The Holidays

A comprehensive page for the holidays celebrated in December, since many people celebrate more than one.

Information about the 2013 Holiday Season in the City of Rochester may be found here and here. In addition, local newspapers such as The City and the Democrat and Chronicle offer yearly holiday event guides.

Christmas

Christmas is held December 25th of each year; believers in Christianity celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, whom they believe to be their Lord and Savior. When it comes to Christmas traditions, some go back over 4000 years, to the earily Mesopotamians. In fact, for the church's first three centuries, Christmas wasn't in December at all. Despite these deep roots, there are innumerable local variations of traditions, and local celebrations.

Also, that lit candle in your window? It's all because of John Harry Stedman.

Annual Rochester Christmas Events

City Hall Atrium Tree Lighting Ceremony - First Friday of December
The George Eastman House hosts an annual Gingerbread House Display
It's a Wonderful Life in the South Wedge - Music, craft bazaar, food trucks, and more.
The lighting of the Liberty Pole - First Saturday of December
Metro Justice Alternative Fair - Fair Trade and local handicrafts gift bazaar held first week of December.
Park Avenue Holiday Open House - Includes serving roasted chestnuts at every corner, horse carriage rides, Santa, music and more, from Alexander Street to Culver Road.
The Rochester Museum and Science Center holds several Christmas events. See their website for more information.

Where To Get Real Christmas Trees

Bauman's Farm Market in Webster
Bristol's Garden Center in Victor
Rochester Public Market
Stokoe Farms in Scottsville
Ted Hosmer Nursery in Henrietta
Third Presbyterian Church - Sold in the parking lot by a local Boy Scout troop
Wilbert's Christmas Trees in Webster

Other Christmas

Hanukkah

The Rochester area has one of the largest Jewish communities in the country, mostly concentrated in Brighton and the Southeast Quadrant of the city. See ]http://www.chabadrochester.com/ ChabadRochester.com] for more information about events for Hanukkah and other Jewish holidays.

Menorah Lighting Ceremonies at Washington Square Park and Twelve Corners
Park Avenue Holiday Open House - Opening ceremony includes the lighting of the giant Menorah in the Park Avenue Green.

Kwanzaa

The City of Rochester is almost 40% African-American and subsequently hosts several Kwanzaa events. The Rochester Kwanzaa Coalition that organizes celebrations at different locations for each of the holiday's seven days. The Coalition meets at 325 Roslyn Street 14619 and can be reached at (585) 436-6453. More information may be found here and at the website of the Baobab Cultural Center. Activities include:

Annual Kwanzaa Holiday Shopping Bazaar at the Village Gate, held in November.
The Kwanzaa Appreciation Program at First Community Interfaith Institute (219 Hamilton Street)
Kwanzaa: Celebration of Family, Community and Culture event at the Rochester Museum and Science Center
Kwanzaa Family Day at the Memorial Art Gallery

The City of Buffalo has one of the largest Kwanzaa events in the country, which Kwanzaa founder Maulana Karenga attends an almost yearly basis.

New Years

New Year's Eve ice skate at MLK Park from 6 to 11:00PM. Adults only after 9.
The Rochester Riverside Convention Center hosts free New Year's Eve festivities for all ages beginning at 7:00PM, including a dance party, old-time photo booth, giant bounce house, climbing wall, obstacle course, a magician, clowns, and more.
Fireworks may then be viewed from the nearby Main Street Bridge from 9:50 to 10:15PM.