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Finger Lakes Events Calendar

Festivals, Happy Hour, Live Music, Theatre, and More!

It doesn’t matter what your interests are or who you’re in the Finger Lakes with, you can always find a great event to enrich your time in the region with those you care about. 

Events take place all year round in the Finger Lakes region. From lakeside (and on the lake) events in the summer to harvest activities in the fall, snowmobiling or snowshoeing in the winter, and festivals in the springtime! Step inside a glassmaker’s studio to blow your own glass, stroll Main Street on a food tour, or gather for live music and theater performances. Browse the list of Finger Lakes events below or search the specific dates you will be visiting to see everything going on in the region.

Great Events that Happen Every Year

Below, you will find dozens of great events happening throughout the year with many of them happening annually. If you have memories of favorite annual Finger Lakes events from childhood such as cardboard boat regattas, hot air balloon festivals, cheese, apple or pumpkin festivals, to name a few, it’s likely that event that still takes place or, has likely improved your enjoyment. If you see a special event that piques your interest but can’t make it, click on the event anyway, it might be coming back next year!

Events Added Daily

Make sure to check back frequently to see if any other great events have been added. Events are added daily by businesses from every sector and interest so if there is nothing that sparks your interest now, there very well could be soon!
 

**Public Notice**

Please be sure to contact event venues directly for details regarding scheduling changes. These events are all subject to change or be cancelled at the discretion and direction of the event organizers or business hosting the event. Please be sure to contact the event organizers or venue directly to confirm times and details. The Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance provides this information as posted by partner businesses and does not endorse or sponsor any listed event. 

 

November - 2023
SunSunday
MonMonday
TueTuesday
WedWednesday
ThuThursday
FriFriday
SatSaturday
Events for December 1, 2023 x
Let Radisson Entertain You!
Date Night Menu & Music

Radisson Corning’s American Contemporary signature restaurant, Grill 1-2-5, has launched a special date night tailored to couples.  Every Thursday from 4 pm to 9 pm, the culinary team is featuring a seasonal prix fixe menu that incorporates local ingredients and modern twists.  For only $40, guests will receive four chef-driven courses (that change weekly) with dishes like parmesan and pesto panna cotta, homemade pretzel with beer cheese, herb crusted filet mignon, and spiced pear cake.  The regular ala carte menu will also be available.  To set the date night tempo, a live musical act will keep the crowd entertained from 6 pm to 9 pm every Thursday too.  Upcoming musicians include: Oct 19: Black Eyed Soul, Oct 26: Nate Michaels, Nov 2: Ende Brothers, Nov 9: John Lamanna, Nov 16: Nate Michaels, Nov 30: Brian Hughes.  Reservations are requested by calling 607-962-5000 extension 127.  

Holiday Ornament Tree
Holiday Ornament Tree

In 2008, the first annual Holiday Ornament Tree showcased more than 600 ornaments handmade by our Hot Glass Team. The tree was eight feet tall and four feet in diameter at the bottom. The next year, the tree grew to 14 feet tall, with more than 2,000 glass ornaments made by Museum glassmakers.

The Museum's glittering ornament tree has now become a holiday tradition—the perfect background for an annual holiday photo. The tree is joined by other wonders in glass, including a holiday feast made entirely of glass as well as a life-sized glass snowperson family, the Tree of Life MenorahAdvent Wreath, and Kwanzaa Setting

You can’t buy the ornaments on these trees, but you can Make Your Own Glass Ornament, year-round, at The Studio.

One of over 140 Trees
Sponsor a Tree in The Festival of Trees

Sponsor a Tree In The Festival of Trees

2 Categories

Business - We provide the tree, Decorate It and Take it Down

You pay a small fee for museum staff to do this

Individual

You Supply the tree, decorations and set up and take down  Free To Participate

For application e-mail Museum Director at tquill@cayugacounty.us

We would love to have you participate and sponsor  a tree

 

Festival of Trees
Eleventh Annual Festival Of Trees

Museum is decorated and there are over 145 Christmas Trees of all sizes and shapes decorated for your enjoyment.

