Park Avenue Holiday Open House

The Park Avenue Merchants Association turns Rochester's Park Avenue into a family holiday evening. Rochester's mayor kicks off the tree and menorah lighting, local sports mascots make the rounds, and the Rochester Fire Department brings a fire truck for kids to explore. Santa greets families and poses for photos in his tent on the Park Avenue Green at Barrington Street, alongside live reindeer, and a trackless holiday train loops from the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Shops offer handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gifts, while restaurants and pubs serve specials and hot roasted chestnuts.

Our take: Grab a bag of hot roasted chestnuts and work your way down the avenue's restaurant and pub specials.