December Events in the Finger Lakes

As snow falls, trees dress in colorful lights, and candles sparkle in the windows, Ontario County welcomes winter in the Finger Lakes with December Events full of local festivals, holiday markets, mesmerizing shows, and unique experiences that bring the community together to celebrate this cozy and glowing season.

Festival of Lights

A beloved annual tradition, the Festival of Lights (East Main St., Clifton Springs, N.Y.) on Dec. 5, 2025, transforms Clifton Springs’ charming downtown into a Winter Wonderland. With food, shopping, free horse-drawn wagon rides, visits with Santa Claus, live music and entertainment, a Nutcracker Ballet preview, and more, the Festival of Lights promises a joyful way to greet the holidays in the Finger Lakes.

The Lake House Holiday Market & Tree Lighting Ceremony

Welcome the season at The Lake House on Canandaigua (770 S. Main St., Canandaigua, N.Y.) with the Holiday Market and the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2025. Explore the market in the Event Barn with more than 25 local vendors offering gifts, treats, and more holiday fun. Right outside, you can witness some magic with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, featuring a real reindeer, carolers, and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus themselves.

Granger Homestead Festival of Trees 

With jingle bells just around the corner, Granger Homestead (295 N. Main St., Canandaigua, N.Y.) shares the holiday spirit with the annual Festival of Trees from Nov. 14–Dec. 6, 2025. Find colorful cheer at this unique event, featuring trees of all sizes and styles adorned with lights, nutcrackers, and more. With more than 100 items displayed each year, Granger Homestead becomes a serene winter haven that brightens the season.

Geneva Jingle Markets

Discover your favorite Finger Lakes holiday treats at the Geneva Jingle Markets at the Finger Lakes Welcome Center (35 Lakefront Dr., Geneva, N.Y.) on Dec. 6 and 13. These markets offer different vendors each week with complimentary tastings, holiday gifts, locally made artisan crafts, home-baked goods, craft beverages, and more. 

Breakfast with Santa at The Lake House on Canandaigua

Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for breakfast at The Lake House on Canandaigua (770 S. Main St., Canandaigua, N.Y.) on Dec. 7, 14, and 21. Offering two seating times at 9 and 11:30 a.m., the breakfast menu features sugar waffles, eggnog pancakes, eggs cooked to your preference, freshly baked pastries, meats, coffee, holiday-themed pastries and desserts, and more. If your little ones enjoy artistic activities, optional Add Ons include a craft kit, and a bundle of crafts and toys.

Breakfast with Santa at Hotel Canandaigua

Right next door, everything is prepared to welcome you for a Breakfast with Santa at Hotel Canandaigua (205 Lakeshore Dr., Canandaigua, N.Y.) on Dec. 7, 2025. Mingle and take pictures with Santa while enjoying a traditional breakfast prepared by Nolan's Catering. The menu includes cheesy eggs, fruit, sausage, bacon, potato puffs or home fries, and a waffle station with toppings. 

Winter Songs by Mary Fahl & Band

If the cozy and whimsical tunes playing everywhere are part of what makes winter one of your favorite seasons, you can't miss Fort Hill Performing Arts Center's musical lineup (20 Fort Hill Ave., Canandaigua, N.Y.). Mary Fahl & Band presents Winter Songs on Dec. 11, 2025, in a special concert. Awarded the 2020 Independent Music Award for her holiday album "Winter Songs and Carols", Mary Fahl is known for her timeless and eclectic style.

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

This winter, the Smith Center for the Arts (82 Seneca St., Geneva, N.Y.) presents Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol on Dec. 12, 2025, a special theatre addition to the season's lineup. Known as one of the greatest stories in the history of English literature and a beloved Christmas tradition for families around the world, this play promises to enchant the Finger Lakes audience with true Christmas spirit, haunting special effects, and more.

A Celtic Christmas

For a show full of talent, music, and holiday cheer, witness the magic of A Celtic Christmas at the Smith Center for the Arts (82 Seneca St., Geneva, N.Y.) on Dec. 17, 2025. Direct from its off-Broadway season, A Taste of Ireland—The Irish Music & Dance Sensation—presents its holiday spectacular, A Celtic Christmas. Prepare to be enchanted with some of the world’s finest Irish dancers and musicians bringing the spirit of Christmas to life in a show that will make you laugh, cry, and sing into the night.

Winter Solstice Wellness Retreat

Connect with the serenity of the season at the Winter Solstice Wellness Retreat presented by The Lake House on Canandaigua (770 S. Main St., Canandaigua, N.Y.) on Dec. 19 and 20, 2025. Slow down, reconnect, and nourish your body and spirit during this two-day retreat. Beginning with restorative yoga and a sound bath, and followed by meditations, creative sessions, and an Energizing Embodied Movement and Somatic Nervous System Reset, The Lake House on Canandaigua becomes a space to embrace the slower, calmer rhythms of winter, set against lakefront views and opportunities for both personal and community connection.

A Carpenter Christmas with Lisa Rock

To keep warming your soul with Finger Lakes holiday cheer, enjoy A Carpenters Christmas with Lisa Rock on Dec. 19, 2025, at Fort Hill Performing Arts Center (20 Fort Hill Ave., Canandaigua, N.Y.). Singer and playwright Lisa Rock and her six-piece backing band come together for an unforgettable night of Christmas songs. Based on the music of The Carpenters’ two holiday albums and Christmas variety shows, this concert—featuring favorites like “Merry Christmas Darling” and the jazzy “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town”—is a holiday celebration that spreads joy to all.

Winter Markets at the Canandaigua Farmers Market 

An unmissable stop in your winter weekends, the Winter Markets at the Canandaigua Farmers Market (7 Mill St., Canandaigua, N.Y.) is open every other Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m., November through May. Stock up your pantry with local products like meats, cheese, coffee, bread, maple, and more.

Show us your favorite holiday craft, show, and memories this season by tagging us @VisitFLX and using #VisitFLX. Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter  to stay in the know with all things FLX!