Celebrate the holiday in a winter wonderland! During the colder months, the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York transforms into an idyllic snowy paradise. There are few places better to enjoy this festive season than our cozy region. Discover the best ways to enjoy this special time of year with the best Finger Lakes Christmas events! Download our free Vacation Guide for a full list of events in the region.

Enjoy These Finger Lakes Christmas Events

Deck the Halls

December 4th-6th, the annual Deck the Halls event celebrates its 30^th year with Sip Back and Relax Tours.  It features 19 different wineries where you can enjoy a self-guided tour on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, all of which are beautifully decorated for the holiday season, and try wine and food pairings. Each stop also features an ornament you can collect for mementos of your experience. While regular tickets are already sold out, there are some weekend packages still available for couples and groups. For those that can't make this event, there is also the Boundary Breaks Annual Wine & Cookie Pairing happening on several weekends throughout December, starting on December 9th. Enjoy five Boundary Break wines paired with five homemade holiday cookies.

It's a Wonderful Life Celebration

The quiet village of Seneca Falls is often said to be the inspiration for the fictional town of Bedford Falls from the classic film It's a Wonderful Life. Even actors from the movie, upon visiting the quiet New York town, instantly made the connection to the setting of the iconic story they crafted onscreen. Find the similarities for yourself when you visit for the annual It's a Wonderful Life Celebration! Running from December 9th- 13th,this weekend-long event includes horse-drawn carriage rides, charity events, holiday-themed competitions, an annual 5K walk/run, and (of course) screenings of the movie!

Handcrafted Holidays

Enjoy a unique, specially prepared, self-guided experience at each of the six-member wineries along the Keuka Lake Wine Trail on November 14th, from 10 am to 5 pm.  For this Handcrafted Holidays event, you'll have a custom itinerary for the day where you're treated to special wine samples, holiday food pairings, and special tastings.

Watkins Glen Village Christmas

For over 31 years, downtown Watkins Glen has transformed into a paradise of holiday cheer for one evening in early December. Join us on December 4th, for Village Christmas! The evening starts with the Our Visions of Christmas Around the World Parade at 6:30 pm. Then, enjoy music, great food, and a visit from Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus and their reindeer. The evening finishes with a gorgeous fireworks display at the pier at 7:30 pm. This is a must for the whole family!

Christmas in the Park

Every year the Hammondsport square has a 'Christmas in the Park' event from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. It truly transforms into a paradise of holiday cheer for one evening in early December. Join us on December 12th, for Christmas in the Park! Santa arrives at 5:00 pm with his reindeer, and there will be horse-drawn wagon rides around the village, along with local musicians and vendors to add to the festive spirit!

JinGle & mingle

Celebrate the season with the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail’s beloved holiday event—now reimagined as Jingle & Mingle November 20–22 | December 4–6! Formerly known as Holiday Shopping Spree, this festive weekend brings you the same experience you know and love, with a fresh new name.

As you travel to 10 participating wineries, you’ll enjoy wine tastings, festive bites, and collect a full set of themed holiday ornaments along the way. This year’s collection features a charming lineup of reindeer, designed to be gathered at each stop.

By the end of your journey, you’ll have a complete ornament set, new favorite wines, and plenty of holiday cheer to carry into the season.

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