Celebrate The Magic At It’s A Wonderful Life Festival

Holiday happenings are abundant locally and throughout New York State. It's fun to join in on the festivities of the season. Here are a couple of road trip locations to enjoy popular events not far from the Binghamton area.

A Dickens Christmas!

In Skaneateles, New York, it's the annual Dickens Christmas, which brings “A Christmas Carol” to life.

This fun event, which takes you back to 1842, happens every weekend through Christmas from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, with a limited show from Noon to 2:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

A Dickens Christmas features Christmas carol sing-alongs, Christmas stories with help from the audience, horse-drawn wagon and carriage rides, musical performances, Fezziwig’s Christmas Ball, 6 to 8 p.m. on December 21st, a snowman building contest, a Miracle on 34th Street presentation, and free refreshments.

For information, dates, and times of these events and more, visit the Skaneateles website.

It's A Wonderful Life!

Another event worth checking out this holiday season is in Seneca Falls, New York.

The annual "It's a Wonderful Life" Festival is this weekend. It's a celebration of Frank Capra's beloved movie in the town that inspired Bedford Falls. The festival happens this Friday, December 12th, through Sunday, December 14th, in Seneca Falls.

Each year, this festival reminds us of the warmth, generosity, and sense of community that inspired It’s a Wonderful Life. We are grateful to everyone who helps keep the spirit of Bedford Falls here in Seneca Falls. - Haidee Oropallo, President of the It’s A Wonderful Life Festival Committee. 

The festivities begin on Friday, December 12th, at 10 a.m. with the ribbon-cutting and opening ceremony. According to an announcement from The Real Bedford Falls website, Friday evening will feature It’s a Wonderful Bonfire, with everyone welcome to attend at the gazebo on Lower Fall Street near Trinity Church.

This family-friendly event will feature a visit from Santa Claus, caroling provided by Calvary Chapel Worship Singers, and the announcement of the holiday lights contest winners.

Throughout the weekend, the festival will feature themed activities, live performances, and opportunities to explore the town's rich history and its connection to "It’s A Wonderful Life."

For more information, visit The Real Beford Falls website, and check out the photos from Traci Taylor with all sorts of memorabilia in Bedford Falls, ah, I mean Sececa Falls!