This year, give your holiday season a dose of cosmopolitan splendor and eclectic charm. Enjoy one or more of the many holiday events that will be taking place in the city between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve.
New Year's Eve Celebration
Saturday, Dec. 31
7 to 10:30 p.m.
Rochester Riverside Convention Center, 123 East Main St.
Looking for something to do with the family this New Year's? Come to the City of Rochester's free celebration in the Convention Center. Downtown Rochester will play host to an abundance of fun-filled activities for the entire family. Free skate admission will be available to patrons for an Early New Year’s Eve Skate at the Manhattan Square Rink and will continue into a late-evening open-skate session. If ice skating is not your cup of tea, the Convention Center will be home to three hours of kid-friendly entertainment for families, followed by a magnificent fireworks display over the Genesee River.
Also consider attending the home opener of Rochester's Championship Premiere Basketball League Team The Rochester Razorsharks at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. Mayor Richards will attend the ceremonial tip-off at 7:05 p.m.
Rochester News Year's Eve Celebration Schedule of Events:
6 to 8 p.m. (Manhattan Square Park Ice Rink):
Free Family Skate with Beal's Rock and Roll Review
Very limited skate rental is available at $3 per person with valid NYS license or ID
9 to 11 p.m.(Manhattan Square Park Ice Rink):
Free Adult Skate
Very limited skate rental is available at $3 per person with valid NYS license or ID
7 to 10 p.m. (Convention Center):
The festivities will kick off with a dance party for the whole family, hosted by Jimmy C's Music Machine
Inflatable attractions will include a Giant Bounce House, Climbing Wall, Chaos Obstacle Course and more.
An old-time Photo Booth
Arts and crafts provided by the City's Bureau of Recreation "Rec on the Move" Staff
Also featured will be some fun family entertainers including:
A magician
Clowns
Tattoo Artists
Caricaturists
10 p.m. (Outside the Convention Center, overlooking the Main Street Bridge)
We'll move outside the Convention Center at 9:50 p.m., to view the City's spectacular fireworks finale - the largest show in Rochester - which will close out the evening with a BANG at 10 p.m.
Street Closures:
Main Street, from South Avenue to Exchange Boulevard, will be closed to vehicles and buses from 6:30 to 11 p.m. (local delivery access will be allowed). RTS buses which utilize this block will be re-directed to Broad Street and Andrews Street during this time.
Court Street, from Exchange Boulevard to South Avenue, will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians from 4 to 11 p.m.
South Ave., from Main St. to Griffith St., will close 9:45–10:45 p.m.
Fireworks will be launched from the east side of the river walk, located south of the Frederick Douglass Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge and from the Court Street Bridge.
No stopping will be allowed on I-490 or the Inner Loop.
Free Parking:
Court St. Garage, 194 Court St.
Sister Cities Garage, 28 N. Fitzhugh St.
South Ave. Garage, 36 South Ave.
Washington Square Garage, 111 Woodbury Blvd.
Razorsharks Season Opener at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial
Saturday, Dec. 31
7:05 p.m.
Tickets: $5, $10 and $25 are available for purchase at the Blue Cross Arena Box Office or online at
www.ticketmaster.com. The RazorSharks will celebrate the kickoff to the Premier Basketball League season this year at home when the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Steamers come to town for a 7:05 p.m. tip-off. Immediately following the game, attendees may head out to Main Street to view the City’s New Year’s Eve Grand Fireworks Finale. For more information, contact the Rochester RazorSharks by calling 232-9190 or on-line at
www.razorsharks.com.
