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FINGER LAKES REGION

Lake Life

News, events, and updates from around the Finger Lakes.

Good things happening here.

Explore upcoming events in our lake communities and nearby towns. Dates and availability can change—please confirm details with the organizer before making plans.

Upcoming Events

Cayuga Lake

Cayuga Lake

November 20–22 & December 4–6, 2026

Jingle & Mingle

Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

Explore participating wineries during a holiday weekend of wine tastings, food samples, and collectible ornaments. Tickets cover the selected weekend; check the trail’s website for availability and participating locations.

Source: Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

Cayuga Lake

November 28, 2026 · Lighting at 5:30 p.m.

Barrel Tree Lighting

Montezuma Winery · Seneca Falls

Celebrate the season with live music from 4–6 p.m. and a barrel-tree lighting at 5:30. Admission is free; food and beverages are available for purchase.

Source: Cayuga Lake Wine Trail / Montezuma Winery

Cayuga Lake

December 9–13, 2026

It’s a Wonderful Life Festival

Seneca Falls

Seneca Falls celebrates the film’s 80th anniversary with a multi-day program of special presentations and community activities. Consult the festival schedule for individual events and reservations; some dinners are already sold out.

Source: It’s a Wonderful Life Museum

Cayuga Lake

December 12, 2026 · 4:40 p.m.

It’s a Wonderful Run 5K

Seneca Falls

Join the holiday 5K during It’s a Wonderful Life Festival weekend. The live race begins at 4:40 p.m. on Saturday, December 12. Registration and packet pickup take place at the Seneca Falls Community Center. Visit the organizer’s website for registration, course, parking, and race-day details.

Source: It’s a Wonderful Run 5K

Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake

November 7, 2026 · 1 p.m.

Geneva’s Bicentennial Festivities Screening

Geneva History Museum · Geneva

Take a look back at Geneva’s 1970s community celebrations through historic footage of parades, performances, and local festivities. The screening runs about 40 minutes; a $5 donation is suggested.

Source: Historic Geneva

Seneca Lake

December 3–5, 10–12 & 17–18, 2026

Historic Geneva Holiday Market

Geneva History Museum · Geneva

Browse handmade gifts, local history items, baked goods, and seasonal decorations while supporting Historic Geneva. Admission is free. Open Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., on the listed dates.

Source: Historic Geneva

Seneca Lake

December 4, 2026 · 5–8 p.m.

Watkins Glen Village Christmas

Downtown Watkins Glen

Bring the family downtown for a holiday evening featuring a parade, tree lighting, vendors, seasonal activities, and fireworks. This community celebration is free to attend.

Source: Watkins Glen Promotions

Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake · November 20–22, 2026

Holiday winery weekend: waiting list available

November’s Deck the Halls weekend combines winery visits, food and wine pairings, and ornament collecting. As of October 31, the Seneca Lake Wine Trail lists the event as sold out and offers a waiting list through its office.

Source: Seneca Lake Wine Trail

Keuka Lake

Keuka Lake

November 6 & December 4, 2026 · 5–8 p.m.

First Fridays in Penn Yan

Downtown Penn Yan

Spend an evening exploring downtown Penn Yan as participating businesses stay open later. Stop in for shopping, dining, and a relaxed visit to the village.

Source: Keuka Lake Association

Keuka Lake

November 7, 2026 · 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Holiday Market Craft Show

Glenn H. Curtiss Museum · Hammondsport

Shop local artists and makers in the museum’s aviation setting. Advertised admission is $5 and includes both the market and museum; onsite parking is free.

Source: Glenn H. Curtiss Museum

Keuka Lake

December 12, 2026

50th Annual Christmas in the Park

Hammondsport

Join the Hammondsport community for the 50th edition of its Christmas in the Park celebration. The chamber has announced the date; check its latest updates for the day’s schedule and activities.

Source: Greater Hammondsport Area Chamber of Commerce

Keuka Lake

Keuka Lake area · November 3, 2026

Meet a local author in Branchport

The Saunders Finger Lakes Museum’s book club will welcome author Paul Mitchell for a discussion of his novel, Between Two Fires. The gathering runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Source: Saunders Finger Lakes Museum

Skaneateles Lake

Skaneateles Lake

November 7–8, 2026 · 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Holiday Shops

Skaneateles Historical Society · 28 Hannum Street

Discover holiday gifts from local artists at the historical society’s seasonal shopping event. Wreath-sale proceeds support the society’s work preserving local history.

Source: Skaneateles Historical Society

Skaneateles Lake

Weekends November 28–December 20; also December 24, 2026

Dickens Christmas

Skaneateles Village

Enjoy costumed characters, street theater, music, and seasonal entertainment throughout the village. Regular weekend performances run noon–4 p.m.; Christmas Eve’s program runs noon–2:30 p.m. Free to attend.

Source: Visit Syracuse / Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce

Skaneateles Lake

December 13, 2026 · 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale

Hobbit Hollow Farm · Skaneateles

Choose a tree or wreath indoors at the Barn at Hobbit Hollow, 3061 West Lake Road. Proceeds support the Skaneateles Festival’s 2027 concert season. Check the organizer’s details for pricing and loading arrangements.

