Eighth Annual Roc Holiday Village Opens on Black Friday for the First Time, Kicking Off 16 Days of Holiday Festivities

Open Nov. 27-Dec. 20 at MLK Park; Village build begins Oct. 19; Igloo Inns on sale Oct. 13; Cozy Winter Igloos on sale Oct. 22; special event tickets on sale Nov. 2

From left, Roc Holiday Village co-founders Jenna Manetta-Knauf, Sean McCarthy and Kelli Marsh; Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans; ESL Federal Credit Union President and CEO Tom Rogers; Wegmans Director of Community Engagement & Communications Tracy Van Auker, gather at the Roc Holiday Village press conference on Sept. 29, 2026, at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park. Photo by Tomas Flint for Roc Holiday Village.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Sept. 29, 2026 — The holidays will arrive early in downtown Rochester this year as the eighth annual City of Rochester Roc Holiday Village, presented by ESL Federal Credit Union, opens on Black Friday, Nov. 27, for the first time, kicking off 16 days of holiday festivities.

Co-owners Jenna Manetta-Knauf, Kelli Marsh and Sean McCarthy announced details of the 2026 season at a news conference today.

The free, family-friendly winter festival returns to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park for 16 days of holiday festivities through Dec. 20. The 2026 season will feature free ice skating and skate rentals, visits with Santa, an expanded Shopping Village, local food and drinks, cozy winter igloos, crafts for kids, cultural celebrations, live music, special events and more.

Roc Holiday Village welcomed more than 200,000 visitors in 2025, its largest attendance to date. The festival also received national recognition, including being named a national winner for Best Holiday Market and Best Ice Skating Rink in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, along with honors from Newsweek, TZR and Travel + Leisure.

Production of Roc Holiday Village will begin Oct. 19, when crews start building the expansive deck that transforms Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park into the holiday festival site.

Highlights and What’s New for 2026

Roc Holiday Village will kick off the holiday season earlier than ever with its first Black Friday opening on Nov. 27.

The Shopping Village will expand to 27 vendors each week, giving visitors even more opportunities to shop from local and regional businesses throughout the season. Two Mini Maker Markets are planned for Dec. 9 and 16.

New for 2026, Snowball Smash will introduce an interactive activity near the ice rink, giving visitors the chance to test their aim and win prizes. A fee will be charged to play.

Expanded food and drink offerings on the main deck will feature pizza, donuts, chai, soup and grilled cheese, shortbread, coffee and a holiday cookie bar.

Ticketed special events will include returning favorites and new additions. Story Time With Santa will be offered Saturday, Dec. 12; Saturday, Dec. 19; and Sunday, Dec. 20, at 9:30 a.m. Tickets are $37, plus tax. Hill Holiday Wreath Decorating will take place Saturday, Nov. 28, from 8:30 to 10 p.m., with tickets priced at $69, plus tax. Paint & Sip will take place Friday, Dec. 11, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., with guided or freestyle painting on an 8-by-10-inch canvas and one complimentary beverage included. Tickets are $48, plus tax. A new Holiday Magic Show, featuring interactive magic, crowd participation and balloon animals, is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 13, at 9:30 a.m., with tickets priced at $37, plus tax. Special event tickets go on sale Monday, Nov. 2, at 10 a.m.

More Igloo Inn reservation opportunities will be available this season for private holiday gatherings, company outings and group celebrations. Igloo Inn reservations go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 10 a.m.

Free ice skating and skate rentals, presented by Wegmans, will return, along with extended skating after Roc Holiday Village closes for the season. Special rink programming will include figure skating performances, learn-to-skate activities, sled hockey, curling and Silent Discos.

Santa’s Workshop will return with free visits and photos with Santa, presented by Ide Family of Dealerships, and free Wegmans cookies.

Free kids crafts in the Gingerbread House will also be offered with community partners including the Rochester Public Library, Home Depot, Brooklyn Robot Foundry, Memorial Art Gallery, Medline and WXXI/PBS Kids.

Live music, Band Karaoke and free-to-play arcade games will also return.

The Rochester Regional Health Photo Experience will be located near the main entrance.

“It’s incredible to see how much Roc Holiday Village has grown over eight years and how many families have made it part of their holiday traditions,” said co-founders Jenna Manetta-Knauf, Kelli Marsh and Sean McCarthy. “Opening on Black Friday for the first time gives us even more reason to celebrate this year. We’re always looking for ways to make the Village better while keeping the experiences people come back for year after year, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back.”

