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 visiting a few local farms and bringing the family together for tree hunting and fun. Towner Tree Farms in Addison, NY, sells fresh Christmas trees precut and displayed, or you can take your family into their field and cut your own! They also feature wreaths of different shapes and sizes: standard round, crosses, hearts, snowflakes, swags & more! VanDerZee Christmas Tree Farm in Trumansburg offers both pre-cut and cut-your-own trees, as well as wreaths. Head to Bradley Farms for their pre-cut trees and drive through their Twinkle Town, November 22, 2024, through December 28, 2024, 5-10 PM. Cabins in the Clouds Christmas Forest in Campbell, NY, is a tree farm that offers trees, wreaths, and other arrangements. Tree species include Douglas Fir, Concolor Fir, and Blue Spruce. Hober Tree Farm, Wayland, NY, offers various Christmas trees, all competitively priced. Their selection of premium firs includes trees of all sizes, including Douglas, Fraser, Concolour, Balsam, and Grand Fir.
Holiday Shopping
The Thanksgiving Sale at The Shops
When: Now through December 2nd, 2024
Time: 9 PM - 5:30 PM
Location: Point of the Bluff Vineyards, 10489 County Route 76, Hammondsport, NY, United States, New York
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.
Holiday Market at Arnot
When: Now through December 27th, 2024
Time: 10 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: The Arnot Museum, 235 Lake Street in Elmira, New York
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 23rd - December 21st, 2024
Time: 12 PM - 5 PM
Location: Point of the Bluff Vineyards, 10489 County Route 76, Hammondsport, NY, United States, New York
Cost: Free
Get into the holiday spirit with us every Saturday from November 9th to December 21st at our beautifully decorated Pavilion! Enjoy a festive afternoon of holiday shopping, live music, and delicious food from The Park Out, all while sipping on our 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, 2024
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, which will include hourly prize drawings 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 7th, 2024
Time: 10 AM - 2:30 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.
Santa Sightings
Village Christmas in Watkins Glen
When: Friday, December 1, 2024
Time: 5 PM - 8 PM
Location: Downtown Watkins Glen, New York
Cost: Free
The 31st Annual Village Christmas is scheduled for December 6th, 2024! Festivities start at 5 p.m., and the Visions of Christmas parade will start at 6:30 p.m. There will be vendors, great food, music, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and fireworks off the pier at 7:30 p.m. Join us on December 6th!
Holiday Open House at CMoG
When: Saturday, December 7th - Sunday, December 8th, 2024
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 available now!
Gaffer District's 50th Annual Sparkle
When: Saturday, December 7th, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm to 9 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 celebrating its 50th anniversary! 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 14, 2024
Time: 4 PM - 8 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 Activities
Twinkle Town at Bradly Farms
When: Friday, November 22, 2023 - Saturday, December 28, 2024
Time: 5 PM - 10 PM
Location: Bradley Farms, 1543 Maple Avenue, Elmira, NY 14904
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 holiday spirit! So, pile in, get cozy, and enjoy this new holiday tradition.
The Parade of Lights in Corning
When: Saturday, November 30th, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Corning's Gaffer District, 1 W. Market Street, Corning, NY 14830
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.
Downtown Elmira Holiday Parade
When: November 29, 2024
Time: 10 AM
Location: W. Water St. and Clemens Center Parkway
Cost: Free
Come celebrate the 66th year of the Downtown Elmira Holiday Parade on November 29th at 10am. Bring your family to see all the popular characters your kiddos have come to love such as Bluey and Bingo as well as our traditional characters such as Mickey and Minnie! This parade is made possible by volunteers.
The Tenth Annual Gingerbread Invitational
When: November 29 - December 31, 2024
Time: Various
Location: The Rockwell Museum, 111 Cedar Street, Corning, NY 14830
Cost: Free
The Rockwell Museum's 10th Annual Gingerbread Invitational is a fun, artful gingerbread competition for baking enthusiasts and community members of all skill levels. The 2024 theme is Paradise, inspired by two of the Museum’s fall exhibitions.
