Rochester expands winter break hours and recreation programs to keep students and families active across the city

Rochester, New York – As winter settles in across Rochester and school calendars pause for the holiday break, the City of Rochester is once again turning its attention to keeping young people and families active, connected, and engaged. Through Feb. 28, the city’s winter recreation season is in full swing, offering a wide mix of indoor and outdoor activities designed to make the colder months feel less isolating and far more energetic.

Neighborhood R-Centers sit at the heart of that effort. Throughout the winter season, these community hubs are hosting programs that range from sports training and crafts to aquatics and ice skating, welcoming both youth and adults. City leaders say the goal is simple: make sure residents have accessible, safe places to move, learn, and spend time together, even when the weather makes outdoor options harder to come by.

“Don’t hibernate this winter – get to your neighborhood R-Center!” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “Whether it’s after school or over a break week, our R-Centers and recreation facilities offer fantastic opportunities for kids and families to stay active and have fun year-round.”

That message takes on added importance during the December school break, which runs from Monday, Dec. 22 through Friday, Jan. 2. During this period, R-Centers across the city will operate on adjusted schedules to better serve families looking for daytime activities. While weekend hours will remain unchanged, weekday schedules are designed to provide consistent access, meals, and programming throughout the break.

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Most R-Centers will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays Dec. 22, 23, 29, 30, and Jan. 2. On Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, hours will be shortened, with centers open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., during which breakfast and lunch will be served. These meal services are a key part of the city’s winter break strategy, ensuring that children have access to nutritious food even when school cafeterias are closed.

Four locations will also host a dedicated R-Center Holiday Break Camp for children ages 6 to 12. These camps focus on structured games, sports, and creative activities meant to keep kids engaged throughout the day. The participating sites include the Trenton and Pamela Jackson R-Center on North Clinton Avenue, the Frederick Douglass R-Center on South Avenue, the Adams Street R-Center, and the Edgerton R-Center on Backus Street. Registration is required in advance through the city’s R-Central system.

Additional R-Centers will operate on afternoon-focused schedules during the break. Locations including the Avenue D, Hope, Carter Street, Willie Walker Lightfoot, and David Gantt R-Centers will be open from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. on most weekdays during the break, with reduced hours from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 31. These centers will also provide snack and lunch services during their operating hours.

For families seeking a full-day camp experience, the Humboldt R-Center on Atlantic Avenue will host its “After School in the Park” break week camp on select dates throughout the holiday period. With limited enrollment, the program runs from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on most days, ending earlier at 4 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 31. Weekly costs are set at $125 for city residents and $175 for non-city residents, with registration required ahead of time.

Beyond the walls of R-Centers, winter recreation in Rochester extends onto the ice. The city’s skating facilities, both indoor and outdoor, will offer a packed schedule of sessions during the break, catering to casual skaters, adults-only sessions, and hockey enthusiasts alike.

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At the Genesee Valley Sports Complex, weekday adult skate sessions will take place in the late morning, followed by open skate opportunities around midday. Weekend schedules include additional open skate sessions on Saturdays and Sundays. For those interested in hockey, pick-up “Skate & Shoot” sessions will run several days a week, along with enhanced sessions specifically for skaters ages 40 and older. Figure skaters will also have access to designated free-style skate times.

Outdoor skating at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park adds another layer of winter fun. The rink will host multiple open skate sessions most days during the break, including extended hours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Adult-only skate times are also scheduled throughout the period. Select sessions will be part of the Roc Holiday event series, offering free admission and skate rentals, making the experience more accessible to families across the city.

For residents who prefer to stay warm indoors, aquatic programming offers a welcome alternative. The city’s pools will operate special winter break swim sessions, with senior swim available in the morning and open swim scheduled through the afternoon on days when the Jackson R-Center is open. City officials encourage residents to check the aquatics website for a complete list of pool hours and class offerings.

City recreation leaders say these programs are about more than just filling time during a school break. They are designed to strengthen community ties, support healthy routines, and provide safe environments for young people when families may be balancing work and holiday responsibilities.

“We’ll see you after school or over the break week!” said Department of Recreation Commissioner Dr. Shirley Green. “Our caring team of recreation professionals are ready to welcome you.”

With winter stretching on for several more months, Rochester’s recreation staff hope residents will see R-Centers, ice rinks, and pools as reliable places to stay active and connected. Detailed schedules, program information, and registration links are available through the city’s recreation and skating websites, offering families the tools they need to plan a busy, healthy winter season close to home.