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    Insider Blog

    Please Note: We advise calling any location you are planning to visit ahead of time to check their current restrictions, guidelines and protocols.

    12 Holiday Festivals in Syracuse

    Monday, November 29, 2021 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 27 - December 19 
    Abbott Farms

    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. A $10 admission includes a wagon ride around the farm to see the holiday light displays, hot coco and kids craft activities. Santa will be on site Saturdays from 6-9pm and Sundays from 1-3pm. 

     

    Festival of Trees and Lights

    Daily December 4 - 19 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 and Lights. Live performances will be held on various days during the festival, as well as Winter Wonderland Saturdays with a variety of activities for the whole family! New in 2021 is the Holiday Marketplace, featuring artist-made wares and locally sourced products to help you find that perfect present in time for the holidays. 

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

     

    Gingerbread Gallery

    Daily November 19 - January 9 @ 10am - 4pm
    The Erie Canal Museum

    This year celebrates the 36th 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 $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $4 for children. Be sure to explore the rest of the Museum before or after your stop to see the Gallery. 

     

    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 $6 per car on Monday and Tuesday, $10 on Wednesday and Thursday and $20 Friday through Sunday. 

    Santa's Workshop display at Lights on the Lake Syracuse

     

    Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles

    Saturday & Sunday, November 26 - December 23, 12pm - 4pm & December 24, 12pm - 2:30pm
    Village of Skaneateles

    A charming and popular tradition, Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles features Charles Dickens and his cast of over 40 characters, interacting with residents and visitors in the streets, shops and restaurants. Don't miss performances at the Gazebo, visits with Old Saint Nick, live music, shopping and horse and wagon rides around the Village. 

     

    Celebrating the Holidays at the Lorenzo Historic Site

    Dark Aisle Celebrating the Holidays, Friday, December 10 & Saturday, December 11, 7pm - 9pm
    Dark Aisle Lighted Holiday Walk, Daily December 12 - January 2, 9am - 9pm
    Lorenzo State Historic Park & Mansion

    Enjoy an outdoor holiday celebration illuminating the Dark Aisle tree line surrounding the Mansion gardens. The first weekend enjoy a lighted walk, wagon/sleigh rides, music and more for $5 per person. The remaining weekends self-guided walk through the holiday display with your family, friends and even pets!

     

     

    Polar Express Pajama Parties

    Friday & Saturday, December 10 - 11 & December 17 - 18, 5:30pm
    Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology

    Not quite a festival, these multi-weekend Parties are always a holiday hit, with plenty of family-friendly activities. Put on your favorite PJ's and enjoy the hot cocoa bar, create your own jingle bell bracelet or salt crystal snowflakes while you write your North Pole letter or listen to a storybook reading of the Polar Express. While there will not be a formal showing of the Polar Express movie, it will be shown on live screens throughout the party. 

     

    Holiday Nights

    Friday & Saturday, December 3 - 18, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
    Rosamond Gifford Zoo

    New this year, celebrate the season with Holiday Nights, after-hours at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. View the Zoo transformed into a winter wonderland, with holiday carolers, Santa, glowing fire pits, festive lighting, ice sculpture carving, animals and more! Hot cocoa and s'mores will be available for purchase. 

     

    Additional Holiday Events in December

     

    Light Up the Community

    Thursday, December 2 @ 5pm 
    Jewish Community Center

    Celebrate the Jewish holiday at this free community event. Pick-up a free DIY lantern kit at the JCC before December 2 and bring your finished lantern with you to the event. Cantor Eglash and Cantor Jaffe will be leading songs and each child will receive a free Chanukah goodie bag!

     

    Holidays at Hendricks

    Sunday, December 5 @ 4:30pm and 7:30pm
    Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University

    The university’s holiday concert is not to be missed. Expanded to two performances due to its popularity, the event is an ongoing tradition anchored by the Hendricks Chapel Choir under the direction of Jose "Peppie" Calvar. While the concert is free to attend, registration is required.

     

    Ted & Amy’s 93Q Christmas Spectacular

    Saturday, December 11 @ 10am - 2pm
    Destiny USA

    Get in the holiday spirit with Ted & Amy at Destiny in the canyon area. There will be live music, fun for the whole family and all free admission.

     

    Art Mart

    Monday - Saturday, November 5 - December 24, 11am - 7pm
    221 Walton St.

    Shop local for all your holiday gift-giving this year at Art Mart Syracuse. Featuring dozens of unique and original gifts and hand-made items from local and regional artists and crafters, including paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry and more!

    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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