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    Visit Syracuse Insider Blog

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    12 Holiday Festivals in Syracuse

    Tuesday, December 3, 2019 10:00 AM by Danielle Benjamin - Guest Blogger

    Winters in central New York make the perfect backdrop to every holiday celebration and Syracuse is no stranger to holiday festivities. The entire month of December is full of celebrations. Live music, light festivals, decorated mansions, gingerbread houses, and more - there’s something for everyone this holiday season. Check out this list of holiday festivals in Syracuse and enjoy the season with your family and friends.

     

    Ongoing Events

     

    Christmas on the Farm

    Weekends November 30 - December 22 @ 10am - 9pm
    Abbott Farms

    During the day, enjoy activities for the whole family, visits from Santa, and holiday shopping from local crafters during Christmas at Abbott Farms. Adults can sample some of the farm-fresh wine and cider. After dark, $5 admission includes a wagon ride around the farm to see the holiday light displays.

     
     
     
     
    View this post on Instagram
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Due to the weather we will be closing at 3pm today! ❄️ Check back tomorrow for more updates ⛄️

    A post shared by Abbott Farms NY (@abbott.farms) on Dec 1, 2019 at 10:08am PST

     

    Festival of Trees

    Daily December 5 - 15 during museum hours
    Everson Museum

    Walk among over one hundred beautifully decorated Christmas trees on display throughout the museum during Everson’s annual Festival of Trees. Live performances will be held on various days during the festival and the trees and wreaths are for sale - with enough time for you to take them home for Christmas! Also, both Saturdays include visits with Santa for the kids, complete with milk and cookies.

    A decorated holiday tree at the Everson Museum's Festival of Trees

     

    Gingerbread Gallery

    Daily November 29 - January 5 @ 10am - 5pm
    The Erie Canal Museum

    This year celebrates the 34th anniversary of the gingerbread gallery at the Erie Canal Museum. Visit the museum to see all of the holiday creations made this year. Entrance is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $2 for children. If you’re looking to get more involved, the museum is hosting three gingerbread house workshops for children on December 14th, 28th, and 30th. For the adults, there is a gingerbread “Build and Sip” event on December 11th where you can build your own house from graham crackers and enjoy an adult beverage from the cash bar.

     
     
     
     
    View this post on Instagram
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Thanks to everyone who joined us for the grand opening of the Gingerbread Gallery last night! We hope you enjoyed this yearly exhibit by members of the community. #exhibition #holidays #thanksbakers #christmas #eriecanalmuseum

    A post shared by Erie Canal Museum (@eriecanalmuseum_syracuse) on Nov 30, 2019 at 5:57am PST

     

    Lights on the Lake

    Nightly November 14 - January 5 @ 5pm - 10pm
    Onondaga Lake Park

    Another classic Syracuse tradition is Lights on the Lake in Liverpool. Enjoy the two-miles of lights and holiday music along the lake. Admission is $10 per car on weeknights, $20 Fridays through Sundays. Save $4 on Mondays and Tuesdays by showing your Wegmans Shoppers Club card!

    Santa's Workshop display at Lights on the Lake Syracuse

     

    Holiday Events in December

     

    Fiesta De Navidad

    Friday, December 6 @ 6pm
    La Casita Cultural Center

    Celebrate Christmas Spanish style! La Casita Cultural Center is holding their annual Fiesta de Navidad this Friday. The night includes a Caribbean feast complete with Spanish Christmas carols, dance performances, and a visit from Santa. The best part? It’s free!

     

    A Magical Christmas at the Mansion

    Saturday, December 7 @ 10am
    Barnes-Hiscock Mansion

    Treat your children to a magical Christmas morning at the Barnes-Hiscock Mansion and explore the rooms decorated for the season. Your kid(s) can have their photo taken with Santa, write a letter to him, create their own ornaments and Christmas cards, and enjoy some classic milk and cookies.

