Featured Businesses

December 1 - 7

December

Liverpool: Lights on the Lake. An extraordinary two mile long drive through light extravaganza featuring life-size displays, themed sections and a memorable grand finale. A family fun event and a seasonal tradition. Onondaga Lake Park, 106 Lake Drive. 5 – 10 pm. $8 per vehicle; $6 Monday & Tuesday with Wegmans’ Shoppers, Card. 453-6712. www.lightsonthelake.com

Syracuse: 55th Annual Art Mart. This great arts & craft show features pieces from various artists working in many different medias. A great place to shop for that special gift for a special someone or even for yourself. Greenhouse at City Hall Commons, 201 E. Washington St. 488-4414. www.downtownsyracuse.com.

Syracuse: The Salt City Comes of Age: Syracuse in the Impressionist Era 1880 – 1915. The exhibit takes visitors back to the era when Syracuse was evolving from a 19th century frontier town into a formal, mature city. This also coincided with the time that Impressionism was introduced to the United States from Europe. The OHA exhibition focuses on some of the activities at work in Syracuse in the areas of civic improvement, art, architecture, and the decorative arts. Onondaga Historical Association Museum & Research Center 321 Montgomery St. Free admission. 428-1864 www.cnyhistory.org.

Syracuse: 24th Annual Gingerbread Gallery. Each year the Erie Canal Museum transforms it into a festive 1800s street scene, with over 40 gingerbread creations on display in storefront windows. These sweet creations are made locally by professional and amateur bakers. Erie Canal Museum, 318 Erie Blvd East. $5 Adults, $4 Seniors, $2 Children 12 and under. 471-0593 x15. www.eriecanalmuseum.org.

Syracuse: Dining with the Masters. Bring your ticket or ticket stub from Turner to Cézanne at the Everson Museum of Art to one of 17 participating downtown restaurants to receive three courses for $25 or less. Various restaurants in downtown Syracuse. Beverage, tax and gratuities not included. 422-8284. www.downtownsyracuse.com.

Rochester: Titanic – The Artifact Exhibit. Travel back to 1912 to experience the legendary story of the most famous ship of its time. Discover the RMS Titanic’s compelling human dramas as you explore re-created first and third class accommodations and view artifacts recovered after 80 years on the ocean floor. (585) 271-4320. See Web site for details. www.rmsc.org.

Dec. 2

Brewerton: Salsa Dancing. Warm up your Wednesdays with Salsa Dancing. Classes run from 8-9pm. Beginners are welcome and no partner is necessary. Admission is $5. Calypso Cay Restaurant. 387-6504

Ithaca: Holiday Parade of Ice. Over 30 Ice sculptures and an interactive ice village will fill the Commons. On-site carving on Dec. 4-5, Unveiling Ceremony- Dec. 6, Gallery night and Ice Sculpture Walk Dec. 7. Santa’s Arrival and Pictures- Dec. 8-9 with Holiday party in Center Ithaca. Carolers from 5-8pm on the Commons and more. 607-277-8679. www.downtownithaca.com.

Utica: Polar Express. Enjoy a holiday train for the children. Tickets available on line. Adirondack Scenic Railroad Union Station, 321 Main St. 800-819-2291. www.adirondackrr.com.

Dec. 3

Oswego: Argentine Tango and Salsa Lessons. McCrobie Building on Lake Street. 216-4723.
Sessions are from 7 to 9 pm and 9 to 10:45 pm. Admission is $7. Call the above number for more information.

Syracuse: Fayette Firefighters Memorial Park Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration. Enjoy hot chocolate, candy canes and musical entertainment while visiting Santa and the Syracuse Firefighters. Presented by the Downtown East Business Association. 5:30 pm pre-event with tree lighting at 6 pm. Fayette Firefighters Memorial Park S. State and E. Fayette Streets. Free admission. 422-8284.

Fulton: Christmas Tree Lighting Jubilee. 5-7:30pm. Annual tree lighting program filled with music, candy, hot chocolate and photo’s with Santa. Santa will be handing out small gift bags to youths who have their picture taken with him. Admission free. 141 South First St. City of Fulton Parks & Recreation. 592-2474. bostrander@cityoffulton.com.

Ithaca: Holiday Parade of Ice. See Dec. 2 listing.

Utica: Polar Express. See Dec. 2 listing.

Syracuse: Mystery Dinner Theater: Bad Kitty: A Holiday Whodunnit. Everyone who is anyone in the high-stakes, competitive world of professional cat showing is here tonight for the annual Catalina Cat Club holiday dinner and awards banquet. Founder and host, Cy Ameze, invites you to come and raise a glass to this year’s winner of the prestigious, jewel-encrusted Kitty Cup. That is, if you’re still alive by the end of the evening. The Spaghetti Warehouse, 689 N. Clinton St. 7:00 pm – 9:45 pm. 475-1807. www.acmemysterytheater.com.

Trumansburg: Trumansburg Winter Festival. A festival celebrating the holiday season. Lighting of village Christmas tree, sing-a-long, music, crafts, horse and carriage rides and dessert contest. (607) 387-9254. www.TburgFestivalofLights.com.

Dec. 4

Syracuse: Syracuse Symphony Orchestra’s The Nutcracker Featuring BalletMet Columbus. The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra collaborates this year with the extraordinary BalletMet Columbus and local dancers to bring you Tchaikovsky’s beloved classic, The Nutcracker, in a fresh, glittering production. Mulroy Civic Center at Oncenter, 800 S. State St. Adults $39; Children $10. 800-724-3810 . www.syracusesymphony.org.

Bernhard’s Bay: Pool Lessons. 7-7:30pm. Every Friday group lesson is Beginner and advanced on 9’ billiards professional tables. Call for more information at 675-3806. 676 St. Rt. 49. Bernhard’s Bay Country Store. countrystore@centralny.twcbc.com

Syracuse: 27th Annual Holiday Crafts Spectacular. About 100 artists will present their handmade works including jewelry, pottery, photography and woodwork. Specialty food products will be available for purchase. Friday, 12:00-8:00 pm, Saturday, 10:00 am-6:00 pm. Empire Expo Center/New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd. 802-425-3399. www.craftproducers.com.

Baldwinsville. Don’t Feed the Actors Benefit for the Baldwinsville Theater Guild. Don’t Feed the Actors Improv Comedy troupe puts on a special benefit for our friends at the Baldwinsville theater Guild Scholarship Fund. Made up of heralded local actors the DFtA crew puts on their unique blend of audience interactive improv where you the audience can get involved. Show starts @ 8:00pm. $15 Adults, $13 Seniors & Students. $12 Advance sale tickets can be bought at www.dontfeedtheactors.com. Adults only. Foxfire Country Club, 1 Village Boulevard. 383-4318.

Syracuse: The Talent Co. Presents Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas the Musical”. Based on the beloved 1954 movie musical that starred Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, the Broadway hit is full of dancing, romance, laughter, and songs. The Central New York premiere of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” tells the tale of a couple of song-and-dance men who meet up with a sister act to make sparks fly and snow fall. Empire Expo Center/New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd. Tickets are $20, $25 and $30. Friday & Saturday 8:00 pm; Sunday, 2:00 pm. 479-SHOW (7469). www.thetalentco.com.

Syracuse: Come Home for the Holidays. The Syracuse Gay & Lesbian Chorus presents “Come Home for the Holidays,” a tribute to your favorite holiday themes mixed with some new, terrific tunes. A light-hearted show celebrating the coming of winter, the holidays, and the new year. First Unitarian Universalist Society, 109 Waring Rd. 8:00 pm. $15 Advance Ticket/$18 at door. 476-4329. www.syrglc.org.

Liverpool: Christmas Around the World at Ste. Marie. Once again the museum will be filled with the magnificent collection of international Santa’s while fully decorated trees will add to the holiday atmosphere celebrating the traditions of the season in the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Russia and more. The program will include holiday entertainment with the mission site open, weather permitting. Ste. Marie Among the Iroquois Living History Center, 6680 Onondaga Lake Parkway. 5 – 9 pm. $1 per person. 453-6768. www.onondagacountyparks.com/sainte-marie.

Ithaca: Holiday Parade of Ice. See Dec. 2 listing.

Utica: Polar Express. See Dec. 2 listing.

Trumansburg: Trumansburg Winter Festival. See Dec. 3 listing.

Buffalo: Billy Joel & Elton John Face 2 Face Tour. Billy and Elton open the concert with a series of duets, playing twin pianos and trading vocals. Each artist then performs a set with his own band. A grand finale brings the two superstars and their supporting musicians back together for a closing encore. This includes some of both Billy and Elton’s greatest hits along with an unpredictable selection of rock and roll classics. HSBC Arena, One Seymour H. Knox III Plaza. 7:30 pm. (888) 223-6000. www.hsbcarena.com.

Dec. 5

Oswego: Pizza and Pages. Meeting every other Saturday. A book club for teens. We’ll discuss our book over pizza. Call for more details and time. Admission free. 120 East 2nd Street, Oswego School District Public Library. 341-5867. justinquinn74@gmail.com

Skaneateles: Dickens Christmas. Dickens Characters, Carolers, Horse Drawn Carriage rides, Roasted Chestnuts, One-Act Plays, visits with Father Christmas, stories by Mother Goose, Ladies & Gents shopping nights, etc. 12 – 4 pm. (315) 685-0552. www.skaneateles.com.

Syracuse: The Talent Co. Presents Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas the Musical”. See Dec. 5 listing.

Oswego: Oswego YMCA Reindeer Run. 9:30-noon. Come join us for a fun run/walk. This event is a 5K event geared for the entire family. You can run as a team of 6 or more and spruce it up by being in costume. It’s fun and the last run of the year. Admission $15/$ 5 for students with ID. 249 W. 1st Street,
Oswego YMCA. 343-1981. mmcphers@twcny.rr.com

Mexico: Christmas in Mexico. 9 am-7 pm. Christmas in Mexico, includes church bazaars, shop open houses, Friends of Bob Cratchit in period costume, carolers, horse drawn wagon, lighted float parade and visit with Santa. Sponsored by Greater Mexico Chamber of Commerce, throughout the village of Mexico. Admission free. 963-1042

Liverpool: Christmas Around the World at Ste. Marie. See Dec. 4 listing.

Utica: Polar Express. See Dec. 2 listing.

Mexico: Oswego County Holiday Farmers’ Market. A holiday farmers market with many local farms displaying their agricultural products; maple syrup, honey, produce, wreaths and much more. Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County. Admission free. 5930 Scenic Ave. Mexico VFW. 963-7286. vsw2@cornell.edu

Syracuse: A World of Puppets Saturday Series: Grandfather Frost’s Stories of Russia. Silver the Cat is back with his mischief, and with Baba Yaga telling the story of two sisters lost in the Russian forest. They each learn the secrets of the legendary Grandfather Frost in their own particular way. This beautiful folktale is performed with traditional music and imaginative puppetry in a uniquely Russian style. Open Hand Theater, 518 Prospect Ave. 11 am. Adults $8, children $6. 476-0466. www.openhandtheater.org.

Syracuse: Breakfast and Lunch with Santa. Come and enjoy a buffet meal with the jolly ol’ elf. Share last minute holiday wishes with Santa and see the Zoo! Children will also be able to decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus. Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, 1 Conservation Place. $12 per person, $8 for members, children under 1- free – registration required. 435-8511 ext.113. www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org.

Syracuse: Armory Square Horse Drawn Wagon Rides with Abe Walton. Annual holiday free riding tours throughout historic Armory Square, narrated by an actor in the guise of Abe Walton, first visionary and entrepreneur of this ever-evolving, history-rich area. Armory Square, Walton and S. Franklin Streets. 12 – 3 pm. Free. 471-4601.

Baldwinsville. Breakfast with Santa. Kick off the holiday season by joining Santa for breakfast at Beaver Lake. Enjoy a tasty meal of pancakes, sausage and a beverage. There will also be a bake sale. Beaver Lake Nature Center, 8477 East Mud Lake Rd. 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. $2.50-$4.50. 638-2519.

Skaneateles: Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles. Step back in time and enjoy Christmas the old fashioned way! Join Charles Dickens and his cast of characters in the beautiful village of Skaneateles. You may also take a horse and carriage ride, sing along at 2 pm with all the Dickens characters, see a show at the library, or enjoy a roasted chestnut. Great shopping and dining for every pallet and pocketbook. Jordan and Fennell Streets. 12 – 4 pm. Free admission. 685-0552.

Ithaca: Holiday Parade of Ice. See Dec. 2 listing.

Trumansburg: Trumansburg Winter Festival. See Dec. 3 listing.

Dec. 6

Central Square: 62nd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. 5pm. Children’s activities, caroling, Santa arriving and tree lighting. Admission free. Route 11, Goettle Park. 668-2558

Skaneateles: Dickens Christmas. See Dec. 5 listing.

Utica: Polar Express. See Dec. 2 listing.

Syracuse: 22nd Annual Teddy Bear Tea. The afternoon will include catering by Pascale’s, children’s entertainment by Milk and Cookies, raffle baskets to enter for, children’s crafts, light luncheon and of course, tea. The afternoon will end with a fun Teddy Bear Parade around the Grand Ballroom. Hotel Syracuse Grand Ballroom, 500 South Warren St. 12 – 3 pm. $25 adults, children $20 – registration required. 474-6064.

Pulaski: Light Up Pulaski. 1-5 pm. Santa, entertainment and refreshments will be found at a variety of venues in the village. Lighting of the Memory Tree and other trees in South Park will take place at 4pm. Sponsored by Light Up Pulaski Committee and Pulaski Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce. Admission free. 298-2717

Pulaski: Pulaski Historical Society Celebrates Light Up Pulaski. 1-4pm. Open house with exhibits showing an Old Fashioned Christmas. Refreshments will be served. Admission free. 3428 Maple Ave. Pulaski Historical Society 298-5235. phspulaski@aol.com

Ithaca: Holiday Parade of Ice. See Dec. 2 listing.

Dec. 7

Ithaca: Holiday Parade of Ice. See Dec. 2 listing.

Utica: Mamma Mia! The story telling magic of ABBA’s songs propels this tale of love, laughter and friendship. The Stanley, 259 Genessee St. 7:30 pm. 724-4000. www.stanleycenterforthearts.com.

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