dec 12 · 11 am–2 pm
Winterfest at Cobblestone Arts Center
A free indoor winter festival with live music and dance, hands-on crafts, an artisan market and a visit from Santa.
Event
Sun, Dec 13 · Seatings 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 1:30 pm
Brunch with St. Nick
A holiday brunch in the museum's decorated Meeting Center with a visit from St. Nicholas.
Event
Sun, Dec 13 · 11 am–6 pm
Hanukkah Celebration at Roc Holiday Village
A free Hanukkah celebration for families hosted with the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester's PJ Library.
Event
Sun, Dec 13 · 9:30–11 am
Holiday Magic Show at Roc Holiday Village
A family magic show with breakfast refreshments, followed by holiday coloring and arcade play at the village's lodge.
Event
Dec 18 – Dec 20
Jeff Tyzik's Gala Holiday Pops
The RPO's 33rd holiday pops show mixes Christmas and Hanukkah favorites, a high school chorale and audience sing-alongs.
Event
Sun, Dec 20 · 9–10:30 am
Breakfast with Santa at the Zoo
A hot breakfast in the zoo's Trailside Café followed by cookie decorating, photos with Santa and a possible penguin cameo. Zoo admission is included so families can explore afterward.
Event
Sun, Dec 20 · Seatings 9, 10, 11 am and 12 pm
Breakfast with St. Nick
A morning breakfast with St. Nicholas at Genesee Country Village; it's the same day as the Holiday Open House, so you can make a day of it.
Event
Sun, Dec 20 · 11 am–6 pm
Christmas Celebration at Roc Holiday Village
The village's closing-day Christmas celebration, presented by First Bible Baptist Church and free to attend.
Event
Sun, Dec 20 · 10 am–3 pm
Holiday Open House at Genesee Country Village
The historic homes open with crackling fires, period decorations, music and dance, so families can see how holidays were celebrated long ago.
Event
Sat, Dec 26 · 2 pm
A Christmas Story at OFC Creations
Ralphie's quest for a Red Ryder BB gun comes to the stage over school break; check the theater for the full run.
Event
Thu, Dec 31 · 11 am–12:30 pm
Noon Year's Eve at Seneca Park Zoo
Little ones ring in the new year at a kid-friendly hour with a noon countdown and ball drop at two spots around the zoo.
All season long
Event
Nov 7 – Jan 3 · Museum open days
Sweet Creations Gingerbread Display
Dozens of gingerbread creations, plus wreath and tabletop-tree displays, fill the Eastman mansion for the holidays.
Event
Nov 13 – Dec 5 · Wed–Sun (closed Nov 19 & Thanksgiving)
Granger Homestead Festival of Trees
More than a hundred decorated trees and wreaths, some made by student groups and families, fill the historic homestead.
Event
Nov 14 – Jan 3
Holiday Laser Show
The planetarium's family holiday spectacular pairs seasonal music with lasers and full-dome visuals; evening shows after 6 pm are for ages 5 and up.
Event
Nov 25 – Dec 27 · Multiple performances weekly
A Christmas Carol at Geva
Geva's annual staging of the Dickens story about Scrooge's change of heart; the theater recommends it for ages 10 and up.
Event
Nov 25 – Dec 12 · Wed–Sun performances
Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas
A stage version of the Jim Henson holiday tale about Emmet and his Ma, each secretly entering a talent contest to buy the other a gift.
Event
Nov 27 – Jan 3
Holiday Magic Tours
A 90-minute naturalist-led cart tour of the zoo during the holidays; carts hold just 10 guests per slot, so book early and bring a blanket and warm drink.
Event
Nov 27 – Dec 20
Roc Holiday Village
Downtown's outdoor holiday village returns for its eighth year, opening on Black Friday with free ice skating, a shopping village, food, Santa's Workshop and free kids' crafts in the Gingerbread House.
Event
Nov 27 – Dec 20 · Wed–Sun during village dates
Visit Santa at Roc Holiday Village
Meet Santa in his workshop at the downtown holiday village; each visit comes with a free 4x6 print and a sugar cookie, and a text-alert system holds your place in line.
Event
Dec 4 – Dec 19
Yuletide in the Country
Candlelit 90-minute walking tours of the historic village with holiday scenes from the past; this year marks the museum's 50th anniversary. Tickets are not sold at the door.
Quick answers
Where can kids see Santa in Rochester?
Visit Santa at Roc Holiday Village, Breakfast with Santa at Hotel Canandaigua, Breakfast with Santa at The Lake House, Story Time with Santa, Brunch with St. Nick
Is there a Noon Year’s Eve for kids in Rochester?
Noon Year's Eve at Seneca Park Zoo on Thu, Dec 31 · 11 am–12:30 pm
Your weekend plans, sorted.
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