Photo via @jinz_production 

Returning home to Rochester for the holiday season? Welcome home!

 

Whether your last visit to Rochester was one month, or one year ago (or even longer!), there are many new spots and old favorites to explore when you are home for the holidays in Rochester. While you’re in town during the busy holiday season, catch up with old friends and reunite with family, all while rediscovering the city you grew up in. Below are some seasonally appropriate options to consider during your return to Rochester.

 

Grab a drink with old friends

There are plenty of fun and friendly breweries in Rochester, and they come in all shapes, sizes and styles. Tasting Table even named Rochester, NY one of the best cities for beer lovers. With iconic spots like the Genesee Brew House -- home of the Genesee Keg Tree, the nation's favorite Christmas tree -- and Rohrbach Brewing Company, ROC is a great place to be as a beer lover. Some of our favorites include Strangebird (recently named the 2nd best Brewpub in the country by USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards and one of the best breweries in the U.S. by Vinepair), Sager-Stoneyard Pub, Three Heads Brewing and Other Half Brewing Finger Lakes. 

Looking for wine or craft spirits? You’ve come to the right place. Check out Rochester's Living Roots Wine & Co., the first urban winery in the Finger Lakes region, and Fairport's Casa Larga Vineyards, one of the top wineries in the region. 20 Deep in Mendon, NY boasts a welcoming and comfortable tasting room that is family-friendly, while serving delicious wines and NA options. Taste a full spectrum of wines made in the Finger Lakes at Once Finger Lakes, located on Seneca Lake. Once is a wine bar featuring a curated list of wines produced in the Finger Lakes. Rochester also has more than a few wine bars for you to pick from, including Flight Wine Bar, Legacy Wine Bar, Vine & Tap and Unwine'd. 

If you're in the mood for whiskey, enjoy a spirit tasting at a Rochester distillery like Iron Smoke Distillery. Pro tip: check out their cocktail menu and try one of their seasonal craft cocktails!

And we didn't forget about our alcohol-free friends, AltBar, Rochester's own NA bar and bottle shop, is a must visit!

 

Finish your Christmas shopping…locally!

Greater Rochester has so much to offer, which is why we love to shop and support local. You can find just about anything here from local boutiques (local favorites includes Cleo + Kin, The Op Shop, Mansawear, Boutique by UB, NOTION, Second Look Boutique, Figgy Studio and Shop, and Lala's of Webster), contemporary clothing and one of the largest selections of Rochester gifts at Peppermint to Scents by Design, a custom candle shop. The Record Archive is another must-visit, one of the largest record stores in the country and the first in the northeast to serve beer and wine! Sipping and shopping for vinyl, vintage clothing and so much more sounds like the perfect day to us!

Rochester also hosts a multitude of seasonal markets. We love THEMATA, Roc Holiday Village’s Shopping Village and the Lucky Flea.

Browse a full list of local shops to visit this holiday season with our guide here. 

 

Dust off your skis and skates

If winter sports are calling your name, Rochester is answering!

 

Go out on the town

There’s something for everyone in Rochester’s nightlife scene, and it feels like new bars and clubs pop up every day. We love Bitter Honey, The Alexander, Good Luck, and The Daily Refresher for a craft cocktail. If you love to dance, we’d recommend Lovin’ Cup and Iron Smoke, both of which have live music on weekends. Like games? Radio Social, The Playhouse/Swillburger, Dice Versa, Nerdvana, and Dave & Buster’s each combine good drinks and fun times.

 

Catch a Show

Rochester’s theatre scene puts us on the map, with more than 25 theatrical companies and venues, offering original shows, yearly traditions like A Christmas Carol, touring Broadway shows, and more.

Start planning your night at the theatre with venues like Blackfriars Theatre, Geva Theatre, OFC Creations, Rochester Broadway Theatre League, and more.

 

Explore the Local Coffee Scene

If it's been a while since your last visit home, you may not know that Rochester has had a bit of a coffee shop boom lately. From classic favorites like Neutral Ground Coffee in Pittsford and Locals Only on Alexander Street, to newer must-visit spots like The Siren and the Sea Books & Coffee in the South Wedge, ROC is THE place to get your caffeine fix. Find our roundup of local coffee shops to check out here. 

 

Visit a Museum

Did you know that Rochester is the cultural capital of Upstate New York? Take time during your visit home to check out a Rochester museum, like the Strong National Museum of Play (fun for all ages!), the George Eastman Museum, Memorial Art Gallery, the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House, and Rochester Museum & Science Center – among many others! Also, check out seasonal events at Genesee Country Village & Museum during your visit home. See a full listing of Rochester museums here.

 

Take in a Festive Function

The calendar is filled with fun and festive events during the holiday season in Rochester. From traditional favorites like the RPO Holiday Pops and Sweet Creations at the George Eastman Museum, to the beloved ROC Holiday Village, there are many holiday-themed events to enjoy in Rochester. 

Don’t miss any local events during your stay! Read our full Guide to 2025 Holiday Events in Rochester, NY.