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    Experience Holiday Tree Lightings Around Upstate New York

    Now that the annual Rockefeller tree has been lit, it’s time to fully ring in the holiday season in New York State. Many regions across the state have already begun taking their spin on traditional tree lighting by decorating light poles, kegs, stockings and more to show their holiday spirit. Head up to the Hudson Valley and amaze in the Genesee Brewery Keg tree, or out west to the Finger Lakes where the master glass artists at the Corning Museum of Glass have created a glittering tree masterpiece not to be missed.

    Please see below for a complete list of all the festive trees popping up around New York State this holiday season:

    Albright-Knox Art Gallery | https://www.albrightknox.org/

    The tree features the museum’s rare eighteenth-century Neapolitan crèche, donated in memory of Helen Northrup Knox. This set of crèche figurines is one of only three in the United States; the other two are in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the White House.

    During the Kennedy and Johnson administrations the White House set of figurines was a focal point of the holiday display in the East Room. There are 33 figurines in each set, with the largest figurine ranging from fifteen to twenty inches high. These figurines were only made in Naples, Italy, for the brief period of one hundred years, between 1730 and 1830.

     1285 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222

    Corning Museum of Glass | http://www.cmog.org/

    The Corning Museum of Glass Glass Ornament Tree is a One-of-a-Kind Christmas Tree made of 2,000 Handmade Glass Ornaments made by master glass artists at the museum and it has taken on a glittering holiday tradition of its own.

     1 Museum Way, Corning, NY 14830

    Downtown Syracuse | http://www.visitsyracuse.com/

    Clinton Square in Downtown Syracuse welcomed a 53-foot evergreen from Eastwood on November 25, which has been lighting up the town ever since.

     161 W Genesee St, Syracuse, NY 13202

    FDR Home Christmas Tree | https://www.nps.gov/hofr/index.htm

    The first US Presidential Library was started by Franklin D. Roosevelt in the Hudson Valley, which houses the beautifully decorated Christmas tree visited by hundreds each winter season. Stop by the historic FDR house this season, take a tour, and see the artfully decorates tree for yourself.

     114 Estates Lane, Hyde Park, NY 12538

    Genesee Brewery Keg Tree| http://www.geneseebeer.com/

    For the third year, the Genesee brewery in Rochester, NY – New York State’s oldest brewery – is preparing to light its massive “keg tree.” The tree will be 26 feet tall and built from 430 empty kegs. The tree will be formally lit during a ceremony at the brewery on Friday, December 2, and will take 2,000-feet of lights to layer the 11 levels of kegs.

    25 Cataract St, Rochester, NY 14605

    Lighting of the Liberty Pole | http://www.visitrochester.com/

    One of the most recognizable landmarks in downtown Rochester is the Liberty Pole, a spot where residents have gathered off and on almost since the city was established. The Liberty Pole holds holiday memories for many generations of Rochestarians. During the holiday season, the Liberty Pole twinkles at an annual “tree-lighting” ceremony. In the warmer months, the plaza is a great spot to sit and enjoy lunch from a nearby vendor during the workday. Liberty Pole Plaza is also the home to concerts and other gatherings.

    Liberty Pole Way, Rochester, NY 14604

     

    Locust Grove | http://www.lgny.org/

    Locust Grove’s historic mansion glitters for the holidays with festive decorations and special exhibit from the museum collection; antique toys and games! Take a tour and visit the traditionally decorated holiday tree in the Locust Grove parlor.

    2683 South Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

    New York City | https://www.rockefellercenter.com/

    The 2016 tree was lit for the first time on Wednesday, November 30 at Rockefeller Plaza. The tree will remain lit and on display on the plaza between West 48th and 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues until 9pm on January 7. Each year thousands crowd the sidewalks for the event and millions watch the live broadcast.

    45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111

    The Six Flags Great Escape Lodge | http://www.sixflagsgreatescapelodge.com/

    Enjoy a wonderland of holiday decorations at the 25th annual North Country Festival of Trees, this weekend only. See beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, stockings, gingerbread houses and more from local artisans.

    Queensbury Hotel, 88 Ridge Street, Glens Falls, NY

    Turning Stone Casino | https://www.turningstone.com/

    Turning Stone Resort Casino, an award-winning destination resort located in Upstate New York, has holiday spirit bursting across the 3,400-acre property, with over 1.5 million sparkling lights, more than 100 decorated trees and its signature Gingerbread Village.  Of special note are the 50 foot tall Christmas tree in The Lodge, a Forbes Travel Guide Four Star rated hotel and the 40 foot tall Christmas tree located at the center of the resort in the Emerald Lobby. Beautifully decorated and surrounded by nearly 100 poinsettias, the Emerald Lobby tree is host to thousands of guests from around the region for the resort’s annual Tree Lighting event, which features the season’s most celebrated guests – Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves.

    5218 Patrick Rd, Verona, NY 13478

     

    Vanderbilt Mansion | https://www.nps.gov/vama/learn/historyculture/index.htm

    Vanderbilt Mansion is no stranger to fanciful decorations and overall holiday spirit. Historically known as Hyde Park, Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site is one of the region’s oldest Hudson River estates. Take a trip upstate with your family and see the Vanderbilt Mansion’s holiday tree today.

    119 Vanderbilt Park Rd, Hyde Park, NY 12538