Pittsford Chamber announces festive Candlelight Night celebration returning Tuesday December 2 2025 from 5 to 8pm

Pittsford, New York – As winter settles in and storefronts across the Village of Pittsford begin dressing themselves in holiday sparkle, the Pittsford Chamber of Commerce is preparing to launch the season with one of its most cherished traditions. Candlelight Night, returning Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00pm, is set to transform the Village into a festive corridor of lights, music, and family-friendly celebration.

Even after decades as a community staple, the event maintains a certain magic—part nostalgia, part discovery. Families who make the celebration an annual ritual will once again find the Village center buzzing with activities, while newcomers can expect an evening shaped by small-town charm and the unmistakable energy that comes when thousands of neighbors and visitors gather to welcome the holidays.

The celebration takes place throughout the core areas of Pittsford, stretching from the bustling Four Corners near Monroe and State Streets, to the shoreline paths of Schoen Place, and the tucked-away shops of Northfield Common. Well before the festivities begin, the Village will adjust traffic patterns to make room for the crowds: South Main Street will close between the Four Corners and Church Street, and Church Street itself will also shut down to allow space for the popular horse-drawn carriage rides that wind through the evening.

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Those closures begin at 4:00pm—an important detail for commuters accustomed to slipping through the Village at that hour. But for anyone arriving for the festivities, the blocked-off streets will soon give way to open pedestrian spaces, where carolers wander, merchants offer special treats, and characters like Santa, Mrs. Claus, and even The Grinch mingle among the crowd.

Two tree lightings anchor the night, punctuating the flow of visitors with warm, shared moments. At 5:30pm, the ceremonial lighting at State and Main Streets will set the Village aglow, followed by a second lighting at 6:00pm at the scenic Schoen Place Pavilion. Each location typically draws families eager to watch the lights blink to life as dusk deepens.

This year, Historic Pittsford’s Little House will once again open its doors from 5:00 to 8:00pm, giving guests a cozy stop for treats. Mrs. Claus herself will be greeting children there from 6:00 to 7:30pm—a window of time that has historically drawn long but cheerful lines, packed with kids holding handmade wish lists and parents snapping holiday-card photos.

For younger families, Northfield Common becomes a world of its own. The Kids’ Zone, running all evening, will feature an obstacle course, face painting, photos with Santa, and live reindeer and alpaca—an annual highlight that tends to spark equal excitement in adults and children alike. The Village Library will also be an all-day hub, with programming that stretches from a 10:00am book sale to evening performances including a 5:00pm piano program by Nazareth students and a 6:30pm set by the Ann Mitchell Jazz Trio.

Town Hall will add its own piece of tradition, offering cookies and cider from 5:00 to 8:00pm or until supplies run out. And with a mix of food trucks and local restaurants participating, families can enjoy dinner before stopping by the warming tent located behind Thirsty’s on State Street—a welcome refuge for anyone trying to thaw out between activities.

Those seeking guidance, maps, or event booklets will find them at the Chamber Information Tent, set up in the Sutherland Auto parking lot near Monroe Avenue. Volunteers will be handing out glow candles while supplies last and collecting monetary donations for the Pittsford Food Cupboard.

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To help ease congestion, two shuttle loops will run from 5:00pm to 7:45pm, one connecting Sutherland High School with Lincoln Road and South Main Street, and another running between Pittsford Plaza and the back lot of The DelMonte Inn. Although the buses aren’t handicapped accessible and pets aren’t permitted, they remain a popular option for reducing downtown traffic.

For those driving, parking will be available in several Village lots, including behind the Library, at Northfield Common, at designated sections of St. Louis Church, and along Schoen Place. Street parking will be limited but open where permitted.

With its blend of community pride, warm traditions, and small surprises tucked into every corner of the Village, Candlelight Night continues to embody the spirit of the season. As Pittsford prepares once again for its brightest evening of the year, residents and visitors alike can expect an unforgettable kickoff to the holidays.