Enjoy Festive Fun in Oswego County this Holiday Season
By Oswego County Tourism
This post will be updated as more event details are released
Get into the holiday spirit with festivities in Oswego County! Many communities throughout the county host enchanting tree lightings that include visits with Santa Claus, hot cocoa and other holiday treats, shopping opportunities with local vendors and small businesses, and more!
A past City of Oswego Tree Lighting
Hannibal Country Christmas: Saturday, Nov. 23
Too excited to wait until after Thanksgiving to start Christmas activities? The Town of Hannibal has you covered! Join the community for a day of family-friendly activities on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Numerous businesses will be participating in the holiday open house, offering specials to help you find unique gifts! Be sure to also participate in the Country Christmas Quiz for a chance to win one of 14 cash prizes of $50.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Christmas Carnival will be held at the gym of the Hannibal High School, located at 928 Cayuga St., Hannibal, N.Y. The carnival features basket raffles, games for children, face painting, and concessions. Tops Friendly Markets will have samples, Christmas cookie decorating, giveaways for children, and holiday music provided by Deanna Hubbard. The store is located at 409 Fulton St., Hannibal, N.Y.
Horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered by CNY Event Ranch from noon to 3 p.m. The Christmas tree lighting begins in the village square at 4 p.m., and Santa will be there to give out free gifts.
For more details, visit the event Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CountryChristmasinHannibal.
City of Oswego Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony: Saturday, Nov. 30
Enjoy a festive afternoon in the City of Oswego during the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Civic Plaza, located at 13 W. Oneida St., Oswego, N.Y. A wide variety of activities will be offered, such as visits with Santa and his elves, horse-drawn carriage rides, ice sculptures, carolers, a live stage show, and more.
Live stage entertainment begins at 5 p.m., and the tree will be lit at 6 p.m. in a special ceremony recognizing the winners of the children’s coloring contest. At 6:05 p.m., a spectacular fireworks display will be launched from the Pedestrian Bridge over the Oswego River.
Looking for something to do before the festivities begin? The Tree Lighting Ceremony falls on Small Business Saturday, and many businesses will have special offers. Get your holiday shopping started or enjoy a delicious meal!
For more information, visit the event Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/eventsoswegony.
Village of Cleveland Tree Lighting: Saturday, Nov. 30
Help the Village of Cleveland welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to town! The Cleveland Fire Department will drive Santa around town as he makes his way to the village gazebo. Santa will arrive at the gazebo around 7:30 p.m. to light the Christmas tree. Children will be able to take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Stop into the Cleveland House (118 NYS Rte. 49, Cleveland, N.Y.) for a delicious dinner from 4:30 to 9 p.m.
Looking for a place to wait for Santa’s arrival? The Cleveland American Legion (114 NYS Rte. 49, Cleveland, N.Y.) offers crafts, Christmas music, hot cocoa, cider and donuts from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
For more details, visit the Cleveland Spirit Committee’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064370366482.
Christmas in Mexico: Saturday, Dec. 7
Enjoy a day of fun in Mexico, N.Y.! A wide assortment of local vendors will be at the Mexico Elementary School (26 Academy St., Mexico, N.Y.) on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with unique items for sale. Be sure to catch the holiday parade along Main Street, which starts at 5 p.m.
The Starr Clark Tin Shop and Underground Railroad Museum (3250 Main St., Mexico, N.Y.) will also be open for tours and festive activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Looking for something to do before Christmas in Mexico? The Mexico Chamber of Commerce presents a murder mystery dinner theatre “Murder on a Train” directed by Donna Leigh on Friday, Dec. 6. The event takes place at the Eis House (144 Academy St., Mexico, N.Y.) and includes a cocktail hour from 5 to 6 p.m. and dinner and theatre from 6 to 9 p.m. Dinner and theatre tickets are $55 per person with the choice of chicken Milan, steak or fettucine alfredo. Tickets are available by pre-sale only and must be purchased by Friday, Nov. 29. To get tickets, call or text Bill Lighthall at 315-529-6637.
For more details, visit the event Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ChristmasInMexicoNY.
City of Fulton Tree Lighting Ceremony: Saturday, Dec. 7
Head to the City of Fulton for its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 7! Festivities are from 3 to 6 p.m. at Veterans’ Park, located across the street from the Fulton Municipal Building (141 S. First St., Fulton, N.Y.) Activities include carriage rides, local vendors, a food truck, visits with Santa, holiday performances, caroling, parade of lights, the tree lighting by the 2024 Community Luminary, and fireworks. Light refreshments will be available at 4 p.m.
For more details, visit the event Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/3504148079729309/.
Town of Constantia Christmas Tree Lighting: Saturday, Dec. 7
Join the Town of Constantia for its inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting! The holiday fun begins at 6:30 p.m. with a live performance by the Central Square High School Choir. Santa arrives at 7 p.m. to light the tree, escorted by the Constantia Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department will also be hosting its annual toy drive, and welcome donations of unwrapped toys to help fill the fire truck with donations for those in need. Festivities take place at the David C. Webb Memorial Park at Taft Bay, located on State Route 49 in Constantia, N.Y.
For more details, visit the Town of Constantia Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ConstantiaNYOffical.
Light Up Orwell: Saturday, Dec. 7
Enjoy a tree lighting and traditional caroling in the Town of Orwell! Festivities are from 7 to 9 p.m. at the pavilion of Orwell Park. For more details, visit the event Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1124600171968899.
The Village of Central Square 77th Annual Tree Lighting: Sunday, Dec. 8
Check out the Village of Central Square’s tree lighting on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at Goettel Community Park! (755 N. Main St., Central Square, N.Y.) There will be hot chocolate and cookies, and donations will be accepted for a variety of causes.
The Central Square Lions Club will be collecting monetary donations to give to families to purchase a holiday meal and will also accept gifts for “Toys for Teens.” Non-perishable food items will be accepted to benefit the Divine Mercy Parish Food Pantry, and used shoes for the “Tithe My Shoes” program will be collected to be refurbished and distributed to those in need in the community.
Light Up Pulaski: Sunday, Dec. 8
The Village of Pulaski offers a day of holiday activities for the whole family on Sunday, Dec. 8! Visit with Santa, enjoy the lighting of the Memory Tree and other holiday lights in parks throughout the village, and more!
For more details, visit the event Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LightUpPulaski.
Christmas at Sea: Sunday, Dec. 8
Looking for a festive event other than tree lightings? Head to the H. Lee White Maritime Museum (1 W. First St. Pier, Oswego, N.Y.) for Christmas at Sea! The annual open house takes place from 1 to 4:30 p.m., and Santa arrives by U.S. Coast Guard boat at 2 p.m.
For more details, visit the H. Lee White Maritime Museum Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/@HLWMM/.