By Madelynn Lockwood, Features Editor
When “New York at Christmas” plays on the radio, it refers to the magic that seems to be all around the Big Apple during the holiday season, but that doesn’t mean all the Christmas spirit is locked away downstate. For those hoping to experience much of that holiday magic that is seen in movies and in Rockefeller Plaza, you can stay right at home in Buffalo and find that here.
Downtown Buffalo holds so much city charm, but somehow retains a slowed-down pace of life. This Christmas, heading downtown is where you will be able to find some fun outdoor activities that are perfect for a chance to catch up with friends, spend some time with family after a long semester or bring your honey for some romantic quality time. The Ice at Canalside is an outdoor ice rink that is open from November to March each year and is a must-do each winter, but especially during the Christmas season. For the days preceding and following the holiday, there is Christmas music playing throughout the area and oftentimes many cheery skaters who are happy to be there with their families; but a pro tip: Christmas tends to be the busiest time of year down there, so try to go during off hours such as during the work day if possible, or mid-afternoon on weekends. There are warm igloos to rent, hot cocoa and simple snacks available for purchase, along with other fun ice activities such as ice bikes, hockey shots and curling!
Other options in the city include another ice rink downtown located at Fountain Plaza, right off the metro line, where this year they will be having a tree lighting ceremony along with free ice skating. Skates are available for a small fee of $2 for kids and $3 for adults. The tree will be lit at 6 p.m. on Dec. 14. The Holiday Markets of Buffalo are criminally underrated and can be found essentially every weekend from Halloween until New Years. For those of age, the Makers and Shakers: A Boozy Artisan Market is a fun option in the city this weekend, Dec. 7 and 8. You can find some beautiful pieces of art and some fun drinks.
If you are looking for a slower pace of Christmas fun then you can leave the city and look for more Hallmark small-town vibes in the local suburbs. In Hamburg, about 25 minutes outside of the city, you can find a beautiful assortment of Christmas lights arranged in arches, images of your favorite holiday characters and beautiful scenery at the fairgrounds. The Village of Hamburg is known for its many houses decked out with lights as well, so even if the admission to the lights show itself is out of your price range, then take the free DIY version and make an evening out of it.
If a thirty-minute drive out of the city is too far for you, you can instead embark on a “wintry night time Hot Chocolate Hike” at Tifft Nature Preserve just past the Outer Harbor in South Buffalo. This event will be held Dec. 13 and 21. In the past few years, I have learned that braving the cold is part of being a Buffalonian; why live here just to hide inside for a quarter of the year? Wearing the right gear ensures that you can enjoy the cold! This is a great opportunity to get your heart rate up and enjoy some fresh air when that’s harder to come by during our cold months.
For those who prefer their Christmas celebrations to be slower and less physically exhausting, in the theatre district you can find fun stage shows all throughout the season, including one of the most critically acclaimed musicals of all time, “The Lion King,” at Shea’s. And, is it really Christmas without shopping in some of the prettiest neighborhoods around the city, including Elmwood Village, East Aurora and Hertel? There are shops to peruse, drinks and food to enjoy and people to smile at.
Obviously, Buffalo is significantly smaller than many cities, but something that I feel is incredibly different from other cities is the community of people here. Maybe it is the fact that we finally have a team that may bring home the Lombardi, or that Buffalo has suffered a lot in the last few years, but everyday I feel that I see the “City of Good Neighbors” embodied in someone I come across. Some days it is in Fr. Betti, who I saw raking the leaves in front of Loyola a few weeks ago so the maintenance crew didn’t have to do it. Other days, it’s in a friend offering to help another with her paper after she had a really long week. The “City of Good Neighbors” is everywhere and even easier to spot during the Christmas season.
I hope that you all have a very merry Christmas this year and an even happier New Year! Remember to do your best by other people this season. I would also like to thank everyone for reading The Griffin this year; even though all of our writers and editors would still do this even if no one read it, it means the WORLD to us that you take the time to read our thoughts.
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