Holiday Events in the Buffalo Area
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Buffalo KidsOutAndAbout Holiday Newsletter |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The holiday season is filled with fun throughout the Buffalo area for the next several weeks! Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's bring the community together in a vibrant celebration of joy and tradition. Here is your master guide to the holidays, including events, concerts, activities, Christmas tree farms, and more! From dazzling light displays to festive markets, there’s
something for everyone to enjoy. Gather with family and friends to create lasting memories and experience the spirit of the season. Â You'll see right below my signature a link to our HUGE list of ideas for local fun: 101 of them! Scan the list below, then bookmark the 101 list as your go-to resource for this holiday season!
Happy Holidays!
 —Debra Ross, publisher |
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. |
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KidsOutAndAbout's 2025 holiday events list for Buffalo and Western New York: ways to make the holidays special in our area: Christmas concerts, lights, trees, nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.
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Weekends Nov 28 - Dec 21, 2025: Another Magical Christmas Adventure awaits at Hidden Valley Animal Adventure in Varysburg! The Lodge, in full holiday splendor, will host Santa’s Wonderland where you’ll decorate cookies, write letters to the North Pole, take holiday photos, and more before boarding your trolley for a journey through Hidden Valley’s Mystical Forest. There you’ll see herds of bison and elk, Randy the camel, llamas, and blackbelly sheep roaming the wintery terrain. Upon your return, pet and feed a variety of live animals in open-air stalls. Four consecutive weekends starting Black Friday, November 28 – December 21, 9am-4:30pm. Reservations Required. Book online at…
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There are so many ways to include Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford, NY, in your family's traditions this holiday season! With festive special events like our Holiday Market & Preparing for Winter (November 8 & 9); Yuletide in the Country Theatrical Tours and Dinners (December 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 19, & 20); Holiday Open House and Breakfast with St. Nick December 7 and 21... plus holiday cookies and shopping in the Flint Hill Store, GCV&M can help you plan ahead for a season of winter wonder. Explore all upcoming events at the Museum.
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Looking for educational, flexible, and FUN winter break camp options for your child? Look no further than Stutelage! Join us for a half day or full day with extended care options available. All camps are taught by NYS-certified teachers and keep children engaged and moving. With 38 camps across 3 locations and tons of themes to choose from, there is something for everyone! Don’t miss Pokémon Polar Party, Winter Lego STEM, Squishmallows, New Years Eve Pajama Party, Winter Slime Lab, or Disney Holiday Magic - just to name a few!
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It’s the most wonderful shopping time of the year, with the best deals of the year! The 2025 Holiday Shopping season is officially here so we want to give you all the information you’ll need to complete your shopping effectively! Walden Galleria will be CLOSED on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 27th, and will reopen on Black Friday, November 28th at 7:00am until 9:00pm. Click or tap HERE to view the latest Black Friday sales before you arrive!
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The Buffalo area offers a delightful selection of Christmas tree farms that bring the magic of the holiday season to life. Families can enjoy the cherished tradition of selecting the perfect tree while exploring picturesque landscapes and engaging in festive activities. From charming local farms to larger operations, each location provides a unique experience, complete with hayrides, hot cocoa, and seasonal treats. Many farms also host holiday events, making it easy to create lasting memories with loved ones. Whether you’re looking for a classic fir or a unique spruce, the Christmas tree farms around Buffalo promise to make your holiday celebrations truly special.
