Whether it's the bustling holiday shoppers at the Public Market or the excited children dazzled by the site of the Liberty Pole, the city helps put you in the holiday spirit. Each year, the City of Rochester sponsors free, family-friendly holiday events for all to enjoy. See you there!
Lighting of the Liberty Pole
Saturday, December 1
4:30 p.m.
FREE
Meet Santa, Rudolph, Frosty, and Mayor Richards as we light the Liberty Pole! Then join a festive, musical parade with the characters and the sounds of Prime Time Brass as we march from the Liberty Pole to Manhattan Square Park, where we'll watch fireworks, ice skate, and enjoy the holidays downtown! Get all the details on this traditional Rochester event!
Holidays at the Market
Sundays, December 2, 9, & 16,
9 a.m. to 3 p.m
FREE
Rochester Public Market
Enjoy a unique holiday shopping experience at the 107-year-old Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union St. Festive decorations will greet shoppers as they choose from the largest selection of fresh cut trees and wreaths in the area. Numerous vendors will offer art, crafts, decorations, holiday food delicacies, gift items, stocking stuffers and more. Shoppers are invited to stop in and taste microbrewed beer at Rohrbach’s, sample fresh-baked breads and sweets at the Union Street Bakery and savor the fresh, roasted coffee at Java’s at the Market. There will be fun for the entire family, including visits with Santa, free horse-drawn sleigh rides and other kid-friendly activities each Sunday. 
New Year's Eve Family Celebration & Fireworks
Monday, December 31
Rochester Riverside Convention Center
FREE
Looking for something to do with the family on New Year's Eve? Come to the City of Rochester's free celebration in the Convention Center. Downtown Rochester will play host to an abundance of fun-filled activities for the entire family. Free skate admission will be available to patrons for an Early New Year’s Eve Skate at the Manhattan Square Rink and will continue into a late-evening open-skate session. If ice skating is not your cup of tea, the Convention Center will be home to three hours of kid-friendly entertainment for families, followed by a magnificent fireworks display over the Genesee River.
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