This year, the eighth ROC Holiday Village returns for 16 days of holiday festivities.
The annual winter festival is returning to to Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park for 16 days of free, family-friendly holiday activities through Dec. 20. In 2025, the festival received over 200,000 visitors and earned national recognition as the 2025 national winner for Best Holiday Market and Best Ice Skating Rink in USA TODAY's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.
New this year, the 2026 Roc Holiday Village will open early on Black Friday. On Nov. 27, families may start to enjoy free ice skating, visits with Santa, local food and drinks, winter igloos, crafts, cultural celebrations and live music.
“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,” co-founders, Jenna Manetta-Knauf, Kelli Marsh and Sean McCarthy said in a statement. “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.”
What's new for the 2026 ROC Holiday Village?
Visitors may expect to enjoy 27 vendors each week at the Shopping Village, with two Mini Maker Markets taking place on Dec. 9 and Dec. 16. An expanded food and drink menu on the main deck will feature pizza, soup, grilled cheese and a holiday cookie bar.
Snowball Smash is a new interactive activity near the ice rink. Visitors must pay a fee to play.
There will be new additions to the lineup of ticketed special events. Events include:
- Story Time With Santa at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 12, 19 and 20. Tickets are $37, plus tax.
- Hill Holiday Wreath Decorating from 8:30 to 10 p.m. on Nov. 28. Tickets are $69, plus tax.
- Paint & Sip from from 8:30 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 11, with guided or freestyle painting on an 8-by-10-inch canvas and one complimentary beverage. Tickets are $48, plus tax.
- A Holiday Magic Show, featuring interactive magic, crowd participation and balloon animals at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 13. Tickets are $37, plus tax.
Special event tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Nov. 2.
Free family-friendly activities at the 2026 ROC Holiday Village
Presented by Wegmans, free ice skating and skate rentals will return, including extended skating after Roc Holiday Village closes for the season. Skating will be available every day the Village is open from 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
During the opening weekend, skating hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Nov. 27-28, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 29. Guests may expect special programming on the ice rink like figure skating performances, learn-to-skate activities, sled hockey, curling and Silent Discos.
Santa's Workshop is returning with free cookies, visits and photos with Santa. The Gingerbread House will be offering free kids crafts with local community partners including the Rochester Public Library and Memorial Art Gallery.
Families may also enjoy days of cultural holiday celebrations at the Gingerbread House that include:
- Nov. 29: Kwanzaa, presented by the Kwanzaa Coalition
- Dec. 6: Three Kings Day, presented by the Puerto Rican Festival
- Dec. 13: Hanukkah, presented by the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester
- Dec. 20: Christmas, presented by First Bible Baptist Church
Dates to buy tickets for the 2026 ROC Holiday Village
The Rochester Area Community Foundation presents the Winter Igloo Village that offers heated private spaces for companies and groups to gather during the celebrations.
Bookings range from two to three hours, with prices starting at $595, plus tax, gratuity and fees. Tax-exempt nonprofit organizations may submit their exemption documentation before booking.
Tickets for the Igloo Inn will be available at 10 a.m. on Oct. 13.
The Rochester Area Community Foundation is also presenting the Cozy Winter Igloos in the Winter Igloo Village that offers heated private domes for up to six people. Each igloo features furnishings, a Bluetooth speaker and views of the Roc Holiday Village.
Guests may pre-order 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 start at $222, plus gratuity and taxes.
Tickets for the Cozy Winter Igloo will be available at 10 a.m. on Oct. 22.
The Democrat and Chronicle, is presenting Story Time with Santa on three dates this season: 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 12, 19, and 20. The events will take place in The Triple-O Lodge and include storytelling, a sing-along, photo opportunities, crafts, and refreshments.
Tickets for will be available at 10 a.m. on Nov. 2.
Visit rocholidayvillage.com to learn more.
—Genae Shields is the Business and Development Impact Reporter, working on mobility stories that focus on how people get around Rochester. As a member of the local community, Genae enjoys learning about emerging businesses and changes that impact Rochester's BIPOC and LGBTQ neighborhoods. She also enjoys supporting local artists and nonprofit organizations. Reach out at gshields@usatodayco.com or on Instagram:@genaebriphoto for questions, comments, or concerns. Thank you for your continued support!
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: 2026 ROC Holiday Village returns earlier this year | What to know
