Downtown Ithaca

Habitat for Humanity CookieWalk
2025-12-06 11:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Center Ithaca, 171 E. State Street, Ithaca
The 11th Annual CookieWalk is back! Browse tables of festive, homemade cookies, select the ones you want and pay by the pound. There is no easier way to have a great variety of fresh holiday cookies at your house without even looking for your measuring spoons. Cookies make a great gift for friends, neighbors, teachers, and caregivers. Don’t wait too long, these cookies are popular and they go fast!
All proceeds help Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland counties build affordable housing.
Consider pre-ordering to skip the line and get the best selection
www.tchabitat.com/cookiewalk
Plan your day to enjoy the Winter Holiday Bash on the Commons, then come inside, warm up, and partake of all the CookieWalk has to offer.
Learn more about the Winter Holiday Bash at
www.downtownithaca.com/winterholidaybash

The Downtown Ithaca Winter Holiday Bash
2025-12-06 11:00 - 20:00 | Ithaca Commons, E. State Street, Ithaca, NY, United States
Downtown Ithaca Winter Holiday Bash
Saturday, December 6, 2025 — Downtown Ithaca Commons
Experience the spirit of the season at Downtown Ithaca’s Winter Holiday Bash — a one-day celebration filled with lights, music, and holiday magic!
Kick off the day with Santa’s Arrival (11 AM – 2 PM) and festive activities for families.
At 4:30 PM, kids 12 and under take the stage at the brand-new Elf Hop Kids Silent Disco — a fun, energetic hour of holiday hits and dancing.
As evening sets in, grab a headset and join the Silent Disco (6 – 8 PM) — a high-energy outdoor dance party in the heart of Downtown.

Circus Culture Winter Showcase
2025-12-06 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-12-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Circus Culture, 116 W Green St, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
Come celebrate circus! Bring your kids, your grandparents, and your neighbors to Circus Culture’s Winter Showcase and cheer on acts devised and performed by our very own students. This is a fundraising event and all proceeds will go towards our scholarship fund. Circus Culture gave out $18,000 in scholarships in 2025!
Saturday, December 6th, 2:00pm & 7:00pm at Circus Culture (116 W. Green St, Ithaca, NY)
General admission tickets are $15. For those who have the means and would like to support us a little extra, there is a $25 ticket option! If you need access to subsidized tickets, please email production@circusculture.org.
Buying tickets in advance is highly recommended – however, we will fit in as many people as possible and there will be standing room if needed!
Doors open 15 minutes before showtime and the performance will run between 45 minutes to an hour. Venue is wheelchair accessible.
For any event, accessibility, or ticketing questions, email production@circusculture.org.
https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/circus-culture/circus-culture-winter-showcase

Felted Woodland Creatures - Wool Ornament Making with Buffalo Street Books
2025-12-06 14:00 - 16:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Make some felted woodland creatures with Sheepy Hollow and Buffalo Street Books! Participants will learn how to craft two woodland creature ornaments of their choosing: an owl, fox, badger, deer, and/or bear. All materials will be provided. 🌱🍄🌳🦉🦝 $15 – $25 sliding scale, all materials provided.

Happy Huladays Performance
2025-12-06 14:30 - 15:30 | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E. Green Street, Ithaca, NY, 14850
A variety of live, festive holiday music by the Ithaca Ukes accompanied by hula dancing by Hula Hut.
Join us at the Tompkins Library 12/6 at 2:30p. At the conclusion of the Winter Festival on the Commons.

QUASAR gifts and toy swap
2025-12-07 10:00 - 12:30 | Riverwood, 116 E State St, ITHACA, N, 14850, United States
QUASAR (Queers United and Strengthening all Resources) is hosting a No-buy toy and game swap for this holiday season, on December 7th at 10 am- 12pm at Riverwood Gifts (116 E state street). Lets Celebrate the holiday season sustainably and with the Spirit of mutual aid!

