Rochester, New York, near the banks of Lake Ontario, offers visitors and residents several activity and entertainment options. Throughout the winter months, even with temperatures staying near freezing, visitors to Rochester will find several holiday and seasonal celebrations as well as indoor and outdoor festivities.
The Genesee Country Village and Museum hosts the annual Yuletide in the Country celebration. The festival takes place during the first three weekends of December and consists of dozens of historic 19th century buildings decorated for Christmas. Visitors can tour the village, watch reenactments of 19th century Christmas traditions or partake in the musical acts throughout the village. For those interested in participating in a traditional 19th century Christmas feast, a buffet is offered each night of festival.
Genesee Country Village and Museum
1410 Flint Hill Road
Mumford, NY 14511
585-538-6822
gcv.org
The George Eastman House features an annual exhibition of gingerbread houses from November through December. The exhibit includes 60 to 70 houses created by local bakers, amateur and professional alike. At the end of the exhibit, the gingerbread houses are auctioned off. The proceeds of the auction benefit a different charity every year.
George Eastman House
900 East Ave.
Rochester, NY 14607
585-271-3361
eastmanhouse.org
The Casa Larga Vineyards host the annual New York Ice Wine Festival. This festival takes place in the month of February and features the ice wines of Casa Larga as well as those of several other New York-based vineyards. The festival provides guests with wine tasting events, live music, winery tours and dining options. During the festival, numerous seminars take place that address topics like food and ice wine pairings, the process of ice wine creation and how to best serve ice wine. The festival also includes an ice wine gala with a five course dinner.
Casa Larga Vineyards
2287 Turk Hill Road
Fairport, NY 14450
585-223-4210
casalarga.com
The Bristol Mountain Ski Resort, located in Canandaigua, has 33 slopes and trails suitable for skiing and snowboarding as well as two terrain parks. Visitors to the resort can commute from Rochester, approximately 20 miles away, or stay at one of the nearby lodges or inns. The typical winter season lasts from early to mid-December to mid-March or early April, depending on the weather conditions. Throughout the winter, the resort receives an average of 130 inches of snowfall, with the snow base measuring from 24 to 40 inches.
Bristol Mountain Ski Resort
5662 Route 64
Canandaigua, NY 14424
585-374-6000
bristolmountain.com
The Mendon Ponds Winterfest has been an annual one-day event since 1995. Throughout the festival, individuals and families are introduced to a variety of winter sports and activities, including ice fishing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Several presentations are conducted by the Audubon Society, the local police department and forest rangers. Additional highlights of the day include craft seminars and sports competitions.
Mendon Ponds Winterfest
95 Douglas Road
Honeoye Falls, NY 14472
585-753-7275
mendonpondswinterfest.org