Miniature Circus Display. Model Train Exhibit, Doll Houses, Miniature Buildings

Kids Play Area with Farm Toys/Puzzles/Wooden Trains

Sunday  November 19 thru Saturday  December 30, 2023

Open 7 Days a Week from 10 A.M. till 7 P.M.

Monday Thru Friday 2 P.M. till 8 P.M.

Trees and Museum also on Display From December 31, 2023 thru January 31, 2024

Seven Days a week  10 A.M. till 4 P.M.

 

Holiday Support Local Shopping
Geneva Jingle Markets

Join us for the 2nd Annual "Geneva Jingle Markets" shopping event on, November 25th, December 9th, December 16th and December 23rd, 10:00am-2:00pm.
On each Saturday, support 30 Finger Lakes vendors selling their diverse gifts. Enjoy local wine, beer, cider, and food tastings, while you fill your "Made in the Finger Lakes" gift boxes with local products. Shop Local and celebrate all that the Finger Lakes has to offer at the Finger Lakes Welcome Center.
 

 

Stereograph of Pulpit Falls in Buttermilk Falls State Park
Gorges with Double Vision

In this encore episode of Walk in the Park (from January, 2016), we visit several area gorges and compare photos taken for tourist stereographs with modern pictures, getting some insights into the histories of these scenic locations.

We visit Pinnacle Rock in Buttermilk Falls State Park, Fall Creek Gorge, Watkins Glen State Park, Havana Glen Park in Montour Falls. We also look at some silent film footage taken more than 100 years ago by the Wharton Studios at what is now Stewart Park in Ithaca in the marshlands formerly at the south end of Cayuga Lake. Then we look at three short videos of the Delaware Bay, Virginia Beach, and Jones Beach on Long Island.

Walk in the Park is a non-commercial public access cable TV series produced in Ithaca NY by Owl Gorge Productions, a Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance partner.

Feast of the Seven Fishes
The Calamari Sisters

THE CALAMARI SISTERS' FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES

Delphine and Carmela are thrilled to announce that they have been crowned ambassadors for the Brooklyn Navy Yards, and as such they’re entrusted with bringing the "Bi-Annual Fishacopia Christmas Festival and Cock Fight" to other cities. Good news! Auburn has been selected!! So get your tickets to The Calamari Sisters’ brand new Christmas show full of classic holiday songs, new recipes, and yes - even a cock fight. In typical Calamari fashion, there will be more chaos than Christmas in this nonstop laugh riot but Delphine and Carmela are determined to make the festival a success and present their award winning “Seven Fishes in Seven Minutes!” Will they get to do it or are they dead in the water?

Seneca Lake Wine Trail Deck the Hall event weekend the month of December
December Deck the Halls Weekend

December 1-3, 2023, Fri 12-5pm, Sat/Sun 10am-5pm, tickets are good for the whole weekend.

There are two separate weekends of Deck the Halls, either (November 17-19) or December 1-3 and 2023 marks its 30th Anniversary and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate! During this event, you’ll enjoy a self-guided tour of participating Seneca Lake Wine Trail wineries decked out for the holiday season, wine and food pairings at each stop, and collect keepsake ornaments along the way. Deck the Halls tickets are $130 per couple, $95 for an individual and $35 for non-tasters and good for all days so you can go one day or all three days.  

Black and gray photograph
December '23 Gallery Night @ Grayhaven Motel

Join us at The Grayhaven Motel to celebrate the new works of photographer Gwen Bullock. 

Christmas in Moravia
Christmas in Moravia

Ring in this year's Christmas in Moravia,  celebrating with the lighting of the community tree! Ceremony starts at 6pm followed by

caroling, FREE cocoa & cider, sponsored by Summerhill Brewing, FREE Donuts by Get Baked Fingerlakes! 

