Embrace the cold-weather winter wonderland of Rochester, NY to celebrate the holiday season during the fifth annual City of Rochester Roc Holiday Village. This annual holiday festival brings the magic of the season to the heart of downtown Rochester with festivities for all ages that include visits with Santa, ice skating, a shopping village, pop-up restaurants, local craft beverages, tree lighting, Santa’s workshop, VIP winter igloos, celebrations for Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, and more.

With 17 days of fun with lots of pop-up events and activities, we're sharing our guide on what you need to know about this year's Roc Holiday Village.

The Shops

Wander the vendor village to shop a unique selection of sweets, treats, and treasures from artisan vendors to find the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list or to treat yourself. View a full list of local vendors by weekend here.

Village Shopping Hours:

  • Wednesdays 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

  • Thursdays 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

  • Fridays 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

  • Saturdays 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

  • Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Mark your calendars for additional shopping with the Roc Holiday Village Mini Maker Market happening on Wednesday, December 12 and 20.

The Lodge

Eat, drink, and be merry during the Roc Holiday Village with The Lodge Bar, Village Food & Drink Vendors, as well as the exclusive VIP winter igloos. The Lodge is where you’ll enjoy drinks from the bar stocked with wine and beer. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, relax and enjoy free live music. Stay tuned for more info on Frosty's Food Court, coming soon!

2023 Shopping Village Food & Drink Vendors:

  • The Chai Guy 

  • Duke's Donuts 

  • Tony Pepperoni 

  • La Bola

Special Events By Date

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1

Free Ice Skating | 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Visit Santa | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa for a photo, to mail letters with all of your Christmas wishes, enjoy a free, delicious cookie from Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, and more!

Free Crafts For Kids | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Embrace your children's creative side and join us in the T-Mobile Gingerbread House for FREE crafts for kids! A variety of easy handmade craft projects will keep your little ones busy (and happy) inside of the heated tent structure. Themes vary by day and are appropriate for kids of all ages!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2

Free Ice Skating | 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Visit Santa | 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa for a photo, to mail letters with all of your Christmas wishes, enjoy a free, delicious cookie from Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, and more!

Free Crafts For Kids | 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Embrace your children's creative side and join us in the T-Mobile Gingerbread House for FREE crafts for kids! A variety of easy handmade craft projects will keep your little ones busy (and happy) inside of the heated tent structure. Themes vary by day and are appropriate for kids of all ages!

Liberty Pole Lighting & Parade | 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

The annual Liberty Pole Lighting will include a new Lantern Parade to Roc Holiday Village held in conjunction with the City of Rochester and Downtown Definitely. Stay tuned for more details TBA!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3

Free Ice Skating | 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Visit Santa | 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa for a photo, to mail letters with all of your Christmas wishes, enjoy a free, delicious cookie from Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, and more!

Hanukkah Celebration | 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Join the Rochester community for a fun Hanukkah Celebration presented in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Rochester! The day features free ice-skating, storytelling, and Hanukkah crafts.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6

Free Ice Skating | 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Visit Santa | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa for a photo, to mail letters with all of your Christmas wishes, enjoy a free, delicious cookie from Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, and more!

Free Crafts For Kids | 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Embrace your children's creative side and join us in the T-Mobile Gingerbread House for FREE crafts for kids! A variety of easy handmade craft projects will keep your little ones busy (and happy) inside of the heated tent structure. Themes vary by day and are appropriate for kids of all ages!

Band Karaoke | 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Sing with the band Up2Somethin’ inside The Lodge Bar! A list of songs will be available as well as a monitor to follow along with the lyrics in true karaoke fashion.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7

Free Ice Skating | 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Visit Santa | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa for a photo, to mail letters with all of your Christmas wishes, enjoy a free, delicious cookie from Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, and more!

Free Crafts For Kids | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Embrace your children's creative side and join us in the T-Mobile Gingerbread House for FREE crafts for kids! A variety of easy handmade craft projects will keep your little ones busy (and happy) inside of the heated tent structure. Themes vary by day and are appropriate for kids of all ages!

Silent Disco | 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Experience a Silent Disco on the ice! Skate with your loved ones and friends while enjoying music through a personal headset provided to you free of charge.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8

Free Ice Skating | 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Visit Santa | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa for a photo, to mail letters with all of your Christmas wishes, enjoy a free, delicious cookie from Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, and more!

