Experience the magic of the season this December in New York State with holly jolly events happening each day of the month to get you into the holiday spirit. Travel back to the Gilded Age in the Hudson Valley, celebrate a classic holiday movie in Seneca Falls, be amazed by a dazzling light show on Long Island, and more!

Make this the most wonderful time of your year and check out the full I LOVE NY event calendar to discover even more things to do.

December 1, Monday

Step into A Gilded Age Christmas at Staatsburgh (Hudson Valley)

Staatsburgh State Historic Site, the former home of financier and philanthropist Ogden Mills and his wife Ruth Livingston, and one of the great estates of the Hudson Valley, invites you to experience a Gilded Age Christmas. You’ll marvel at the 65-room Beaux-Arts country home’s beautiful interiors with their original furniture, art, and décor lavishly decorated for the holiday season. Kids can even take part in a scavenger hunt and look for decorated mouse houses on the tour of the grand home! Reservations for timed entry strongly suggested.

December 2, Tuesday

Bask in the Magic of Lights at Jones Beach (Long Island)

Wind through the sparkling path of one of Long Island’s favorite holiday traditions, the Magic of Lights at Jones Beach State Park! This dazzling drive-through lights experience brings your favorite holiday scenes and characters to life. Stop by the Jolly Holiday Village for concessions and photos with Santa.

December 3, Wednesday

All aboard at the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show (New York City)

Credit: @nybg on Instagram

Marvel as model trains zip through a miniature New York City at the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show! Explore the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Center and nearly 200 other landmarks, crafted entirely from plant parts, all set within the stunning Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Don’t miss the enchanting outdoor display, lively Holiday Train Nights with seasonal cocktails and mocktails, and Sensory-Friendly Mornings (December 14 and January 3).

Take a Ride on the Candy Cane Express (Capital-Saratoga)

Ring in the holidays with a magical ride on the Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway. Enjoy candy canes, cookies, and hot chocolate on an hourlong trip through the Southern Adirondacks to see Santa aboard the Candy Cane Express. Seating options include a private vintage caboose, Polar Palace Car with whimsical winter wonderland theme, and more.

December 4, Thursday

See a display of over 650 nutcrackers (Central New York)

It’s time to get nutty in Utica! The Not So Tiny Nutcracker Display at the Oneida County Historical Society features a collection of more than 650 intricately-crafted nutcrackers in all varieties of size and color. Daily crafts, activities, and a nutcracker scavenger hunt adds to the fun!

Join a Victorian Streetwalk in Saratoga Springs (Capital-Saratoga)

Credit: Ironglass Productions

Welcome the holiday season in Saratoga Springs at the 39th annual Victorian Streetwalk. Step back in time as Broadway is transformed into a sparkling spectacle with carolers and festive music, twinkling storefronts, a tree lighting, pictures with Santa, street entertainers and dance performances, and sweet treats.

December 5, Friday

Get into the holiday spirit at Kingston’s Snowflake Festival (Hudson Valley)

Get into the holiday spirit as Kingston’s Historic Stockade District comes to life with carolers, dancers, horse-drawn carriage rides, fire twirlers, jugglers, a Christmas tree lighting, ice sculpture carvings, a visit from Santa, and much more as stores open their doors offering treats and warm beverages to all.

Grab Your Golden Ticket for a Polar Express Movie Night (Thousand Islands-Seaway)

Bring your favorite sleeping bag or lawn chair for a special interactive showing of the beloved holiday movie The Polar Express at the Clayton Opera House. You’ll get to enjoy cocoa and cookies, meet the conductor, and buy your own golden ticket and bells for $5. The Butler Did It Players will be on hand to bring characters to life and interact with the audience.

December 6, Saturday

Celebrate Small-Town Holiday Cheer (Multiple Regions)

Credit: Horizon Aerial Media

Step right into a real-life Hallmark movie at enchanting small-town celebrations bursting with holiday cheer, delicious treats, sparkling lights, and community spirit. Experience the charm of Trumansburg WinterFest, where Main Street shuts down for horse-drawn wagon rides and carolers strolling beneath twinkling lights before Santa arrives to light the tree. Sparkle in Corning’s Gaffer District transforms Market Street into a bustling wonderland of vendors, live music, and visits with Santa in the Crystal House. Holiday on the Lake in Carmel offers a lively Christmas Village, wagon and trolley rides, lakeside tree lighting, and cheerful parade. Ithaca’s Winter Holiday Bash promises unique fun with a winter artisan market, cookie walk, and nighttime silent disco. Clayton and Jamestown get into the holiday spirit with a festive parade of decked out floats and mesmerizing fireworks shows!