Events for December 2, 2023 x
Let Radisson Entertain You!
Date Night Menu & Music

Radisson Corning’s American Contemporary signature restaurant, Grill 1-2-5, has launched a special date night tailored to couples.  Every Thursday from 4 pm to 9 pm, the culinary team is featuring a seasonal prix fixe menu that incorporates local ingredients and modern twists.  For only $40, guests will receive four chef-driven courses (that change weekly) with dishes like parmesan and pesto panna cotta, homemade pretzel with beer cheese, herb crusted filet mignon, and spiced pear cake.  The regular ala carte menu will also be available.  To set the date night tempo, a live musical act will keep the crowd entertained from 6 pm to 9 pm every Thursday too.  Upcoming musicians include: Oct 19: Black Eyed Soul, Oct 26: Nate Michaels, Nov 2: Ende Brothers, Nov 9: John Lamanna, Nov 16: Nate Michaels, Nov 30: Brian Hughes.  Reservations are requested by calling 607-962-5000 extension 127.  

Holiday Ornament Tree
Holiday Ornament Tree

In 2008, the first annual Holiday Ornament Tree showcased more than 600 ornaments handmade by our Hot Glass Team. The tree was eight feet tall and four feet in diameter at the bottom. The next year, the tree grew to 14 feet tall, with more than 2,000 glass ornaments made by Museum glassmakers.

The Museum's glittering ornament tree has now become a holiday tradition—the perfect background for an annual holiday photo. The tree is joined by other wonders in glass, including a holiday feast made entirely of glass as well as a life-sized glass snowperson family, the Tree of Life MenorahAdvent Wreath, and Kwanzaa Setting

You can’t buy the ornaments on these trees, but you can Make Your Own Glass Ornament, year-round, at The Studio.

One of over 140 Trees
Sponsor a Tree in The Festival of Trees

Sponsor a Tree In The Festival of Trees

2 Categories

Business - We provide the tree, Decorate It and Take it Down

You pay a small fee for museum staff to do this

Individual

You Supply the tree, decorations and set up and take down  Free To Participate

For application e-mail Museum Director at tquill@cayugacounty.us

We would love to have you participate and sponsor  a tree

 

Festival of Trees
Eleventh Annual Festival Of Trees

Museum is decorated and there are over 145 Christmas Trees of all sizes and shapes decorated for your enjoyment.

Miniature Circus Display. Model Train Exhibit, Doll Houses, Miniature Buildings

Kids Play Area with Farm Toys/Puzzles/Wooden Trains

Sunday  November 19 thru Saturday  December 30, 2023

Open 7 Days a Week from 10 A.M. till 7 P.M.

Monday Thru Friday 2 P.M. till 8 P.M.

Trees and Museum also on Display From December 31, 2023 thru January 31, 2024

Seven Days a week  10 A.M. till 4 P.M.

 

Holiday Support Local Shopping
Geneva Jingle Markets

Join us for the 2nd Annual "Geneva Jingle Markets" shopping event on, November 25th, December 9th, December 16th and December 23rd, 10:00am-2:00pm.
On each Saturday, support 30 Finger Lakes vendors selling their diverse gifts. Enjoy local wine, beer, cider, and food tastings, while you fill your "Made in the Finger Lakes" gift boxes with local products. Shop Local and celebrate all that the Finger Lakes has to offer at the Finger Lakes Welcome Center.
 

 

Stereograph of Pulpit Falls in Buttermilk Falls State Park
Gorges with Double Vision

In this encore episode of Walk in the Park (from January, 2016), we visit several area gorges and compare photos taken for tourist stereographs with modern pictures, getting some insights into the histories of these scenic locations.

We visit Pinnacle Rock in Buttermilk Falls State Park, Fall Creek Gorge, Watkins Glen State Park, Havana Glen Park in Montour Falls. We also look at some silent film footage taken more than 100 years ago by the Wharton Studios at what is now Stewart Park in Ithaca in the marshlands formerly at the south end of Cayuga Lake. Then we look at three short videos of the Delaware Bay, Virginia Beach, and Jones Beach on Long Island.

Walk in the Park is a non-commercial public access cable TV series produced in Ithaca NY by Owl Gorge Productions, a Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance partner.

Feast of the Seven Fishes
The Calamari Sisters

THE CALAMARI SISTERS' FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES

Delphine and Carmela are thrilled to announce that they have been crowned ambassadors for the Brooklyn Navy Yards, and as such they’re entrusted with bringing the "Bi-Annual Fishacopia Christmas Festival and Cock Fight" to other cities. Good news! Auburn has been selected!! So get your tickets to The Calamari Sisters’ brand new Christmas show full of classic holiday songs, new recipes, and yes - even a cock fight. In typical Calamari fashion, there will be more chaos than Christmas in this nonstop laugh riot but Delphine and Carmela are determined to make the festival a success and present their award winning “Seven Fishes in Seven Minutes!” Will they get to do it or are they dead in the water?

