The first weekend of December brings Monroe County into full holiday mode. Warm lights, festive markets, live jazz, holiday theatre, cozy workshops, and family-friendly celebrations fill the calendar from Friday through Sunday. Whether you’re looking for music, makers, storytelling, or classic holiday nostalgia, this weekend is packed with ways to enjoy our community.
Geva Theatre Presents: A Christmas Carol
A Rochester holiday tradition returns with beautifully staged performances running all weekend.
Roc Holiday Village
A month-long winter festival featuring pop-up shops, ice skating, food, activities, and free family fun.
The Yards 14th Annual Holiday Bazaar
A beloved artisan market at the Public Market showcasing handmade goods and local artists.
First Friday – Holiday Event at Anderson Alley & ROCO
A festive First Friday open studio night with art, local makers, and community celebration.
Christmas Prism – Houghton University
A large-scale holiday concert by Houghton University’s ensembles with performances Friday and Saturday.
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas – OFC Creations
A family-friendly musical adaptation of the classic Henson holiday story.
Ugly Sweater Silent Disco – ARTISANworks
A lively, festive silent disco inside Rochester’s most eclectic art space.
Santa Trains to the North Pole – R&GVRRM
A themed holiday train ride to the “North Pole,” perfect for families.
Bob Holz & A Vision Forward – Live Performance
A night of jazz fusion with world-class drummer Bob Holz at Ridgemont Country Club.
It’s A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play – Geneseo
A classic retelling of the film performed as a vintage radio broadcast.
Theatre & Performances
A Christmas Carol – Geva Theatre
A timeless holiday classic performed with immersive staging and live music. Runs throughout December.
Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas – OFC Creations
A musical holiday story based on the classic Henson tale, running multiple dates this weekend.
Christmas Prism – Houghton University
A large-scale musical celebration featuring choirs, orchestra, and multimedia elements.
Art & Exhibits
First Friday – Holiday Event: Anderson Alley Artists & ROCO
A festive open-studio art night featuring artists, galleries, and holiday shopping.
American, born Hungary – George Eastman Museum
A photography exhibition celebrating the work and legacy of Hungarian-American artists.
Frontiers of Impressionism – Memorial Art Gallery
A major traveling exhibition featuring Impressionist works from the Worcester Art Museum.
Rachel Rose – MAG
A multimedia installation exploring perception and natural environments.
William Gropper: Truth, Beauty, Justice, Humor – MAG
A retrospective showcasing expressive, socially engaged artwork.
Inspired by the Season – International Art Acquisitions
A curated seasonal fine-art exhibition with pieces themed around winter.
Music & Nightlife
Bob Holz and A Vision Forward
A night of jazz fusion featuring drummer Bob Holz at 402 West Ridge Rd.
Live Jazz featuring Mel Henderson & Marvin Dolly – Flight Wine Bar
A smooth and soulful live jazz set in a cozy downtown wine bar.
Ugly Sweater Silent Disco Party – ARTISANworks
A festive silent disco surrounded by eclectic gallery installations.
Bootlegged Fridays – Union Tavern
A weekly live music series held in the historic Seabreeze tavern.
Festivals & Family Fun
Roc Holiday Village
A downtown winter festival with ice skating, shopping, food, and family activities.
Santa Trains to the North Pole – R&GVRRM
A magical themed ride that brings families to a holiday-themed “North Pole.”
The Yards 14th Annual Holiday Bazaar
Day one of this popular artisan holiday market featuring local makers.
Workshops
Puzzling Adventures Scavenger Hunt
A self-guided GPS scavenger hunt through Rochester landmarks.
Sports & Outdoor
RIT Men’s Hockey vs. Canisius
A home-ice matchup at the Gene Polisseni Center.
College Night – RocVentures Climbing Gym
Discounted climbing passes for college students.
Daily Tours – Susan B. Anthony House
Guided historic tours highlighting Anthony’s life and legacy.
Festivals & Markets
Brockport Winter Market
A seasonal indoor market featuring local vendors and holiday goods.
Caledonia Hometown Holidays
A full-day celebration with parades, vendors, music, and family activities.
Christmas Magic in Mount Morris
A community holiday celebration with shopping, Santa visits, and family fun.
Annual Holiday Pop-Up Market – Linwood
A vendor market offering handmade and locally produced goods.
Sip & Shop Holiday Market – Webster
A festive shopping event featuring small local businesses.
The Yards Holiday Bazaar
Day two of the annual artisan market at the Public Market.
Theatre & Performances
A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin – Home Alone 35th Anniversary
A special screening event followed by a conversation with Macaulay Culkin.