December 7, Sunday

Step Back in Time at the Troy Victorian Stroll (Capital-Saratoga)

Credit: @enjoytroy on Instagram

A holiday tradition for more than 40 years, witness the streets of historic downtown Troy transform into a bygone Victorian era, complete with visitors in period dress strolling the city. Catch dance performances, choirs, magic shows and more as you stroll the streets and explore Troy’s unique shops, storefronts, restaurants, bars, and parks.

Witness the Lighting of New York State’s Holiday Tree (Capital-Saratoga)

Kick off the holidays in the capitol at the New York State Holiday Tree Lighting & Fireworks Festival. With performances, fireworks, and, of course, the tree lighting at Empire State Plaza there will be plenty of free and festive fun for all.

More Events to Discover: 

December 8, Monday

Find your favorite fir at the Festival of Trees (Capital-Saratoga)

The Festival of Trees lights up Schenectady with more than 70 artistically decorated fir trees that transform the galleries of Schenectady County Historical Society and YWCA into a land of wintertide enchantment! Vote for your top choices in eight categories, including Cutest, Most Glamorous, and Most Creative trees!

Build Your Own Gingerbread House at a Long Island Vineyard (Long Island) 

Get ready to sweeten the season at RGNY at this wholesome holiday workshop. Design and decorate your dream holiday home with icing and candy during this festive, two-hour family-friendly event, surrounded by the glow of the vineyard. Your assembled house and all the trimmings are provided for you to decorate at your leisure. Enjoy mulled wine and RGNY vinos (or cocoa and non-alcoholic beverages) alongside cheese and crackers.

December 9, Tuesday

Be amazed at Lights on the Lake (Finger Lakes)

Credit: @fingerlakeswelcomecenter on Instagram

Travel through the wonderful Land of Oz, wind your way through a twinkling fantasy forest and explore more magical worlds as you drive-through two miles of beautiful holiday lights along Onondaga Lake. This favorite holiday tradition features over 600,000 lights, colorful section arches, animated displays, and plenty of holiday cheer.

December 10, Wednesday

Enjoy Holiday Afternoon Tea in a Charming 19th Century Village (Finger Lakes)

Credit: @gcvmuseum on Instagram

Make your spirits bright with an exclusive holiday afternoon tea service at the Genesee Country Village & Museum. Enjoy a spread of tea, finger sandwiches, and sweet treats set in a cozy fireside lounge all decked out for the holidays. Don’t forget to stop by the Flint Hill Store for a bit of holiday shopping before you go! Tickets are required and sell out fast.

Experience Lights, Laughter and Lasting Memories at Holiday Lighted Nights (Capital-Saratoga)

Bundle up and enjoy a magical journey through miles of dazzling light displays and festive scenes at the Holiday Lighted Nights drive-thru experience at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Greenwich. Step out and browse the Holiday Marketplace, grab fudge and kettle corn at the Fair Store, enjoy tractor-drawn wagon rides and visit Santa Claus on select nights.

December 11, Thursday 

Head Home for the Holidays at the Roberson Museum (Central New York)

Immerse yourself in the wonder of the season as you experience the lights, trees, and magic of a beloved Binghamton tradition. Featuring hundreds of elaborately decorated trees, and dazzling displays representing holiday traditions from around the world, the Roberson Museum’s Home for the Holidays has been a community favorite for 70 years. The Roberson also offers mansion tours, craft workshops for kids, and live entertainment every weekend, plus seasonal planetarium shows.

December 12, Friday

Cruise through Westchester’s Winter Wonderland (Hudson Valley)

Credit: @nyc.super.mom on Instagram

Pack up the car, throw on your favorite holiday tunes, and get ready to be dazzled by this 1.2-mile drive-thru holiday light extravaganza in Valhalla! Greet beloved elves Ned and Albert, encounter dancing trees and a 50-foot dove, meet the Ice Queen in the Ice House, cruise through the glowing 175-foot Transporter Tunnel, make your way down Rudolph’s Runway into the North Pole, marvel at the largest Christmas tree in Westchester and more!

Visit the real Bedford Falls during the It’s a Wonderful Life Festival (Finger Lakes)

Celebrate the 79th anniversary of the classic holiday movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” in Seneca Falls, also known as “The Real Bedford Falls” — the fictional setting of the iconic Frank Capra film. The annual three-day festival (December 12-14) features movie showings, author talks, autograph signings, plus a parade, dinners, a 5K run, free screening of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and traditional ringing of the bells to close out the ceremonies. Also stop by the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum and snap a picture with the “You Are Now in Bedford Falls” sign.

