Celebrate Holiday Traditions Sunday, December 10th at Auburn's Historic & Cultural Sites

Sunday, December 10, 2023 Citywide events will celebrate the spirit of the season in History’s Hometown. 

The City of Auburn’s Historic and Cultural Sites Commission invites all to experience the beauty, history, and holiday magic of History’s Hometown this Christmas season. Held on the second Sunday in December, Holiday Traditions was created by the Seward House Museum more than three decades ago as a token of appreciation to the Auburn community. This free “open house” tradition will once again welcome the community to participating sites and special events on Sunday, December 10. New this year, event-goers can take the trolley from the Heritage Center across from City Hall from 12 to 4 PM for free, easy access to all of this year's events!

• Artistic Impressions, 17 Nelson Street, Open 11 AM to 3PM — Located inside the Willard Chapel, this retail boutique, studio, and gallery owned by local fine artist Sandra Shutter is hosting a Customer Gratitude Weekend. Shop one-of-a-kind artisan gifts, plus receive 20% off all holiday greeting cards. There will be a complimentary kids craft activity table, and enjoy the free tours of the historic Chapel. sandrashutterfineartanddesign.com
• Auburn Public Theater, 8 Exchange Street, 2 PM — Auburn Players Community Theatre will present "Scrooge the Musical," a timeless musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," onstage at Auburn Public Theater. This 2 PM show is a ticketed event; $20 general admission, $15 for seniors/students. Purchase tickets at auburnplayers.org (315) 253-6669; auburnpublictheater.org 
• Cayuga Museum of History and Art, 203 Genesee Street, Open 12 PM to 4 PM – Join the staff of the Cayuga Museum of History and Art for this festive tradition. Guests will be invited to enjoy live music from members of the Wada Music School at 1 PM, refreshments, a special activity for young family members in the Creative Explorers Children’s Gallery, and will have the opportunity to explore the Museum bedecked with yuletide cheer. Parking is available in front of and behind the Museum. (315) 253-8051; cayugamuseum.org 
• Melody's, 128 Genesee Street, Suite 100, Open 2 to 6 PM – Meet at Melody's for a Holiday Pop Up Shop featuring more than 15 local women-owned businesses. Vendors joining this year's pop-up vendor event are delivering Black Woman Magic,  Brown Girl Gifting, and Woman-Empowered, including Jsy'Neem & Things, Barbara Jeans Body & Hair Butter, T3 Beauty Supply, Divine Coverings, Beonca's Journal Devotional, Just a POUND Cake!, and more. (315) 370-9227; melodyscny.com
• NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center, 25 South Street, Open Noon to 4 PM – The NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center will host a hands-on creative cookie decorating activity featuring Simply Delicious cookie kits complete with a cookie, sprinkles, and icing. The Taste NY Market will also have DIY cookie decorating sets, chili, and mac 'n cheese for sale, plus shop for holiday gifts made in NYS. Parking is available on site and in the adjacent parking garage. Catch the trolley from the Heritage Center to participating Holiday Traditions sites. (315) 258-9820; visitauburnny.com 
• Seward House Museum, 33 South Street, Open Noon to 4 PM – Harkening back to a Victorian Christmas, the community is invited to experience the majestic Seward House Museum decked in holiday finery. Museum staff and volunteers spread cheer by regaling visitors with stories of past Seward family Christmases during this community open house. Parking is available in the Lincoln Street parking garage. (315) 252-1283; sewardhouse.org
• Schweinfurth Art Center, 205 Genesee Street, Open Noon to 5 PM — Free admission. From noon to 1 PM, enjoy a performance by MasterWorks Chorale. Visitors can also view two exhibitions for free, the 42nd annual "Quilts=Art=Quilts 2023" and "Off Script and Unexpected" by artist Lee Hoag. At 2 PM, QAQ Trunk Show quilt artist Jeanne Marklin will talk about her art-making process. Masks are recommended. Parking is available in front of and behind the Art Center. (315) 255-1553; myartcenter.org
• St. Francis of Assisi Church, 303 Clark Street, 5 PM —  The longest-running Central New York band dating back to the 1950s, the Stardusters All-Star Band, will play Harriet Tubman tributes, Gospels, and Christmas classics. Refreshments will be served after the performance in Nacca Hall. This is a free public event. Band members include Julie Howard (vocals), Bernie McNabb (vocals), John Bertonica (drums), Joe Camardo, Jr. (saxophone), and Paul Liberatore (keyboard). (315) 252-7593; stmaryauburn.org 
• Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural Museum, 6880 E Lake Road Rt. 38A, Open 10 AM to 4 PM – The Ward W. O’Hara Agricultural Museum will be decorated for an old-fashioned Christmas. View more than 140 trees for the Museum’s annual Festival of Trees and pick a winning favorite. There will be horse-drawn wagon rides, Model T rides, refreshments, musical entertainment, and kid-friendly activities. Santa Claus arrives at noon by carriage and will visit with children until 3:30 PM. Parking is available onsite. (315) 252-7644; wardwoharaagriculturalmuseum.org
• Willard Memorial Chapel, 17 Nelson Street, Open Noon to 4 PM – Join Captain Nick Klaus at the Willard Memorial Chapel for a reading of "A Pirate’s Night Before Christmas" at 1 PM, sponsored by Literacy Volunteers of America. And at 2 PM singalong to favorite Christmas carols and enjoy complimentary seasonal snacks and treats, plus free self-guided tours of the Tiffany Treasure of the Finger Lakes. Parking is available onsite; the Chapel is handicap accessible through its north entrance off Seymour Street. (315) 252-0339; willard-chapel.com

About the City of Auburn Historic & Cultural Sites Commission - The mission of Auburn’s Historic & Cultural Sites Commission is to support its designated organizations to achieve their missions through collaborative marketing, programming, and tourism strategies. The vision of the Commission is to position Auburn as the destination of choice in the Finger Lakes through support and promotion of its history and culture. Learn more: visitauburnny.com