KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Thu, Dec 18: Holiday Pops With the BPO at Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Fri, Dec 19:
‘Twas The Night Before...by Cirque Du Soleil at Shea's at Shea's Performing Arts Center
Sat, Dec 20: Dream Builders: Winter Wonder Lab at The Foundry
Sat, Dec 20: White Christmas, the Musial at MusicalFare at MusicalFare Theatre
Sun, Dec 21: Breakfast with St. Nick at Genesee Country Village & Museum
Sun, Dec 21: Christmas
Tree Cake Pop Decorating Class at Buffalo Cake Pops Tue, Dec 23: ‘Twas The Night Before...by Cirque Du Soleil at Shea's
Wed,
Dec 24: Tree of Life Menorah and Hanukkah Objects at Corning Museum of Glass
Fri, Dec 26: A Christmas Carol 2025
at Alleyway Theatre!
Sun, Dec 28: Free Outdoor Ice Skating at Rotary Rink Wed, Dec 31: Meet Me at Midnight New Year’s Eve Party at Splash Lagoon!
Wed, Dec 31: New Year's Eve Celebration at Holiday Valley
Sat, Jan 3: Feed the Fish at the Botanical Gardens
Sun, Jan 4: Open Skating At Canalside |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When my husband and I started planning a family, we talked a lot about the kind of parents we hoped to be. Naturally, we looked back on our own childhoods. David had story after story about his parents—their quirks, what they cared about, who they were. But when I tried to do the same, I came up oddly blank. I could tell you what I loved as a kid, but not much about what made my
own parents’ hearts sing. I remembered that my dad had a garden when I was little, but I couldn’t say whether he enjoyed digging in the dirt, liked making things grow, or was just trying to save money on vegetables. That realization stuck with me. I didn’t want my kids to grow up seeing me as a blur in the background of their story; I wanted them to see me clearly: as someone who had favorite things, real interests, and a sense of enjoyment they could understand. I wanted them
to grow up expecting that adulthood could be full of that, too... all of the vivid experiences that make up the inner life of a regular person, especially the joys. I started using the phrase "live what you love" as a kind of parenting guidepost. Our kids are always watching, taking cues about what adulthood looks like. If all they ever see is grownups stressed, rushing, and tired, they’ll assume that’s the default. But if they also see us delighted by a song, energized by a
game, inspired by something we've learned, genuinely laughing with people we love... that’s powerful. It shows them that joy isn’t something you age out of, it’s something you grow into. The holidays are packed with tasks and to-do lists, but they’re also full of opportunities for joy. So tune your radar to what YOU love, and if you catch yourself smiling at paper snowflakes or belting out a corny carol, don’t downplay it. Let yourself have that moment. When your kids see the
joy you've just pushed into the room; it's a gift to their present and to their future.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes
from Deb" section of our site. |
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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 hiddenvalleyadventure.com. Allow 3 hours for the full experience.
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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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Enjoy ice skating with your friends and family at the Rink in East Aurora! Your kids will have a blast while you show them how it's done and you'll all get a great, fun workout! Skate rentals are available on a first come/first served basis. Our admission window will be open 30 minutes prior to each public skate. For holiday and weekend night skates, we recommend getting here early especially if your group will need rentals.
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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!
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Neglia Ballet’s magical production of The Nutcracker at Shea’s with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is set for December 5, 6, & 7 2025. Reviewer Steve Sucato said the collaboration reinforces “that love affair with a magical production that excited the senses and warmed the hearts of audience members of all ages.” A cast of award-winning, international dance artists and local favorites bring the annual holiday tradition to life! The production has 136 roles, of which 85 are performed by children. There are over 400 costume pieces and over 100 props.
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The Buffalo Holiday Market is BACK! Bringing the Joy and Magic of a European Christmas to Western New York in its new location at the Richardson Olmsted Campus. With wooden chalets and holiday fun, the outdoor market series has become an annual holiday artisan market that is loved by Buffalo and has become a holiday destination. At this premier event, artisan vendors from across Western New York and beyond gather to display their one-of-a-kind, handmade holiday gifts. From signature mimosas, home décor, gourmet foods, craft spirits and wine, to handmade jewelry and children's gifts — thousands of shoppers can find that perfect gift this Holiday Season. Ensuring that our outdoor holiday market is a family friendly event, you will find kids activities, selfie stations. and (on certain days) SANTA!
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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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Old Fort Niagara assumes a particularly festive air during the holiday season. Special activities kick off on Saturday evenings, December 6 and 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., as the Fort presents The Castle by Candlelight, a tour of the Great Lakes’ oldest building illuminated entirely by candles. Throughout the Castle, visitors will encounter members of the Fort’s 18th century garrison demonstrating everything from quill pens to fur trading to traditional games of skill. Twice each evening the garrison turns out to perform a grand feu de joie (firing of joy), a rolling fire of muskets and cannons. Cooks demonstrate 18th century holiday recipes, musicians play popular songs of the era and a Recollet priest reads the Christmas story in Latin in the Fort’s 298-year-old chapel. Visitors to the event can make a holiday ornament and a bird feeder and enjoy Native American songs and stories. In the fort’s log cabin visitors can warm up and enjoy hot refreshments which will be available…
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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 Santa Claus School started in 1937.
