The snow has officially fallen in Syracuse, making the campus hills slide-able and the walkways slippery. So lace up your snow boots and take on the cold full force! The snow does not have to keep you inside. In downtown Syracuse, the festive lights are strung on the streets and the giant Christmas tree lights up the town.
Ice Skating Downtown
If you feel brave enough to get active in the snow, lace on the ice skates and head downtown! Behind the massive Christmas tree, an invites the community to enjoy the winter sport. Holiday music lightens the mood if you fall. Another upside to the activity is that downtown is home to various restaurants, perfect for refueling after an evening of skating. Admission and skate rental are priced at $5 each, but on Wednesdays, it’s free!
Holiday Nights at the Zoo
The Rosamond Gifford Zoo will hold its annual on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout December. The colored lights strung throughout the trees will illuminate the walkways for guests. There will be hot cocoa for sale and carolers to help you relax and enjoy the holiday season. Even if the animals are asleep, you can still catch a cool light show after dark!
Lights on the Lake
A two-mile trip through holiday lights that dance to the music in your car is what you’ll find at . Drive through different themed zones, such as Fairytale Magic, Land of Oz, Fantasy Forest and more. This event can be budget-friendly if you gather a group of friends and split the entrance fee per car. Weekend rates are $20, and weekday prices are $10. The best part about this event is that even when it’s snowing outside, you can still get into the holiday mood as you crank up the heat in your car!
See a Show at the Syracuse Stage
The Syracuse University Department of Drama and Syracuse Stage are presenting now through Jan. 5, allowing theater-goers to experience some fairytale magic throughout the holiday season. Fantastic costumes and musical numbers will bring the story to life. Aside from being a fun indoor activity to do while it’s freezing outside, it’s a great way to support your community! Plus, it’s the holiday season, and who can resist a mushy Disney musical?
Christmas Craft and Holiday Markets
The annual will return to the Fairgrounds Dec. 13-15. You can cross a few people off of your gifting list by purchasing unique items from the many attending vendors. You can buy tickets or at the door, and there will also be food and drinks for sale.
Written By Emily Rutkowski G’25, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications