Rochester's flurry of Christmas cheer begins tonight, hopefully with a flurry!

From left, images of past tree lightings, pub crawls, festival of trees, The Nutcracker and Rochester's own Christmas Parade. (Courtesy photos)

ROCHESTER - Beginning tonight and through Sunday Rochester has the stuff of Christmas dreams for kids of all ages.

It starts with the city's Christmas Tree lighting tonight from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Central Square where it is forecast there could be a few snowflakes to make it all the more merry.

The festivities include the reading of The Night Before Christmas by Rochester Mayor Caroline McCarley, dance performances by Studio 109 Dance Voice & Drama and of course, free cookies and hot cocoa courtesy of Citizens Bank.

There will also be a new addition: caroling by the Frisbie Carolers as well as cookie decorating at the Chamber of Commerce and visits with Santa at First Seacoast Bank.

Festival of Trees

Christmas Trees remain the constant throughout the evening as Rochester Main Street presents its fourth annual Festival of Trees event tonight and Saturday.

Tonight's festivities run from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

This fund-raising event gives guests the opportunity to win fully decorated holiday trees and prizes. It is held at Studley's Flower Gardens at 82 Wakefield St. in Rochester. The trees often include valuable gifts in addition to beautiful decorations. This year also features Premium Trees with total values over $500.

Friday's portion follows the downtown tree lighting at Central Square and includes live music and refreshments. Friday's guests can be among the first to view the gorgeous trees while getting the first chance to enter raffles.

Saturday's portion also includes live music and refreshments and includes a visit from Santa from 5-7 p.m. Adults are welcome to enjoy adult beverages as they stroll through the beautiful scene.

Admission to the Festival is just $5 each day and includes five raffle tickets for the drawings. Children enter free. Additional raffle tickets are also available for purchase to increase chances of winning.

All drawings are pulled Saturday at 7 p.m. Winners do not need to be present to win. If not present, winners will receive a phone call and must respond. Winners can collect the winnings after the event concludes Saturday or on Sunday, December 8th during the hours 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Unclaimed trees and gifts by 1 p.m. on Sunday will be forfeited.

Guests can vote for their favorite trees in categories of "Best Dressed" and "Most Creative."

Proceeds from Festival of Trees benefit the downtown Rochester district through Rochester Main Street.

The Nutcracker

Meanwhile, the Christmas ballet classic The Nutcracker continues its five-day run at the Rochester Opera House with a 2 and 7 p.m. show on Saturday and a final 2 p.m. show on Sunday.

This classic holiday tale - featuring the dancers of Sole City Dance - has become a regional favorite with its soaring story of fancy, framed by Tchaikovsky's legendary score. The Nutcracker captures the wonder and expectation of the night before Christmas when a mysterious gift sparks an extraordinary journey.
For more info go to rochesteroperahouse.com.

Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl

The thread of Christmas in Rochester continues Saturday with the Ugly Sweater Pub crawl sponsored for the fourth year by Boston Beer Company. It features discounted $3.50 pints of Sam Adams throughout the afternoon event, which runs from 1-5 p.m. at eight downtown venues. Last year some 350 ugly sweater revelers attended the event.

Featured stops this year include The Garage and Governor's Inn, Rochester's Performance and Arts Center, which will feature a piano player; Curlies Comedy Club, Lilac City Grill, Revolution Taproom and Grill, Mitchell Hill BBQ, Radloff's Cigar Bar and On the Rox Lounge and Moe's Southwest Grill.

Tickets also include free appetizers at each location. They cost $10 today and $15 on Saturday, and are available at all eight locations.

Rochester Christmas Parade

Rochester's Christmas Parade wraps up the weekend holiday spectacular beginning at 3 p.m.
The theme of this year's parade will be "A Sweet Christmas" and will include marching units, youth, organization and commercial floats, VIPs, color guard and marching units, equestrians and marching bands.
The parade begins on Wakefield Street by the triangle at the entrance to the Spaulding High School, continue south on Wakefield Street, then onto Union Street, North Main Street through downtown Rochester and ends on South Main Street by the Rochester Commons. Note: A number of roads on and adjacent to this route will be closed between 2:30 and 4:30 pm.

The entire parade is taped and broadcast on Rochester's Community Channel 12, courtesy of Atlantic Broadband. A link to the parade video can also be found on the Chamber website throughout the holiday season.