8 unforgettable holiday activities in Rochester for the whole family

Take a horse-drawn wagon ride at dusk, visit a Christmas tree built from kegs or ice skate with loved ones downtown.

If you missed your chance to ride with Santa on a train or attend a pancake breakfast with Old Saint Nick, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the holidays with family in and around the Rochester region.

Here are some holiday events and activities that don't require reservations or advance tickets:

Roc Holiday Village

In December, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park in Rochester is transformed into a winter wonderland. The fifth annual holiday festival features attractions such as free ice-skating, holiday shops, free crafts for kids, fire pits with outdoor seating and visits with Santa.

There's no admission fee to visit Roc Holiday Village, but some events (like private drinks in a cozy igloo and storytime with Santa) require reservations. The village opens for the season on Friday, Dec. 1 and is open Wednesdays through Sundays through Dec. 23.

Holidays at the Market

Take a horse-drawn wagon ride or visit with Santa at the Rochester Public Market on Union Street for Holidays at the Market. Here you can buy a Christmas tree, wreath or garland, produce, specialty food and gifts. Craft and holiday vendors are also on hand. The free event runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays Dec. 3 and Dec. 10  and from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14. And yes, the wagon rides are free and begin at 9 a.m. at the Sunday market days.

It's a Wonderful Life festival

Stroll through Seneca Falls as it transforms into the fictional town of Bedford Falls from the classic film "It's a Wonderful Life." The three-day event runs from Friday, Dec. 8 through Sunday, Dec. 10, and features street characters from the movie, a parade, a free screening of the movie, horse-drawn wagon rides, a 5K race, movie memorabilia and more.

Several special guests from the film will appear at the festival: actor Karolyn Grimes (George Bailey's daughter Zuzu from the movie), Jimmy Hawkins (Tommy Bailey), Donald and Ronald Collins (young Pete Bailey) Donna Reed’s daughter Mary Owen, Frank Capra’s granddaughter Monica Capra Hodges and John Kuri, son of the movie's set director Emile Kuri.

Tip: Bring your holiday cards to the post office in Seneca Falls during the festival for a movie-themed postmark.

Holiday light displays

Hop into the car and hit the road to embark on your own tour of twinkling holiday lights. Many families love to explore neighborhoods in search of the most elaborate holiday displays in the region. You'll find it all, whether you favor displays coordinating Christmas music with lights; homes and yards decorated with nativity scenes, wreaths, trees and other holiday-themed items; the Grinch or elaborate scenes featuring Santa, Rudolph and the North Pole.

The Genesee Brewery's famous keg tree also returns in December and will be lit nightly from the start of December throughout the holiday season. It's annual keg tree lighting event will be held Friday, Dec. 1. at the Genesee Brew House. The event typically draws thousands.

This year, the keg tree will be made from 642 empty kegs decked out with 25,000 twinkling lights and stand more than 30 feet tall.

MORE: Genesee Brewery unveils details on 2023 keg tree lighting

Christmas tree farms

Cutting and decorating a Christmas tree signifies the start of the holiday season for many families. Whether you buy a pre-cut tree or head to one of the many local tree farms to chop down the perfect spruce or fir, the outing will get you in the holiday spirit. If chilly, it may require a good thaw prompted by hot cocoa. Some popular local tree farms include Stokoe Farms in Wheatland, Wilbert's Christmas Tree Farm in Penfield and Pete's Tree Land in Chili.

Community celebrations

• The Park Avenue Merchant's Association will host its annual Holiday Open House from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30 and will include a Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting at the Park Avenue Green. Meet Santa and explore businesses in the Park Avenue business district that will also offer specials that evening.

• Chili's community tree lighting, Parade of Lights and other family friendly activities will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1 at the Chili Community Center, 3237 Chili Ave., Chili. The tree lighting is set for 6:15 p.m. Other offerings include horse-drawn wagon rides with Rudolph and Santa and children's activities.

• Webster's White Christmas and Parade of Lights will be held in the village on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 3 to 6 p.m. on Webster's Main Street and Gazebo Park. The Christmas Firemen's Parade is set to follow, starting at 6:30 p.m. The celebration includes horse-drawn wagon rides, cookie decorating, caroling and craft activities for children.

• Rochester's Liberty Pole Lighting celebration will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2 at the corner of East Main and Franklin streets downtown. It will be followed by a brief parade - with Santa - to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park and Roc Holiday Village.

• Irondequoit's annual Tree and Menorah Lighting will take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3 at the gazebo at the Town Hall campus, 1280 Titus Ave. Between 4 and 6 p.m., the town will host family-friendly activities, there will be live performances and Santa will stop by.

• Candlelight Night in Pittsford will run from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Festivities include horse-drawn carriage rides, caroling, three tree lighting ceremonies (at 5:30, 6 and 6:45 p.m.) and visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus and The Grinch. Family-friendly activities will be offered at Northfield Common, including an obstacle course, face painting and a live reindeer.

• The Town of Greece will host a tree lighting ceremony at the Town Hall campus on Vince Tofany Boulevard at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7. Further details on the event and offered activities were not available.

• The Sea Breeze Christmas parade and fireworks will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16 near the Sea Breeze Fire Department, 4657 Culver Road, Irondequoit. Fireworks will follow the parade.

Gingerbread houses

Do you bake fresh gingerbread from scratch, make a house with a kit or construct a house with graham crackers and frosting? No matter the method, this time-honored tradition makes for loads of sugary family fun. Your creation may not be Pintrest-worthy, but it will certainly make for some special holiday memories. Once your own gingerbread house is complete, head to the Eastman Museum in Rochester to see confectionery palaces on display through Jan. 1.

Holiday themed races

Run as a reindeer, Santa on in the footsteps of George Bailey. There are loads of holiday-themed races you can take part in this season. Among them:

• Rochester Ugly Sweater 5K: Run with Team Santa or Team Grinch in the annual Ugly sweater 5K in Mendon at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2 in Mendon. The out-and-back course is on the Lehigh Valley Trail near Rush Mendon Road. Entry costs $38 to $42 per person. Prizes will also be given for the funniest, most creative and best ugly sweaters.

• It's a Wonderful Run: This movie-themed 5K race is held at dusk in Seneca Falls on Saturday, Dec. 9. It begins at the famous Bridge Street Bridge, loops through the village and ends at nearby People's Park. Entry is $30 to $40 per person. Entry for children 12 and younger is $20. The virtual 5K costs $35 per person.

• Reindeer Run: This 5K race will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, in downtown Rochester. The event, which starts and ends at the Blue Cross Arena, includes a half-mile kids' race. If you prefer, you can run the virtual 5K and submit your results. Entry for the 5K is $35-$40 per person, virtual 5K is $30 per person. Kids' race entry is $15-$18 per child.

• Santa Stampede - Not a race but it is certainly a sight to see hundreds dressed as Santa take over Rochester's streets and sidewalks for a 3-mile fun run and walk at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17. The event costs $20 to $25 per person (and includes a Santa suit).

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: 8 unforgettable holiday activities in Rochester for the whole family