KidsOutAndAbout's weekly e-newsletter |
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Save the Date Now through Sun, Dec 28: Roc Holiday Village at MLK Park in downtown Rochester Fri, Dec 12: Start date of Christmas at RCCM 2025: FREE FAMILY FUN at Rochester's Greatest Indoor Christmas Spectacular! Sat, Dec 13: Holiday
Memories for Dollhouses Unveiled at The Strong at The Strong Museum Sat, Dec 13: WinterFest at Cobblestone Arts Center Mon, Dec 15: Entry deadline for giveaway to Disney on Ice Jan 1
Thu, Dec 18: Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
The Musical at OFC Creations Theatre Center / Old Farm Cafe
Sat, Dec 20: Flapjack Benefit Breakfast with SANTA at Penfield First Baptist Church
Sat, Dec 20: Imagination Station with Mrs. Kasha Davis at Blackfriars Theatre Mon, Dec 22: Holiday Magic Cart Tours start at Seneca Park Zoo Fri, Dec 26 - Sun, Dec 28: Yuletide Days at Aquarium of Niagara Wed, Dec 31: Noon Year's Eve at Seneca Park Zoo |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
The Christmas I was 10, my sister and I woke up at our usual ridiculously-early hour and raced downstairs to the tree. Something was different: fewer gifts than usual, no giant boxes, no bike-shaped mystery lumps. But nestled among the smaller packages were envelopes that turned out to be plane tickets to Bermuda. We were leaving that very morning, which
explained why my parents had not objected to being awakened at 5:30. Decades later, I don’t remember what else I got that year—or most years—but I remember being bundled up and giddy, heading to the airport while it was still dark. I remember pink sand, caves, and the little cakes they served at teatime. It's all still as fresh to me as the air was at Grotto Bay Beach. That trip taught me something I wouldn’t have been able to say at the time:
Presence creates the memories, not the presents. Of course, we all want our kids to have a magical holiday. But when we think back to our own childhoods, what sticks isn’t the stuff, it’s the doing. The zoo trips, the plays, the sporting events, the concerts, the hands held during the adventures. That’s why my long-time holiday mantra is “Do it, don’t dust it.” Experiences are the gifts that last the longest, especially when we do them
together. They don’t pile up in a closet; they plant themselves in our memory. So if you’re still pondering what to give the people you love this year, consider a show, a class, a day trip, a membership, a season pass. Something that says “I see you, you matter, let's do it together." Need ideas? Head to our Local Memberships & Season Passes page! It's your ticket to the perfect gift... and it's guaranteed clutter-free.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Connect more. Do 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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I'm thrilled to announce that my new book The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities (co-authored with Jamie Carter) is now published and shipping across North America! It’s packed with inspiring, true stories of everyday leaders who stepped up during the 2024 eclipse to bring people together, spark change, and strengthen their communities. Told with warmth and insight, this book makes a perfect holiday gift for the visionary, organizer, or community-builder in your life. Click the graphic to order from Amazon on print or Kindle; for other ordering options (including educator and bulk orders), or to see an annotated table of contents and the introduction, head to https://theeclipseeffect.com.
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Curious how your AI know-how compares to other parents? We surveyed over 300 of you, and the results are in! The big takeaway? You aren't alone in feeling overwhelmed. While most parents have a basic grasp of the technology, over 52% feel unequipped to actually guide their kids through it. The number one thing you requested help with was "Digital Defense"—specifically, how to spot misinformation and fake news. You can read the full, fascinating report at kidsoutandabout.com/research. Ready for round two? Help us dive deeper by taking our new, quick 13-question survey here: https://forms.gle/1nTsaG384SW8cUpL7.
