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 2 through 4, 9 through 11 and 16 through 18, 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 of a candle-decorated tree.
Escorts guide visitors by candlelight through the village’s various historic houses where they will become captivated by scenarios based on actual people, events or writings of the 19th century. Each captures the spirit of 1849, the year Christmas became 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 cherished local tradition.
The walking tours last approximately one and one half hours and depart about every 15 minutes, beginning at 5 p.m. (until 8 p.m.) on Fridays; 2 to 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Tour costs adults $23/$19 members. An extensive buffet ($30 adults/$16 youth 4 to 10) is available each day from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Reservations are required for the tour and buffet by calling 294-8218 or visiting www.gcv.org.
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