Christmas in Little Falls promises to Rock Your Holidays with its three-day event beginning tomorrow!

You’ve probably seen the event for Christmas in Little Falls coming up, but we wanted to highlight this wonderful Mohawk Valley event that promises to Rock the Holidays over three days beginning December 9 and ending December 11! Festivities begin with the Little Falls Celebration of Lights in Canal Place at 5pm tomorrow followed by city-wide activities all day Saturday.

For over a decade, the City of Little Falls has helped make the holidays a bit brighter with an annual celebration held on the second Saturday in December. This year Christmas in Little Falls Rocks the holidays!

Early Beginning

What began as Christmas on Main Street grew into Christmas in Little Falls. Last year, things went to a new level with the inaugural Celebration of Lights in Canal Place. Sterzinar Park was lit up in classic holiday style and even included a community tree lighting with a large crowd gathered to count it down!

This celebration has allowed folks to enjoy visits from Santa, horse & carriage rides, vendor fairs, live music, and much more. This special time has attracted both Little Falls residents and those from neighboring communities to our picturesque city for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Once again, the committee partners with the City, Youth & Family Center, and Think Local Little Falls to spread holiday cheer throughout historic downtown!

Schedule  of Events

Friday, December 9

Celebration of Lights returns to Canal Place Friday evening beginning at 5 pm. Sterzinar Park transforms into a winter wonderland of lights with a tree lighting ceremony featuring Benton Hall Academy Principal Joe Long. There will be FREE horse-drawn wagon rides, outdoor musical entertainment, shopping, yummy eats, and more! You can stop by The Café at Stone Mill to sip on the English yuletide beverage, Wassail, and then head to Rock Valley Brewing for a Trivia Night into the later hours of the evening.

Saturday, December 10

The fun continues bright and early Saturday morning at the Little Falls Youth & Family Center with the Red Nose Reindeer 5K Run presented by Rock City Runners. There will also be visits & FREE professional photos (by Bob Crister of DSP Images) with Santa! While you are visiting with Santa, you can also meet the Grinch, who will be helping Pause 4 All Paws with their cookie sale & scavenger hunt.

Across the street, Chicks Along the Canal will host their ‘Merry Chicksmas Market’ at the Little Falls First Presbyterian Church, which includes talented local female entrepreneurs and is brought to you by the women behind the popular Chicks Along the Canal event.

Speaking of crafty, the Tuesday Night Knitters group is holding TWO yarn pop-ups to include items for sale and demos. You will find these pop-ups at Main Street Mercantile and the 586 E Main St building.

Little Falls Public Library hosts a reading of ‘Little Blue Truck Christmas, ’ which is perfect for younger children. Guests can also have their photo taken with our very own little blue truck decked out for the occasion. Also, Valley Cinemas invites you to wear your favorite pajamas for a Polar Express Experience at 5 pm (5:30 pm showtime) – FREE admission!

FREE horse-drawn wagon rides provide tours of historic downtown with pick-up & drop-off at the M&T Bank lot. The hilariously competitive Tipsy Server Race takes over Main St, the classic Soup Fest for charity throughout the city, and non-profit agency events. You can also stop by Ann Street Wine & Liquors to sip on some warm spiced wine while you stock up for your holiday event needs.

Live music & entertainment takes over the Elk’s Lodge #42, including the 6th-grade bell choir, 5th-grade All-County band, Emily Rozonkiewiecz’s piano students, LF Middle & High School band & vocal, and Edelweiss Schuplatters German Dancers. There will also be a barbershop quartet, Full Circle, and carolers wandering throughout downtown.

Additional morning activities include the superhero pancake breakfast at the American Legion, cookie decorating (sponsored by White Rose Bakery) with Reindeer Games by Connected Community Schools at the Community Center, the H.A.L.O. tree of love at CVS, and the Utica Zoomobile at LF Ace Hardware.

New this year is a FREE Movie Night at Rock City Centre presented by Creative Outpost. There will be Dance on Film screenings and a presentation by producer Hannah Straney.

The Elks Lodge #42 asks, “You serious, Clark?!” as they host their annual holiday party with a National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation theme! Translation – dress as your favorite character from the movie! (If you remember their Schitt’s Creek Christmas Party from last year, you know this is not to be missed!)

There will also be open houses throughout the day at Paca Gardens, Designs by Shelly, and Showcase Antiques of CNY. The LF Historical Society offers an outdoor exhibit as well and is open by appointment.

Sunday, December 11

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church invites you to join them for their 2 pm holiday concert.

More throughout the weekend – Toy collections at Dollar General & Mangia Macrina’s, Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts holds an art sale with regional artists, Falls Diamond Co offers a diamond necklace raffle, and you can drop off Letters to Santa at Ed’s Pizza Place. You can also ‘Stuff Your Stockings’ at Style on Main with Niki Marie’s team giving candy to kids who bring in a stocking.

The entire city will be bustling with entertainment, activities, shopping and more throughout the day. Folks are encouraged to review the full schedule of events to plan their day, keeping in mind the numerous local businesses that will be open and running specials for your holiday enjoyment. Full details and times are available on the ‘Christmas in Little Falls Rocks the Holidays’ Facebook page. You may also contact the Youth & Family Center at 315-823-1740 or email LFrockstheholidays@gmail.com.

This event is made possible by the Christmas in Little Falls committee, Little Falls Youth & Family Center, Think Local Little Falls, the City of Little Falls, and numerous financial supporters. This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a re-grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by CNY Arts.

You can find more details and download the event flyer and full schedule at Mohawk Valley Today Events!