Annual Rochester Holiday Village to Continue Beloved Amenities for Ninth Year

Every year, Rochester’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square transforms into a winter wonderland. Starting in late November, the ROC Holiday Village, which features various opportunities for locals and tourists alike to relax and unwind during the cold holiday season, takes over the downtown space. The Village this year will once again feature its signature ice skating rink, selection of local vendors, and a series of special events for which patrons can purchase tickets. The festival has frequently been named a top holiday destination in the country, according to a press release. This year, the event has secured a nomination for the 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Holiday Market and Best Ice Skating Rink. The idea for this holiday tradition came from Rochesterians Kelli Marsh, Sean McCarthy, and Jenna Knauf. “It started when I went to B[r]yant Park at the end of 2017.

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