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KOAA's Holiday Light List! KidsOutAndAbout.com has been updating its list of 150 spectacularly-lit houses in the Rochester
area since 2005! They're sorted by region and town to make it easy... bring some snacks and hot chocolate and head out for a drive! |
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Dec 12-14 and 17-23: Gates open at 6pm nightly. Christmas at RCCM is filled with light, wonder, and the true joy of the season! This year features five inspiring attractions: Miracle 4D, the thrilling motion ride; The Name, a holographic multi-sensory experience; Raffadali’s Great Adventure, an interactive family show starring Raffadali the Donkey; Star’s Yuletide Workshop, where kids create their own ornaments; and illumiNATIONS: Tapestry of Earth, a campus-wide spectacular with an original film, uplifting music, and The Living Tree, a 30,000-light centerpiece synchronized to thousands of colorful lights. Come anytime—shows run continuously and are completely free! For details or advance tickets, visit christmas.rccm.org. RCCM (Rochester Christian Church) is located at 3177 Lyell Road in Gates.
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Enter today to win tickets to Disney on Ice: FROZEN and ENCANTO, performing at Blue Cross Arena January 1-4, 2026. The drawing will be held Monday, December 15 for four tickets to the 4pm show on Thursday, January 1. Click to see the entry details--you'll submit an email with a special subject line.
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Finding the perfect sport for your young child can feel overwhelming, but Tim Hortons Iceplex has built a structured, safe, and incredibly fun path that removes all the guesswork. The comprehensive Learn to Skate and subsequent Learn to Play Hockey programs are designed specifically for children with absolutely no ice experience, providing a clear, step-by-step progression they can master with confidence. They focus on creating an encouraging environment where safety and skill-building go hand-in-hand, ensuring your child's first moments on the ice are positive and engaging. Stop wondering what the right first move is; you can now view their essential Youth Hockey Playbook online and map out your child's exciting journey on the ice.
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Music is a gift that lasts a lifetime! The Eastman Community Music School (ECMS) offers lessons for all instruments and voices, musicianship classes, and ensembles for all ages and skill levels. Explore our programs at https://esm.rochester.edu/community. Join us for ECMS’s annual Winterfest Celebration on Saturday, December 20-21! Starting at 9 a.m. in Lowry Hall, enjoy festive performances from soloists and ensembles of all ages and abilities. This free, all-day event at the Eastman School of Music is open to the public—perfect for a family day of music and holiday spirit. For more details about the event or any of ECMS’s offerings, visit https://www.esm.rochester.edu/community/winterfest.
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Get into the holiday spirit and create a wintry decoration with an Origami Ornaments workshop at The Strong on Sunday, December 14 from 1–3:30 p.m.! Led by local artist Sarah Haehn, participants will learn how to make origami creations into beautiful ornaments. Each participant will take home two completed ornaments at the end of the class — perfect for decorating your tree or gifting to someone special. This workshop is intended for ages 6 years and older. This program is made possible with the generous support of the Guido & Ellen Palma Foundation.
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Saturday, Dec 13, 2025, 11am-2pm: Celebrate the magic of the season at WinterFest 2025! This free, family-friendly event is packed with festive fun for all ages. Bring your loved ones and enjoy a joyful afternoon filled with art, community, and holiday cheer. Highlights include: A vibrant Artisan Marketplace – perfect for holiday shopping; Live music and dance performances; Tasty food and seasonal treats; Kid-friendly crafts to spark creativity; and a special visit from Santa Claus. Click here for details.
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Each program offers a different way to experience the holidays at GCV&M. Join us on December 21 for Breakfast with St. Nick. This event gives families a chance to enjoy a tasty breakfast buffet in our holiday-decorated Meeting Center. Kids can write a letter to St. Nick (then drop it in his mailbox!), and take a family photo with the jolly old elf. Holiday Open House (also on December 21) invites you to step into the Historic Village for a festive day filled with music, warm hearths, hands-on activities, and seasonal treats. Our homes and shops will be glowing, our interpreters will be welcoming visitors inside, and holiday traditions will be brought to life all around you. Yuletide in the Country Tours & Dinners as well as Holiday Afternoon Teas each have very limited tickets remaining. Get yours now at https://www.gcv.org/holiday-happenings/
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Running though December 27, 2025 at Geva: A Tale of Hope, Humor, and Heart. Rochester’s favorite holiday tradition returns with an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic story that begins with a wish made by young Tim Cratchit. Over the course of one night, notorious grump Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by four ghosts. But will their intervention prompt him to change his “humbug” ways? A Christmas Carol reminds us that it is never too late to have a change of heart. Geva welcomes patrons ages 5 and up to A Christmas Carol. Get tickets at https://gevatheatre.org/show/a-christmas-carol/.
