Two Weeks to Go! Roc Holiday Village Prepares to Open Black Friday

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Rochester, N.Y. - The countdown is on! In just two weeks, the eighth annual City of Rochester Roc Holiday Village, presented by ESL, opens Friday, Nov. 27, at 11 a.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, marking the festival's first November opening.

The free, family-friendly festival runs for 16 select days through Dec. 20, featuring ice skating, visits with Santa, holiday shopping, food and drinks, live entertainment, cultural celebrations and seasonal activities.

More than 200,000 people visited Roc Holiday Village in 2025. This year's opening weekend includes live music, Trivia Night, the Winter Wonderland Run 5K and a Kwanzaa celebration. Limited private igloo bookings and tickets for special events and workshops also remain available.

Opening Weekend Events and Entertainment

In addition to free ice skating, holiday shopping and visits with Santa, Roc Holiday Village's opening weekend, Nov. 27 to 29, features live music, special events and activities for all ages.

Live Music, Friday, Nov. 27, and Saturday, Nov. 28: The Isotopes perform Friday, followed by the Jacob Merrill Quartet on Saturday. Both performances take place from 8 to 11 p.m. in The Triple-O Lodge.
Trivia Night, Friday, Nov. 27: Free trivia, presented by Riedman, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the Gingerbread House. Additional Trivia Nights are scheduled for Dec. 4 and 18.
Winter Wonderland Run 5K, Saturday, Nov. 28: The race begins at 4:15 p.m. and takes participants through downtown Rochester and along the Genesee Riverway Trail. Organized in partnership with Wolfpack Multisport, the 5K features a USATF-certified course, custom race bib and winter-themed finisher medal. Registration is open for $38.10, including fees, at rocholidayvillage.com/winter-wonderland run.
Kwanzaa Celebration, Sunday, Nov. 29: Presented by the Rochester Kwanzaa Coalition and ROC Royal Inc., the celebration takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and features live music, storytelling and cultural activities.

What to Expect in 2026

Roc Holiday Village offers free attractions, shopping, entertainment and ticketed experiences throughout its 16-day season.

Free Ice Skating: Free skating and skate rentals, presented by Wegmans, along with scheduled rink activities.
Santa's Workshop: Free visits with Santa, photos presented by IDE Family of Dealerships, complimentary Wegmans cookies and the Santa Text Express.
Shopping Village: Presented by the University of Rochester Medicine, featuring 27 rotating retail and culinary vendors each week. Mini Makers Markets return Dec. 9 and 16.
The Triple-O Lodge: Indoor bar, live music, free arcade games and Band Karaoke on Dec. 9 and 16.
The Gingerbread House: Free children's crafts, family activities and scheduled workshops and events.
Winter Igloo Village: Presented by Rochester Area Community Foundation, offering private Cozy Winter Igloos and larger Igloo Inns.