As the weather cools and the days become shorter, the holiday spirit fills the air, and Finger Lakes Wine Country transforms into the set of a Hallmark holiday movie.
To help plan your trip, we’ve created this guide highlighting everything from holiday shopping events to Santa sightings and holiday performances so you can enjoy the most wonderful time of the year with us!
Holiday Shopping Events
The Thanksgiving Sale at The Shops
When: Now through December 1st, 2025
Time: 9 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: Corning Museum of Glass, 1 Museum Way, Corning, NY
Cost: Free
Visit The Shops at CMOG for the best deals in town during our annual Thanksgiving Sale! Choose from handmade glass and thousands of other gifts this holiday season—only at The Shops. This event is hosted by The Shops. Guests do not need to pay Museum admission to attend this event or benefit from discounts.
When: Now through December 27th, 2025
Time: 10 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: The Arnot Museum, 235 Lake Street in Elmira, NY
Cost: Free
Visitors are welcome to drop in and shop while the museum prepares the galleries for the upcoming season of exhibitions and the holidays.
Holiday Market at Point of the Bluff
When: Every Saturday from November 8rd – December 20th, 2025
Time: 12 PM – 5 PM
Location: Point of the Bluff Vineyards, 10489 County Route 76, Hammondsport, NY
Cost: Free
Get into the holiday spirit every Saturday through December 21st at Point of the Bluff’s beautifully decorated Pavilion! Enjoy a festive afternoon of holiday shopping, live music, and delicious food, all while sipping on their award-winning wines. Each weekend, you’ll find a unique selection of local vendors, perfect for checking off your gift list while supporting small businesses!
Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus
When: Saturday, November 29th, 2025
Time: 8 AM – 4:30 PM
Where: The Windmill Farm and Craft Market, 3900 State Route 14A, Penn Yan, NY
Cost: Free
The Windmill will be open on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday! Their vendors will be offering end-of-season sales, and to thank their loyal customers, they will also hold customer appreciation days, including hourly and grand-prize drawings each day! Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Santa’s Reindeer will be there from 10:00 to 1:00! There will also be a caricature artist, balloon artist, and roaming calliope player.
Annual Cookie Walk in Hammondsport
When: Saturday, December 6th, 2025
Time: 10 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Village of Hammondsport, 47 Shethar Street, Hammondsport, NY
Cost: Free
Bundle up, grab a hot cocoa, and visit each participating business in the village square and around Keuka Lake with your Hammondsport-themed commemorative holiday cookie tin to receive specially made Christmas cookies. Bonus: Santa Sightings!
Parades and Local Celebrations
Downtown Elmira Holiday Parade
When: November 28, 2025
Time: 10 AM
Location: W. Water St. and Clemens Center Parkway, Elmira, NY
Cost: Free
Come celebrate Downtown Elmira’s Holiday Parade on November 28th at 10 am. Bring your family to see all the popular characters your kiddos have come to love, including Bluey and Bingo, as well as our traditional favorites, Mickey and Minnie! This parade is made possible by volunteers.
When: November 29, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM- 8:00 PM
Location: Downtown Hornell
Don’t miss the Tree Lighting right after the parade! Santa’s Cottage is open after the tree lighting until 8 PM. Free Hot Cocoa and Cookies will be handed out.
The Parade of Lights in Corning
When: Saturday, November 29th, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Corning’s Gaffer District, 1 W. Market Street, Corning, NY
Cost: Free
Experience the Magic of the Parade of Lights in America’s Crystal City Christmas! A beloved highlight of the festive schedule, the Parade of Lights features around 50 participants, including marching bands, meticulously designed floats, and the highly anticipated appearance of Santa Claus on a horse-drawn carriage. Each entry is adorned with dazzling lights, illuminating Market Street as it weaves through our charming historic district. Families from far and wide have made this enchanting holiday tradition a cherished part of their seasonal celebrations.
Village Christmas in Watkins Glen
When: Friday, December 5, 2025
Time: 5 PM – 8 PM
Location: Downtown Watkins Glen, NY
Cost: Free
Kick off the holiday season with a festive evening filled with twinkling lights, a magical parade, fireworks, and the spirit of the season. It’s a heartwarming event that brings holiday cheer to locals and visitors alike!
