THIS WEEKEND: Santa Stampede, holiday laser show, and Santa at Boys and Girls Club

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Here’s your guide to events happening this weekend in the Rochester area. You can learn more about what’s happening around town on our Community Calendar.

RMSC laser show (Saturday)

The Rochester Museum and Science Center is holding three holiday laser shows and more festivities on Saturday. The laser shows at the Strasenburgh Planetarium begin at 9 a.m., 9:40 a.m., and 10:15 a.m. You can get tickets here.

Other events that day include a visit and photos with Santa at the planetarium, a cookie and hot chocolate bar, and an exhibit to learn about the solar eclipse that will take place on April, 8, 2024. There will also be an exhibit to play hide-and-seek on the moon and explore its features.

Santa at the Boys and Girls Club (Saturday)

Santa is visiting the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester on Saturday for his 24th annual breakfast with a meet-and-greet and gifts for children. It runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For the last several weeks, volunteers have been gathering and wrapping presents for the 400 children who will visit with Santa. If you want to donate a gift, drop it off at the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester at 500 Genesee St.

“It gives us an opportunity to engage our volunteers, but also our kids get a chance to anticipate that Saturday where they’ll get to meet Santa and have a gift under the tree,” said Dwayne Mahoney, chief executive officer of Boys and Girls Club.

Seabreeze Christmas parade and fireworks (Saturday)

The 14th annual Seabreeze Christmas parade and fireworks begins on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Durand Beach. The parade will march down Culver Road to the Seabreeze Fire Department. Fireworks will start 20 minutes after the parade.

Santa Stampede (Sunday)

The annual Santa Stampede returns on Sunday. The three mile run and walk starts at the Fleet Feet at the Culver Road Armory and is expected to draw over 270 people wearing Santa costumes.

The run begins at 10 a.m. It aims to spread holiday cheer and to benefit the Bivona Child Advocacy Center with the goal of raising $2,000. Runners are also encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped fleece blanket, plain sweatpants, leggings, or sweatshirts for donation to Bivona.

You can register for the run and see a course map here. Registration comes with a Santa suit and access to raffles and other activates. After the run, all Santas are welcome back to Fleet Feet for festive activates.

Roc Holiday Village (through Dec. 23)

Roc Holiday Village, featuring holiday-themed shopping, ice skating, and music in downtown Rochester, is now open. The fifth annual holiday village at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park will continue through Dec. 23.

The cozy setup includes a lodge and bar, a shopping area with 46 vendors, food trucks, Santa’s workshop, an ice rink, a giant gingerbread house, free arcade games, and more. It also includes the renowned winter igloos, which are sold out. You can see a list of daily events on News10NBC’s Roc Holiday Village guide here.