Welcome to the first Finger Lakes Effect edition of 2026. Glad you’re here 🙂 

Before the ball dropped, I asked how you were ringing in the New Year.

The response was… overwhelmingly staying in.

I feel that. Good food, a warm couch, and zero pressure sounds like a great way to start the year.

The Bulletin

Want to spread the word about your business, project, volunteer opportunity, or give a shout-out to 9,100+ friends in the Finger Lakes? Get in touch.

Finger Lakes Insider - The Finger Lakes Insider is landing next week. This isn’t just a longer event list — it’s a well-curated, month-ahead game plan so you can lock in the fun stuff early, discover a few gems you’d miss otherwise, and stop last-minute scrambling (and annoying calendar overlaps).

I've got some fun stuff planned for future editions, including a quarterly look ahead so you'll get seasonal heads-up on the good stuff.

The Elf In The Oak - This is a family-run spot where the food is simple (and great) with the setting stealing the show. Grab a well-made sandwich or Friday fish fry, then head out back — the view over the rolling valley toward the lake is always amazing.

Word Scramble - figured out the word scramble? The first correct answer sent as a reply to this email gets a prize! Answer will be in next week’s email.

📅 EVENTS

Top Picks

1. Date Night Welding Workshop: Candle Holder @ Ironwood Studio (Thursday)

2. Winter Chill 5K Series @ Cass Park (Saturday)

Wednesday

• Tabletop Role-Playing Game Brainstorming Group @ Tompkins County Public Library (Ithaca) – Collaborative RPG creativity, shared ideas, game design talk, and supportive storytelling vibes for all experience levels.

• Homebrewed Comedy @ The John Barleycorn Tavern (Owego) – Live stand-up, big laughs, classic tavern vibes, and a fun midweek comedy night out.

• On A Winter’s Night (Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, Patty Larkin) @ Center for the Arts of Homer (Homer) – Intimate folk songwriting, rich harmonies, winter storytelling, and a cozy concert night with legendary voices

• Books Sandwiched In @ First Congregational United Church of Christ (Corning) – Midday literary gathering, community conversation, relaxed book vibes, thoughtful winter pause.

Thursday

• Small Business Roundtable @ Northside Wine & Spirits (Ithaca) – Local business leaders sharing ideas, challenges, and wins in a supportive roundtable setting, community-focused vibes.

• New Year, New Love Speed Dating (Ages 35–55) @ Lost Dog Café & Lounge (Binghamton) – Fast-paced speed dating, New Year energy, meaningful connections, and a fun night out for singles 35–55.

• The Art of Wine with Peter Bell @ Arts Center of Yates County (Penn Yan) – Guided wine tasting with a Finger Lakes winemaking legend, learn, sip, and explore local styles.

• The Pokorak Songwriter Showcase @ Bundy Museum of History & Art (Annex Theater) (Binghamton) – Free songwriter showcase, original local music, intimate theater vibes, and an easygoing Thursday night out.

• Homebrewed Comedy @ Prison City Pub and Brewery (Auburn) – Live stand-up in a brewery speakeasy, big laughs, craft beer, and an intimate Thursday night vibe.

• Date Night Welding Workshop: Candle Holder @ Ironwood Studio (Canandaigua) – Hands-on welding date night, creative collaboration, make a candle holder together, unique winter experience.

• Cocktails & Crepes Cooking Class @ Simply Crepes (Canandaigua) – Hands-on crepes and cocktails class, shake your own drink, sweet treats, fun, and social winter night out.

Friday

• Basic Carpentry Skills 101 @ Hammerstone School Ithaca (Ithaca) – Hands-on carpentry workshop, learn essential tools and skills, build confidence through guided making.

• Live Music: The Ende Brothers @ Smokin’ Tails Distillery (Phelps) – Free live music at a Finger Lakes distillery, relaxed winter vibes, easygoing night out.

• Cornell Women’s Ice Hockey vs. Clarkson University @ Lynah Rink (Ithaca) – Fast-paced women’s hockey, rivalry energy, and a classic Lynah Rink game-day atmosphere in Ithaca.

• Cornell Men’s Ice Hockey vs. University of Alaska Fairbanks @ Lynah Rink (Ithaca) – Friday night men’s hockey & fast-paced action.