The 32nd Annual Village Christmas is scheduled for December 5th, 2025! Festivities start at 5 pm. Our Visions of Christmas parade will start at 6:30 pm. There will be vendors, great food, music, Santa & Mrs. Claus, and fireworks off the pier at 7:30 pm.
When: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Time: 6 PM – 6 PM
Location: Main St, Penn Yan, NY
Cost: Free
Kick off the holiday season in the heart of downtown Penn Yan at StarShine, a beloved small-town tradition that brings festive cheer to the village. This family-friendly celebration is filled with twinkling lights, holiday music, and plenty of seasonal spirit.
Stroll along Main Street to enjoy local vendors, delicious food and beverages, live entertainment, and activities for all ages. From holiday shopping and treats to festive performances and children’s activities, StarShine captures the magic of the season and creates memories for the whole family.
Enjoy activities such as wagon rides, a petting zoo, a magician, face painting, Elf School games, and more! The Lights on Wheels parade will commence at 6:30 along Main Street.
Gaffer District’s Annual Sparkle
When: Saturday, December 7th, 2025
Time: 4:00 pm to 8:00 PM
Location: Corning’s Gaffer District, Market Street, Corning, NY
Cost: Free
Corning’s favorite holiday celebration lights the streets with shimmering decorations, live entertainment, and festive activities, and was just named by Time Out New one of the BEST holiday events in New York State! This cherished tradition unites our community and creates an enchanting atmosphere for families and visitors alike.
Christmas in the Park in Hammondsport
When: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time: 4 PM – 7 PM
Location: Hammondsport’s Village Square
Cost: Free
Located in the village square. Get your friends and family together and come by the Village Square to take part in the festivities. Enjoy and browse through our many food and craft vendors, and visit our shops and restaurants on the Square!
Family-Friendly Events
Photo Rockwell Museum
The Annual Gingerbread Invitational
When: November 29 – December 31, 2025
Time: Various
Location: The Rockwell Museum, 111 Cedar Street, Corning, NY
Cost: Free
The Rockwell Museum’s Annual Gingerbread Invitational is a fun, artful gingerbread competition for baking enthusiasts and community members of all skill levels. The reception, on December 3, 2025, is open to the public and invites guests to come dressed in their favorite festive attire to enjoy warm beverages and tasty treats. Meet the gingerbread artists and cast your vote for the annual Community Choice Award – the winner will be announced in early January 2026.
When: Saturday, December 6th – Sunday, December 8\7th, 2025
Time: 9 AM – 5 PM
Location: The Corning Museum of Glass, One Museum Way, Corning, NY
Cost: Free
Celebrate the season with a fun, family-friendly event the first weekend of December. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be touring the Museum on both days, visiting and taking pictures with visitors. Want to complement your visit? Make Your Own Glass reservations in the museum’s newly renovated Glass Studio are now available!
When: Friday, November 21, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Time: 5 PM – 10 PM
Location: Bradley Farms, 1543 Maple Avenue, Elmira, NY
Cost: $25 per car or $90 for five 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 wait to help you in the spirit of the holidays! So, pile in, get cozy, and enjoy this new holiday tradition.
Adult-Only Activities
When: November 21-23 and December 5-7, 2025
Time: 10 AM – 5 PM
Location: Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, 4565 Route 414, Romulus, NY
Cost: Varies
Get ready to sip, shop, and save as you explore the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail! Treat yourself while shopping for others, crossing gifts off your list as you sample before you buy. Your Holiday Shoppers Card unlocks exclusive savings, plus you’ll receive a souvenir wine glass, a set of handcrafted wooden nutcracker ornaments, wine and food pairings, a printed recipe book, and $5 off a $35 wine purchase at every winery.
The Holiday Theatre Series at The Clemens Center
When: November 30 through December 20, 2025
Time: Various
Location: Clemens Center, 207 Clemens Center Parkway, Elmira, NY
Cost: Ticket prices vary per show. Please see their website.
Bring the magic of the holidays to life with Clemens Center’s diverse theatrical performances this holiday season! From the traditional Nutcracker to Cirque Haze Dreams, a Broadway-style production around awe-inspiring contemporary circus arts, and so much more!