There is so much to do in Western New York around the holiday season. Want to keep your family entertained instead of constantly just Christmas shopping? Check out our list of special events below.

Races

5K Reindeer Run

December 1 at Medaille College at 10 a.m. Visit the Medaille College website for more information about the 5K Reindeer Run.

Holly Jolly 5K Run

December 3 in Orchard Park. Visit the webpage for the Holly Jolly 5K for more information.

Snowball Run

December 8 at the Eggertsville Youth & Community Center (4110 Bailey Ave., Buffalo). Visit the webpage for the Snowball Run for more information.

Caroler 5K Run

December 15 in East Aurora at 10 a.m. Visit the Caroler 5K Run webpage for more information.

Freezer 5K Run

December 16 at WJ Morrissey's (30 Mississippi St., Buffalo) at 11 a.m. Visit the Freezer 5K Run webpage for more information.

Special Events

Niagara Holiday Art Trail

November 16-18. Check out the Niagara County Historical Society website for more information.

NACC Artist & Friends Exhibition

November 17-December 31. The Holiday Market opens at 2 p.m. For more information, check out the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center website.

Festival of Lights at the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine

November 17-January 1. The shrine is located in Lewiston. Check out the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine website for more information.

Festival of Lights at the Hamburg Fairgrounds

Open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 23-December 9. Open every day from December 14-23 and December 26-30. Closed on Christmas Eve/Day.

Carloads are $20, but you can save $7 by purchasing pre-sale tickets at Tops until November 24. For more information, check out the Hamburg Fairgrounds website.

Broadway Market's Kriskindlemart

November 23 and Saturdays through December 23 at the Broadway Market (999 Broadway, Buffalo). Santa arrives at noon on November 23. There will be jams, jellies, baked goods, specialty popcorn, fresh produce, crafts, meats and more available. There will also be music performances throughout the season.

Visit the Broadway Market's Kriskindlemart webpage for more information.

Herschell Carousel Factory Holiday Celebrations

November 23-25 is their holiday kickoff. From November 28 through December 21 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, they offer holiday tours. On December 1, 8 and 15, you can visit with Santa on the carousel. And December 19-23 and December 26-30 on Wednesdays-Sundays, "Cool Crafts for Cold Days" takes place from noon to 4 p.m.

For more information, check out the Herschell Carrousel Museum website.

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

The Kids Pine Cone Holiday Craft workshop is on November 25. On December 5, there's a holiday brunch, and on December 8, Santa's workshop. December 30 is Dollar Day.

For more information, check out the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens website.

Genesee Country Village & Museum

Yuletide in the Country takes places Fridays (Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14) from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Saturdays (Dec. 1, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15) and Sundays (Dec. 9 and Dec. 16) from 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Check out the Genesee Country Village & Museum website for more information.

Medina's Old Tyme Christmas Celebration & Parade of Lights

November 24 is the pre-light festivities, and Santa arrives at noon. The Christmas tree lighting begins at 5 p.m., and the parade at 6 p.m.

For more information, check out the Medina's Old Tyme Christmas Celebration & Parade of Lights website.

Medina Railroad Museum Polar Express Train Ride

Offered November 24-December 23 on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 p.m., 4:40 p.m., and 5:50 p.m. Check out the Medina Railroad Museum website for more information.

Christmas in Chautauqua County

November 30 is the Jamestown parade and fireworks. Check out Jamestown's website for more information.

December 1 is Hometown Holidays at Jamestown Audubon. Check out the Jamestown Audubon website for more information. Also on December 1 is Miracle on Main in Fredonia. For a full schedule, check out the Miracle on Main website.

Through January 19, the Holiday Exhibit is at the Fenton History Center. Check out the Fenton History Center website for more information.

On January 20, Currier & Ives Sleigh Rally takes place at the Chautauqua Institute. Call 357-2151 for more information.

Victorian Christmas Celebrations at Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site

November 30 is the Holiday Gala from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. December 4 is a food and wine pairing, and December 5 is the Holiday Mix & Mingle. Then, on December 6 is Girls Night Out! A Victorian's Secret.

For more information, check out the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site website.

Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting

December 1 at the Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza in downtown Buffalo at 5 p.m. For more information, check out the webpage for the Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting.

Holiday Kids Crafting Day

December 1 at the Niagara Hobby & Craft Market. Check out the Niagara Hobby & Craft Market website for more information.

Alden Christmas in the Park

On December 1, the holiday market opens up at noon at the American Legion Hall. The Historical Society tours run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, check out the Alden webpage.

Magical Moments on Main Street

From December 1 through January 6, in the Main Street Theatre District in Buffalo between Tupper and Chippewa, there will be animated holiday window displays featuring vintage AM&A's figures.

Niagara Wine Trail Holiday Happening

December 1-2 and December 7-9. Starts at noon on Friday and Sunday and 10 a.m. on Saturday. Visit the Niagara Wine Trail website for more information.

Holiday Wreath Workshop at the Darwin Martin House

December 8 from 10 a.m. to noon. Members are $44, and non-members $54. Visit the Darwin Martin House website for more information.

Roycroft Winter Fest

December 1 at East Aurora Middle School. Visit the Roycroft At Large Association website for more information.

Concerts

Victorian Christmas Celebrations at Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site

On December 7, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra plays their Classical Christmas Coffee Concert, followed by lunch at the Theodore Roosevelt site. On December 14 is BPO Holiday Pops Coffee Concert, also followed by lunch.

For more information, check out the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site website.

40th Annual East Aurora Carolcade

December 22 along historic Main Street at 7 p.m. Check out the East Aurora website for more information on the 40th Annual East Aurora Carolcade.

Brenda Lee concert

November 28-December 3 at the Seneca Allegany Events Center at the Seneca Allegany Casino. Check out the Seneca Allegany Casino website for more information.

Holiday Live at Larkin

December 7 at Larkin Square. The Live at Larkin Series makes a holiday return from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be live music, including Robot Holiday, as well as food and shopping in the marketplace. Visit the Holiday Live at Larkin webpage for more information.

Contributed by Brandon Kilijanski

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