OCT. 10
SCREAM FEST
Hamlin Town Park will host a spooky festival this season, featuring a costume contest and a screaming contest—where a king and queen will be crowned. There will be family-friendly activities and food vendors onsite.
12-5 p.m.
Hamlin Town Park; 1658 Lake Road,
Hamlin; 964-7222; hamlinny.org
OCT. 21
SWAN LAKE
One of the world’s most beloved classical ballets, Swan Lake, is coming to Rochester. The iconic ballet, with a score by Tchaikovsky, will be performed by The United European Ballet Company. The story follows Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette as they navigate an evil sorcerer’s spell that turns women into swans.
7 p.m.
West Herr Auditorium Theatre;
875 E. Main St.; 222-5000; rbtl.org
OCT. 24
TRUNK OR TREAT
Homesteads for Hope will open its property for fifty or so decorated car trunks during its Trunk or Treat event this season. Kids can stop at each trunk to view a festive display and pick up some candy. The event will also feature pumpkin painting, festive music, a costume contest, interactive activities, and more.
12–2 p.m.
Homesteads for Hope; 2185 Manitou Rd.;
352-4673; homesteadsforhope.org
OCT. 30
A SPOOKY CONCERT
The Temple Theater will host Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics this season. The tribute concert by candlelight will feature music inspired by Halloween, like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” “The Addams Family Theme,” The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s “Time Warp,” and more. This event is for ages eight and up.
2 p.m.
Temple Theater; 50 Liberty Pole Way; feverup.com
OCT. 31
MAKE A SPOOKY COMIC WITH A SPOOKY SOUNDTRACK POP-UP
Creativity lab director Dave Chisholm is leading a very spooky ninety-minute pop-up event that will be fun for all. He will lead kids as they make spooky comics, each with a spooky music soundtrack. Be prepared for zombies, vampires, and cosmic monsters. Registration required.
1–2:30 p.m.
Hochstein Creativity Lab,
50 N. Plymouth Ave.; 454-4596;hochstein.org/events/spooky-comic-pop-up
NOV. 7–JAN. 3
GINGERBREAD DISPLAY AT GEM
Every year, the George Eastman Museum is taken over by dozens of deliciously decorated gingerbread houses. These visual treats for the family will be auctioned in a silent auction. Visit eastman.org for admission information.
The George Eastman Museum, 900 East
Ave., 327-4800, eastman.org
NOV. 7
THE ROCHESTER CHILDREN & TEENS’ BOOK FESTIVAL
Fifty authors and illustrators will be onsite at this year’s Rochester Children & Teens’ Book Festival. The professionals will be meeting guests and signing books purchased at the event. There will also be crafts, drawing workshops, readings, panels, and more. New this year is a Teen Scene, with programming and authors specific to the age group.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Monroe Community College’s R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center; 1000 East Henrietta Rd.; rcbfest.com
NOV. 13–22
MEAN GIRLS: THE MUSICAL
Based on the 2004 film written by Tina Fey, Mean Girls: The Musical is a story about Cady, a newcomer to her suburban Illinois high school. She attempts to infiltrate a group of popular girls in an attempt to initiate their downfall.
Cobblestone Arts Center;
1622 Route 332, Farmington; 398-0220; cobblestoneartscenter.com
NOV. 20–22
HOLIDAY ARTS & CRAFTS BAZAAR
This holiday bazaar is a juried show with five floors of displays across the RMSC campus. Shoppers can expect a spectacular variety of carefully selected exhibitors showcasing creative, unique, hand-made items.
Rochester Museum and Science Center;
657 East Ave., 271-4320, RMSC.org
NOV. 25–DEC. 12
EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS
Jim Henson’s classic TV special comes to the stage in Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas at OFC Creations Theatre Center. It’s the holiday season, money is tight, and both Emmet and his mom wonder how they will buy presents for each other. The town announces a Christmas talent contest—with a prize of $50—and both of their imaginations start to run wild.
OFC Creations Theatre Center;
3450 Winton Pl.; 667-0954; ofccreations.com
Nov. 27–Dec. 20
A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE
The Lodge, decked out in Christmas splendor, will host Santa and Mrs. Claus, as they bring holiday wonder to Hidden Valley. Guests can frost butter cream cookies, write letters to Santa, and visit with Santa to take photos. Next, visitors board a trolley to be transported to Hidden Valley’s Mystical Forest to view the animals. Back at the station, every- one can feed and pet a variety of live animals in open-air stalls on the patio just outside the Trailside Grill.
