Eighth Annual Roc Holiday Village

Rochester, N.Y. - 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 to the area 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.