Free Crafts For Kids | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Embrace your children's creative side and join us in the T-Mobile Gingerbread House for FREE crafts for kids! A variety of easy handmade craft projects will keep your little ones busy (and happy) inside of the heated tent structure. Themes vary by day and are appropriate for kids of all ages!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9

Story Time with Santa | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Guests will listen to a holiday story read by Santa Claus and a holiday sing-along led by Mr. Loops inside the Triple-O-Lodge. 

Free Ice Skating | 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Curling Demo | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Watch a free curling demonstration on the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park.

Visit Santa | 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa for a photo, to mail letters with all of your Christmas wishes, enjoy a free, delicious cookie from Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, and more!

Free Crafts For Kids | 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Embrace your children's creative side and join us in the T-Mobile Gingerbread House for FREE crafts for kids! A variety of easy handmade craft projects will keep your little ones busy (and happy) inside of the heated tent structure. Themes vary by day and are appropriate for kids of all ages!

Sled Hockey Demo | 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Watch a free sled hockey demonstration on the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10

Free Ice Skating | 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Story Time with Anna & Elsa | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Join us for an enchanting one-of-a-kind experience with your favorite winter royalty, Anna and Elsa! Inside the Triple-O Lodge, guests will be treated to a holiday performance by Anna and Elsa. Children and adults alike will be delighted by a story and sing-along led by the winter sisters.

Visit Santa | 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa for a photo, to mail letters with all of your Christmas wishes, enjoy a free, delicious cookie from Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, and more!

Kwanzaa Celebration | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Celebrate Kwanzaa with storytelling and crafts throughout the day.

Free Crafts For Kids | 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Embrace your children's creative side and join us in the T-Mobile Gingerbread House for FREE crafts for kids! A variety of easy handmade craft projects will keep your little ones busy (and happy) inside of the heated tent structure. Themes vary by day and are appropriate for kids of all ages!

Genesee Figure Skating Club Performance | 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Watch a free skating performance at the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park by Genesee Figure Skating Club.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13

Free Ice Skating | 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Visit Santa | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa for a photo, to mail letters with all of your Christmas wishes, enjoy a free, delicious cookie from Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, and more! 

Mini Makers Market | 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Roc Holiday Village is proud to host a variety of local makers of handmade goods inside of the T-Mobile Gingerbread House tent. Here you’ll find artists, crafters, designers, DIYers, and confectioneries! Join us and support our local businesses and entrepreneurs while checking off your holiday shopping list!

Band Karaoke | 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Sing with the band Up2Somethin’ inside The Lodge Bar! A list of songs will be available as well as a monitor to follow along with the lyrics in true karaoke fashion.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14

Free Ice Skating | 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Visit Santa | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa for a photo, to mail letters with all of your Christmas wishes, enjoy a free, delicious cookie from Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, and more!

Free Crafts For Kids | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Embrace your children's creative side and join us in the T-Mobile Gingerbread House for FREE crafts for kids! A variety of easy handmade craft projects will keep your little ones busy (and happy) inside of the heated tent structure. Themes vary by day and are appropriate for kids of all ages!

Bar Trivia- Holiday Happy Hour with Rochester Pub Trivia | 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Join us for Bar Trivia at the Triple-O Lodge – an exciting new event for 2023! Round up your friends, put on your thinking caps, and get ready for a thrilling challenge that will bring out your competitive spirit.

Silent Disco | 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Experience a Silent Disco on the ice! Skate with your loved ones and friends while enjoying music through a personal headset provided to you free of charge.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15

Free Ice Skating | 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Three Kings’ Day Holiday Celebration | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Join us for a Three Kings’ Day Holiday Celebration presented by the Puerto Rican Festival.

Visit Santa | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa for a photo, to mail letters with all of your Christmas wishes, enjoy a free, delicious cookie from Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, and more!

