The most festive time of the year is officially here, and our region is celebrating with parades, Santa visits, Victorian nostalgia, and small-town charm.
From Allegany to Olean, Ellicottville to Portville, here are five holiday happenings you won’t want to miss as we welcome the season.
🎅 Santa Claus Lane Parade in Olean
Downtown Olean – Friday, November 28 at 6:30 PM
The region’s largest holiday celebration returns to North Union Street with more than 50 glowing floats, emceed by Seven Mountains Media from Times Square.
Free hot chocolate will be available along the route thanks to local churches, with Sweet Ride Donuts offering treats at the mall.
Expect special moments including Santa’s countdown to the seasonal light display, eight float awards judged at Blue Bird Square, and even a planned engagement proposal at the parade’s finish.
🏛️ Victorian Christmas at the Fannie Bartlett House
Olean – Friday, Friday, November 28, 6–9 p.m.
Step back into the elegance of the Victorian era at the Fannie Bartlett House’s annual open house.
Held the same evening as the Santa Claus Lane Parade, visitors can tour this beautifully restored 1881 Queen Anne–style mansion before or after the downtown festivities.
The house — featuring 15 rooms, a third-floor ballroom, intricate woodwork, Victorian furnishings, and seven uniquely designed fireplaces — will be fully adorned in period Christmas décor.
Guests can enjoy refreshments, enter raffle basket drawings, and learn from local historians who share stories about the home’s craftsmanship, including its multi-wood floors and striking Tiffany-style staircase window.
Proceeds benefit the preservation of the Bartlett House.
✨ Christmas in Ellicottville: A Weekend of Holiday Fun
Ellicottville – November 28–30
Ellicottville celebrates with a full weekend of activities for families, shoppers, and holiday lovers. Highlights include:
- Ornament decorating, face painting, and hot cocoa
- Firetruck rides with Santa at the Village Gazebo
- Horse and wagon rides
- Free pancake breakfasts with Santa
- Interactive kids’ workshops
- A Community Christmas Tree Lighting
- Meet-the-Grinch cocoa and real reindeer visits
- Holiday movies and trivia nights
Stores throughout the village will be open all weekend, making Ellicottville a festive shopping destination.
See the full list weekend events, dates, and times here.
🎁 Prancing Down Portville: Parade & Park Lighting
Main Street, Portville – Saturday, November 29 at 5 p.m.
Portville’s annual holiday parade begins at Portville School and travels down Main Street before ending at Pioneer Park, where Santa will light the holiday display.
Visitors can enjoy food trucks, donuts, kettle corn, free hot chocolate, giveaways from local merchants, and visits with Santa in the beautifully lit park.
🎄 Christmas in Allegany: Santa House Opening Night
Village of Allegany – Saturday, November 29, 6–8 p.m.
Christmas in Allegany kicks off with the beloved opening of the Santa House.
Santa and Mrs. Claus make a grand entrance with an escort from the Allegany Fire Department before settling in to visit with families. Kids can meet Santa as long as they stay in line, and visitors can stop by the Elf House for raffle baskets.
Donations of raffle items are welcome through the Village Clerk’s Office. A perfect small-town start to the season.
🌟Four Towns, One Bright Holiday Spirit
From Victorian splendor in Olean to pancake breakfasts in Ellicottville, each community offers its own brand of holiday magic. Bundle up, grab some cocoa, and make the most of the region’s festive season with these five unforgettable events.
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