Discover the joy of the season in Syracuse with our ultimate guide. From Syracuse experts to novices, our guide showcases the best of the city's yuletide offerings.
Popular events include the beautiful Lights on the Lake, where dazzling holiday displays illuminate Onondaga Lake Park, creating a magical atmosphere. Celebrating community spirit, the Roc Holiday Village Winter Festival features local artisans, food, and entertainment that highlight the festive season. And the enchanting Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles transports visitors back in time with charming Victorian-themed activities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Syracuse
- Roc Holiday Village Winter Festival (Rochester)
- Lights on the Lake (Liverpool)
- Syracuse City Ballet: The Nutcracker
- Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles (Skaneateles)
- Symphoria Holiday Shows
- Syracuse Stage: A Christmas Carol
- Festival of Trees and Lights
- Celebrating the Holidays at the Lorenzo State Historic Site (Cazenovia)
- Gingerbread Gallery
- Christmas on the Farm
See these and even more events listed below!
Syracuse Holiday Light Displays
Lights on the Lake
What to Expect:
Towering holiday displays and animated scenes.
Description:
Lights on the Lake is a two-mile drive-thru holiday display featuring towering holiday displays, larger-than-life Land of Oz, a twinkling fantasy forest, colorful section arches, memorable animated scenes, and a fairy tale magic grand finale. Visitors drive through the show while listening to the wonderful sounds of the season on Sunny 102.1.
Where: Liverpool | More Info: Lights on the Lake
Syracuse Holiday Markets and Shopping
Roc Holiday Village Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities and shopping village.
Description:
Roc Holiday Village is a family-friendly winter festival in downtown Rochester, featuring visits with Santa, ice skating, a unique shopping village, food trucks, Santa's Workshop, outdoor seating and fire pits, live music, private winter igloos, free crafts for kids, and more.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Roc Holiday Village Winter Festival
Syracuse Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Festival of Trees and Lights
What to Expect:
Unique seasonal and winter-inspired decor items representing various cultural celebrations.
Description:
The Festival of Trees and Lights at the Everson Museum of Art features beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, and seasonal items, along with artisanal gift items, live performances, and family-friendly cultural activities.
Where: Syracuse | More Info: Festival of Trees and Lights
Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles
What to Expect:
Interactive Victorian-era holiday celebration with live performances and activities.
Description:
Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles features Charles Dickens and his entourage engaging with locals in festive activities like live performances, caroling, and horse-drawn wagon rides. Visitors can enjoy traditional Christmas treats and shop at unique boutiques.
Where: Skaneateles | More Info: Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles
Syracuse Stage: A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
A Christmas Carol with circus and phantom staging.
Description:
A Christmas Carol at Syracuse Stage is an adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale, featuring a memorable cast, the lush Candlelight Carol, and the awe-inspiring 2 Ring Circus. This uplifting story of Ebenezer Scrooge's journey to redemption highlights the power of kindness and love.
Where: Syracuse | More Info: Syracuse Stage: A Christmas Carol
Syracuse City Ballet: The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Syracuse City Ballet's production of The Nutcracker features Tchaikovsky's beloved score, stunning choreography, and dazzling costumes, bringing a timeless tale to life with a battle between the Nutcracker and the Mouse Queen, culminating in the shimmering Land of Sweets.
Where: Syracuse | More Info: Syracuse City Ballet: The Nutcracker
Symphoria Holiday Shows
What to Expect:
Dynamic vocal performance by Katie Weber and the Syracuse Pops Chorus.
Description:
The Symphoria Holiday Shows feature a dynamic performance by local vocalist Katie Weber and the Syracuse Pops Chorus, conducted by Lou Lemos. The program includes a variety of holiday classics and new arrangements, showcasing the orchestra's commitment to festive music.
Where: Syracuse | More Info: Symphoria Holiday Shows
Thinning of the Veil
What to Expect:
Immersive art performance with guided walking tour and paper masquerade masks.
Description:
Thinning of the Veil is an immersive theatrical production combining dance and 3D installation works, guiding audience members through a unique visual art experience. Each participant wears a paper masquerade mask to engage with the performance, creating an eerie yet beautiful and surreal experience.
Where: Syracuse | More Info: Thinning of the Veil
The Syracuse Orchestra: Video Games
What to Expect:
Live music celebration of classic video game themes.
Description:
The Syracuse Orchestra presents a unique concert featuring music from classic video games like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Final Fantasy. The event showcases the string quartet performing iconic themes in an intimate setting at Destiny USA's Underground Lounge.
Where: Syracuse | More Info: The Syracuse Orchestra: Video Games
Syracuse Other Holiday Activities
Gingerbread Gallery
What to Expect:
Erie Canal-themed gingerbread creations judged in multiple categories.
Description:
The Erie Canal Museum transforms into a 1800s canal town street scene with gingerbread creations displayed in storefront windows. Local bakers of all ages participate, and the event features cash prizes, a Peoples Choice Award, and a variety of themed submissions.
Where: Syracuse | More Info: Gingerbread Gallery
Celebrating the Holidays at the Lorenzo State Historic Site
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with rooms decorated in previous years' themes.
Description:
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Christmas at Lorenzo with a traditional tour of the decorated mansion, live music, and horse-drawn sleigh/wagon rides.
Where: Cazenovia | More Info: Celebrating the Holidays at the Lorenzo State Historic Site
Christmas on the Farm
What to Expect:
Personalized tree selection with a wide range of high-quality tree types.
Description:
Visit Syracuse Christmas Tree Farm to select from a wide variety of high-quality Christmas trees, including Balsam, Concolor, Douglas, Fraser fir, Blue, and White spruce. Choose to cut your own tree or select from our array of pre-cut trees displayed in our indoor barn showroom.
Where: Syracuse | More Info: Christmas on the Farm
Syracuse Popcon
What to Expect:
Largest adult and kids cosplay contest with a $1000 top prize.
Description:
Syracuse PopCon is a pop culture convention featuring over 100 vendors, celebrity autographs and photo ops, and a large cosplay contest with a $1000 top prize. The event includes exclusive screenings, tabletop gaming stations, and a free concert by American Grim.
Where: Syracuse | More Info: Syracuse Popcon
Big East Powersports Show
What to Expect:
Diverse exhibits and activities for powersports enthusiasts.
Description:
The Big East Powersports Show is a premier event showcasing the latest models and technology in snowmobiles, motorcycles, ATVs, and UTVs. It features immersive exhibits, seminars, and displays, including the Big East Classic, Sunday Swap Meet, live music, and a BMX stunt show. Visitors can explore gear from top brands and connect with industry experts.
Where: Syracuse | More Info: Big East Powersports Show
Michael Calobrisi - Immersive Video Art Projection
What to Expect:
Immersive digital art projection.
Description:
Michael Calobrisi's immersive video art projection is an innovative visual experience that transforms space with dynamic digital art.