Free Screening of "Remaining Native" followed by talkback with filmmaker Paige Bethmann
2025-12-07 14:30 - 17:00 | Cinemapolis, 120 W Green St, Ithaca, 14850
The Gayogo̲hó:nǫˀ Learning Project is dedicated to fostering understanding and appreciation of Gayogo̲hó:nǫˀ (Cayuga) and general Indigenous history, culture, and contemporary issues. This screening is the fourth in a series of films presented at Cinemapolis by the GLP and offers an opportunity to engage with Indigenous perspectives and narratives across Turtle Island.
This film is a coming-of-age documentary told from the perspective of Ku Stevens, a 17-year-old Native American runner, struggling to navigate his dream of becoming a collegiate athlete as the memory of his great grandfather’s escape from an Indian boarding school begins to connect past, present, and future

"Eat the Reich" TTRPG session at Riverwood
2025-12-07 15:00 - 18:30 | Riverwood, 116 E State St, ITHACA, N, 14850, United States
come join a scary fun TTRPG session of “eat the Reich” at Riverwood gifts! eat the reich, Haunt the reich and Drink all of Hitlers blood!

Why We Walk on Eggshells
2025-12-08 17:30 - 19:00 | Statler Hall, Rm 198, 7 East Ave, ITHACA, NY, USA, 145850
Gail Heriot, a recently retired law professor from the University of San Diego, says that the 1991 Civil Rights act made harassment lawsuits more financially lucrative and launched the industry of training employees in “diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Its excesses have left us all “walking on eggshells” and triggered a backlash. Heriot is an expert on civil rights, employment law, product liability, remedies and torts.

Rolling With Pride: LGBTQ game night at Riverwood Gifts
2025-12-10 17:00 - 21:00 | Riverwood, 116 E State St, ITHACA, N, 14850, United States
join us at Riverwood gifts for a night of fun and board games! Celebrating our LGBTQ community Riverwood is a safe and inclusive place to come hang out and play! Pizza provided by SAL’s pizzeria

Solstice Craft Market
2025-12-11 11:00 - 2025-12-20 17:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Swing by BSB on Saturday December 20th for wares from your favorite local artisans. We’ll have over 20 vendors for you to find something for everyone on your list!
Plus… free Oracle Chocolates hot cocoa for members.⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆
Art of Yen Ospina
Julian Plum Design
Guppy Moss
KBerg Ceramics
Knafeh Bar
John Vorstadt Studios
Saint Canine Craft Goods
Seed Bomb
Priscilla Dahl Pottery
Weave Wild Studios
Twin Cat
The Grey Moon Homestead
Tatum’s Treasures
Creekwash Designs
The House of Heart
On the Wooded Path
Sheepy Hollow

'A Christmas Carol' Staged Reading
2025-12-11 19:00 - 2025-12-20 21:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Get into the holiday spirit and join us for a staged reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”
Get into the holiday spirit and join us for a staged reading of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. Ticket proceeds will help Buffalo Street Books reach their fundraising goal!
Special guest: hot chocolate from Oracle Chocolates*
*Complimentary for members
Tickets are priced at $10 for individuals and $25 for groups of 3 or more.

Assemblymember Kelles Holiday Reuse Wrapping Paper Extravaganza!
2025-12-12 15:00 - 18:00 | Assemblymember District Office, 130 E State Street, Ithaca, 14850
Let’s once again make the planet part of our giving this year! The US produces 4.6 million pounds of wrapping annually, and about half ends up in landfills that same year, but together we can start to shift this trend. This holiday season, let’s share the wrapping paper materials we already have. Stop by Assemblymember Anna Kelles’ District Office to pick up free donated new or gently used wrapping paper, ribbon, gift bags, tags, tissue paper, and more! We’ll have treats, good company, and plenty of holiday cheer! Stop by on Friday, December 12th from 3 pm to 6 pm at 130 E. State Street.

Greater Ithaca Art Trail 2nd Saturday Open Studios
2025-12-13 12:00 - 17:00 | Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County, 110 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca
December 13th is a Greater Ithaca Art Trail “Second Saturday” event, where a
selection of about 12 Art Trail artists open their studios to you.
No appointments or fee. Just go! The artists will be THRILLED to see you! BUY HOLIDAY GIFTS!
Our CAP-a-Palooza ArtSale will also be open at the CAP Artspace!
See all 55 ArtTrail artists at ArtTrail.com and download our PDF guide to see where the open artist studios are!
Art in photo by Karen Viola.