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Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a magical one-hour trip to meet Santa. Once on board, the conductor will come around and punch your golden ticket before hot chocolate and a delicious cookie are served by chefs. Passengers then read along with the classic children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. During the trip, characters on each car lead fantastic onboard entertainment! When we arrive at the North Pole, Santa will join us for the ride back to the museum. Santa will give each child the first gift of Christmas, a sleigh bell in addition to the…
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Featuring a dazzling display of artificial evergreen trees, adorned with energy efficient lights. Trees are decorated for the season by area non-profit groups and will be on display all month. In addition to tree viewing, guests are invited to enjoy the state-of-the-art exhibits at the Niagara Power Vista. Free admission and parking. For more information, contact (716) 286-6661
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The Christmas Cottage offers kids a place to share Holiday wishes, drop off a letter in the North Pole Mailbox and visit with the Head Elf. Having the Christmas Cottage gives the community a specific place to host Santa and start a tradition that can last for many years. Bring your camera and take as many pictures as you like, there is a beautiful Christmas setting with Santa’s sleigh filled with with his giant red toy bag, a fireplace, a Christmas train chugging around the Cottage, Holiday greenery, lights, music, giant Candy Canes and many classic Christmas decorations. Santa’s reindeer & bells will be on display as well as some WNY Christmas history about the Charles W. Howard…
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Have you ever wondered how to survive the winter? Lily is a snowshoe hare with that very question. Come hear about Lily's adventures, make a Christmas Ornament craft, have a snack, and go on a hike! (weather permitting). Registration is required: Buffalo Audubon Members - $15.00 General Admission - $25
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Celebrate the winter season and participate in a variety of holiday activities on Old Falls Street and inside the Niagara Falls Convention Center in downtown Niagara Falls, NY! Festivities include our annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, the LiveNF Makers Market, Santa sightings, a petting zoo, horse and carriage rides, music, and more. For the complete schedule of events, visit jinglefallsusa.com. In addition to Jingle Falls activities, enjoy festive photo opportunities on Old Falls Street throughout the winter season, including a nearly 50-foot Christmas tree!
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The holliest, jolliest decorating class of the entire year! Our classic Christmas tree cuties are back! In this class, you’ll receive 6 pieces of cake, and we’ll go step by step to show you the cake pop way. We’ll show you how to roll, shape, dip and decorate your cake pops, and you’ll go home with 6 perfect Christmas tree cake pops. This class is a TON of fun, for kiddos & adults alike! There is no minimum age to participate in this class, all are welcome! If you’re signing up a child and want to help with their decorating, please let me know that you will need extra seating ahead of time. This helps with spacing and seating in the room. SPACE IS LIMITED, SIGN UP TODAY
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Join us and view the spectacularly whimsical trees crafted by our master designers, participate in fun holiday crafts, and join the community as we come together to support the children receiving care at John R. Oishei Children's Hospital. As the premier fundraising event of the holiday season, Festival of Trees allows the talented designers in the WNY community to display their creative prowess in the form of intricately decorated holiday trees. Family Day welcomes everyone to come and view the glittering wonderland of holiday spirit while also enjoying holiday-themed activities!
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Week-long (M-F), Half Day (9am-12pm) and Full Day (9am-3pm) options available, with late pick-up (4pm) add-on for Full Day. The Warrior Factory Ninja Camp will include structured and unstructured activities that range from training techniques, open play, Ninja games (obstacle tag, N-I-N-J-A, Follow the Ninja, Warrior Wall Knockout), obstacle courses, and some Ninja-related activities (design a course, obstacle, t-shirt, etc.). Camp spots will be limited to maintain a safe and fun staffing ratio.
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Participate in hands-on, immersive learning to experience how 19th century families celebrated winter holidays with gift-giving, storytelling, games, food, music, decorations, and more! Learn about how holiday celebrations continue to evolve today and incorporate new traditions.
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Step into the warm embrace of our conservatory for the Botanical Gardens’ annual Poinsettia Exhibit.
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*Tickets On Sale Now* The Wonderland Express Train Ride this year features six runs daily on our heated, vintage train. You and your family get to enjoy a round-trip train excursion to Curriers Station (the halfway point), which is our North Pole. Children receive a wish list from Santa’s elf to complete during their journey. Once you arrive at the North Pole, there are tons of activities for the whole family to enjoy, including jumping on the lil’ elf sleigh, taking a family photo in Santa’s sleigh, mailing the wish-list, visiting the Elf House, and so much more! Of course, everyone gets a chance to visit Santa in his house with virtually no waiting line.
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The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights returns this holiday season with dazzling light displays and festive fun for all ages! The Festival of Lights is Western New York’s largest light show featuring over 75 light displays. Plus, visit Santa and his farm friends, ride the Whoville Express Train, shop, eat, drink, craft and more! The FULL festival experience runs November 28-30, December 5-7, 12-14 & 18-23. The drive-thru only experience ticket includes the drive-thru of light displays on December 4, 11, 15-17 & 26-30. Tickets go on sale November 15th at 10 am!
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We are excited to announce our annual Light Up Lockport celebration is on Saturday, November 29th 2025! This festive event will feature a free movie, treats, crafts, hot cocoa, gifts and fantastic deals from local businesses, culminating in the much-anticipated arrival of Santa Claus and our beloved nighttime lighted Christmas parade!
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KidsOutAndAbout's list of family-friendly New Year's activities in the Buffalo, Niagara, and Erie County area
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