From a rooftop landing at Old City Hall to festivities at the Peace Plaza’s Market Strasse, Santa Claus comes to town, in a big way, this weekend.
Activities and entertainment (carolers, carillon concert, horse-drawn carriage rides) will be held at the Peace Plaza in late morning leading up to Santa’s early afternoon rooftop rescue by the Rochester Fire Department.
"Once again the fire department will come and rescue Santa off the top of the Old City Hall roof," says Heidi Zunker, marketing and events coordinator, Rochester Downtown Alliance.
After the daring rescue, Santa makes his way in a horse-drawn carriage to the Market Strasse at the Peace Plaza, where families will enjoy photos with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, live entertainment, hot chocolate and cookies, and more.
"Santa will be heading up to the second floor of the Shops at University Square where there will be hot chocolate and cookies," says Zunker. "And Mrs. Claus will be holding story time outside in the Market Strasse’s winter chalet."
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But the fun doesn’t end with Saturday’s big arrival — in fact, it just starts. The Market Strasse, an outdoor European market featuring food, crafts and baked goods, will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 17. Santa’s arrival is just one of the many one-time and ongoing family-friendly events, activities and performances that will be held at the market.
"We decided we wanted to create an ambiance, that winter market feel, down at the Peace Plaza," Zunker says. "We have 12 vendor huts. All 12 are full and there’s a waiting list. We have two food vendors selling apple doughnuts, chestnuts and a variety of European foods. And everything for sale from wooden toys to baked goods, lefse, wool mittens, and baby items."
Go online for a complete list of events and activities.
