There may be a chill in the air, but holiday and winter happenings across New York State are just heating up. Looking for something to do in your area this winter? We’ve put together a list of activities to get you in the spirit of the season!

Christkindlmarkt – Hofbrauhaus Buffalo

• Location: 190 Scott St, Buffalo, NY 14204
• Date: Every Friday-Sunday through Sunday, December 19th
• Cost: Entry to the market is free of charge.
• Details: An outdoor market that will include a variety of local vendors selling high quality, unique handcrafted gifts and food, including Gluhwein (mulled wine), hot chocolate, food and bier in a traditional German Christmas setting, and different activities each weekend! A portion of all proceeds from Christkindlmarkt will be donated to FeedMore WNY.

Website: https://www.hofbrauhausbuffalo.com/the-christkindlmarkt/

Fairgrounds Festival of Lights Drive Thru

• Location: 5600 McKinley Pkwy, Hamburg 14075 (Fairgrounds, Erie County/Hamburg
• Date: Wednesday, December 1st – Friday, December 31st (closed December 24th and December 25th)
• Cost: Prices starting at $20
• Details: The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights Drive Thru will brighten up the holiday season for families across Western New York! This event is drive through only and will include a variety of new displays consisting of over 70 variations of LED light displays, arches and light tunnels.  
• Website: http://www.the-fairgrounds.com/festival-lights/

Festival of Trees and Light

• Location: 401 Harrison Street, Syracuse, NY 13202
• Date: Thursdays-Sundays, December 4–19
• Cost: Children (12 and under): Free except for Saturday Winter Wonderland activities ($5), Non-Members: $10 for adults, household max of $25, Member or Student (13-22): $5
• Details: This year’s festival includes incredible live performances, art-making and storytelling activities for children, stunning displays of seasonal items and trees for purchase, and a holiday marketplace featuring artist-made wares and locally sourced products to meet all your gift-giving needs! Refreshments are available throughout the festival. 
• Website: https://everson.org/connect/fotl2021/

Holiday Festival of Lights

• Location: Shepard Park – Canada St, Lake George, NY 12845
• Date: Open through December 31
• Cost: The vendor market and the events at Shepard Park are free to attend, other events are ticketed.
• Details: Canada Street will feature decorated storefronts and a light display in Shepard Park. The festival also includes standout events for all ages, a holiday artisan market with free photos with Santa, and more than 50 vendors.
• Website: https://www.visitlakegeorge.com/events/holiday-festival-lights

Holidays at the Market

• Location: 280 North Union Street, Rochester, NY 14609
• Date: Sundays December 12, 2021 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. & Thursday December 16th, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. 
• Cost: Free
• Details: Holidays at the Market features dozens of holiday-focused vendors (fresh-cut trees and wreaths, decorations, specialty foods and beverage products, handcrafted items, and much more!). 
• Website: https://www.cityofrochester.gov/holidaysatmarket/

The Ice at Canalside

• Location: Canals at Canalside, Buffalo, NY
• Date: Check website for hours
• Cost: Activity dependent, check website for details
• Details: From ice skating to ice bikes, from curling to igloos, Canalside has something for everyone during the winter season!
• Website: https://buffalowaterfront.com/events/wintertime-events-2021-2022

Jingle Falls USA

• Location:

• Location: Downtown Niagara Falls – check out website for events and their specific locations
• Date: Saturday, December 11 & December 18
• Cost: Free parking, check website for specific event pricing
• Details: Celebrate the holiday season in Niagara Falls, NY. This two-weekend event is jam-packed with fun activities, indoor and out, that is sure to get you and your family in the holiday spirit! 
• Website: http://www.jinglefallsusa.com/

Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll

• Location: Lake Placid Village, Lake Placid, NY 12946
• Date: Friday, Dec 10, 2021 until Sunday, Dec 12, 2021
• Cost: Most events free; charges may apply for some
• Details: The Lake Placid Holiday Stroll includes a full schedule of events with a Skating Party, an Ugly Sweater Party, the Adirondack Health Jingle Bell Run/Walk, Grinch at the Little Blue House, Santa at Mid’s Park, a Tree Lighting, and more!
• Website: https://www.holidayvillagestroll.com/what-we-do

Lights on the Lake

• Location: Onondaga Lake Park, 106 Lake Dr, Liverpool, NY 13088
• Date: Nightly through January 5, 2022
• Cost: Admission is $6 per car on Monday and Tuesday, $10 on Wednesday and Thursday and $20 Friday through Sunday. 
• Details: Lights on the Lake is a two mile long drive-thru show 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!
• Website: https://www.lightsonthelake.com/

The Rink at the Lake

• Location: 700 S. Main St., Canandaigua, NY 14424
• Date: Now through end of February, 2022
• Cost: $5 under 12 years of age, $10 for 12 years and up
• Details: Located just outside of Sand Bar at the Lake House on Canandaigua, you’ll truly feel like you are skating on the lake! Open through February for family-friendly fun. 
• Website: https://www.lakehousecanandaigua.com/event/the-rink-at-the-lake-2022-01-23/

Roc Holiday Village 2021

• Location: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park – 353 Court St., Rochester, NY 14607
• Date: Varying dates from December 3 – December 19
• Cost: Free general admission, some special events may require ticket purchase. 
• Details: The downtown Rochester fest features free ice skating & rentals, outdoor seats & fire pits, unique shopping village, visits with Santa, live music, indoor bar with tasty food & drinks, free crafts for kids & more!
• Website: https://rocholidayvillage.com/

Do you know of any great events happening in your area this season? Please comment below to share!