Tis The Season
Tis the Season
Make It A December to Remember With These Holiday Themed Events
CHRISTMAS IN ELLICOTTVILLE
November 29 - December 1
@ Village of Ellicottville • EVL, 800-349-9099, ellicottvilleny.com
Thanksgiving weekend in the 14731 has become a tradition for many locals and visitors alike. Book your accommodations, pack your bags, and come celebrate in true Ellicottville style! The ski town’s downtown business district offers a unique shopping experience within a walkable 4-block footprint, filled with festive attractions and plenty of holiday cheer. Free activities for kids, horse-drawn wagon rides, breakfast with Santa, and more! Park the car and saunter the sidewalks lined with an abundance of eclectic shops packed with unique holiday gift choices and dining options!
SANTA CLAUS LANE PARADE
Friday, November 29
@ Lincoln Park • Olean, NY, 716-372-4433, oleanny.com
Come join Santa and Mrs. Claus as they officially light the town’s holiday decorations! This festive parade is held annually on the Friday after Thanksgiving and is the traditional kick-off to the holiday season. Santa will be in attendance and light up thousands of lights in Lincoln Park and downtown Olean when he parades through town in celebration. Holiday lights, live music and Mr. and Mrs. Claus - what’s not to like? The 38th Annual Santa Claus Lane Parade is set on North Union Street in Olean beginning at 6:30pm.
A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS
Friday, November 29
@ Fannie Bartlett House • Olean, NY, 716-373-5642
Take a trip back in time with a Victorian Christmas at the Fannie Bartlett House in Olean, the Friday after Thanksgiving. Watch the Santa Claus Lane Parade before or after touring this beautifully restored mansion built in 1881 with 15 rooms, including a third-floor ballroom. The historic house will be adorned with Christmas decorations during its annual open house on Friday, Nov. 29th from 6:00-9:00pm. There will be refreshments and raffle baskets, with proceeds to benefit the Bartlett House. Come back the next day for Kids Day from 12:00-3:00pm, and enjoy a visit with Santa from 1:00-3:00pm.
IRISH CHRISTMAS
Friday, December 6
@ Ellicottville Brewing Company • EVL, 716-474-7832, bobmccarthyfoundation.com
Bob McCarthy’s Irish Christmas, a seasonal highlight, is a hallmark of Ellicottville fun, generosity and compassion. Hosted by the Bob McCarthy Foundation, the event serves to raise funds for Santa’s Workshop and the Santa Sheriff Program, as well as year-round programs and family support. In it’s 19th year, Irish Christmas will again be held at Ellicottville Brewing Company’s Brew Hall with a great offering of live auction items, silent auction items, basket raffles, and the iconic pie auction. Get there early so you don’t miss a single moment of the fun! Admission is FREE!
SANTA AT THE STATE PARK
Saturday, December 7
@ Allegany State Park • Salamanca NY, 716-353-9101 ext 236, parks.ny.gov
HO! HO! HO! The holidays are fast approaching and there’s no better way to get into the spirit than by spending some time in Allegany State Park. Join the Environmental Education Department for a fun, festive, family event - Saturday with Santa! The big day starts at 11:00am in the Red House area of the park with Santa’s parade marching through at 11:30am. Santa will pass by Camp Allegany and the Administration Building on his way to the Red House picnic shelter, where he will greet and take photos with visitors.
JINGLE BELL JUBILEE
Friday, December 13
@ Lincoln Park • Olean NY, 716-372-4433, oleanny.com
Lincoln Park turns into a Hallmark movie! Jingle Bell Jubilee is a busy European-style Holiday Market from 4:30-8:30pm with local artisan vendors, food, drinks, music, carriage rides, make-and-take cookie decorating, and visits with Santa! It’s fun for the whole family! Stay toasty under the structure with heaters sponsored by Sol Epoxy. Experience the beautiful downtown from a horse-drawn carriage ride around the park with Hillview Stables. Cost is $3 per person, children under 5 are free. Shop local with over 30 craft & artisan vendors, and fuel up with food and drinks from 4 food trucks.
VISIT WITH SANTA
Saturday, December 14
@ Fireman’s Club • Great Valley NY, 716-945-1398, greatvalleyfireco.com
When the snow starts falling and the short days are flying by, you know that Christmas is just around the corner. That means it’s time to write your Christmas list for Santa. If you want to share it with the big guys himself, parents are welcome to bring their little ones down to the Great Valley Fireman’s Club on December 14th from 10:00am-2:00pm. Kids can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, get their photos taken and share their Christmas wishes with them. All kids who attend will receive a special treat from Santa.
A CHRISTMAS STROLL
@ Village Gazebo • EVL, 800-349-9099, ellicottvilleny.com
Celebrate the holiday season with a Living Nativity, complete with a camel, all in the downtown area. Ellicottville’s Christmas Stroll was created in 1987 by a group of citizens who wanted to organize such an event in the village. After brainstorming over coffee, it was decided that they wanted a live nativity scene with children dressed as angels and shepherds, who walked around the village and met at the gazebo. There, the baby Jesus was presented and caroling presided. The 37th annual tradition continues this year with activities in the village at 4:30pm, and the Living Nativity at 6:00pm.