• Josh Taylor Project @ Asil’s Pub (Syracuse) – A loose, high-energy rock night with rotating guest musicians and an unpredictable bar-show vibe.

• The Aaron Ruiz Band – Live @ The Fitz (Syracuse) – A no-cover live rock night with a casual bar crowd and late-night downtown energy.

• Bike Bar Ramblers: Viv & Riley + Friends @ Bike Bar Ithaca (Ithaca) – Free happy-hour old-time music, fiddle tunes and harmonies, Winter Village artists, cozy Bike Bar vibes.

Saturday

• Play It Forward Music Workshop @ Lansing Area Performance Hall (North Lansing) – A heart-centered music workshop focused on community, connection, and sharing songs where they matter most.

• Winter Chill 5K Series @ Cass Park (Ithaca) – A chilly but welcoming winter 5K along the waterfront, perfect for staying active and social in January.

• Second Saturday Family Fun: Winter Wonderland @ Cortland Free Library (Cortland) – A cozy winter storytime with games, crafts, and seasonal fun for families with young children.

• 5th Annual Christmas Tree Burning Party @ Abandon Brewing Company (Penn Yan) – Burn the tree, warm up by the fire, and celebrate winter with beer, friends, and Finger Lakes vibes.

• Paint & Sip for Adults @ Newfield Public Library (Newfield) – A relaxed adult paint-and-sip hour with guided landscape painting, creative vibes, and community connection.

• Syracuse Vocal Ensemble: 12th Night Holiday & Seasonal Music @ Syracuse Vocal Ensemble (Skaneateles & Syracuse) – A beautiful 12th Night choral concert blending classic carols, global traditions, and a warm winter ambiance.

• CONSTRUCT Exhibition Opening @ Trade Design Build (Ithaca) – A contemporary gallery opening exploring art, form, and structure in a new Ithaca design-forward space.

• Acoustic Saturdays featuring Leecy & Greg @ Treleaven Wines (King Ferry) – Live acoustic music, cozy winery vibes, and an easygoing Finger Lakes afternoon by the lake.

• Pulled Pork Drive-Thru Dinner @ Jordan United Methodist Church (Jordan) – Drive-thru pulled pork dinner supporting the community, with classic comfort food and a good cause.

• ComedyHOF Presents: The $100 Laugh-Off @ Envious Handbags (Ithaca) – An interactive comedy showdown where the audience votes, laughs hard, and crowns the night’s champion.

• The Dave Matthews Tribute Band – Tomorrow We Will Die Tour @ Elmira Jackals (Elmira) – A high-energy Dave Matthews tribute packed with jam-band grooves, big sing-alongs, and live-show nostalgia.

• Neko Case — Neon Grey, Midnight Green Tour (Geneva) – Acclaimed singer-songwriter Neko Case performs an intimate, powerful set at the historic Smith Opera House.

• Sam Warren Live @ Steuben Brewing Company (Hammondsport) – Live solo music at a Keuka Lake brewery, craft beer, laid-back winter vibes, easy Saturday night hang.

Sunday

• Little Sparks Club: Cold Days Fun! @ Family Play and Resource Center (Montour Falls) – Winter STEAM fun, hot cocoa, ice painting, polar animals, cozy books, playful learning for little ones.

• Forest Bathing Walk @ Baltimore Woods Nature Center (Marcellus) – Guided forest bathing, winter woods, mindful walking, sensory immersion, slow down and reset in nature.

• Interlude – Wellness Theme Exhibit Opening Reception @ Arts Center of Yates County (Penn Yan) – Wellness-themed art, local artists, gallery opening, light bites, reflective vibes, creative start to the new year.

• Clarinetist Paul Wonjin Cho & Pianist Adrienne Kim @ Phelps Mansion Museum (Binghamton) – Intimate chamber recital, clarinet and piano, romantic classics, historic mansion setting, refined winter listening.

Recurring Events

• Limited Duration - click here 

• Trivia - click here

• Kid Friendly - click here

Got an event we should feature in the Finger Lakes Effect? Click the button below and add your event details!

See You Out There

Thanks for being part of the Finger Lakes Effect!

Adam Moody

Finger Lakes Effect