Seneca Lake Wine Trail Deck the Hall event weekend the month of December
December Deck the Halls Weekend

December 1-3, 2023, Fri 12-5pm, Sat/Sun 10am-5pm, tickets are good for the whole weekend.

There are two separate weekends of Deck the Halls, either (November 17-19) or December 1-3 and 2023 marks its 30th Anniversary and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate! During this event, you’ll enjoy a self-guided tour of participating Seneca Lake Wine Trail wineries decked out for the holiday season, wine and food pairings at each stop, and collect keepsake ornaments along the way. Deck the Halls tickets are $130 per couple, $95 for an individual and $35 for non-tasters and good for all days so you can go one day or all three days.  

Christmas in Moravia
Christmas in Moravia

Ring in this year's Christmas in Moravia,  celebrating with the lighting of the community tree! Ceremony starts at 6pm followed by

caroling, FREE cocoa & cider, sponsored by Summerhill Brewing, FREE Donuts by Get Baked Fingerlakes! 

Glass Ornament
Holiday Open House

Free admission, crafts and cookies, special glassmaking experiences, musical performances, and more. Plus, don't miss Mr. and Mrs. Claus as they tour the Museum and greet guests!

Free Admission

Capture the light of the season at the Museum! You'll find all things shimmery, sparkly, and twinkling throughout our collections and demonstrations. Admission is free for the entire weekend and includes access to our galleries and glassmaking demonstrations.

Special appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Claus

Santa and Mrs. Claus never miss a chance to visit the Museum and will be making a special stop here this Holiday Open House weekend. They will be meeting with guests and enjoying the Museum's unique exhibits. Stop in and say hello, 9 am–4 pm! 

visit Santa and have your picture taken at The Olde Country Store and More.
Santa is coming to town

Visit with Santa, The Grinch and Max for pictures and a treat for the kids. Stop by anytime from 10-4 on Saturday Dec 2nd and 11-4 on Sunday Dec 3rd.

You can bring your own camera or have Santa's Elf Jess from Uniquely Yours by Jess take your pictures.

band graphic
LIVE Music - John Truth Experience

'Tis the Season!

If you have never had a John Truth Experience, you are missing out. This show promises to groove and may even include a few holiday songs to get you in mood!  Celebrate the holidays with great music, drinks, and food!

https://www.facebook.com/johntruthexperience?mibextid=LQQJ4d

The Nutcracker image
Rafael Grigorian Ballet Theatre presents THE NUTCRACKER

Rafael Grigorian Ballet Theatre presents
THE NUTCRACKER

Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 2:00pm

Tickets:
Adults: $45/$30/$20
Senior (65 or older): $15
Students: $15
5 and Under Free with purchase of an Adult Ticket
Groups of 10 or more 10% discount – please inquire
Processing and facility maintenance fees apply.

Bring the magic of the holidays to life this season with Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score and delightful story of the young princess Masha and her enchanted Prince, the victory over evil and triumph of beauty, friendship and love.

holiday shopping spree on cayuga lake
2023 Holiday Shopping Spree- December Weekend

Holiday Shopping Spree is back for its 29th year and ready to make you the thrifty multi-tasker that you are! Treat yourself while shopping for others and cross items off your gift list as you sample before you buy. Save money with your Holiday Shoppers Card. You'll get a souvenir wine glass, a souvenir ornament, wine and food pairings, a digital recipe book, and $5 off a $35 wine purchase at every single winery! New this year- a chance to win a grand prize as you cross people off your list!

