October
Fall Fest at Seneca Park Zoo
Oct. 1–31
For the entire month of October, the Seneca Park Zoo will be decorated for the season with all things fall, including a variety of seasonal sweets available to eat and drink. “Spooktacular!” weekend events (Oct. 17–19) will include pumpkin carving demonstrations, trick-or-treating, storytelling, crafts, and more. Members receive free admission to the zoo and discounted Spooktacular! admission.
Seneca Park Zoo; 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester; 336-7200; senecaparkzoo.org
HalloweenFest at the Farm
Oct. 4–28
This outdoor event—happening Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October—will feature a “3D Halloween-themed walking trail,” costumed characters walking the grounds, interactive games, spooky wagon rides, a DJ on Friday nights, and live music on Saturday nights. Football fans won’t miss the game, thanks to the farm’s TVs, and food and beverages will be available for purchase. Leashed dogs allowed.
Lincoln Hill Farms; 3792 NY-247, Canandaigua; lincolnhillfarms.com
Agricultural Fair
Oct. 5–6
Genesee Country Village & Museum’s Agricultural Fair will include a farmer’s market for shoppers to explore, as well as livestock and cooking demonstrations, puppet shows, live music, and more. Seneca craftswoman Veronica Reitter will lead hands-on corn husk craft workshops, and Hodinöhsö:ni educator Leon Briggs will lead a fry bread demonstration. Organic farmers and local organizations will also educate visitors on topics like food justice history, climate-conscious eating, ethical sourcing, and more.
10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Genesee Country Village & Museum; 1410 Flint Hill Rd., Mumford; 538-6822; gcv.org
Hilton Apple Fest
Oct. 5–6
The town of Hilton will be celebrating their forty-second anniversary of the Hilton Apple Fest with two days of great family fun. Visitors can enjoy free admission, entertainment, and parking. Experience live entertainment, food, crafts and more.
Henry St, Hilton; 392-7773; hiltonapplefest.org
Trail of Terror
Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 and Nov. 2
In this haunted attraction, visitors will travel along an acre-long walking trail, where creepy costumed characters await. Expect strobe lights, fog machines, and more at the fifteenth annual Trail of Terror. Children must be at least five years old to be admitted.
10042 S. River Rd., Hunt; trailofterrorhuntny.com
Autumn Artisan Market
Oct. 12
Tinker Nature Park in Henrietta will host an Autumn Artisan Market this season, featuring a variety of vendors. Arts and crafts of all mediums will be available, as well as prepared foods and general merchandise. The park features a 1.2-mile and a 0.5-mile trail, as well as a playground, nature center, and several museums on the property.
10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Tinker Nature Park; 1525 Calkins Rd, Henrietta; 359-7044; henrietta.org
Apple Festival and Open House
Oct. 12–3
Visitors to the Rochester Folk Art Guild’s Apple Festival and Open House can experience guided studio tours and explore the 350-acre campus. The community and craft center is home to resident artists, who will showcase their work at this free festival, alongside visiting artists. Fresh apple cider will be pressed onsite, and farmhouse lunches and snacks will be available for purchase as well. The festival will also include live music, interactive workshops, and a special talk by Navajo weaver Marilou Schultz.
11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Rochester Folk Art Guild; 1445 Upper Hill Rd., Middlesex; 554-3539; bit.ly/FolkAppleFest
Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let’s Play!
Oct. 16
Mickey Mouse is readying the Clubhouse for a playdate with his pals from SuperKitties, Disney Jr.’s Ariel, the Puppy Dog Pals, and more in Disney Jr. Live On Tour: Let’s Play! A strange disturbance keeps interrupting Mickey, and Team Spidey will do everything they can to help save the day!
6 p.m.
Kodak Center; 200 West Ridge Rd.; 254-0181; kodakcenter.com
Haunted Stroll
Oct. 27
This New York State Historic Park, featuring a Queen Anne Victorian-style mansion and formal gardens, will host its annual Haunted Stroll again this year. Visitors will stroll through the gardens—including the Rock Garden, the Peacock House/Aviary, and more—encountering spooky characters along the way.
Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park; 250 Gibson St., Canandaigua; 394-4922; sonnenberg.org
Family Fun Day: Tricks & Treats
Oct. 27
Visitors to this Family Fun Day at the Rochester Museum & Science Center are encouraged to wear their favorite costume and visit trick or treat stations around the museum. Kids can collect candy and participate in hands-on activities, including mask-making, “candy” corn hole, and more.
Rochester Museum & Science Center; 657 East Ave.; 271-4320; rmsc.org
November
Rochester Royal Princess Ball
Nov. 2
This event, geared toward three- to seven-year-olds, is a princess character–themed event, with appearances by and meet-and-greets with Cinderella, Snow Sisters, Frog Princess, Tower Princess, and more. The Royal Princess Ball will feature stage performances, dancing, games, sing-alongs, and more.
10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
RIT Inn & Conference Center; 5257 W. Henrietta Rd.; (651) 494-4566; dreampartyforyou.com
Rochester Children’s Book Festival
Nov. 2
The twenty-seventh Annual Rochester Children’s Book Festival is a free event that will feature presentations for all ages, as well as a craft room for kids. There will be fifty authors onsite to interact with and sign books for purchase.
10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Monroe Community College; 1000 E. Henrietta Rd.; rcbfestival.com
NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet!
Nov. 9
Sugar plum fairies and snowflakes will dance their way onto the stage in this production of the Christmas favorite, The Nutcracker. The production features performers from all over the world, as well as puppetry and acrobatics.
