The wildly popular Rock Holiday Village returns in December, once again transforming the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park in downtown Rochester into a winter wonderland.
The family-friendly event, with free admission, will be held in total. 17 days until December 23rd. Fest sponsored by Five Star Bank begins Friday, December 1st.
The event started in 2018 and attracted more than 125,000 visitors in its second year. After a one-year hiatus in 2020 due to the coronavirus, the month-long holiday festival has returned in 2021. Last year’s event attracted more than 140,000 visitors, according to festival organizers.
santa He plans to return to the workshop five days a week during the festival. New features this season include new rinkside igloo rentals for larger parties, an expanded selection of free arcade games at the Community Foundation and Triple-O Lodge, and daily beer tastings. Also new this year, a free silent disco event will be held at the ice rink on Dec. 7 and Dec. 14, with a different nonprofit each day hosting something called the “Giving Cup.” cocoa counter At the lodge.
“It’s almost hard to imagine downtown Rochester in December without the Rock Holiday Village, full of activity and excitement,” said Martin K. Birmingham, president and CEO of Five Star Bank. “This beautiful city attracts thousands of domestic and international tourists.” Main sponsor of the festival.
Activities will once again include free ice skates and skate rentals, a family ice hockey tournament, a shopping village, private igloo rentals, free live music, free crafts for kids, food trucks, an appearance from Santa, and more. included. A complete overview can be found by visiting rocholidayvillage.com and clicking on ‘Festival’.
liberty pole lighting
5pm Saturday, December 2nd, the annual Liberty Pole Lighting Ceremony will be held at the corner of East Main and Franklin streets downtown. This is followed by a short parade with Santa to the park and Rock Holiday Village. As always, Prime Time Brass Band will lead the parade.
festival layout
The scale of this year’s festival consists of two large heated tents and one housing. Community Foundation and Triple O Lodge And the other thing is gingerbread house. There is a small heated tent next to the lodge. Santa’s workshop, featuring free visits, photos with Santa, and free cookies. Children can also mail letters to Santa here. African American Santa will be at Santa’s Workshop on Thursday, December 7th and Wednesday, December 20th.
At the lodge, festival goers can purchase wine, beer, hard cider, mulled wine, cocoa, coffee, bubbles, soda, juice, and water. Rohrbach Brewing Company will debut a new beer for the festival, Village Lager. Free tastings of the new brew will be held at the lodge on Friday, December 1st, Saturday, December 2nd, Sunday, December 10th, Sunday, December 17th, and Thursday, December 21st.
There is free live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Karaoke takes over the microphone on Wednesday nights. There is also a mini arcade with free games.
The Gingerbread House will feature free crafting sessions for kids, holiday celebrations, a mini maker market, and more.
There are also many small outdoor booths with over 20 retailers selling their wares.
holiday celebration
Rock Holiday Village will host your next seasonal holiday celebration in our Gingerbread House.
- Hanukkah – Sunday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Storytelling, live music, and crafts.
- kwanzaa – Sunday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Live music and storytelling.
- three kings day – Live music and crafts Friday, Dec. 15 from 4 to 8 p.m.
- Christmas – Sunday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crafts, Christmas carols and more.
Village opening hours and dates
- Friday, December 1st, 4pm to 10pm
- Saturday, December 2 – 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, December 3 – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 6th – 4pm to 9pm
- Thursday, December 7th – 4pm to 9pm
- Friday, December 8th – 4pm to 10pm
- Saturday, December 9th – 11am to 10pm
- Sunday, December 10th, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 13th – 4pm to 9pm
- Thursday, December 14th – 4pm to 9pm
- Friday, December 15th – 4pm to 10pm
- Saturday, December 16th – 11am to 10pm
- Sunday, December 17th – 11am to 6pm
- Wednesday, December 20th – 4pm to 9pm
- Thursday, December 21st – 4pm to 9pm
- Friday, December 22nd – 4pm to 10pm
- Saturday, December 23rd – 11am to 10pm
of Triple O Lodge and frosty’s food court We will be open until 10pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The lodge and food truck will also be open until 6pm on Sundays.
Santa’s workshop Open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 4pm to 8pm. Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
igloo rental
While cozy igloo rentals are already sold out for the season, the village also offers complimentary outdoor seating around several fire pits on-site.
Covered by a geodesic dome, each private lounge offers views of the village, is furnished with cozy furniture, blankets and pillows, and offers bar service. The three large igloo inns vary in size, but the smaller two can accommodate his 30 people, and the largest inflatable his dome can accommodate up to 40 people. One inn is located next to the ice rink and also has a private deck with Adirondack chairs and a fire pit.
food truck
dubbing frosty’s food court, Food trucks will take over Court Street between Chestnut Street and Manhattan Square Drive as the road is closed to traffic. The food court area will also have tables, seating and outdoor heaters. The food truck lineup changes daily, with at least three vendors each day. For the daily lineup, visit rocholidayvillage.com/food.
Food vendors include Eat Greek Food Truck, Rob’s Kabobs, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, The Meatball Truck, Rob’s Al Dente, Wraps on Wheel, Cookie Coma, Melt Truck ROC, Red Osier, Steve and Al’s Steak Out, and Chef’s Includes catering.
ice skating
of Skating rink Opening hours (weather permitting): Open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
After the festival, the rink will be open for free skating for 90-minute sessions from noon to 8:50 p.m. daily from Tuesday, Dec. 26 to Sunday, Dec. 31, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 24. will also be opened. .
For the latest information on ice rink closures, please call (585) 428-7564.
Depending on the weather, other activities will also be held at the kidney-shaped ice rink. These include a hockey skills competition with NHL standout Ryan Callahan on Sunday, December 17th, curling and sled hockey demonstrations on Saturday, December 9th, and Sunday, December 10th. Saturday, December 16th will include figure skating performances and a silent show. Discos will be held on Thursdays, December 7th and 14th.
parking
Organizers recommend parking in metered parking lots.s On the street near the park. Available in adjacent garages such as the Washington Square Garage, the Allpro Parking Garage in the Five Star Bank Building, the Court Street Garage, the Midtown Garage, or the Strong National Museum of Play parking lot. Parking is also available in a nearby surface parking lot.
Court Street between Chestnut Street and Manhattan Square Drive will be closed to traffic during village business hours.