Free Crafts For Kids | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Embrace your children's creative side and join us in the T-Mobile Gingerbread House for FREE crafts for kids! A variety of easy handmade craft projects will keep your little ones busy (and happy) inside of the heated tent structure. Themes vary by day and are appropriate for kids of all ages!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 

Free Ice Skating | 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Story Time with Anna & Elsa | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Join us for an enchanting one-of-a-kind experience with your favorite winter royalty, Anna and Elsa! Inside the Triple-O Lodge, guests will be treated to a holiday performance by Anna and Elsa. Children and adults alike will be delighted by a story and sing-along led by the winter sisters.

Visit Santa | 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa for a photo, to mail letters with all of your Christmas wishes, enjoy a free, delicious cookie from Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, and more!

Free Crafts For Kids | 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Embrace your children's creative side and join us in the T-Mobile Gingerbread House for FREE crafts for kids! A variety of easy handmade craft projects will keep your little ones busy (and happy) inside of the heated tent structure. Themes vary by day and are appropriate for kids of all ages!

Thomas Creek Figure Skating Club Performance | 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Details TBD

Learn to Skate With the Thomas Creek Figure Skating Club | 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

We are excited to offer a short and informal Learn to Skate class. Two coaches will be available, and older skaters will be there to assist. A portion of the rink will remain open for participants to enjoy free skating during the public skate. No sign-up is required, and the class is completely free.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17

Story Time with Santa | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Guests will listen to a holiday story read by Santa Claus and a holiday sing-along led by Mr. Loops inside the Triple-O-Lodge.

Free Ice Skating | 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Christmas Celebration | 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Details TBD

Visit Santa | 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa in the Gingerbread House, tell him what you want for Christmas, and have a photo taken with the jolly guy. You will receive an instant printed 4×6 copy for free. No worries about the wait, when you arrive, they’ll take your name and number and send you a text when it’s your turn with Santa!

Ryan Callahan Foundation Hockey Skills Competition | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Enter your child to participate or just watch this fun competition on the ice rink! Ryan Callahan is a retired professional hockey player known for his time as the Captain of the New York Rangers, Right Wing of the Tampa Bay Lightning & Olympic Silver Medalist for Team USA. 

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20

Free Ice Skating | 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Visit Santa | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa for a photo, to mail letters with all of your Christmas wishes, enjoy a free, delicious cookie from Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, and more! 

Mini Makers Market | 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Roc Holiday Village is proud to host a variety of local makers of handmade goods inside of the T-Mobile Gingerbread House tent. Here you’ll find artists, crafters, designers, DIYers, and confectioneries! Join us and support our local businesses and entrepreneurs while checking off your holiday shopping list!

Band Karaoke | 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Sing with the band Up2Somethin’ inside The Lodge Bar! A list of songs will be available as well as a monitor to follow along with the lyrics in true karaoke fashion.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21

Free Ice Skating | 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Visit Santa | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa for a photo, to mail letters with all of your Christmas wishes, enjoy a free, delicious cookie from Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, and more!

Free Crafts For Kids | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Embrace your children's creative side and join us in the T-Mobile Gingerbread House for FREE crafts for kids! A variety of easy handmade craft projects will keep your little ones busy (and happy) inside of the heated tent structure. Themes vary by day and are appropriate for kids of all ages!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15

Free Ice Skating | 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Visit Santa | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa for a photo, to mail letters with all of your Christmas wishes, enjoy a free, delicious cookie from Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, and more!

Free Crafts For Kids | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Embrace your children's creative side and join us in the T-Mobile Gingerbread House for FREE crafts for kids! A variety of easy handmade craft projects will keep your little ones busy (and happy) inside of the heated tent structure. Themes vary by day and are appropriate for kids of all ages!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23 

Free Ice Skating | 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Lace up your skates and glide onto the outdoor ice rink at MLK Park. Enjoy free skating, free skate rentals, and skate helpers, with gratitude to Wegmans!

Visit Santa | 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Visit with Santa for a photo, to mail letters with all of your Christmas wishes, enjoy a free, delicious cookie from Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, and more!

Free Crafts For Kids | 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Embrace your children's creative side and join us in the T-Mobile Gingerbread House for FREE crafts for kids! A variety of easy handmade craft projects will keep your little ones busy (and happy) inside of the heated tent structure. Themes vary by day and are appropriate for kids of all ages!

 

For more information on Roc Holiday Village and additional event details, visit rocholidayvillage.com. Don't forget to share your photos on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #VisitROC and #ROCHOLIDAYVILLAGE.