Today is Day 9 of the 5th Annual Roc Holiday Village

Ice Rink & Village Opens at 4 PM

Rochester, NY—Dec. 13, 2023—Today is day nine of the fifth annual City of Rochester Roc Holiday Village, presented by Five Star Bank.

This year’s event will feature more days, free activities, Igloo Inns, and shopping opportunities than ever before.

Roc Holiday Village opened December 1 and runs for 17 days until December 23 at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park in downtown Rochester. For the first time since 2019, ticketed Story Time events return. All of the Cozy Winter Igloos and Story Time events are sold out.

This year’s event features festive fun for everyone including free visits and photos with Santa, free ice skating and skate rentals, unique holiday shopping, free crafts and activities for kids, free live music, delicious food and drinks, outdoor fire pits and seating, ice rink events and activities, and more.

WHERE
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park
353 Court St., Rochester, NY 14604

Note to editors: For photo ops and interviews please text or call Amanda Antinore at (585) 729-7533.

WEEK TWO SCHEDULE

Wednesday, December 13

4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Visit Santa Claus in Santa’s Workshop
4 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Mini Makers Market in the Simcona Gingerbread House
4 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Free ice skating and skate rentals presented by Wegmans
4 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Shopping Village presented by the Democrat & Chronicle
4 p.m. to 11 p.m. – Drinks, seating and free arcade games in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge
4 p.m. to 9 p.m. – The Giving Cup hot cocoa for a cause hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Explore the Village presented by Visit Rochester – I Spy Scavenger Hunt, Adventure Map, and Photo Quest (free)
4 p.m. to 11 p.m. – Frosty’s Food Court food trucks on Court St. – Melt Truck ROC, Rob’s Al Dente, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, Wraps on Wheels
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. – 1911 Est. Hard Cider Bar Tasting in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge (free for guests 21 years and older)
7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. – Band Karaoke with Up2Somethin’ on the Buckingham Properties Stage in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge

Thursday, December 14

4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Visit Santa Claus in Santa’s Workshop (Santa communicates in American Sign Language)
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Free Crafts for Kids presented by The Home Depot in the Simcona Gingerbread House
4 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Free ice skating and skate rentals presented by Wegmans
4 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Shopping Village presented by the Democrat & Chronicle
4 p.m. to 11 p.m. – Drinks, seating and free arcade games in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge
4 p.m. to 9 p.m. – The Giving Cup hot cocoa for a cause hosted by Dream Factory of Rochester in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Explore the Village presented by Visit Rochester – I Spy Scavenger Hunt, Adventure Map, and Photo Quest (free)
4 p.m. to 11 p.m. – Frosty’s Food Court food trucks on Court St. – The Meatball Truck, Red Osier, Steve & Al’s Steak Out, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Bar Trivia in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge (free)
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Free live music by The Isotopes on the Buckingham Properties Stage in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge
8 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Silent Disco on the outdoor ice rink (free; limited supplies; first-come-first-served)

Friday, December 15

4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Visit Santa Claus in Santa’s Workshop
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Three Kings Day holiday celebration presented by the Puerto Rican Festival in the Simcona Gingerbread House
4 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Free ice skating and skate rentals presented by Wegmans
4 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Shopping Village presented by the Democrat & Chronicle
4 p.m. to 11 p.m. – Drinks, seating and free arcade games in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge
4 p.m. to 9 p.m. – The Giving Cup hot cocoa for a cause hosted by Willow Domestic Violence Center in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Explore the Village presented by Visit Rochester – I Spy Scavenger Hunt, Adventure Map, and Photo Quest (free)
4 p.m. to 11 p.m. – Frosty’s Food Court food trucks on Court St. – KOBQ, Melt Truck ROC, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, Wraps on Wheels
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Ellicottville Brewing Co. tasting in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge (free for guests 21 and over)
7 p.m. to 11 p.m. – Free live music by Not Like the Other Guys Brass Band on the Buckingham Properties Stage in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge

Saturday, December 16

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Story Time With Anna & Elsa special ticketed event (sold out)
10 a.m. to 10 p.m. – Free ice skating and skate rentals presented by Wegmans
11 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Visit Santa Claus in Santa’s Workshop
11 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Free Crafts for Kids presented by the Girl Scouts of Western NY in the Simcona Gingerbread House
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. – Shopping Village presented by the Democrat & Chronicle
11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Drinks, seating and free arcade games in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. – The Giving Cup hot cocoa for a cause hosted by Make a Wish Foundation of Western NY in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge
11 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Explore the Village presented by Visit Rochester – I Spy Scavenger Hunt, Adventure Map, and Photo Quest (free)
11 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Frosty’s Food Court food trucks on Court St. – Eat Greek Food Truck, The Meatball Truck, Rob’s Kabobs, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck
noon to 12:30 p.m. – Thomas Creek Figure Skating Club performance (free)
12:40 p.m. to 1 p.m. – Thomas Creek Figure Skating Club learn to skate (free)
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Empire Merchants North wine tasting in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge (free for guests 21 and over)
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Free live music by Cora & Liam – on the Buckingham Properties Stage in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Ellicottville Brewing Co. bar tasting in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge (free for guests 21 and over)
7 p.m. to 11 p.m. – Free live music by Aaron Oulette Trio on the Buckingham Properties Stage in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge

