Holiday Events

This holiday we will continue to create new traditions and support our local community. We’ve curated some of Ithaca’s most exciting 2024 holiday events to help lift our holiday spirits and spread holiday cheer. From shopping small to festive celebrations, make your winter merry and bright in Ithaca! 

Shops and Markets

For unique gifts and expertly crafted decor, Ithaca is one of the best places in the Finger Lakes to this season. We have great suggestions for thoughtful gifts and memortalbe experiences on our Made in Ithaca gift guide.

Many outdoor & indoor markets pop-up across the greater Ithaca area this season. We highly recommend the Press Bay holiday markets in November and December.

Shop small and directly from makers and artists. You will find many pop-up markets in November and December. For especially unique gifts, visit the Factory Holiday Art Market this year in early December at Artist Alley, the basement level of the South Hill Business Campus. Find great gifts and shop from over 50 artists in a factory setting. There will be plenty of parking, the market is also on the TCAT bus route.

The wine-themed Holiday Shopping Spree is back this year December 7-8 from 10 am to 5 pm along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. Treat yourself while shopping for others and cross items off your gift list as you sample before you buy. You’ll get a souvenir wine glass, a souvenir ornament, wine and food pairings, and more! Wineries are open year-round...winter is a perfect time to visitor for a more personalized tasting experience.

Shows, Performances, & Festivals

You won’t find a lot of traditional holiday practices, such as an official Christmas tree lighting or other ceremonies. Instead, we embrace the quirkiness of the season and the togetherness that this time of year brings with fun activities such as the Annual International Rutabaga Curl on the last Saturday of the outdoor market. Bring the whole family to this wild, wacky and ridiculous event. You’ll see MCs, referees, protestors, a chorus, instrumentalists, camera/radio crews and more rutabaga lore than you ever knew existed. You’ll have ample time to practice throwing and to alter your rutabaga to your liking.

Celebrate the season at the Winter Holiday Bash in downtown Ithaca on December 7, 2024. The Comfort Food Trail will continue December 7 through 21, as well as festive window displays along the Downtown Ithaca Commons. Trumansburg's WinterFest in this charming, quaint village on the west side of Cayuga Lake has also become a holiday tradition for locals and day-trippers.

The holiday tradition returns to The State Theatre with the Ithaca Ballet presenting The Nutcracker on December 13-15th. 

Holiday Decorating

Some will say November is too early for tree shopping. Others have a tree up the day after Halloween. Evergreen decor will be widely available after Thanksgiving.

From Friday, November 29th through Saturday, December 21st you’re invited to create family memories at Moore Tree Farms. Come find the perfect U-cut, pre-cut, or live Christmas tree, wreaths, ornaments, and decorations. Wreath makings workshops happen across Tompkins County, one beautiful setting for winter greenery inspiration is the Cornell Botanic Gardens.

Spreading Holiday Spirit

The Cass Park Ice Rink has public skating times nearly every day of the week, beginning as early as 9:15 am and even going to 9:30 pm on Saturdays. Skate rentals are available in sizes toddler through adult. While you're in the area, visit the Ithaca Children's Garden and then go to Ithaca Bakery for a warm beverage and a hearty sandwich or pastry treat.

Santa Sightings

Nothing brings the season to life more than a visit from Santa! He’ll be greeting guests at two places this season, on the same day thanks to his magic flying sleigh! 

Watch the annual tradition of Santa Arriving in Downtown Ithaca!! Before the man in red arrives, enjoy live performances, a hot cocoa bar, and everyone’s favorite- Sparky the Unicorn! Santa and his elves enter Downtown Ithaca in the most unique way possible: rappelling down from the roof of Center Ithaca onto Trolley Circle.

Bring your camera or phone to snap free photos with Santa and his sleigh outside at the Bernie Milton Pavilion. Don’t leave without stopping in at Alphabet Soup to write a letter reminding Santa of your family’s holiday requests. While there, purchase a toy to donate. Alphabet Soup has partnered with local organizations to collect toys for local kids.