Lights on the Lake
This is one of the best drive-through light displays in the State. 2 miles and thousands upon thousands of dazzling lights in fun and whimsical light displays that depict everyone’s favorite parts of the holiday season. Arrive between 3:30 – 4:30 pm every night to walk through the displays.
Open: November 18 – January 13, 2025 – 5 pm – 10 pm
Address: 6790 Onondaga Lake Pkwy, Liverpool
Gingerbread Village at Turning Stone Casino
This massive Gingerbread Village is made up of:
- 6,500 gingerbread pieces
- 2,500 Hershey’s Kisses
- 1,500 pounds of frosting
- 132 pounds of fondant
- 480 white chocolate KitKat bars
- 50 boxes of shredded wheat cereal
- 25 pounds of chocolate rock nuggets
Dates: Open Daily Just before Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day
Address: Turning Stone Casino – 5218 Patrick Rd, Verona, NY
Gingerbread Gallery – Erie Canal Museum
Gingerbread houses are one of the most delightful parts of the holiday season. For 39 years, people have been visiting the Erie Canal Museum to see some of the most unique and ornate gingerbread houses around. It is a favorite holiday tradition for many New York families.
Open: November 22 – January 12, 2025
Address: 318 Erie Boulevard East, Syracuse
Festival of Trees and Light at The Everson Museum of Art
Nothing is more Christmas-y than Christmas trees, and the Festival of Trees delivers that and more. The festival isn’t just trees; guests can expect to see live performances, crafts making, and a holiday marketplace.
Open: December 5th-15th
Address: 401 Harrison Street, Syracuse
Breakfast with Santa at Beaver Lake Nature Center
Join us for a hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausage, and local maple syrup and then enjoy a visit with Santa.
Dates: December7th & 14th 9am-12pm
Address: 8477 E Mud Lake Rd, Baldwinsville, NY,
Holiday Nights at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Visit the Zoo and see it transformed into a winter wonderland. Sing along with holiday carolers, visit Santa, gather around and warm up by glowing fire pits with family and friends, enjoy festive lighting, ice sculpture carving, animals, and much more!
Open: Fridays & Saturdays in December beginning December 6th – 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Address: 1 Conservation Pl, Syracuse
The Wild Winter Wonderland of Lights
Enjoy a walk-through holiday light show at the Wild Animal Park. Kids will love meeting Santa and the petting zoo and bounce houses, which will all be open and available during the event.
Open: November 15nd – January 1st, 2025 ~ 5 pm – 9 pm
Address: 7621 Lakeport Rd., Chittenango
Glimmer Nights at the Farmers’ Museum
Glimmer Nights, a six-week holiday light show extravaganza, will take place on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from November 29 – December 29. At Glimmer Nights, visitors of all ages will experience the museum as never before on a self-guided walking tour through a wonderland of elaborate, multi-colored light displays. The path winds through the museum’s Country Village and other areas, each creatively illuminated with a unique theme.
Open: November 29th – December 29th 5pm-8pm
Address: 5775 State Highway 80 (Lake Road), Cooperstown
Drive Thru Holiday of Lights – Santa’s Village
Enjoy the 6th Annual Otsego County Fair Drive Thru Holiday of Lights. This holiday light show is full of fun and whimsical light displays the entire family will enjoy.
Open: December 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, & 21st 6 pm – 8 pm
Address: Otsego County Fair Grounds
Winter Zoobilee at the Utica Zoo
- Activities include:
- 7 Game & Activity Stations With Prizes at Each
- Winter-Themed Craft Stations
- Campfires with Roasted Marshmallows
- Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus
- Write and mail your letter to Santa Claus and receive a letter back!
- Also Featured:
- A special performance from the Happy Haggs Dance Troupe of Central New York starting at 12 pm
- Magic Shows from Jim Okey Magic Comedy throughout the day 5 Game Stations With Prizes at Each
- Winter-Themed Craft Stations
- Campfires with Roasted Marshmallows
- Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus
Date: Saturday, December 14 from 10 am – 3 pm
Address: 1 Utica Zoo Way, Utica
The Polar Express Train Ride
Live the magic of the classic Polar Express Train Ride story with the Adirondack Railroad. Depart from Utica’s Union Station and travel north while being served hot chocolate and cookies. When you arrive at the North Pole, Santa will board the train to visit with each family, and give each child their first gift of Christmas in the form of a Silver Bell, just like in the book or movie!
Open: November 15th – December 22nd, 2024
Address: 321 Main Street, Utica
Elves Day Out
9 am – 12 pm – VanAlstyne Annual Breakfast @ The VanAlstyne Homestead 42 Moyer St.
9 am – 12 pm – Children’s Crafts at NBT Bank.
10 am – CYC Ugly Sweater 5k
11 am – 3 pm Eisenadler Brauhaus will be set up in the Wagners Square Parking Lot.
10 am – 4 pm Tree decoration contest (public voting will be 4pm – 8pm), Trees will be placed in front of fence at the old Beech Nut site on Church St.
10 am – 4 pm Coloring all day @ The Arkell Museum/Library 2 Erie Blvd
11 am – Ice Sculpture will be set up
11 am – Storytime with Mrs. Klaus @ the Arkell Museum/Library
11 am until sold out – Hot dogs and meat sauce, chili, cookies, snacks, basket raffle, music, fair trade table @ St. Johns St. Marks Lutheran Church
11 am – 8 pm – Go to the Iroquois Lanes Bowling Alley and put a suggestion in the drop box for an Italian ice flavor. Anyone that stops in and does this will receive a card for a half off Italian Ice/Soft Serve combination once the new ice cream shop opens
12 pm – 4 pm Stop by the Canajoharie Tire Shop for some cookies and cocoa and while you’re there, guess how many valve caps are in a jar to win a free oil change
12 pm – 4 pm – Ornament making at Courtney Enwright- State Farm (32 Church Street)
12 pm – 4 pm – Activities and basket raffles at the Canajoharie CYC 9 Erie Blvd
12 pm – 4 pm – Vendors at the CYC, the Firehouse, Jim’s Irish Harbor, 49 Church Street, and St. Johns & St. Mark’s Lutheran Church (143 Church St.)
12 pm – 4 pm Santa will be in Wagners Square Parking Lot, on the corner of Mohawk St. and Church St.
12 pm – 4 pm Cookies, cocoa and souvenir cups for sale @ the Berean Bean all donations go to a charity
12 pm – 4 pm Chili sale at the Berean Bean – Noon to 4:00 pm
12 pm – 4 pm Face painting, children activities, holiday shopping, chair massage @ Canajoharie United Methodist Church (50 East Main St.)
12 pm – 5 pm Chicken and Biscuits Dinner @ the Canajoharie Fire House hosted by Canajoharie Little League
2 pm – Music @ Arkell – Cosby Gibson “World Holiday Songs”
3 pm – 5 pm Bug Country will be at the corner of Little Mohawk St.
4:30 pm – Lighting of the Christmas Tree with The Elementary Choir singing around the tree @ the corner of Little Mohawk St. and Church St.
5 pm – Parade Line up at the Canajoharie Elementary School 25 School District Road
5:30 pm – Parade will start
After the parade – 8 pm – Weather dependent. The Canajoharie Fire Department will be hosting a bonfire at Riverfront Park
After the parade – 8 pm – S’mores Bar at Riverfront Park. S’more kits will be sold for $1.00 each all sales go to a charity.
Date: Saturday, December 7th 9 am – 8 pm
Address: 39 Mohawk St, Canajoharie, NY