Lights on the River in Owego
When: Friday, December 6, 2024
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 in Penn Yan
When: Friday, December 6, 2024
Time: 6 PM
Location: Main St, Penn Yan, NY 14527
Cost: Free
Enjoy as Main Street comes alive with a vibrant and festive procession of all vehicles, tractors, and floats dressed in Christmas lights and decorations. A special guest in his red suit will be there as the caboose of the parade! The parade will follow StarShine, taking place from 3:00-6:00 pm.
StarShine 2024 in Penn Yan
When: Saturday, December 7, 2024
Time: 4 PM - 7 PM
Location: Main St, Penn Yan, New York 14527
Cost: Free
The Village of Penn Yan comes to life each winter, where locals and visitors gather and celebrate StarShine. This popular event started over three decades 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, wagon rides, colorful lights, food, seasonal treats, historical displays, children’s games & activities, vendors, the arrival of Santa, and the popular Lights on Wheels Parade. The Chamber works with the Village of Penn Yan, Keuka College, multiple organizations, and gracious volunteers around the County to bring a memorable Christmas event great for all ages.
Adult-Only Activities
Holiday Shopping Spree
When: November 23-24 & December 7-8, 2024
Time: 10 AM - 5 PM
Location: Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, 4565 Route 414, Romulus, NY
Cost: Varies
The Holiday Shopping Spree is back for its 30th year, ready to help you unleash your inner thrifty self! Get ready to treat yourself while shopping for others, crossing gifts off your list as you sample before you buy. Your magical Holiday Shoppers Card will save you money, and you’ll receive a souvenir wine glass, a set of whimsical souvenir ornaments (one ornament per winery), wine and food pairings, a digital recipe book, and $5 off a $35 wine purchase at every winery. Join us in our gnome-filled wonderland for a delightful Holiday Shopping Spree!
Holiday Club Open House 2024
When: Sunday, December 8, 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. You'll have the tasting room to yourself! Warm up with some delicious locally made chili, a tasting, and a glass of wine. Bring some holiday cookies if you'd like to share. Bring your holiday spirit! They will have the tasting room decked out for the season to give you a chance to meet, greet, and enjoy. Tickets for members and up to two guests (four total per member) are $10.They ask this year that you sign up for a timeslot when you think you might be attending so they can make sure to accommodate everyone throughout the day. Time slots (guidelines) are 11 am -12:30 pm, 12:30- 2 pm, and 2 pm to 3:30 pm.
Holiday Performances
The Nutcracker
When: Saturday, December 7, 2024
Time: Various
Location: Clemens Center, 207 Clemens Center Parkway, Elmira, NY
Cost: Adults: $45/$30/$20 / Senior (65 or older): $15 / Students: $15 / 5 and Under Free with purchase of an Adult Ticket
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 14, 2024
Time: 3 PM
Location: Clemens Center, 207 Clemens Center Parkway, Elmira, NY
Cost: Adults: $59/$44/$29. College Students with ID: $15. Youth Under 18 FREE provided by the Anderson Foundation
The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes Holiday Concert has become a community classic—the hottest ticket in town for celebrating the season with a wide variety of holiday favorites. A powerhouse of musical forces join to fill the Clemens Center Powers Theater stage: the OSFL, the symphonic chorus, and soloists. Home for the holidays, tenor Jonathan Boyd, originally from Horseheads, NY, returns as soloist with the OSFL, along with his wife Malinda Haslett, soprano. Experience the magic and wonder of the season as performers and audience raise their voices in harmony with holiday carols and Handel’s famous Hallelujah Chorus. This is also the 30th season celebration and the 15th anniversary with Maestro Toshiyuki Shimada.
The Nutcracker in Motion
When: Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21, 2024
Time: Various
Location: Clemens Center, 207 Clemens Center Parkway, Elmira, NY
Cost: $32/$22 Adult / $27/$17 Senior and Child 5-18 / $18/$8 Child under 5
New Heights Dance Theater offers classical ballet, tap, high energy Rockette-style jazz and a few other surprises! Come join the party as Clara’s Godfather presents life size toys on Christmas Eve, witness an epic battle, take a magical journey through the snowy forest and delight your senses in the Land of the Sweets, sampling all that the Sugar Plum fairy has to offer.
The performances are sure to entertain adults and children alike and has been a local Holiday tradition beloved by many.
