Roc Holiday Village returns starting Friday: What we know

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — It’s official, Rochester’s Roc Holiday Village is back on for 2021. The multi-week celebration kicks off Friday and runs to Sunday, Dec. 19.

The village will again include activities like free ice skating, shopping, live music, pop-up restaurants and bar, private igloo tents, and other holiday activities. The 2021 event will include a new feature: Concerts in the theatre at Innovation Square, which is the former Xerox building, right by the park.

On Saturday, Dec. 4 at 5 p.m., the annual lighting of the Liberty Pole and family parade to the ROC Holiday Village will be held at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at 353 Court St.

The parade will proceed from Franklin Street, then east on Main Street, south on Gibbs Street, east on East Avenue, south on Broadway and west onto Court Street to end at the ROC Holiday Village.

Outdoor seating was also expanded this year.

The event will follow guidance from health leaders, which, at this time means indoor mask recommendations. Indoor spaces will include air purifiers.

The village saw a successful run in 2019 with more than 125,000 people showing up to Martin Luther King Jr. Park, but, like with many events, it was canceled in 2020.

Organizers said all of its vendor spots were filled up following a call for available spots back in July.

A full run of events and times can be found here. The full vendor list will be released soon.