Join us on December 2nd and 9th for this year's Ice and Lights Festival!
Ice and Lights Festival presented by Maguire.
Two weekends of ice, lights, family fun and holiday celebrations! Come shop, dine, and engage with festive holiday lights and ice sculptures and take part in the many festivities!
Saturday, December 2nd, 2023:
12-4pm- Chowder Cook-Off and then from
6-9pm- Ice Bar (Beer, Wine, Cider and Hot Cocoa), Silent Disco and BEYOND light art!
Saturday, December 9th:
11am-4pm- Santa's Arrival in Downtown Ithaca!
2023 Ice and Lights Festival Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Santa's Arrival
Silent Disco
The family fun event, Santa’s Arrival, will be taking place during the Ice and Lights Festival on Saturday, December 9th from 11am-4pm.
Enjoy live performances, a hot cocoa bar, and everyone’s favorite- Sparky the Unicorn!
Music and Entertainment:
TBA
The 13th Annual Chowder Cook-Off information will be announced soon! *Last year's info below.
About the Cook-Off
Enjoy a variety of rich and creamy traditional and contemporary chowders at booths located outside on and around the Commons and then vote for their favorites. All of the chowders are freshly prepared by some of the best chefs in the region. Beer, wine, and cider tastings will also be available during this event.
To sign up as a volunteer for the 13th annual Chowder Cook-Off, please click the "volunteer sign-up" button below. We are also looking for Chowder Makers, Farmers, and Beverage producers to join the annual Chowder Cook-Off. If you'd like to register as such, please click the "chowder registration form" button below.
Purchase Chowder Tickets Online! (unavailable at this time)
Tickets can now only be purchased day of or picked up at the Will Call Station day of. Cash sales only.
Participating Restaurants
TBD for 2023!
Craft Brewers & Farm Stands
TBD for 2023!
Additional Programming: Holiday Cookie Walk!
About the Holiday Cookie Walk
The holiday season is once again upon us & Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland counties will be having their Holiday Cookie Walk on Saturday Dec 2, 11-3 pm (or sold out) at Center Ithaca on the Commons! What better way to get a beautiful assortment of home baked holiday cookies and support your community! This year, let us do your holiday baking. Consider pre-ordering to skip the line and get the best selection. They make great gifts for friends, family, teachers, caregivers or holiday entertaining. Pre-order at WWW.TCHABITAT.COM/CookieWalk
Directions & Parking
Attendees can park in the Seneca, Green and Cayuga Street garages and walk to the Commons. The garages are equipped with accessible parking and elevators. Street parking is also available.
For additional downtown parking information, click here.
Don’t want to drive? See TCAT bus routes and schedules here.
