The annual Roc Holiday Village returns Dec. 3 through 19 for its third year, following last year’s pandemic-induced hiatus.
The holiday festival, hosted by the city of Rochester and sponsored by Five Star Bank, once again turns Martin Luther King Jr. Park into a veritable winter wonderland, with free ice skating (limited skate rentals available) and various ice rink activities, food trucks and pop-up restaurants, live music, and plenty of shopping featuring local vendors.
Roc Holiday Village opens at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, and the festivities kick into high gear at 5 p.m. Saturday, with the lighting of the Liberty Pole — a Rochester holiday hallmark — and subsequent family parade to the Christmas tree lighting at the Holiday Village.
As always, there are additional family-friendly activities planned with the little ones in mind — from a nativity scene accompanied by a petting zoo with sheep, goats, and alpacas, to craft-making inside the heated Gingerbread House.
And no Christmas experience is complete without a visit with Santa Claus, who will be present on Saturday, Dec. 4; Wednesdays, Dec. 8 and 15; and Sunday, Dec. 19.
Individual holidays will be also spotlighted at Roc Holiday Village on the following days:
- Sunday, Dec. 5 — Hanukkah
- Sunday, Dec. 12 — Kwanzaa
- Friday, Dec. 17 — Three Kings
- Sunday, Dec. 19 — Christmas
For more details, including dates and times for specific events, go to rocholidayvillage.com.