     

    Ted & Amy’s 93Q Christmas Spectacular

    Saturday, December 7 @ 10am - 2pm
    Destiny USA

    Get in the holiday spirit with Ted & Amy at Destiny in the canyon area. There will be live music, games for the family, and a photo booth to capture the memories.

     

    Holidays in the City

    Saturday, December 7
    Downtown Syracuse

    By far one of the best ways to celebrate the holidays in Syracuse is to get out and experience “Holidays in the City”. Several local businesses come together to bring out the holiday spirit in the Syracuse community. Walk along the streets of downtown and enjoy the window displays. Take the free shuttle around to the different participating locations including the Erie Canal Museum, Everson Museum, Art Mart holiday shopping, and ice skating in Clinton Square. Children who believe in the magic of Christmas will love the live reindeer in Hanover Square. (As a little girl who watched Prancer on repeat, this is my favorite part!)

     

    Holidays at Hendricks

    Sunday, December 8 @ 4:30pm and 7:30pm
    Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University

    The university’s holiday concert is not to be missed. Expanded to two performances this year due to its popularity, the event includes performances by SU’s jazz ensemble, the chapel choir, the Syracuse Symphony Singers, and SU’s symphony orchestra. While the concert is free to attend, donations for the chapel’s programs will be accepted. Enjoy a reception at Heroy Geology Laboratory following the second performance.

     

    Horns & Harmonies: A Festive Concert

    Saturday, December 14 @ 7:30pm
    Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University

    In case you didn’t get enough holiday music at the annual concert, you’re in luck! The Syracuse University Brass Ensemble and the Spirit of Syracuse Chorus are hosting another holiday concert featuring some of your favorite classics. The evening will end with a candle-lighting ceremony.

     

    Chanukah Party

    Sunday, December 15 @ 12pm - 3pm
    Jewish Community Center

    Celebrate the Jewish holiday at this free community event. There will be lots of activities for the kids and light refreshments for all who attend. Here’s your chance to learn how to play the dreidel!

     
     
     
     
    View this post on Instagram
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Happy Chanukah!!! Can’t believe it is here already but we’re having a blast at the JCC Chanukah party. What a blessing to be celebrating with the community. . . . . . . . . . #chanukah #hanukkah #chanukahparty #chanukahcelebration #communitycelebration #jcc #festivaloflights #jewishholidays #jewishfestivals

    A post shared by JCC of Syracuse (@jcc_syr) on Dec 2, 2018 at 10:35am PST

     

    Hip Hop Nutcracker

    Monday, December 30 @ 7:30pm
    Mulroy Civic Center

    If you’re looking for a twist on a holiday classic, check out the performance of Hip Hop Nutcracker at the OnCenter. Dancers, musicians, and a DJ do a modern interpretation of this Christmas classic.

     

    Holiday Movie Screenings

    Many places are airing holiday movies during December. The Palace Theatre is airing The Bells of Dublin on December 14th at 7:30pm. It’s a Wonderful Life is showing at the Landmark on December 19th at 7pm, followed by The Grinch Movie on December 22nd at 3pm.

     

    More Holiday Festivals

    Of course there are many more events not listed here. Check your local churches, libraries, and schools for more breakfasts with santa, cookie exchanges, theatrical performances, holiday music, and Christmas shopping. Plus, if you venture a little bit outside of Syracuse, you’ll find several more holiday festivals to enjoy. Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles is a popular choice with its old-fashioned Christmas charm. Sticking with the traditional theme, you could also check out Christmas at Lorenzo with guided tours of the mansion decked out for the holidays, live music, and sleigh rides.

     

    Categories: festivals, Events, Holiday
    Tags: Holiday, Holidays, Kid-friendly
    Author: Danielle Benjamin - Guest Blogger

    Danielle runs her own travel blog at Wanderlust on a Budget and is a lifelong resident of Syracuse. She writes about budget-friendly activities and travel tips to help everyone realize the travel doesn't have to be expensive. On her blog you'll find a mixture of historical sites, obscure attractions, dog-friendly activities, and outdoor adventures - plus lots of breweries and wineries!

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