Big weekend ahead: Thanksgiving dinners, family in town, and more happening around the Finger Lakes than I can fit into one intro. Even with all the action, I like that this time of year slows me down a bit and encourages connection.

If you’re gathering this week, I hope it’s a good one.

And if you’ve got room at the table, consider inviting someone who might otherwise be on their own. Those small gestures ripple out farther than we think.

On to the good stuff.

PUZZLE UPDATE

🎺 Sad horn, unfortunately. I haven’t been happy with the designs created for the Finger Lakes Effect jigsaw puzzle, so this is going to take longer than I hoped.

I really wanted to have these out before the holidays, but quality matters more than speed.

I’ll share more updates as they come.

NEXT DIRECTIONS 🧭

There are two projects in the works:

1. A monthly version of the newsletter for those wanting more lead time on events and news—plus a special quarterly edition with some fun extras.

2. The Finger Lakes Effect jigsaw puzzle

What I could use your help with is figuring out what to build next once these are wrapped up.

GALLERY TO CHECK OUT 🖼️

The Bulletin

Want to spread the word about your business, project, volunteer opportunity, or give a shout-out to 8,100+ friends in the Finger Lakes? Get in touch.

Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars - Estate-grown, sustainably crafted wines on Seneca Lake’s east side—stop by their tasting room for a thoughtful, cool-climate experience (reservations recommended!).

Auburn Leathercrafters - Handcrafted in the Finger Lakes since 1950, this four-generation family shop creates durable, beautifully made gear for pets and the people who love them.

📅 EVENTS

Top Weekend Picks

1. Thanksgiving at home!

2. FLRC Turkey Trot

3. Canandaigua Kicks Off Whoville

Wednesday

• Thanksgiving Eve Celebration ft. Darkwine @ Treleaven Wines (King Ferry) – Kick off Thanksgiving Eve with live music, wine, and warm vineyard vibes at Treleaven Wines.

• Gillian Welch & David Rawlings @ State Theatre of Ithaca (Ithaca) – A rare Thanksgiving Eve show with Americana legends Gillian Welch & David Rawlings at the State Theatre.

• Ice Rink Season Opener Celebration @ DICK’S House of Sport (Victor) – Free skating, winter treats, music, and a figure-skating show kick off the ice rink season in Victor.

• Mike Cavalier & Tate – Thanksgiving Eve Friendsgiving Bash @ The Hidden Cork (Hammondsport) – A cozy Friendsgiving Bash with live music, drink specials, and warm holiday vibes at The Hidden Cork.

• Thanksgiving Eve Bash – The Bowery Boys & The Rascal Kings @ Jake’s Saloon (Horseheads) – A high-energy Thanksgiving Eve rock bash with The Bowery Boys & Rascal Kings at Jake’s Saloon.

• Scuba Jerry @ Bike Bar – Thanksgiving Eve (Ithaca) – A Jerry Garcia–themed Thanksgiving Eve party with Scuba Jerry returning to Bike Bar Ithaca.

• 32nd Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk @ Hornell YMCA (Hornell) – Kick off Thanksgiving with Hornell’s classic 5K Turkey Trot and kids’ fun run at the YMCA.

Thursday

• FLRC Turkey Trot - Join the Finger Lakes Runners Club for a 5.5 mile “no watches” Turkey Trot. Free to join (registration required), donations accepted to support Loaves & Fishes.

• Thanksgiving Dinner @ Geneva On The Lake (Geneva) – A lakeside Thanksgiving with live music and a special three-course menu at Geneva On The Lake.

• 31st Annual Thanksgiving Day Pie & Glove 5K Run/Walk @ Craig Park Pavilion (Painted Post) – Start Thanksgiving with the Pie & Glove 5K, a festive community run through Craig Park in Painted Post.

• Annual Thanksgiving Dinner @ Inn at Taughannock Falls (Trumansburg) – Enjoy a cozy and refined Thanksgiving at the Inn at Taughannock Falls, featuring a three-course prix fixe menu with seasonal dishes, classic favorites like the Taughannock Turkey, and warm holiday ambiance.

