Small Business Saturday, Here Comes Santa Claus usher in holiday season in downtown Rochester

(ABC 6 News) – The holiday season is upon us. Small Business Saturday and Here Comes Santa Claus will usher in the holiday season in downtown Rochester on Nov. 26.

It’ll be a full day of events presented by the Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA), Altra Federal Credit Union and Threshold Arts. The schedule of events is below.

  • 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: A trolley from the Galleria at University Square will be circulating
    downtown and stopping at several shopping hubs.
  • 2:00 p.m.: Here Comes Santa Claus rescue from the roof of Residences of Old City Hall
    by the Rochester Fire Department.
  • 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Santa’s Magical Workshop with crafts, treats, and story time with
    Mrs. Claus inside Chateau Theatre
  • 2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.: Photos with Santa Claus on the second floor of Galleria at
    University Square.
  • 5:00 p.m.: Annual holiday tree lighting ceremony in Peace Plaza.

Events happening all day are below.

  • Participating Small Business Saturday businesses will be open with special events and promotions.
  • People can purchase new gloves, hats, or scarves and pin them to the Altra Federal Credit Union Kindness Tree on the first floor of Galleria at University Square.
  • Families can go on a scavenger hunt for 12 of Santa’s Secret Snowflakes. Pick up a passport at Chateau Theatre, find the snowflake in a participating business, and collect a stamp for your passport at each location for a chance to win one of four $25 gift cards to a participating business.

“We love welcoming shoppers to downtown for that main street holiday feeling,” said Holly Masek, RDA Executive director. “This year, with Here Comes Santa Claus happening on the same day as Small Business Saturday, we hope to see even more foot traffic enjoying downtown and supporting our small business community.”

Last year, spending at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday reached an estimated $23.3 billion, up 18% from $19.8 billion in 2020 and a substantial increase from the $19.6 billion spent in 2019, according to a survey by American Express and the National Federation of Independent Business

For more information about Here Comes Santa Claus, CLICK HERE.

For more information about Small Business Saturday, CLICK HERE.