It’s A Wonderful Life – The Radio Play
A live performance retelling the beloved film as a 1940s-style radio show.
W. Kamau Bell – Who’s With Me?
A stand-up comedy performance at Nazareth University Arts Center.
Believe – Dance Performance
A holiday dance showcase held in Rochester.
Art & Exhibits
ASL Guided Tour – Frontiers of Impressionism (MAG)
An accessible guided tour of the Impressionism exhibition.
Handmade Holiday Market – Ashtetic
A curated art market highlighting handmade goods from local artists.
Historic Palmyra Holiday House Tour
A guided tour through decorated historic homes in Palmyra.
Workshops & Talks
Women’s Welding Workshop: Reindeer – Ironwood Studios
A hands-on welding workshop creating a seasonal metal reindeer sculpture.
Reading & Conversation with Catherine Coates – Writers & Books
A literary event featuring a reading and author discussion.
Sports & Outdoor
RIT Women’s Hockey vs. Delaware
An afternoon game at the Polisseni Center.
Holiday Hit Battle – Dick’s House of Sport
A free holiday batting competition at Eastview Mall.
Intro to Climbing – Central Rock Gym
A beginner climbing class offered multiple times weekly.
Kids Staff Belay – RocVentures
Supervised climbing for kids of all levels.
Daily Tours – Susan B. Anthony House
A historic exploration of Anthony’s Rochester home.
Festivals & Family Fun
Breakfast with Santa – Dave & Buster’s
A family breakfast event featuring photos, activities, and Santa.
Breakfast with Santa – ARTISANworks
A festive morning meal hosted inside the ARTISANworks galleries.
Breakfast with St. Nick – GCV&M
A holiday family breakfast in the historic Mumford village.
Holiday Makers Market – Central Rock Gym
A vendor market inside the climbing gym featuring local artisans.
Holidays at the Market – Rochester Public Market
A large holiday market with gifts, decorations, food, and entertainment.
Día de las Velitas – International Plaza
A cultural celebration featuring music, food, and community traditions.
Pictures with Santa – Wadsworth Homestead
A historic-home photo session with Santa in Geneseo.
Potbelly Pigs 101 – Lollypop Farm
An educational program introducing care and training for potbelly pigs.
Theatre & Music
It’s A Wonderful Life – The Radio Play
Day two of this charming vintage-style holiday production.
End of the Rainbow – JCC CenterStage
A musical drama exploring Judy Garland’s final years.
A Christmas Carol – Geva Theatre
Holiday storytelling at its finest with Geva’s classic production.
The Drifters, The Platters & Cornell Gunter’s Coasters – RBTL
A nostalgic evening of classic hits from three legendary groups.
OrKIDStra: Frosty in Snowland – RPO
A family-friendly concert introducing orchestral music to young audiences.
Art & Exhibits
ARTISANworks Thrift Sale
A weekly sale offering unique art, décor, and vintage finds.
Museums on Us – MAG
Free admission for Bank of America cardholders.
Stone-Tolan House Historic Site Tour
A docent-led tour of the oldest house in Monroe County.
Sports & Outdoor
Family Night – RocVentures
A discounted evening of climbing for families.
Intro to Climbing – Central Rock Gym
A beginner climbing session open on Sundays.
Kids Staff Belay – RocVentures
A supervised climbing experience for children.
Staff Belay – Central Rock Gym
A staff-assisted belay session ideal for new climbers.
If you have an event you’d like to add or a business you’d like to feature, email me at hello@lallafitzpatrick.com to let me know all about it!
The holidays have a way of reminding us what matters most—home, connection, and those tiny moments of joy tucked between the chaos. Every year, I pull together a guide that makes the season feel a little lighter, a little brighter, and a whole lot more fun.
This year’s 2025 Holiday Guide is your go-to companion for festive happenings across Monroe, Wayne, and Ontario Counties: charming local events, family traditions old and new, small-business gems, and community favorites worth adding to your calendar.
Whether you’re planning a cozy night out, searching for kid-friendly magic, or just trying to stay ahead of the “What are we doing this weekend?” question—this guide has you covered.
Think of it as a neighborly shortcut to the best of the season… with clickable links, making it easy to find what you are looking for!
Also explore Brighton, Fairport, and Perinton for additional upscale townhome options within Monroe County.
December always makes Monroe County feel a little cozier — from festive markets to community performances to nostalgic holiday traditions. Whether you’re exploring local arts, supporting small businesses, or creating memories with your family, weekends like this showcase the best of our region.
If you’re thinking about making Monroe County home — or simply curious about what’s available — take a look at the homes currently open for viewing.
Check out this weekend’s open houses across Monroe County.