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Visit The Strong from 8:30–10 a.m. on December 13 to enjoy The Strong’s first floor before it opens to the general public and explore the special holiday display in Dollhouses Unveiled. Meet the Royal Ice Family and take a holiday picture you’ll never forget, warm up with some cocoa and a cookie from Get Caked Bakery, and create a winter wand in the Play Lab to take home. Stop by the Paychex Theater to learn more about the museum’s collection of snow globes through curator Natalie Rudd. Experience the museum’s newest exhibit, Dollhouses Unveiled, with special holiday decorations and festive lighting. Don’t forget to join in at the sing-along and “Let It Go” with the Royal Ice Family.
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November 8 - January 4: The George Eastman Museum's annual Sweet Creations Gingerbread display is a beloved Rochester family tradition! Check out the dozens of cleverly designed and deliciously decorated gingerbread houses that fill the mansion... it's a visual and aromatic treat for visitors of all ages, and is sure to put you in the holiday spirit! All of the gingerbread creations are available in an online silent auction. Free to members; included with museum admission.
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The seventh annual City of Rochester Roc Holiday Village, presented by ESL Federal Credit Union, returns December 5–28 at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park with sixteen days of free holiday fun. Enjoy free ice skating and skate rentals, visits and photos with Santa, kids’ crafts, and festive holiday celebrations. Take on the I Spy Scavenger Hunt and Adventure Map, or catch special ice rink events like sled hockey, curling lessons, and figure skating performances. Warm up by the fire pits, sip hot cocoa for a cause at The Giving Cup, and soak in the lights, music, and cheer of Rochester’s favorite winter festival.
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The Pirate Toy Fund's continues throughout December! Drop off a new, unwrapped toy so that a needy child in our area can benefit at the holidays and through the year. Go shopping with your kids and ask them to pick out a toy that another Rochester child would love. Then drop off the NEW, UNWRAPPED TOYS at any area Wegmans locations, Kinecta Federal Credit Union, Eastview Mall, Marketplace Mall, the Mall at Greece Ridge, Howard Hanna Real Estate, or Mark's Pizzeria. ...and feel great that you're helping other kids in our area at the time they most need comfort and joy. It's also easy to donate ONLINE! Every $20 donation buys a toy for a local child! Do that at https://ptftoystore.com/store/koaa
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'Tis the season in Rochester! This is KidsOutAndAbout.com's annual 101 Holiday Events list of ways to make the holidays special in our area for 2025. Activities for Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.
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December 12-14: FREE EVENT HIGHLIGHTS: - Teen Craft: Mug Cakes - Penfield Public Library - December 12
- Kids Create Comics Inspired by Planet Earth - Apple Eastview - December 12
- Youth Author Talk & Book Signing: Colleen AF
Venable - Webster Parks and Recreation, December 12, 6:30PM
- Nativity Family Fun Night - Crossroads Webster - Free Methodist Church, December 12, 6:30PM
- WinterFest 2025 - Cobblestone Arts Center, December 13
- Holy Childhood 2-Day Craft and Vendor Fair - December 13-14
- Winter Workshop with Santa - DICK'S House of Sport - Eastview Mall December 13
- Country Christmas at Brockport CountryMax Benefiting Pirate Toy Fund - CountryMax- Brockport December 13, 1:00PM - 4:00PM
- Hochstein Singers Youth Singers & Little Singers Performance - Hochstein Performance Hall December 13, 3:00PM
- Christmas Jam - Browncroft Community Church - December 12, 5:30PM - 8:00PM
- Donate New Unwrapped Toy - Pirate Toy Fund's Annual December Toy Drive - Boscov's - Greece
Ridge Mall, December 12, 2025
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Wishing you and yours good health and happiness!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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