On Saturday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m., the annual Liberty Pole Lighting will include a parade to Roc Holiday Village, held in partnership with the City of Rochester. More details will be announced at a later date.

“ROC Holiday Village has become one of Rochester’s great holiday traditions, bringing families downtown to enjoy the lights, skating, food, shopping, and music,” said City of Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans. “We’re grateful to the ROC Holiday Village team, ESL, Wegmans, and all of the sponsors who make this possible. I encourage everyone to come downtown Thanksgiving weekend and beyond and celebrate another holiday season in Rochester.”

“We’re proud to return as the presenting sponsor of this year’s Roc Holiday Village,” said Tom Rogers, president & CEO, ESL Federal Credit Union. “Events like this bring energy and excitement to downtown, while creating opportunities for families and friends to make lasting memories together. We’re grateful to support a celebration that highlights local businesses, people, and places that make our region such a special place to call home.”

“Creating opportunities for connection and shared experiences is an important part of building healthy, thriving communities,” said Tracy Van Auker, director of community engagement and communications at Wegmans. “We’re proud to support Roc Holiday Village and help create a destination where families and friends can come together, enjoy all that Rochester has to offer, and celebrate the holiday season. It’s an event that highlights the best of our community while creating memories that last long after the season ends.”

Village Dates and Hours

Roc Holiday Village will be open for 16 days from Nov. 27 through Dec. 20.

Opening Weekend
Friday, Nov. 27: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 28: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 29: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Dec. 4 to 6
Friday: 4 to 11 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Dec. 9 to 13 and Dec. 16 to 20
Wednesday and Thursday: 4 to 10 p.m.
Friday: 4 to 11 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Hours for Santa’s Workshop, the Shopping Village, ice rink, the Triple-O Lodge and other Village attractions will be available at rocholidayvillage.com.

Igloo Inn Tickets Available Oct. 13 at 10 a.m.

The popular Igloo Inns return to Winter Igloo Village, presented by Rochester Area Community Foundation, with more available reservation times. The heated private spaces offer companies and groups a place to gather for holiday celebrations and other events in the heart of Roc Holiday Village.

Igloo Inn bookings range from two to 3 1/2 hours, with prices ranging from $595 to $1,300, plus tax, gratuity and fees. Tax-exempt nonprofit organizations may submit their exemption documentation before booking.

Igloo Inn tickets go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. exclusively at rocholidayvillage.com.

Cozy Winter Igloo Tickets Available Oct. 22 at 10 a.m.

Cozy Winter Igloos return to Winter Igloo Village, presented by Rochester Area Community Foundation, offering heated private geodesic domes for groups of up to six people. Each igloo features cozy furnishings, a Bluetooth speaker and clear views of Roc Holiday Village. Guests can enhance their visit by pre-ordering food and drinks when booking, with additional drinks available from the Triple-O Lodge Bar through their server during the reservation. The 90-minute bookings are $222, plus gratuity and taxes.

Cozy Winter Igloo tickets go on sale Thursday, Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. at rocholidayvillage.com. Cozy Winter Igloos sold out in one day in 2025.

Story Time With Santa Tickets On Sale Nov. 2 at 10 a.m.

Story Time With Santa, presented by the Democrat and Chronicle, will be presented on three dates this season: Saturday, Dec. 12, 9:30 a.m.; Saturday, Dec. 19, 9:30; and Sunday, Dec. 20, 9:30. The events, which sold out last year, are held inside The Triple-O Lodge and include storytelling, a sing-along, photo opportunities, crafts, and refreshments.

Tickets go on sale Monday, Nov. 2, at 10 a.m. at rocholidayvillage.com.

Gingerbread House Offers Free Crafts, Cultural Celebrations and Evening Events

The heated Gingerbread House will offer free kids’ crafts and workshops, cultural celebrations, Mini Maker Markets and evening events.

Free daytime activities will feature partners including the Rochester Public Library, Brooklyn Robot Foundry, Memorial Art Gallery, Home Depot and Medline, along with new programming from WXXI/PBS Kids. Mini Maker Markets will be held Wednesday, Dec. 9, and Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Holiday cultural celebrations include Kwanzaa on Sunday, Nov. 29; Three Kings Day on Sunday, Dec. 6; Hanukkah on Sunday, Dec. 13; and a Christmas celebration on Sunday, Dec. 20.

Evening programming will include Game Nights hosted by Game Night Rochester on Nov. 27, Dec. 4 and Dec. 18; Trivia Nights on Dec. 5, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19; and a Paint and Sip on Dec. 11. A Holiday Floral Class is also planned for Nov. 28.