3 p.m.
West Herr Auditorium Theatre/RBTL; 885 E. Main St.; 222-5000; rochesterauditoriumtheatre.com
Sweet Creations Gingerbread Display
Nov. 9–Jan. 5
The George Eastman Museum will be taken over by dozens of deliciously decorated gingerbread houses. These visual treats for the family will be auctioned off in a silent auction. Visit their website for admission information.
Eastman Museum, 900 East Ave, 327-4800; eastman.org
Corning Museum of Glass
Nov. 15–Dec. 2
The Shops will be hosting their annual Thanksgiving sale at the Corning Museum of Glass. Customers can choose from handmade glass and thousands of other gifts this holiday season. Guests do not need to pay Museum admissions to attend this event or benefit from discounts.
Corning Museum of Glass; 1 Museum Way, Corning; (800) 732-6845; home.cmog.org
Maker Faire Rochester
Nov. 16
The Maker Faire is a place for engineers, crafters, science clubs, authors, and more to share what they’ve made and what they’ve learned. Families may see projects featuring robots, digital fabrication, rockets, DIY science projects, urban farming and sustainability, and more. Educational workshops will be hosted onsite and local food will be available for purchase.
RIT Gordon Field House; The Quarter Mile Walkway; 943-1897; rochester.makerfaire.com
Little Mermaid
Nov. 22-24
The Cobblestone Community Players will present Disney’s Little Mermaid this November. Ariel, everyone’s favorite mermaid, will realize her dream of leaving the sea for the land. On November 8 from 12:30–1 p.m., the Players will perform a free preview of the show.
Cobblestone Arts Center; 1622 State Route 332; 398-0220; CobblestoneArtsCenter.com
Santa’s Wonderland Express Train Ride
Nov.–Dec.
Families will ride a heated, vintage train “to the North Pole” during this event where they will have a chance to visit Santa, enjoy face painting, family photos, visit the elf house, and more. Souvenirs and food concessions are available for purchase. The ride takes two hours and twenty minutes, and children two and under are free.
Arcade and Attica RR; 278 Main St., Arcade; 492-3100; aarailroad.com
Derek Hough: Dance for the Holidays
Nov. 23
Derek Hough is well-known to television audiences as an Emmy-winning Dancing With the Stars professional dancer and, later, judge. He has also acted on stage, in movies and on TV, as well as served as a judge on NBC’s World of Dance. In this performance, he and a cast of professional dancers will dance to holiday songs, both old and new.
8 p.m.
Kodak Center; 200 W. Ridge Rd.; 254-0181; kodakcenter.com
December
Christmas Tree Lighting Brunch with Elsa
Dec. 1
At this event, recommended for kids between three and eight years old, Elsa will use her magic to light a Christmas tree, with her sister Anna by her side. Tickets include a brunch buffet, and there will be live music, snowflake making, a photo op with the Frozen sisters, and more. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their favorite royal costume or holiday attire.
10:30 a.m.
OFC’s The Old Farm Cafe; 3450 Winton Pl.; 667-0954; ofccreations.com
Visit with the Grinch
Dec. 1
Visitors to this event will have a chance to meet the meanest and greenest Christmas grouch: the Grinch! Snacks will be provided; be sure to register for this event online.
10–11 a.m.
Perinton Community Center; 1350 Turk Hill Rd, Fairport; 223-5050; perinton.org
Fairytale of New York
Dec. 7
This Irish-inspired Christmas concert has already seen three sold-out tours in Ireland and the UK, and it stops this holiday season in Geneva. Singers, musicians, and dancers will perform a lively concert featuring holiday favorites and traditional Irish sing-along songs.
Smith Opera House; 82 Seneca St., Geneva; (315) 781-5483; thesmith.org
Pancake Breakfast
Dec. 7
The Manchester Fire Department will be hosting their third annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa this year. An $8 breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, and a drink. Children three years old and under are free.
8–11 a.m.
Manchester Fire Department; 8 Clifton St., Manchester; bit.ly/ManchesterPancakes
School of Rock
Dec. 7–22
Based on the film starring Jack Black, School of Rock is a musical about Dewey Finn, a failed rock star who turns a class of prep school kids into a jamming rock band. The musical will run every Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday between Dec. 7 and 22.
JCC’s CenterStage Theatre; 1200 Edgewood Ave.; 461-2000; jccrochester.org
Kid’s Holiday Shop
Dec. 11
Lots to the Tots, a nonprofit organization, will host this year’s Kid’s Holiday Shop at Lake Shore Country Club. At the event, kids will shop independently for their loved ones with the aid of a “holiday helper,” allowing them to choose gifts in secret for family and friends. All items will be $5 and under. Part of the proceeds will go toward the purchase of holiday gifts for children in need. Any visitors who bring a new, unwrapped toy for disadvantaged youth will be entered to win a prize.
Lake Shore Country Club; 1165 Greenleaf Rd.; 967-3905; lotstothetots.com
Attica Cookies & Photos with Santa
Dec. 14
Bubbys Breads and Bakery/Maplewood Market will be hosting Santa and Mrs. Claus this season. The shop will have cookies and cocoa available, and kids can stay busy with facepainting and a craft table. Baked goods and breads will also be available for purchase.
1:30–3:30 p.m.
Bubbys Breads and Bakery-Maplewood Market; 11099 Maplewood Rd., Attica; (716) 870-8347; bit.ly/BubbysSanta
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