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The magic of the holiday season begins with the Nutcracker. Come celebrate a very special performance of the holiday classic with the American Academy Nutcracker. This production has become a Western New York favorite, previously selling out performances at UB Center for the Arts. It is Buffalo's longest-running production of "The Nutcracker." The charm of this production is its child-friendly approach. Choreographed to delight children of all ages, there are surprises tucked into every scene. This production has scene after scene of color and magic. In China, a giant dragon takes center stage. At the North Pole, Santa's elves are busy putting finishing touches on holiday toys. The Snow Scene takes place in Central Park with an actual skating park and falling snow. A highlight of the Academy's Nutcracker is a visit that Clara and her Prince take to exciting lands each year. They travel around the world to exciting and enchanted lands.
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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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In 2008, the first annual Holiday Ornament Tree showcased more than 600 ornaments handmade by our Hot Glass Team. The tree was eight feet tall and four feet in diameter at the bottom. The next year, the tree grew to 14 feet tall, with more than 2,000 glass ornaments made by Museum glassmakers. The Museum's glittering ornament tree has now become a holiday tradition—the perfect background for an annual holiday photo. The tree is joined by other wonders in glass, including a holiday feast made entirely of glass as well as a life-sized glass snowperson family, the Tree of Life Menorah, Advent Wreath, and Kwanzaa Setting.
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Bring the family to The Ha-Ha Show™, an improv comedy show for all ages! An hour of hilarious comedy games, made-up songs, and audience interaction, performed for you Buffalo's top improv comedians and special guests!
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What could be fancier than Christmas? Presents with elegant wrapping paper, festive decorations, Christmas cookies with sprinkles – and who could forget the tree? After all, there is no such thing as too much tinsel. Ooh, la la! This year, Nancy is especially excited. She bought a brand-new sparkly tree topper with her own money and can’t wait to decorate the Christmas tree. But when things don’t turn out the way Nancy planned, will Christmas still be splendiferous? Recommended Ages: 4 and up. Fun for the whole family! Show Run-Time is 60-Minutes, plus our post-show 10-minute talk-back. **Sensory-Friendly Performance is Sunday, December 14 at 10AM. To purchase tickets for this performance, click the link below and use code: SENSORY25
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Based on the beloved film, this heartwarming musical adaptation features 17 Irving Berlin songs including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano” and the perennial title song. It’s an uplifting, wholesome musical that will delight audiences of all ages and bring holiday cheer to the theatre district.
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Step into a world where dinosaurs come alive! From towering giants to adorable baby dinos, your family will walk beside incredible creatures, hear them roar, and see them move as they did millions of years ago. The adventure doesn’t stop there—kids can step into the shoes
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The holiday season is underway at Genesee Country Village & Museum, and there is plenty to explore! Yuletide in the Country Tours & Dinners invite visitors into homes and businesses where interpreters share scenes from Christmas Eve in the 19th century. Holiday Afternoon Tea offers a calm break with tea, sandwiches, and sweets, plus time to visit the Flint Hill Store. Families can enjoy Breakfast with St. Nick in the Meeting Center, and our Holiday Open House welcomes guests to walk through the Historic Village and see how residents prepared for the holidays. These programs are popular each year, so plan your visit soon! Click on the Image to Learn more!
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- Town of Amherst Christmas Parade - 5583 Main Street, Williamsville, Amherst, NY 14221, Google Maps, December 5, 2025, treats and visits with Santa begin at 4:30; parade kicks off at 6:30
- Kids Drop-in Crafternoon - Concord Public
Library, 18 Chapel Street, Springville, NY 14141, Google Maps, December 5, 2025, 4:00-5:00PM
- Jingle Falls
USA - 101 Old Falls Street, Niagara Falls, NY, Google Maps, December 5-7, 2025, varies, see schedule below
- Buffalo Holiday Market At the Richardson-Olmsted Campus - The Richardson Hotel, 444 Forest Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14213, Google Maps, December 5-7, 2025, varies, check schedule
- Horse in the Stall with Heritage Christian Stables - Rochester/Buffalo Area, NY 14564, Google Maps, December 5, 2025, 4:30PM to
6:30PM
- Family Story Time - Aurora Town Public Library, 550 Main Street, East Aurora, NY 14052, Google
Maps, December 5, 2025, 10:30 - 11:30 AM
- Free Outdoor Ice Skating at Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza - Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza, Fountain Plaza, Buffalo, NY, Google Maps, December 6-7, 2025, and December 9, 2025
- Stitch and Chat At the Foundry - The Foundry, 298 Northampton Street, Buffalo, NY 14208, Google Maps, December 6, 2025, 10 am - 12 pm
- Cookies for Canines Christmas Party -
Rochester/Buffalo Area, NY 14564, Google Maps, December 6, 2025, 3:30PM to 5:30PM
- CountryMax Christmas with
Purpose - Rochester/Buffalo Area, NY 14564, Google Maps, December 6, 2025, 12:00PM to 2:00PM
- Let it Snow! A Winter Wonderland Party with Girl Scouts! - Multiple Venues including Buffalo, Rochester and Lockport, Google Maps, December 6, 2025, 10:00am-12:00pm
- 1st Sunday Kite Fly at Gratwick Park - 1200 River Road, N. Tonawanda, NY 14150, Google Maps, December 7, 2025, 12 - 4 pm
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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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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.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Buffalo and WNY area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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