Sunday, December 17

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Story Time With Santa special ticketed event (sold out)
10 a.m. to noon – Ryan Callahan Foundation Ice Hockey Skills Competition (free; registration required; spectators welcome)
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Christmas Celebration in the Simcona Gingerbread House (free)
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Visit Santa Claus in Santa’s Workshop
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Shopping Village presented by the Democrat & Chronicle
11 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Explore the Village presented by Visit Rochester – I Spy Scavenger Hunt, Adventure Map, and Photo Quest (free)
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Drinks, seating and free arcade games in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – The Giving Cup hot cocoa for a cause hosted by Jazz 90.1 in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Frosty’s Food Court food trucks on Court St. – Chef’s Catering, Cookie Coma, The Meatball Truck, Rob’s Kabobs, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck
noon to 7 p.m. – Free ice skating and skate rentals presented by Wegmans (weather permitting)
1 p.m. to 2 p.m. – Free live music by ROC City Singers on the Buckingham Properties Stage in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge
2 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Free Crafts for Kids presented by the Boy Scouts of American Seneca Waterways Council in the Simcona Gingerbread House
4 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Empire Merchants North wine tasting in The Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge (free for guests 21 and over)

2023 Roc Holiday Village Dates and Hours
Wednesday, December 13
Thursday, December 14
Friday, December 15
Saturday, December 16
Sunday, December 17

Wednesday, December 20
Thursday, December 21
Friday, December 22
Saturday, December 23

Santa’s Workshop
Wednesday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge & Frosty’s Food Court
Wednesday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Thursday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ice Rink (weather permitting)
Wednesday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Thursday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Shopping Village
Wednesday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Simcona Gingerbread House
Wednesday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

17 Local Nonprofit Charities Participating in First-ever Giving Cup – Hot Cocoa for a Cause

The Giving Cup at The Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge is a hot cocoa counter for a cause, hosted by a different nonprofit daily. Visitors can enjoy a warm cup of cocoa or coffee with fun toppings where each day a different local charitable organization will be running the show. Proceeds and gratuity from The Giving Cup will go directly to that day’s charity.

When & Who

For hours and to learn more visit: rocholidayvillage.com/the-lodge-bar/#givingcup

New Photo Experience Design
The Roc Holiday Village Photo Experience Brought to You by Vitalize Medical & Aesthetics features a unique and festive backdrop and scene-setter that’s perfect for creating lasting memories. A fun activity for the whole family. To learn more visit rocholidayvillage.com/photo-experience.

Limited Number of Igloo Inns Available to Book
The Igloo Inn for up to 40 people is available to book now. Email events@rocholidayvillage.com. A new additional Igloo Inn located adjacent to the ice rink is also available to reserve for private parties of up to 30 people. It features a private deck with Adirondack chairs, a fire pit and an optional s’mores package add-on. All bookings for the 30-person Igloo Inns are sold out. Learn more by visiting rocholidayvillage.com/igloo-inns.

Sign Up for Free Ryan Callahan Foundation Hockey Skills Competition
A limited number of spots is available for the Ryan Callahan Foundation Hockey Skills Competition for the Ryan Callahan Foundation Hockey Skills Competition for kids in groups for ages 10 and under and 11 to 16 on Sunday, December 17 from 10 a.m. to noon. Advance registration is required. Sign up online by visiting rocholidayvillage.com.

Highlights & More New Activities

More Free Events & Activities This Year!

More Shopping, Eating and Drinking

Private Events – Private events can be booked for large parties in the Rochester Area Community Foundation & Triple-O Lodge for 50 to 250 people or in the large igloos – Igloo Inns – that hold between 30 to 40 people. Both private settings offer additional catering options. To book a private event, contact Roc Holiday Village by email at jenna@rocholidayvillage.com for private events and events@rocholidayvillage.com for Igloo Inns.

Parking – Roc Holiday Village does not operate any parking but there are many surface lots and ramp parking garages conveniently located nearby. Metered parking will be available on area streets, plus at the Washington Square Garage, Court Street Garage, Midtown Garage, and Fairway Parking. Parking is also available for visitors of Roc Holiday Village in The Strong National Museum of Play Parking Garage for $10. Court St. between Chestnut St. and Manhattan Square Dr. will be closed to thru traffic during the hours when the Village is open.

About Roc Holiday Village
Roc Holiday Village is Rochester, New York’s favorite, magical winter festival! Delighting people of all ages, Roc Holiday Village 2023 is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, and will present 17 days of enchanting festivities from December 1 to December 23. The downtown festival features outdoor seating and fire pits, free ice skating and skate rentals, a unique shopping village, indoor and outdoor bars with tasty food and drinks, free visits with Santa, hand-crafted goods, cozy winter igloos, free crafts for kids, holiday celebrations, live music, private events, nightlife and more. In 2022, Roc Holiday Village drew more than 140,000 people of all ages to the heart of downtown Rochester at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial Park. Roc Holiday Village is 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.

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