Source: Skaneateles Festival

Canandaigua Lake

Canandaigua Lake

November 13–15, 2026

Christkindl Market

Granger Homestead · Canandaigua

Browse regional artisans and food vendors in heated tents at this German-inspired holiday market. Music and family activities add to the festivities. See the organizer’s website for admission, daily hours, and trolley information.

Source: Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum

Canandaigua Lake

November 28, 2026 · Begins at 6 p.m.

Illuminate Light Parade

Downtown Canandaigua

Enjoy illuminated floats, community groups, and Santa’s arrival during an evening parade through downtown. A tree-lighting celebration at Commons Park follows the procession.

Source: Canandaigua Business Improvement District

Canandaigua Lake

December 5, 2026 · 2–3 p.m.

Tuba Christmas

Commons Park · Canandaigua

Gather downtown for a free holiday concert featuring local tuba and other low-brass musicians. Dress for the weather and enjoy seasonal music before exploring Main Street.

Source: Canandaigua Business Improvement District

Owasco Lake & Auburn

Owasco Lake & Auburn

November 22, 2026–January 31, 2027

Festival of Trees

Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural Museum · Auburn

Explore more than 200 decorated trees inside the heated museum across from Emerson Park. Admission and parking are free. Holiday hours vary, and the museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Source: Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural Museum

Owasco Lake & Auburn

November 28, 2026 · Parade at 4 p.m.

Auburn Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting

Downtown Auburn

Watch the parade travel west along Genesee Street from Fulton Street toward the courthouse. A downtown Christmas tree-lighting ceremony follows at 5 p.m. at State Street Event Plaza.

Source: City of Auburn

Owasco Lake & Auburn

Selected December evenings · Including December 4, 2026, 6–7 p.m.

Candlelight Christmas Tours

Seward House Museum · Auburn

Tour the decorated historic home with costumed guides and learn about the Seward family’s Christmas traditions. Reservations are required. The listed admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under; consult the museum’s calendar for additional dates.

Source: Seward House Museum

Lake Community News

Cayuga Lake · October 30, 2026

State awards $10 million for Cayuga shoreline sewer project

New York awarded $10 million to the Cayuga County Water and Sewer Authority for a planned sewer extension in Ledyard and Genoa. The project would serve a nine-mile shoreline area and carry wastewater to Aurora for treatment.

Source: New York State Governor’s Office

Canandaigua Lake · October 30, 2026

Funding announced for land protection near Canandaigua Lake

A $475,000 state award supports a proposed 35-acre land acquisition and restoration effort near Canandaigua Lake. The Town of Canandaigua and its partners plan to protect open space and improve natural runoff filtration.

Source: New York State Governor’s Office

Seneca Lake · October 29, 2026

Pure Waters shares shoreline water-access reports

Seneca Lake Pure Waters has published an update on low lake levels and residents’ concerns about shore wells, intake pipes, and winter freezing. Its voluntary survey reflects participating residents’ reports and does not establish conditions for every shoreline property.

Source: Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association

Skaneateles Lake · October 26, 2026

Native plantings support Skaneateles watershed restoration

Finger Lakes Land Trust reports completing two fall restoration projects in the watershed, including more than 600 native perennials near the lake’s southern end and tree and shrub plantings at Shotwell Brook. Public access at Shotwell Brook is planned for 2027.

Source: Finger Lakes Land Trust

Seneca Lake · October 9, 2026

Geneva reports progress on waterfront improvements

Geneva’s October 9 update reported that construction had started on its Long Pier and marina project at Lakefront Park. The city announced temporary closures during the work; visitors should check current city notices and on-site signs before planning access.

Source: City of Geneva

Ontario County · December 2026 deadlines

Water-resource grants accepting applications

Ontario County is accepting applications for its 2026–2027 water-resource grants. Mini-grant requests are due December 4 at 6 p.m.; implementation-grant requests are due December 18 at midnight. The county’s program documents explain eligibility and application requirements.

Source: Ontario County Water Resources Council

Cayuga & Owasco Lakes · September 14, 2026

A seasonal resource for planning a preserve walk

Finger Lakes Land Trust lists preserves where hunting is not permitted from October 1 through December 22, including Owasco Bluffs and Sims-Jennings at Cayuga Cliffs. Hunting may occur on neighboring land; check preserve rules and wear bright clothing.

Source: Finger Lakes Land Trust

Seneca Lake · September 11, 2026

Local volunteers recognized for Seneca Lake stewardship

At its September annual meeting, Seneca Lake Pure Waters honored Karen Welch, the Rose Family Foundation, and Jody Tyler. Welch’s recognition included her role in developing the native-plant garden at Clute Park in Watkins Glen.

Source: Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association

Keuka Lake · August 20, 2026

Champlin Beach pier replacement reaches groundbreaking

The New York Department of State announced the groundbreaking for Urbana’s $2.8 million Champlin Beach pier project in August. Plans include an accessible dock system, a gazebo, and additional docking access. The announcement does not confirm a public opening date.

Source: New York State Department of State

Event details and availability can change. Please check the organizer’s website before making plans.

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