  • December 2 & 3
  • 10:00am to 5:00pm
  • 11 participating wineries
  • This event is structured like our pre-2020 events:
    • Select a specific starting winery for you and your friends to start at. (This is where you’ll receive your souvenir wine glass and your hand-blown ornament!)
    • Travel the trail as you please after your first stop,
    • The ticket is good for BOTH days, so feel free to spread the wineries out over both days or come on just Saturday or just Sunday. (Pro-tip: Sunday tends to be a lighter day, so the wineries won’t be as crowded, which makes for an excellent time to visit and get more one-on-one attention with less waiting.)
  • Groups are limited to 12. If you ignore this limit, you risk being turned away from the participating wineries. Please help us make this event as fun and pleasant as possible for all by respecting the event policies and winery staff. 
  • Expect diversity. Some wineries will be offering the standard bar tasting while others will be offering a sit-down experience* that may take longer. Take your time during the day and enjoy both!

Tickets:

Each ticket is good for the whole weekend to visit each winery once. Single tickets are $85 and couples tickets are $120 (plus tax and service fee) and include:

  • 1 wine and food pairing at each winery, per person
  • 3 additional wine tastings per winery, per person
  • 1 hand blown ornament per ticket (1 for a single ticket, 1 for a DD ticket, and 1 for a couples ticket)
  • 1 recipe collection, per ticket
  • 1 souvenir wine glass, per person

Discounted designated driver tickets are also available. The DD gets all the same perks as a regular ticket, minus the wine. They also get a ceramic mug, rather than a wine glass. $35 for a single (plus tax and service fee).

 

Participating Wineries:

  • Americana Vineyards
  • Buttonwood Grove Winery
  • Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery
  • Hosmer Winery
  • Knapp Winery
  • Lucas Vineyards
  • Montezuma Winery
  • Six Eighty Cellars
  • Six Mile Creek Vineyards
  • Swedish Hill Winery
  • Thirsty Owl Wine Co.

 

 

Coffee provided by Cobblestone Coffee Roasters

Holiday Flier
Grayhaven Motel Holiday Portraits

Join us at The Grayhaven Motel for a fun Holiday photo on our festive pine porch with Simply Alexis Photography! Bring your kids, your pets, don ye now your gay apparel, and make a memory. Think Sears portrait, awkward family photo! $35 for one digital photo: Click here to sign up! 

Event Date Between
End Date (field_event_end_date)
09
Dec 2023
‘Santa Stop Here’ Sign Stay, Paint, & Sip!  
142 Lake Street, Penn Yan, New York 14527
5:00 pm
10
Dec 2023
Christmas Open House an Old Fashion Christmas Horse and Wagon Rides, A Visit with Santa, Music, Refreshments,
6880 E Lake Rd, Auburn, NY 13021, USA
10:00 am
10
Dec 2023
Experience an Old Fashion Christmas Open House Museum decorated and over 140 Christmas Trees on Display Horse and Wagon Rides/ Model "T" Rides
6880 East Lake Road Rt 38A
10 A.M.
(315)-252-7644
12
Dec 2023
Clemens Center presents MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS by Chip Davis Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 7:30pm Tickets: $76/$66/$56/$46 Processing and facility maintenance fees apply.
207 Clemens Center Parkway
7:30 pm
(607)-734-8191
13
Dec 2023
Live Music Series every Wednesday Music from 6-9 pm. BOGO Happy Hour from 5 to 6 pm. Cafe Toscana open until 8 pm.
3440 Rt 96a
5 pm
(315)-719-0000
14
Dec 2023
Bring your worn items and your creativity to delve into visible mending techniques and revive your wardrobe. Thursday evenings 6:30 - 8 PM
38 W Market St
6:30 pm
(607)-654-7383
15
Dec 2023
New Heights Dance Theater presents THE NUTCRACKER IN MOTION Land of the Sweets Dessert Party Friday, December 15, 2023 at 7:15pm
207 Clemens Center Parkway
6:00pm
(607)-734-8191
16
Dec 2023
New Heights Dance Theater presents THE NUTCRACKER IN MOTION Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm
207 Clemens Center Parkway
2:00pm and 7:00pm
(607)-734-8191
16
Dec 2023
Thru
17
Dec 2023
Join us for a festive holiday wine and food pairing to excite the senses and inspire your recipe planning ahead of the holiday season!
5986 State Route 89
multiple times available
(607)-869-9760
16
Dec 2023
Six wines. Six cheeses.
4704 NY-414
11am