Sip & Sparkle Holiday Jewelry Party!
2025-12-13 12:00 - 19:00 | Press Bay Alley, 118 West Green Street, Ithaca, NY, United States
✨🎄 Sip & Sparkle – Holiday Jewelry Party! 🎄✨
Enjoy the best parts of the season right from the start—complimentary bubbly mimosas, artisan chocolates, 15% off storewide, and free bath & body care sample giveaways for all guests! Plus, every attendee can enter our Holiday Raffle for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
Wrap yourself in the magic of the season at our monthly Sip & Sparkle event at Fall Creek Atelier! This month, we’re celebrating Christmas with style, joy, and a whole lot of sparkle.
Join us for a festive evening of holiday gift shopping featuring meaningful, handcrafted gemstone jewelry infused with energetic benefits—perfect for treating yourself or finding a thoughtful gift for someone you love.
Alongside our jewelry collection, explore a curated variety of all-natural bath, body, and home care products—including organic soaps, essential-oil shower steamers, natural perfume oils, luscious creams, refreshing scrubs, hand-poured candles, and uplifting room sprays.
As you browse, sip your mimosa, savor your chocolate, mingle with friends, and soak in the cozy-glam holiday ambiance.
We’ll announce the winner of the Fall Creek Atelier Holiday Raffle during the event, so be sure to RSVP and register for your raffle ticket. Your RSVP helps us prepare the perfect sparkling evening just for you.
Come sip, sparkle, and celebrate the season with us! ✨🎄

"His Majesty the Worm" TTRPG Session
2025-12-14 15:00 - 18:30 | Riverwood, 116 E State St, ITHACA, N, 14850, United States
Play in a classic dungeon crawler experience using the “His Majesty the Worm” system run by GM Korrie!
Food provided by Sushi Osaka!

LET’S READ + TALK ABOUT CLIMATE - CLIMATE LIT. DISCUSSION
2025-12-17 16:30 - 18:30 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join us at Buffalo Street Books for community-led conversations about climate change, as we discuss The Light Pirate and Flotsametrics and the Floating World
The Climate Literature Book Club meets every third Wednesday of the month, shop with us for 10% off these titles!

Teach and Play at Riverwood
2025-12-17 16:30 - 20:30 | Riverwood, 116 E State St, ITHACA, N, 14850, United States
Enjoy your evening learning how to play fun and challenging board games at Riverwood. this week is Finspan and Wyrmspan!

Solstice Craft Market at Buffalo Street Books
2025-12-20 11:00 - 17:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Come to your favorite Ithaca non-profit bookstore to celebrate local crafters on the Solstice! There will be a curated collection of artisans exhibiting ceramics, jewelry, confections (Oracle Hot Chocolate anyone?), prints, stationary, and more gathered in the Reading Room and DeWitt Mall.

Press Bay December Holiday Food Market
2025-12-23 15:00 - 19:00 | Press Bay Alley & Court, 110-118 W. Green St., Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
Bundle up and enjoy this open-air holiday food market as the light turns to darkness under the cozy Press Bay lights! Wander through the Press Bay Back Lot (corner of Geneva & Green St), the Alley and the Court to enjoy the festive atmosphere, enjoy ready-to-eat hot food, and pick up the local necessities for your holiday table. Press Bay Shops will be open as well as our popup guest vendors!
LIVE MUSIC in both Press Bay Alley and Press Bay Court!

New Year’s Gala 2026
2025-12-31 20:30 - 2026-01-01 02:00 | Argos Inn, 416 E. State St., Ithaca, NY, 14850
Welcome in the New Year at two beautiful venues connected by an outdoor patio with fire pits…
Listen to amazing live music in the former Ithaca mayor’s house and Duncan Hines world headquarters. Nosh on some of our complimentary savory bites and sweet snacks, relax on one of our 19′ velvet couches, cook s’mores around the fire pits, order award-winning cocktails from one of our beautiful bars, and bring in the New Year with style!
At the Argos Warehouse, get down to the grooves of New Planets, playing from 9pm-12am. Starting at midnight DJ Tuggle will be spinning a mixture of funk, soul, reggae & hip-hop until 2am.
Bar Argos will be hosting The Djangoners, playing Paris Hot Club Swing music from 9:30pm-12:30am.
Doors open 8:30.
Music 9pm-2am.
Advance tickets $45.
Day of $55. (Cash or Venmo accepted at the door.)
21+ only

