The holiday season is one of the most festive and exciting times to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country. As the weather cools and the days become shorter, the holiday spirit fills the air and the region transforms into the set of a Hallmark holiday movie.
From where to cut your Christmas tree to Santa sightings and holiday performances, we’ve created this guide to help you enjoy the most wonderful time of the year in Finger Lakes Wine Country. We’ve included family-friendly festivities, adult-only activities and so much more to help you enjoy the merriment of the most wonderful time of the year.
Oh Christmas Tree
Nothing says holiday more than cutting down your own Christmas tree. We recommend a few local farms to visit and bring the family to for tree hunting and fun. Bean Station Tree Farm in Prattsburgh has over 90 acres filled with live trees of all shapes and sizes to choose from. They also sell wreaths and have a sweet Christmas shop for last-minute decorations and gifts. VanDerZee Christmas Tree Farm in Trumansburg offers both pre-cut and cut-your-own trees, as well as wreaths.
Holiday Shopping
Holiday Market at Point of the Bluff
When: Every Saturday from November 11th - December 23rd, 2023
Time: 12 PM - 5 PM
Location: Point of the Bluff Vineyards, 10489 County Route 76, Hammondsport, NY, United States, New York
Cost: Free
You’re invited to the third annual Point of the Bluff Vineyards Holiday Market at the Winter Wine Garden! Every Saturday from November 5th through December 17th from 12 PM to 5 PM the Pavilion will be open for drinking, eating, and holiday shopping. Get in the holiday spirit with award-winning wines, festive foods, decorations, and local vendors.
Throughout the Holiday Market, they will be accepting donations for Toys for Tots and nonperishable food items to donate to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier.
Annual Cookie Walk
When: Saturday, December 2nd, 2023
Time: 10 AM - 2:30 PM
Location: Village of Hammondsport, 47 Shethar Street, Hammondsport NY
Cost: Free
Come enjoy a morning in Hammondsport collecting homemade cookies from the area businesses. The cookie tins are purchased for $25 with approximately 25 businesses distributing cookies. This is a fun and affordable way to get ready for the holidays and shop local!
Santa Sightings
Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus
When: Saturday, November 25th, 2023
Time: 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Where: The Windmill Farm and Craft Market, 3900 State Route 14A, Penn Yan NY
Cost: Free
Bring your camera and take your Holiday photos. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be here for photos from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. It’s not just for kids! Adults and pets are welcome too!
Village Christmas
When: Friday, December 1, 2023
Time: 5 PM - 8 PM
Location: Downtown Watkins Glen, New York
Cost: Free
At the 29th annual Village Christmas, there will be vendors, great food, music, and Santa & Mrs. Claus! Festivities begin at 5 PM. The Visions of Christmas Around the World parade will start at 6:30 PM. There will be fireworks off the pier at 7:30 PM.
Holiday Open House
When: Saturday, December 2nd - Sunday, December 3rd, 2023
Time: 9 AM - 5 PM
Location: The Corning Museum of Glass, One Museum Way, Corning NY
Cost: Free
Free admission, cookie decorating, musical performances, and special glass-making experiences kick off the holiday season. Plus, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be making a special visit to the Museum to greet guests throughout the day.
Sparkle presented by First Heritage FCU
When: Saturday, December 2nd, 2023
Time: 5:00 pm to 9 PM
Location: Corning's Gaffer District, Market Street, Corning NY
Cost: Free
The 49th annual Sparkle presented by First Heritage FCU returns for 2023! Each year, downtown Corning transforms into a Hallmark-worthy oasis of beautiful decorations, friendly faces, delicious food, and unique gifts for everyone on your Christmas list. This year you'll enjoy live entertainment, festive activities, and visit Santa!
Christmas in the Park
When: Saturday, December 9, 2023
Time: 4 PM - 8 PM
Location: Hammondsport’s Village Square
Cost: Free
Christmas in the Park returns to Hammondsport’s Village Square. Come enjoy the village decorated for the holidays. Santa arrives with his live reindeer at 5:00! There are musical performers, reindeer, horse-drawn wagon rides, and vendors too!
Family-Friendly Activities
Twinkle Town
When: Friday, November 17, 2023 - Saturday, December 30, 2023
Time: 5 PM - 10 PM
Location: Bradley Farms, 1543 Maple Avenue, Elmira, NY 14904
Cost: $25 per car or $90 for 5 visits
View over 200 individually lighted scenes from the comfort of your car as you drive through the one-mile, two-lane road while listening to their Holiday Channel on your radio. Rudolph and his friends will be waiting to help get you in the holiday spirit! So pile in, get cozy, and enjoy this new holiday tradition.
The Parade of Lights Presented By: First Heritage FCU
When: Saturday, November 25th, 2023
Time: 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Corning's Gaffer District, 1 W. Market Street, Corning, NY 14830
Cost: Free
The Parade of Lights is a cherished part of the region's holiday events schedule. From marching bands and carefully crafted floats to the much-anticipated arrival of Santa Claus on a horse-drawn carriage. All parade entries are adorned with beautiful lights to celebrate the season's enchantment as the parade moves down Market Street in the heart of this beautiful historic district.
