Many of us will agree that the holiday season doesn’t start until lights are shining around town, and thankfully Rochester has been gearing up and is ready to begin celebrating!
For a complete list of holiday happenings in Rochester, check out our Guide to 2022 Holiday Events blog.
Soon enough, you’ll find that wherever you look, the city will be strung with colorful, twinkling holiday lights. From drive-through events that you can enjoy from the warmth of your car to grabbing a bite to eat at a local business bursting with holiday cheer, there is truly no place like Rochester for the holidays.
Grab your hot cocoa, a warm blanket, and get ready for some holiday events that are sure to put you in the spirit of the season …. here is your guide on the places to go for Holiday light shows this year!
Day Trips Around Rochester's "5 Favorite Extreme Christmas Lights Around Rochester"
When: Throughout the season
Because December is the darkest month, we welcome grand displays of holiday and Christmas lights to brighten the night. These homeowners and communities go all out to celebrate the season, so let’s get out there and celebrate with them!
Drive-through light show at Victor Hills Golf Club
When: Check website for dates and hours
Take a quick 20-minute drive down to Victor, NY and be treated to a beautiful array of colorful lights and designs from the comfort of your car! The Holiday Light Show at Victor Hills Golf Club lets you drive through a glimmering path of over 20 holiday light displays, transporting you to Santa’s workshop, Candy Cane Lane, and more! Check out the RocLights website for dates of operation and to purchase your tickets.
Genesee Keg Tree Lighting
When: December 2, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.
You don’t want to miss the Annual Lighting of the Keg Tree at the Genesee Brew House.
Thousands gather outside the historic Genesee Brewery and Genesee Brew House each year for the lighting of the iconic Keg Tree. The tree, made of 520 empty Genesee kegs stacked nearly three-stories high and strung with thousands of lights programmed to flash along to holiday songs, has become an annual holiday tradition. Come for the lighting and then stay for a Limited Beer Release, Two Genesee Beer Trucks, photo opportunities and much more!
If you don’t make it to the lighting, the tree will be lit through early January.
"Holiday Laser" at the RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium
When: November 12, 2022 – January 2, 2023
Head to the RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium, in the heart of downtown Rochester, for a new holiday lights tradition. “Holiday Laser,” a 50-minute show, features your favorite holiday songs played back-to-back choreographed with dancing laser lights among the stars of the planetarium sky. Check out the RMSC Museum & Science Center website for tickets and more information.
Holiday Lights Tour 2022
When: December 10-25, 2022
Bivona Child Advocacy Center has again partnered with some of the brightest and most festively decorated homes in the area to bring you a fun, socially distant and family-centered event. Holiday Lights Tour presented by Montage Wealth Management is a great way to celebrate the holiday magic while supporting children in our community. "Sleigh Boxes" with maps, games, toys, holiday treats, and festive activities can be purchased now on Bivona's website.
Liberty Pole Lighting
When: December 3, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.
Rochester’s Holiday Festival, Roc Holiday Village, kicks off each year with the Liberty Pole Lighting. The Liberty Pole is a 190-foot-high stainless-steel public art installation in the heart of downtown Rochester. Strung with lights, the Liberty Pole illuminates Rochester’s downtown during the winter month and is a must-see local attraction.
Pittsford’s Annual Candlelight Night
When: December 6, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pittsford, this annual tradition takes place in early December and fills the village with holiday cheer. While the streets are filled with the sounds of live music, holiday lights twinkle as hundreds of luminaries line the sidewalks and streets. This is the perfect night for shopping, dining, and experiencing true small town, holiday charm.
100 House Driving Tour
When: Driving map available now
Kids Out And About has put together its 2022 driving tour of over 140 houses in the Rochester that are decorated with shimmering lights each year. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly way to see Christmas lights on your own time or want to take an evening road trip with some friends, this is a great guide to have this season. You can find a map and descriptions of each house, town by town, on the Kids Out And About website.