December 13, Saturday

Be merry at the Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll (Adirondacks)

Lake Placid will be merry and bright with a weekend full of festivities including a skating party at the Olympic Center ice rink (Friday), a free movie showing, holiday wine tastings, tree lighting, cookies and cocoa with Santa, and Santa Sunday at Whiteface Mountain, featuring hundreds of red-suited Santas on the slopes! There will also be dining specials, live entertainment into the late evening hours, plus tons of great shopping in this amazing and historic storybook village! 

Experience Dickens on the Delaware (Catskills) 

Step back in time and celebrate the holidays with charm and tradition in Callicoon as the town shines with beautifully decorated storefronts and streets adorned with festive lights, holiday trees, wreaths, and shopkeepers and townsfolk in period dress. Delight in Victorian carolers, live music, street theater performances, warming outdoor fire pits, a holiday market, and horse and buggy rides that will transport you to another era.

More Events to Discover: 

December 14, Sunday

Witness the Lighting of the World’s Largest Menorah (NYC)

Credit: @sloanetravels on Instagram

Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with the lighting of the world’s largest menorah in Central Park’s Grand Army Plaza, located across from the famous Plaza Hotel. Live music and dancing accompany the lighting of the menorah, which at 32-feet tall, 28-feet wide, and 4,000 pounds is recognized as the world’s largest by Guinness World Records. A separate ceremony, featuring live music, hot latkes, and gifts for kids, is also held at Brooklyn’s largest menorah located at Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Park. 

Celebrate Hanukkah at Mohonk Mountain House (Hudson Valley) 

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with nightly menorah lightings, live music, and joyful gatherings on a winter retreat to Mohonk Mountain House. Your stay includes access to on-site outdoor activities and adventures, an award-winning spa, wellness classes, and more.

December 15, Monday

Join a 55+ Presentation on the History of Christmas Cards (Finger Lakes) 

The Strong National Museum of Play is hosting a special holiday-themed Museum Mondays for Seniors. Guests ages 55+ are invited to learn about the birth of the Christmas card in 1843 England and its evolution. The 40-minute talk will be followed by a Q&A. Tickets include museum entry and access to the Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden.

December 16, Tuesday

Have a groovy time at Peace, Love & Lights (Catskills)

Credit: @shinybreathing on Instagram

Enjoy holiday lights from the comfort of your car along a 1.7-mile route through wondrous lands from Candy Cane Lane to Groovy Way, to the Enchanted Forest and Holidays Around The World at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

December 17, Wednesday

Find winter fun at the Roc Holiday Village Winter Festival (Finger Lakes)

Photo courtesy of Roc Holiday Village Winter Festival

Join in on the festive fun as Rochester’s downtown transforms into a winter wonderland filled with enchanting events including free ice skate rentals and skating, shopping for hand-crafted goods, cozy winter igloos, live music, kids’ crafts, fire pits, and plenty of indoor and outdoor food and libations.

December 18, Thursday

Make your spirits bright at Jungle Bells (Central New York)

Credit: @storkesque9 on Instagram

Animal Adventure Park will be shining bright with holiday cheer and nearly 2 million lights. Take a photo with Santa at his workshop (Fridays and Saturdays), encounter the Grinch (Fridays and Saturdays), feed camels and giraffes, meet live reindeer, and book special animal encounters including painting with penguins and a capybara meet and greet.

December 19, Friday

Embark On a Drive-Thru Holiday Adventure (Hudson Valley)

Create lasting memories from the comfort of your car at two enchanting holiday drive-thru experiences in the Hudson Valley. Wonderland of Lights at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, delights with captivating tunnels adorned with shimmering lights and larger-than-life illuminated sculptures. A Frosty Fest in Ulster Park blends festive attractions and holiday cheer at its elaborate drive-thru display. Plus, you can meet Santa, dance with Mr. and Mrs. Frosty, watch a magic show, and more!

December 20, Saturday

Celebrate Kwanzaa at Hudson Hall (Hudson Valley)

Gather your family and friends for a joyous celebration of African-American culture and unity at Hudson Hall. This free event features arts and crafts for children, traditional dancing and drumming, a candle lighting ceremony, and the sharing of a community feast to celebrate the Nguzo Saba, the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

December 21, Sunday

Light up the night at LuminoCity Festival (Long Island)

Credit: @bucketlistli on Instagram

Witness Eisenhower Park transform into a wonderland of lights as you journey through shimmering lands complete with glowing sculptures, magical lights, and immersive exhibits in an enchanting display of light and color celebrating this year’s theme, “Fantasy Winter Fairyland.”