9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Hidden Valley Animal Adventure
2887 Royce Rd., Varysburg; 535-4100; hiddenvalleyadventure.com
DEC. 2
CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG
In Clifford the Big Red Dog, a new musical comedy based on the beloved children’s books, Emily Elizabeth loves her dog Clifford very much, and he grows and grows in response to that love. Ultimately, the girl and her family find themselves with a house-sized dog and a need to leave their apartment in the city for a home on an island. This musical is recommended for kids in pre-K through second grade.
10 a.m.
The Smith Opera House; 82 Seneca St.,
Geneva; (315) 781-5483; thesmith.org
DEC. 6
PICTURES WITH SANTA
Santa Claus will visit the Wadsworth Homestead in Geneseo this holiday season. The homestead, which has been in the same family for more than 200 years, will also host a professional photographer to capture guests’ moments with Santa. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite holiday attire.
1-4 p.m.
The Wadsworth Homestead; 4 South St.,
Geneseo; 764-9005; wadsworthhomestead.com
DEC. 6-13
HOLLY TROLLEY RIDES
The only trolley railroad in the state will provide a two-mile round-trip ride for visitors, as well as an opportunity to visit with Santa, in December. The New York Museum of Transportation will be decorated for the holidays, and museum exhibits will include the Midtown Plaza Monorail, a steam locomotive, several trolley cars, and more. Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies will be available.
New York Museum of Transportation; 6393 East River Rd.; nymtmuseum.org
DEC. 7
THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS IN ELMIRA
This musical adaptation of the original book series, The Magic School Bus, follows a field trip to the planetarium with Ms. Frizzle. When the group gets lost along the way, Ms. Frizzle takes the trip out of this world, rocketing to outer space.
10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Clemens Center; 207 Clemens Center Pkwy, Elmira; (607) 734-8191; clemenscenter.org
Dec. 7–12
THE LITTLE MERMAID
Deep beneath the Sassafras Sea lives Celia, a Little Mermaid along with her three sisters. Celia is allowed one visit to the World Above on her sixteenth birthday. What will life be like on dry land? On dry land Celia runs into dragons, armies, and Prince Charming. This fun version of this classic story is packed with music, unexpected twists, and colorful characters for all children to enjoy. Presented by the Missoula Children’s Theatre. TYKEs Theater;
1200 Edgewood Ave.,
jccrochester.org/arts-culture/tykes
DEC. 10
NUTCRACKER! MAGICAL CHRISTMAS BALLET
The largest Nutcracker production in North America will visit the West Herr Auditorium Theatre this December. Against the backdrop of Tchaikovsky’s score, this classic Christmas story of a girl’s Christmas toy coming to life is told with international dancers, acrobatics, puppetry, and more.
7 p.m.
West Herr Auditorium Theatre;
885 E Main St.; 222-5000; rbtl.org
DEC. 16
I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS FOR CHRISTMAS
Elmira’s Clemens Center presents I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas this December. The musical centers on the anticipated birth of Ypsilanti Zoo’s first baby hippo. The zookeeper’s daughter, Lois Jean, is especially excited for the birth and for what it will mean for her family.
10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Clemens Center; 207 Clemens
Center Pkwy, Elmira; (607) 734-8191; clemenscenter.org
DEC. 19–20
WINTERFEST AT EASTMAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Each year the Eastman Community Music School showcases the talent of its students during a celebration of the winter season. An extravaganza of performances in venues across the Eastman School of Music campus, Winterfest features ensembles and students ranging in age from elementary school to adults. Please check the website for the full line-up of performances and locations.
Eastman Community School, various venues, esm.rochester.edu/community/winterfest
DEC. 31
NOON YEAR’S EVE AT THE ZOO
For those who aren’t interested in staying up until midnight, the Seneca Park Zoo will have a countdown to the New Year at noon on the last day of the year. There will be two ball drop locations at the zoo. Visitors can walk the grounds and visit the resident animals while celebrating the holiday.
12 p.m.
Seneca Park Zoo; 2222 St. Paul St.;
336-7200; senecaparkzoo.org
Have an event of your own to publicize? You can add it to our online calendar at 585kids.com. You may also email details to cg****@****ag.com.
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2026 issue of (585) Kids.
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