Maybe Syracuse can’t quite beat Hallmark movie-worthy Corning, N.Y. for Christmas charm, but its holiday line-up is nothing to sneeze at.
There’s another slate of markets (one comes with wine and apps), handbell ringers, choral concerts and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical.” Grammy-awarded fiddler Eileen Ivers will head to Geneva this weekend to play a Christmas/Celtic/World concert, and “Sister Act” opens at Redhouse Theatre. If peaceful woodsy walks are your thing, there’s an event at Baltimore Woods for you. If you’d rather spend your weekend watching a high-octane sporting event, there’s Kart Racing at the New York State Fairgrounds.
As always, upstate New York has something for everyone.
Know of an event you would like to see on this list? Email us at features@syracuse.com.
The Plain Dealer
‘A Joyful Christmas’ with Fiddler Eileen Ivers
Nine-time All-Ireland fiddle champion Eileen Ivers will play at the Smith Opera House in Geneva with her band, Universal Roots. The Grammy-awarded and Emmy-nominated fiddler will perform traditional folk tunes to world music with Celtic roots, and will shred the electric guitar with fuzz, wah and looping effects. Ivers will play on Friday at 3 p.m. Tickets run from $22.50 to $40.50 and can be purchased at eventbrite through thesmith.org.
Where: 82 Seneca St., Geneva
When: Friday at 8 p.m.
How much: $22.50 to $40.50
Crafts Fair and Peace Festival
Nearly 100 local craftspeople and community organizations will set up at the 51st annual crafts fair and peace festival on Saturday and Sunday. Fair trade goods like pottery, jewelry and cheeseboards will be for sale in the Science & Industry Building at the New York State Fairgrounds, where activist organizations will also have booths set up. Musicians will perform all weekend and attendees can buy raffle tickets an food from a vegetarian food truck. The festival is $2 to $5, or free for children under 12. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test is required. For more information and a full schedule of events and vendors, go to peacecouncil.net.
Where: 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
How much: $2 to $5, Free for children under 12
‘Sister Act’ at Redhouse Theatre
Live theater will return to Redhouse this weekend with “Sister Act,” based on the 1992 movie starring Whoopie Goldberg. The musical follows disco-diva Deloris Van Cartier, who witnesses a murder and is put into protective custody in the last place the villains will find her -- a convent. The show will run this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and continue until Dec. 19, and will star Joanie Anderson in the lead role. Tickets go for $35. For more information, go to theredhouse.org or call 315-362-2785.
Where: 400 S. Salina St., Syracuse
When: Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.
How much: $35
Indoor Kart Racing
This is some of kart racing’s most challenging terrain. On Friday and Saturday, karters will gather at the New York State Fairgrounds to compete at an indoor track that’s only 100 feet in diameter. This tiny track makes for a tough ride and an thrilling watch while karters battle high speeds and endless turns. Last year about 130 competitors entered to compete in the six-hour non-stop event. Enter gate 2 at the New York State Fairgrounds to the are open from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to late afternoon on Saturday. Tickets are $30 per person and kids under 5 are free. For more information, go to syracuseindoor.com.
Where: 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse
When: Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to late afternoon
How much: $30 per person, kids under 5 are free
Handbell Ringers
The Whitechapel Handbell Ringers of the United Presbyterian Church of Cortland will ring in the holiday season with a Christmas music concert. The performance will take place on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. at the Church of Cortland on 25 Church St., which will be decked out in Christmas decorations. The event is free, but freewill donations will be accepted for the Cancer Care Fund of the Cortland Memorial Foundation. Masks are required for this event. For more information, contact the church at 607-756-5689.
Where: 25 Church St., Cortland
When: Sunday at 3 p.m
How much: Free
Exploring the Evergreens of Baltimore Woods
True, it’s cold. So dress for the weather for this ramble through Baltimore Woods in Marcellus. Guides will lead the hour-long hike around the woods and introduce attendees to local evergreen ferns, trees and other plants, and explain how evergreens stay so colorful year-round. This event is geared to adults. Masks and distancing will be practiced at this event, which will be held on Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $6 for members and $9 for non-members. For more information, contact info@baltimorewoods.org. Go to baltimorewoods.org to register by 3 p.m. on Thursday.
Where: 4007 Bishop Hill Rd., Marcellus
When: Friday from 10 to 11 a.m.
How much: $6 to $9
Strigo’s Sip & Shop
Looking to class up the Christmas market experience? Strigo Vineyards in Baldwinsville is hosting their annual “Sip & Shop” on Thursday evening, a local vendor market through which you can stroll with a glass of wine. Tickets are $10 pre-ordered or $12 at the door, and come with a glass of wine and appetizers. Vaccinated attendees are not required to wear a mask. For more information, contact Strigo Vineyards at 315-678-5147. Tickets can be purchased at eventbrite.
Where: 9272 Plainville Rd., Baldwinsville
When: Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m.
How much: $10 to $12
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
The Landmark Theatre will present a stage show musical rendition based on the 1964 stop-motion animated Christmas movie “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” on Sunday at 3 p.m. Classic characters like Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster and Rudolph will grace the stage under the direction of Jeff Frank and First Stage. Tickets are $22 to $60, and proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test is required for attendees 12 and older. For tickets and more information, go to landmarktheatre.org.
Where: 362 S. Salina St., Syracuse
When: Sunday at 3 p.m.
How much: $20 to $60
Baklava baking classes are held at St. Elias Orthodox Church near Syracuse every October.Jacob Pucci
St. Elias Holiday Bazaar
Over 20 local vendors will set up in St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church this weekend to sell holiday fare and goodies. There will be items like handmade jewelry, wreaths and candles for sale, as well as Middle Eastern foods and desserts like Ka’ak, Harisseh and Baklawa. The St. Elias Church teens will play music and sing Christmas carols during the weekend event. Entry is free. For more information, contact 315-516-0617.
Where: 4988 Onondaga Rd., Syracuse
When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
How much: Free
‘Rejoice’ Christmas Chorale
The Oneida Area Civic Chorale will perform their first live concert since 2020 on Sunday at 4 p.m. at St. Agatha’s Church in Canastota. The 80-person community chorus will perform 11 classic songs, like “O Holy Night” and “Christmas Gloria,” accompanied by piano, organ and a brass quartet. Tickets are $10 and proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test is required for those 12 and older. For more information about the concert, go to oneidachorale.org or contact Karen Puglisi at 315-877-6555.
Where: 329 N. Peterboro St., Canastota
When: Sunday at 4 p.m.
How much: $10
What’s Your Story?
Wunderbar will host its monthly open storytelling event on Friday from 8 to 10 p.m. Anyone can show up, drop their name in a hat and tell a true story to the crowd. The event is modeled after popular storytelling programs like The Moth Radio Hour, and the crowd is asked simply to be respectful. The theme of this month’s event is “otherness,” so any stories relating to that theme are welcome. The event is free and proof of vaccination is required. For more information, go to wunderbarsyr.com.
Where: 201 S. West St., Syracuse
When: Friday from 8 to 10 p.m.
How much: Free
Quilting & Knitting With Friends
The Baldwinsville Public Library will host an open event all day on Friday in their community room for quilters, knitters and yarn crafters. There are large tables to set out big quilting pieces and sunny spots to sit and knit. Anyone is welcome to bring their crafts or sewing machines and to compare notes with the other creators in the room. The event is free, and will take place again on Jan. 7, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4. Register by calling 315-635-5631 or emailing info@bville.lib.ny.us.
Where: 33 E. Genesee St., Baldwinsville
When: Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How much: Free