The Ninth Annual Gingerbread Invitational
When: November 29 - December 31, 2023
Time: Various
Location: The Rockwell Museum, 111 Cedar Street, Corning, NY 14830
Cost: Free
The Annual Gingerbread Invitational is an exhibition of artful gingerbread creations by baking enthusiasts and community members of all skill levels. This year, Rockwell programming and exhibitions celebrate Heroes and the courage of people moved by conviction, truth, and love to improve communities, society and our world.
Bakers designed a gingerbread of a Hero that inspires them. On Exhibition Night you'll get to enjoy tasty treats and beverages and meet the bakers as you explore the exhibit. You can cast your vote for the 9th Annual Gingerbread Invitational Community Choice Award. Votes will be collected all month long and the winner will be announced at the end of the month.
Lights on the River
When: Friday, December 1, 2023
Time: 5 PM - 9 PM
Location: Main St, Owego, NY 13827
Cost: Free
Come and experience the enchantment of the holiday season at Historic Owego Marketplace's mesmerizing event. Lights on the River will have food trucks, local shopping, live entertainment, fireworks, and more!
Lights on Wheels Parade
When: Friday, December 1, 2023
Time: 6 PM
Location: Main St, Penn Yan, NY 14527
Cost: Free
The Lights on Wheels Parade will take place on Friday night at 6 PM to kick off StarShine weekend.
StarShine 2023
When: Saturday, December 2, 2023
Time: 4 PM - 7 PM
Location: Main St, Penn Yan, New York 14527
Cost: Free
“StarShine, Christmas in the Village” started over thirty-five years ago and has grown to become one of the most popular community Christmas celebrations in the Finger Lakes. The evening hosts a variety of music, entertainment, colorful lights, treats, historic displays, an elf school, special sales, the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the crowning of Miss Penn Yan.
Adult-Only Activities
Holiday Shopping Spree
When: November 18 - 19 & December 2 - 3, 2023
Time: 10 AM - 5 PM
Location: Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, 4565 Route 414, Romulus NY
Cost: Varies
The Holiday Shopping Spree is back for 2023! Treat yourself while shopping for others and cross items off your gift list as you sample before you buy. Save money with your Holiday Shoppers Card. You'll get a souvenir wine glass, a souvenir ornament, wine and food pairings, a digital recipe book, and $5 off a $35 wine purchase at participating wineries.
Holiday Club Open House 2023
When: Sunday, December 10, 2023
Time: 11 AM - 4 PM
Location: Keuka Spring Vineyards, 243 Route 54 East Lake Road, Penn Yan, NY 14527
Cost: Free
Keuka Springs Vineyards is hosting a holiday open house exclusively for wine club members and their guests. Warm up with some delicious locally made chili, a tasting, and glass of wine. The tasting room will be decked out for the season to give you a reason to meet, greet, and be merry. Shop for holiday gifts and taste the wines in your pack and any you haven't had the chance to yet.
Holiday Performances
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
When: Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Time: 7 PM
Location: Clemens Center, 207 Clemens Center Parkway, Elmira, NY
Cost: $40-$70
Cirque Dreams Holidaze dazzles with a brilliant and whimsical family holiday spectacular. This annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around an infusion of contemporary circus arts.
The Nutcracker
When: Saturday, December 2, 2023
Time: 2 PM
Location: Clemens Center, 207 Clemens Center Parkway, Elmira NY
Cost: $15 - $40 (Groups of 10 or more receive a 10% discount)
Bring the magic of the holidays to life this season with Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score and delightful story of the young princess Masha and her enchanted Prince, the victory over evil and triumph of beauty, friendship, and love.
Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes
When: Saturday, December 9, 2023
Time: 3 PM
Location: Clemens Center, 207 Clemens Center Parkway, Elmira NY
Cost: $15 - $55
The Holiday Concert of the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes has become a community tradition not to be missed. This year, as we focus on togetherness, the OSFL and Chorus are joined by soprano Rachel Schutz (Ithaca College faculty), Rafael Grigorian Ballet, and the Honors Chorus from the Alternative School for Math & Science. Powers Theater will be filled with a variety of holiday music from Irving Berlin’s White Christmas to upbeat Hanukkah tunes, a singalong, and the OSFL’s festive tradition of closing the holiday concert with Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride with everyone donning whimsical holiday hats. Bring your cap and join the fun!
The Nutcracker in Motion
When: Friday, December 15 & Saturday, December 16, 2023
Time: Various
Location: Clemens Center, 207 Clemens Center Parkway, Elmira NY
Cost: $18 - $42
Join New Heights Dance Theater’s (NHDT) Land of the Sweets Dessert Party and delight your senses with a sampling of desserts, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate prior to entering the theater for a private advanced viewing of The Nutcracker In Motion, a jazzed up version of the beloved Holiday tradition of George Balanchine’s classical The Nutcracker.
From dazzling light displays to festive shopping events, we look forward to welcoming you to the region and spreading some holiday cheer!