Human Trafficking Awareness Month Resource Fair
2026-01-08 17:00 - 18:30 | Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E. Green Street, Ithaca, NY, 14850
Join the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County to get educated on the state of local sex trafficking and connect with community resources. During the evening portion on January 8th, there will be an opportunity to hear updates from Kate Booth, the Director of Tompkins County Youth Services, at 5:30pm on risks, data, and services. Also the evening of the 8th, community organizations will be tabling, a display from The Clothesline Project will be up, and we will serve light refreshments. On the 9th, The Clothesline Project Display will continue and individuals are welcome to come and contribute their own shirts to the collection. Access to resources and education will be available as well.
Where: The Tompkins County Public Library, Borg Warner Room
January 8th, 5-6:30pm
January 9th, 11am-1pm

Author Reading with Elizabeth Hoover
2026-01-10 16:00 - 18:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join poet, essayist and critic Elizabeth Hoover as she shares an excerpt of her first poetry collection ‘the archive is all in present tense’ @ Buffalo Street Books!

On the Moors of Omaha: Essays with Trebbe Johnson
2026-01-13 16:00 - 18:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Trebble Johnson neither hides from pain nor romanticizes joy. In the distinctive voice for which she is known, she explores how the true value of a sacred site is not always where we think it is, how a motorcycle ride upended a fear of desire, how it’s possible to make friends with a clear-cut forest, and other pieces that bring startling new perspectives to things we often take for granted. These sixteen essays not only chart one woman’s journey through a passionate life, they inspire all of us to open up to the marvels that are waiting to reveal themselves.
Join Trebbe Johnson for an author reading of On the Moors of Omaha: Essays at Buffalo Street Books!

The Comfort Food Trail
2026-01-16 - 2026-02-01
Downtown Ithaca’s Comfort Food Trail is a cozy winter event running January 16 – February 1 that invites food lovers to explore local restaurants while enjoying warm, comfort-food dishes around town. Participants scan QR codes at participating eateries to log visits, collect entries in a digital passport, and earn chances to win weekly $50 Downtown Ithaca gift cards or the grand prize of a $150 gift card—all while savoring seasonal comfort favorites and supporting local businesses. There’s no separate fee to join; simply order featured items and scan the QR code at each stop to get more chances to win and make your way through Ithaca’s vibrant Downtown dining scene.

Silver Rein Album Release Show
2026-01-16 19:00 - 23:00 | The Nocturnal Café, 103 S. Geneva St., Ithaca, 14850
Join us Friday, January 16th to celebrate Ithaca’s operatic enchantress Silver Rein’s second full-length studio album release. An epic performance of the entire album with guest instrumentalists, performers, and choir, featuring Nick Scollard, Alejandra Diemecke, Chris Ploss, Sue Green, Jen Cork, Mandy Goldman, Hayden Eager, Annie Sumi, Erin Griffeth, and Heidi Oros.
Opening acts: Victoria Anine and La Llorona.
Come out to The Nocturnal Café, fill your cup with a nourishing beverage, and immerse yourself in this unique music experience.
CDs and digital downloads of the new album will be available during the show.

"Great Opera Choruses" concert
2026-01-17 19:30 - 21:00 | St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 402 N Aurora St., Ithaca, 14850
The Ithaca Community Chorus & Chamber Singers will present “Great Opera Choruses” by Monteverdi, Purcell, Verdi, Puccini, Mascagni, Mussorgsky, Beethoven, and more at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 402 North Aurora Street, Ithaca. Tickets are $20 (students & children free) and are available in advance online at https://acithaca.org/groups/icccs/tickets/ and at the door.

Gayogohó:nǫˀ Learning Project Book Club
2026-01-18 14:00 - 15:30 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Join the Gayogohó:nǫˀ Learning Project Book Club for a discussion on The Girl Who Sang to the Buffalo by Kent Nerburn @ Buffalo Street Books!

LET’S READ + TALK ABOUT CLIMATE - CLIMATE LIT DISCUSSION GROUP
2026-01-21 16:00 - 18:00 | Buffalo Street Books, 215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
Community-led conversations about climate change, as we discuss ‘The Deluge’.
Climate Literature Book Discussions meets the third Wednesday of the month @ Buffalo Street Books.
Shop with us for 10% off these titles!
