At Genesee Country Village & Museum’s Yuletide in the Country, experience how Christmas became a beloved holiday, widely celebrated with church services, Christmas trees, gift-giving and parties.
During Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, December 1 to 3, 8 to 10 and 15 to 17, the Historic Village is awash with the holiday spirit as it comes to life with joyful townsfolk celebrating the season at mid-century, including the lighting – yes, real lighting – of a candle-decorated tree.
Guided by candle light, visitors are escorted through the village’s various historic houses where they are captivated by scenarios based on actual people, events or writings of the 19th century. Each captures the spirit of 1849, the year Christmas was made an official holiday in New York State.
Yuletide is the museum’s largest annual undertaking, and a multitude of actors, tour guides, decorators and cooks work for countless hours to deliver what has become a local tradition.
The walking tours last approximately 1 and one-half hours and depart about every 15 minutes, beginning at 5 p.m. on Fridays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and 1:30 p.m. Sundays. Tour cost is: adults $25/$19 museum members with $2-off discount on Friday, December 1 and Sunday, December 3.
An extensive buffet ($30 adults/$16 youth 2-10/free to kids under 2) catered by the Caledonia Village Inn is available each day 4:30 to 8 p.m.
Reservations available online at www.gcv.org and are required for the tour and buffet. Or call 294-8218.
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