The 8th annual ROC Holiday Village will be here before you know it and this year it is bringing the best holiday festivities to Rochester, New York once again. From holiday crafts and children’s activities to ice skating and meeting Santa Claus, this is a Rochester holiday event you don’t want to miss.
ROC Holiday Village is a family fun event that features free ice skating, Santa’s Workshop, a craft room, shopping, and food. It is a great way to celebrate the holidays in Rochester, New York for families of all ages. Young kids will leave the crafts and meeting Santa. Older kids will enjoy the food and ambiance of the winter village.
I remember visiting during the second year of ROC Holiday Village. It was the first time we have ice skated as a family and we had a blast. Since that first year the village has expanded to include many more activities for families and adults.
It is a great place for a family day out or a night out with friends. I love that there is always something new to find when visiting. Let’s get into everything you need to know about ROC Holiday Village to plan your visit this holiday season.
This post may contain affiliate links.
ROC Holiday Village Dates 2026
ROC Holiday Village will be open November 27th- December 20th. The event will run 16 days including opening weekend on Black Friday. Each weekend will have special events and activities. ROC Holiday Village is free to walk around. Some events are ticketed and sell out quickly.
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What to Do at ROC Holiday Village
There are free things to do at ROC Holiday Village as well as activities you want to book well in advance. However you plan your day will be great, but if you want to do some of the more popular activities be sure to book as soon as possible.
Free Activities:
- Open Ice Skate that includes skate rentals. Ice Rink events that include:
- Silent Discos on Thursday, Dec. 10 and Thursday, Dec. 17 from 8–10 PM
- Figure skating performances and free learn-to-skate clinics
- Sled hockey demonstration on Sunday, Dec. 13
- Curling demonstration and instruction on Saturday, Dec. 19 from 11 AM–1 PM
- Visit with Santa where you can meet Santa, mail letters, and enjoy complimentary cookies.
- Shop along the holiday village with over 27 vendors.
- Band Karaoke on Wednesday, Dec. 9 and Wednesday, Dec. 16 from 7–9:30 PM
- Crafts and Activities:
- Free Game Nights & Trivia Nights in the Gingerbread House on select Fridays and Saturdays
- Mini Maker Markets on Wednesday, Dec. 9 and Wednesday, Dec. 16
- Free kids’ crafts and workshops in the Gingerbread House throughout the season
- I SPY Scavenger Hunt- Free scavenger hunt to find the 9 polar bears throughout the village. Prize at the end, pick up form at the ROC Holiday Village Merchandise booth- Santa’s Gift Shop.
- Adventure Map- pick up your free map at ROC Holiday Village merchandise booth and solve clues around the village to receive a prize.
- Holiday Celebrations:
- Kwanzaa on Sunday, Nov. 29
- Three Kings Day on Sunday, Dec. 6
- Hanukkah on Sunday, Dec. 13
- Christmas celebration on Sunday, Dec. 20
- Nativity & Liberty Pole Lighting
- New for 2026! Snowball Smash, an interactive activity near the ice rink where guests can test their aim and win prizes (Add on fee)
- Winter Wonderland Run on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 4:30 PM (Registration Required)
Ticketed Events: (All events go on sale at 10:00am November 2nd)
- Holiday Wreath Decorating
- Paint & Sip
- Story Time with Santa
- Holiday Magic Show
IGLOO Information: (typically sell out the day they go on sale)
- IGLOO Inns – great for larger events, on sale October 13th
- Cozy Winter Igloos- best for intimate gatherings, on sale October 22nd
ROC Holiday Village Dining
There are numerous options for visitors who want a holiday treat. I suggest a warm beverage and a walk through the holiday shops. This year food options include:
- The Triple-O Lodge bar featuring beer, wine, hard cider, mulled wine, sparkling wine, and nonalcoholic options.
- Build your own Cheese & Charcuterie board.
- Frosty’s Food Court with a rotating lineup of food trucks on Court Street
- Expanded food and drink options in the Shopping Village, including pizza, donuts, chai, coffee, holiday cookies, and more
- The Giving Cup- each day a different nonprofit serves hot cocoa with proceeds going towards their charity.
- Rohrbach Brewing Company’s Village Lager returns for 2026
- Free tasting events throughout the season
ROC Holiday Village- Recap
We are so lucky to have a wonderful holiday market in Rochester NY. In 2025 it made the top 10 list for the best holiday markets in the United States.
So….Is ROC Holiday Village worth the visit?
I think it is for families of all ages. Families with young children will want to visit with Santa and participate in the free crafts and activities. If you have older kids consider visiting for an evening and try out the food truck vendors. It is even great for a date night or girls night out.
If you plan to ice skate I would start your day there to beat the crowds. There is something special about ice skating outside with holiday lights around you and holiday music playing in the background.
We arrived a few minutes before skating started and I was happy we did, the lines for skating became quite long. After that we headed over to Santa’s Workshop.
Santa’s Workshop is a walk through exhibit that features model train sets, the original midtown monorail, meeting Santa, and a cookie + milk treat at the end. If the line is long you can receive a text for a return time and enjoying walking around the shops. This was so much fun when my kids were small.
Overall ROC Holiday Village is a great activity to do with your family. If you are looking to spend less this holiday season head over to skating and walk around to enjoy the ambiance of the season.
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Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.