The holidays
Tree lightings, light displays, visits with Santa, holiday markets, Nutcracker and carol performances, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations in Syracuse, updated every day.
Annual events, checked against each organizer's own page. Confirm details there before you go.
Friday, November 20 · Daily 10AM - 4PM ET
Annual exhibit of community-made gingerbread creations at the Erie Canal Museum, open daily through January 10, 2027.
Erie Canal Museum, Downtown Syracuse
Erie Canal Museum: Gingerbread Gallery →Friday, November 27
The City of Syracuse holds its annual holiday tree lighting in Clinton Square the day after Thanksgiving.
Clinton Square, Downtown Syracuse
Downtown Committee of Syracuse: Experience Downtown for the Holidays →Thursday, December 3 · 11:00 am – 8:00 pm on Thursdays; other days 10 or 11 am to 5 pm; closed Mon./Tues.
The 41st annual festival fills the Everson's galleries with decorated trees and lights, plus live seasonal music and craft workshops.
Everson Museum of Art, Downtown Syracuse
Everson Museum of Art: Festival of Trees & Light →Friday, December 4 · 5-8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays through December 19
An after-hours walk through holiday light displays at the zoo, with Santa visits, fire pits and hot chocolate.
Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Burnet Park, Syracuse
Rosamond Gifford Zoo: Holiday Nights →Saturday, December 5
Free family day downtown with carriage rides, ice skating in Clinton Square, and tickets to the Gingerbread Gallery or Festival of Trees.
Hanover Square and Clinton Square, Downtown Syracuse
Downtown Committee of Syracuse: Experience Downtown for the Holidays →Saturday, December 5 · 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM (also December 6 at 2:00 PM)
Syracuse City Ballet's annual production of The Nutcracker, with three public performances on the first weekend of December.
Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater, Syracuse
Syracuse City Ballet: The Nutcracker →12 holiday events for 2026 on Syracuse’s local calendars. Updated every day.
Light displays, drive-throughs and tree-lighting ceremonies.
Photos with Santa, breakfasts and letters to the North Pole.
Shop local makers for the holidays.
Ballet, choirs, concerts and holiday theater.
Menorah lightings and celebrations across traditions.
Crafts, story times and holiday fun for kids.
Everything else on local calendars this season.
Add your event to the Syracuse calendar. Staff review every submission before publication.
Christmas Day is Friday, December 25, 2026.
This page lists upcoming holiday events in Syracuse from local calendars, including libraries, the city, venues and organizers. It updates every day as calendars post new dates.
The “Holiday lights and tree lightings” section lists public light displays and tree-lighting events on local calendars, with dates and links to each organizer.
Use the "Share an event" form. Include the date, time, place and the organizer’s link; a person reviews it before it appears.