• Thanksgiving Buffet @ Veraisons Restaurant (Dundee) – A cozy Thanksgiving feast with gourmet dishes and lake views—holiday comfort without the kitchen chaos.

Friday

• 69th Annual Downtown Elmira Holiday Parade @ Downtown Elmira (Elmira) – A festive Elmira holiday parade with floats, music, Santa, and post-parade Snow Globe fun.

• Merry Mingle Market @ Downtown Syracuse (Syracuse) – A festive European-style holiday market with handmade gifts, cocoa, cocktails, and downtown Syracuse cheer.

• Auction at the Barn @ Hayes Auction Barn (Penn Yan) – A classic Penn Yan barn auction full of antiques, vintage finds, and local country vibes.

• Donna Colton @ Anyela’s Vineyards (Skaneateles) – Free live music and lakeside wine vibes with Donna Colton at Anyela’s Vineyards.

• A Christmas Story: The Musical @ Syracuse Stage (Archbold Theatre) (Syracuse) – A festive, family-friendly holiday classic comes alive in musical form at Syracuse Stage all weekend.

• Canandaigua Kicks Off Whoville @ Downtown Shopping District (Canandaigua) – Downtown Canandaigua transforms into Whoville with lights, art, and festive magic for a full day of Whobilation.

• Holiday Market @ Heron Hill Tasting Room (Canandaigua Lake) (Canandaigua) – A festive lakeside market with local makers, wine, and live music at Heron Hill’s Canandaigua tasting room.

• Noir Friday @ Silver Thread Winegarden (Lodi) – A laid-back post-holiday celebration of red wines and cozy vineyard vibes at Silver Thread’s Winegarden.

Saturday

• Beginner Batik Workshop @ The Clay School (Ithaca) – A creative, hands-on Batik workshop exploring wax-resist art, color layering, and custom textile design.

• Holiday Craft Market @ Modeste Bedient Memorial Library (Branchport) – A charming Small Business Saturday market featuring local makers, handmade gifts, and seasonal crafts.

• Sing-A-Long Brunch @ Outlet 111 – Waterfront Craft Cocktail & Wine Bar (Penn Yan) – Brunch, whiskey tasting, and sing-along hits create a fun, high-energy Saturday party on the Penn Yan waterfront.

• A Christmas Memory @ Auburn Public Theater (Auburn) – A nostalgic, heartfelt holiday story unfolds onstage in this tender Depression-era Christmas adaptation.

• Downtown Canandaigua Illuminate Light Parade @ South Main Street (Canandaigua) – A glowing holiday kickoff with lights, music, and Santa as Canandaigua’s Main Street comes alive for the season.

• Parade of Lights @ Corning’s Gaffer District (Corning) – A sparkling Corning tradition with glowing floats and festive cheer lighting up Market Street for the holidays.

• Geneva Jingle Markets @ Finger Lakes Welcome Center (Geneva) – Local vendors, tastings, and festive lakefront shopping highlight Geneva’s weekly Jingle Markets.

Sunday

• Thanksgiving Hangover Brunch w/ Jessimae Peluso @ Crooked Mouth Brewing (Endicott) – Shake off the holiday haze with brunch, brews, and big laughs as Jessimae Peluso headlines in Endicott.

• Bob Piorun Live in Concert @ Willard Chapel (Auburn) – A cozy Sunday concert inside Auburn’s stunning Tiffany-designed Willard Chapel with music by Bob Piorun.

• The Nutcracker Ballet @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) – A magical, full-stage Nutcracker performance brings classic holiday wonder to Geneva’s historic Smith Opera House.

• Museum Store Sunday @ The Rockwell Museum (Corning) – A relaxed, art-inspired shopping day with free admission and unique finds at The Rockwell Museum.

Recurring Events

• Limited Duration - click here 

• Trivia - click here

• Kid Friendly - click here

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See You Out There

Thanks for being part of the Finger Lakes Effect!

Adam Moody

Finger Lakes Effect