December 22, Monday

Tour Santa’s Workshop in North Pole, NY (Adirondacks)

Credit: @northpoleny on Instagram

Head up to the North Pole right here in New York to visit Santa’s Workshop. Come see Santa Claus, his helpers and trusty team of reindeer as this beloved vintage amusement park transforms into a twinkling winter wonderland during the Village of Lights. Enjoy caroling, roaring fires, shopping, and a Nativity Pageant. Don’t forget to stop by the U.S. Post Office to send a letter postmarked from the North Pole!

December 23, Tuesday

Get your golden ticket for the Polar Express (Greater Niagara)

 

Credit: @crookedfeatherashley on Instagram

Throw on your pajamas and join the Medina Railroad Museum for a magical trip aboard The Polar Express to meet Santa. Get your golden ticket punched, indulge in hot chocolate and cookies, read along with the beloved children’s book, and more as you relive the magic of the classic tale. Once you arrive at the North Pole, Santa will come aboard to hand out the first gift of Christmas to each child. All tickets include admission into the museum.

December 24, Wednesday

Join in a Skaneateles Tradition at Dickens Christmas (Finger Lakes)

Enjoy Victorian-era vibes and join Charles Dickens, Queen Victoria, Ebenezer Scrooge, and a cast of over 50 colorful characters as A Christmas Carol comes to life, enchanting holiday shoppers in the charming lakeside village of Skaneateles. It’s your last chance of the season to experience the merriment of this iconic street theater production with its limited Christmas Eve show running from noon to 2:30 p.m.

December 25, Thursday

Enjoy Christmas Day Brunch with the Harlem Gospel Choir (New York City)

Fill your spirits with song as the world-famous Harlem Gospel Choir presents the 12 Days of Christmas during a special brunch-time performance at the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club. The menu features potato waffles, French toast, eggs Benedict, veggie burgers, and more.

December 26, Friday

Brighten your winter nights with Wild Lights (Adirondacks)

Credit: @michaelscott87 on Instagram

Wander through an enchanting winter wonderland as the 115-acre Wild Center is transformed into a shimmering dreamscape with thousands of twinkling lights and a magical soundtrack. Experience the outdoors like never before as you navigate the glowing bridges and platforms of Wild Walk and wind your way through dazzling forest trails to the sounds of a dreamy winter score.

December 27, Saturday

Celebrate LEGOLAND’s Holiday Bricktacular (Hudson Valley)

For families with little ones and LEGO lovers of all ages, LEGOLAND New York’s Holiday Bricktacular is the ultimate winter celebration. Think towering LEGO Christmas trees, holiday-themed LEGO builds, glice skating, dance parties, sing-alongs, and meet-and-greets with fun characters—all set against the backdrop of sparkling lights. Get single-day tickets or make it a holly jolly sleepover with an overnight hotel stay complete with breakfast with Santa, elf games, and more.

December 28, Sunday

Discover the magic of Glimmer Nights (Central New York)

Photo courtesy of Fenimore Farm & Country Village

Experience holiday wonderment as Glimmer Nights lights up Fenimore Farm & Country Village in a magical glow. Enjoy free carousel rides, see the enormous “Mega-Chicken” and Waterfall Tunnel with a flowing animated light river, stop at Todd’s General Store and Bump Tavern, and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate at Crossroads Café.

December 29, Monday

View the world of Poinsettias After Dark (Greater Niagara)

Credit: @highpeaks_ai on Instagram

Step into a tropical paradise and surround yourself in stunning natural beauty and colorful lights in this mesmerizing after-dark experience housed within the historic Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. Thousands of twinkling lights will guide you through the magically illuminated greenhouses unveiling textures, shapes, and shadows as the plant collections and brilliant poinsettias are bathed in a whole new light.

December 30, Tuesday

Take a Seal Walk at Cupsogue Beach (Long Island)

Credit: @heatherbittner on Instagram

Looking for a fun activity to do with the kids while they’re home on winter break? Join CRESLI for a morning walk along Cupsogue Beach to observe, photograph and learn about the Atlantic harbor seals that call Long Island home for winter. The 1.2 mile roundtrip walk is suitable for children and takes up to 90 minutes. Make sure to dress warm!

December 31, Wednesday

Welcome the New Year in New York! (Multiple Regions)

Credit: @mingomatic on Instagram

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in style in New York State. Experience the iconic Times Square ball drop, a time-honored tradition since 1907. Saratoga rings in the new year with a two-day celebration featuring live music, fireworks, and 5K. Bring the family to the Long Island Aquarium for Fishes & Wishes featuring a buffet dinner, animal meet and greet, and mock midnight toast. Bristol Mountain rings in the new year with a lively, family-friendly celebration featuring music, on-slope festivities, and a spectacular torchlight parade capped by fireworks lighting up the night sky.

---

Share New York State adventures with us on TikTok, Instagram and X with #ILoveNY and #iSpyNY, and tag us on Facebook!