Whether local or visiting for the holidays, you won't want to miss out on any of our favorite holiday activities this season! From beautiful holiday lighting displays to top local shopping spots, you'll be having the most wonderful time of the year.

Delight in glittering light displays

Add a little sparkle to your life this December. Drive down a two- mile stretch of Onondaga Lake Park to view one of the area’s top winter attractions at Lights on the Lake, featuring several themed and animated displays. If you’re looking for a walking option head to downtown Syracuse and check out the festive lights throughout the area. The holiday Christmas Tree and Menorah reflect bright off the ice rink at Clinton Square, the Downtown Star offers a “selfie spot” in Hanover Square and local businesses proudly show off their holiday spirit with their Winter Wonderland displays.

Find the perfect Christmas tree

No pine scented candles here, bring your loved ones out to the farm to pick out the best homegrown Christmas trees of the season. Kids will love picking out and cutting down a tree all their own at area farms such as Springside Farm and the Syracuse Christmas Tree Farm. Find a full list of choose and cut tree farms here. Looking to save some time and arm strength? Pick up a pre-cut tree at Rockinghorse Farm, Chuck Hafners or Marble Farms.

Check off your gift list

Shop local this year for one-of-a-kind gifts from the region. Check out Wildflowers Armory, a multi-vendor Downtown marketplace that offers regionally made artwork and homegrown products. Head west to explore the "Syracuse Local" section at Witty Wicks or explore the shelves of the newly opened BeeKind located on Tipperary Hill. There are plenty of local businesses with great holiday finds including boutiques.

For a traditional shopping experience head to Destiny USA, the region’s largest retail shopping and entertainment center. Spend the day shopping your favorite major retail brands then kick back with a drink and bite to eat at one of their many restaurant options. 

A Distant Dickens Christmas

Named as one of Travel Channels 10 Best Small Towns to Visit This Christmas, Skaneateles, offers several holiday gift shops, retail clothing, baked goods and more all set amongst the backdrop of a Dickens Christmas. This year the event goes distant with experiences available through the Dickens Christmas Facebook. Dickens character cutouts can be found inside stores and in their window displays, win a special ornament by snapping a photo with one.

From Nov. 27 through Dec. 20, you can pickup a Dickens Passport and earn stickers from participating stores and restaurants. The stickers can be traded in for raffle tickets at the Skaneateles Chamber for prizes from local businesses.