A bar will be open during evening events, offering beer, wine, hard cider, canned cocktails and nonalcoholic options.

Free Events and Activities in 2026

A full schedule of free programming will be presented for families and visitors of all ages.

Free ice skating and skate rentals, presented by Wegmans, will be available every day the Village is open. Skating hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. Opening weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, and Saturday, Nov. 28, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29.

Santa’s Workshop, located in a heated indoor tent, will return with free visits and Pictures with Santa, presented by Ide Family of Dealerships, and free cookies courtesy of Wegmans.

Free crafts for kids will be offered throughout the season inside the Gingerbread House.

Holiday celebrations will take place in the Gingerbread House on the following dates:

Special ice rink activities will include:

More activities throughout the season include:

Shopping, Eating and Drinking

The Triple-O Lodge is a heated indoor tent featuring cozy lounge seating, communal tables and a bar serving wine, beer, hard cider, hard seltzer, mulled wine, sparkling wine and nonalcoholic beverages. Free tasting events will also be offered throughout the season, with the schedule available at rocholidayvillage.com.

The Giving Cup, presented by Tim Horton’s, will return to the Triple-O Lodge, giving guests the opportunity to support 21 local nonprofit organizations throughout the season. Participating nonprofits include Ability Partners Foundation, American Red Cross of Western New York, Best Buddies, Center for Youth, CURE, Dollars for Scholars, Downtown ROCs, Families Thrive, Flower City Special Hockey, GiGi’s Playhouse, Grace the Arts, Hickok Center for Brain Injury, IACKids, Make-A-Wish, Outlaw, Roc Royal, Rochester Accessible Adventures, Rochester Childfirst Network, Seneca Park Zoo Society, 441 Ministries Beechwood and Verona Street Animal Society. In 2025, The Giving Cup raised more than $25,500 for participating nonprofits.

The Shopping Village expands in 2026 with 27 vendors each week, offering locally made gifts, apparel, jewelry, home decor, specialty foods and more. Visitors can also shop official Roc Holiday Village merchandise and keepsakes.

New and returning food and drink vendors in the Shopping Village will offer pizza, donuts, chai, soup and grilled cheese, shortbread, coffee, holiday cookies, fudge and more. Vendors include Tony Pepperoni, Duke’s Donuts, The Chai Guy, La Bola, Caphein Coffee & Co., Scottish Shortbread Company, Holiday Cookie Bar and Wow Fudge.

Outdoor seating and fire pits, sponsored by the YMCA, will return this season, along with the outdoor bar.

Rohrbach Brewing Company’s Village Lager, a crisp German-style lager with a bready malt backbone and subtle hops, will return for 2026 and will also be available at select retail locations.

Two Mini Maker Markets will take place Wednesday, Dec. 9, and Wednesday, Dec. 16, inside the Gingerbread House, showcasing additional local artisans and handcrafted goods. The Dec. 9 and Dec. 16 lineups include a mix of jewelry, pottery, clothing, candles, specialty foods and other handmade goods.

Frosty’s Food Court will feature a rotating lineup of food trucks on Court Street throughout all 16 days of the festival, with outdoor picnic table seating available. The daily lineup will be posted at rocholidayvillage.com/food.

Private events can be booked at The Triple-O Lodge for groups of 50 to 250 guests, with catering options available. To inquire about availability, email events@rocholidayvillage.com.

###

About Roc Holiday Village
Roc Holiday Village is an annual winter festival held at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park in the heart of downtown Rochester, New York. The eighth annual event returns in 2026 for 16 days of holiday festivities from Nov. 27 through Dec. 20, opening on Black Friday for the first time. The free, family-friendly festival features visits with Santa, ice skating and skate rentals, a curated shopping village, outdoor seating and fire pits, indoor and outdoor bars, local food and drinks, cozy winter igloos, crafts for kids, cultural celebrations, live music, private events and more.

In 2025, the festival welcomed more than 200,000 visitors and earned national recognition, including being named a 2025 national winner for Best Holiday Market and Best Ice Skating Rink in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, along with honors from Newsweek and TZR.

Roc Holiday Village is owned and produced by Rochester natives Jenna Manetta-Knauf, owner of Bella Events Group; Kelli Marsh, owner of Kelli Marsh Photography; and Sean McCarthy, owner of McCarthy Tents & Events and co-owner of Hoochenanny Festival.