Lighting up Downtown Ithaca this holiday season

Plans to bring holiday cheer to Ithaca’s downtown are already well underway as the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) finalizes the details of its Ice and Lights Festival, coming to The Commons Dec. 1 and 2.

“There have been so many iterations,” said Olivia Pastella, Downtown Ithaca Alliance director of special events. “What we landed on this year is interactive and family friendly, which you can find in all of our events, and it’s free and open to the public,” said Pastella, adding that keeping it free was important. “That’s what we call lowering the barrier to access.”

 In recent years, there have been times when there was just a chowder cookoff or just an ice show.

This year, the DIA is repeating a successful past pairing, holding both events on the same weekend. The 13th Annual Chowder Cook-Off will take place Dec. 2 from noon to 4 p.m.

Add in the Cookie Walk on Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., transforming Center Ithaca on The Commons into a wonderland of sweet treats, and the events’ organizers feel like they are locked into a winning combination.

“The inception of this event, what really lies at the heart of it, is just that it’s a winter activity that brings people downtown for the holiday season,” Pastella said.

Downtown retailers will add to the festive atmosphere, as well. Nineteen local businesses have already signed up to decorate their storefronts in the 2nd Annual Downtown Ithaca Window Display Competition. From Nov. 24 to Dec. 17, the stores will be showing off their unique style through their window designs. The public can vote for their favorite display, and the winner will take home a $750 prize when the votes are tallied Dec. 19.

“Our number of participants have doubled since last year, which is great,” said Adam Kokoni, senior graphic designer for the DIA.

“A lot of businesses are trying to do their part to make the downtown bright and happy during the holiday season,” he said, adding that the DIA has extra lights for businesses to use for free, available for pick-up Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the upper atrium at Center Ithaca, 171 East State St.

Downtown shoppers need only to scan a QR code, located at each storefront, to cast a vote for their favorite.

The contest adds to the DIA’s efforts to create an engaging winter experience. The chowder cookoff is a great way to add the local restaurants into the mix, Pastella said.

“It gets everyone to come out and commingle with the restaurants and enjoy downtown,” Pastella said. “And they can do their holiday shopping.”

Afterwards, dessert is served at the Cookie Walk, where baked goods of every variety will be available for purchase, all to raise money for Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties.

In the past, the event had submissions from 60 to 80 different bakers, said Elizabeth Warner, Family Services & Volunteer Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties.

“It’s a really fun event,” Warner said. “It’s very festive.”

The event is all volunteer run with all volunteer bakers, so 100% of the proceeds go toward building affordable homes. Cookies range from gluten free to vegan to international varieties.

“When we put them all out, it’s about 17 tables’ worth of cookies,” Warner said. “So, it’s pretty cool to see.”

In addition to the food, a few other weekend events will provide even more fun.

There will be a silent disco, where attendees can unleash their inner dancing queen. Headphones can be borrowed free of charge. 

Another free add-on for those visiting downtown: the Photo 36 experience. Stand in the middle of the photo station, decorated in colorful lights to go with the “LED vibe” of Ice and Lights, and a camera will rotate around you, creating a video snapshot.

“It’s such an opportunity to make memories and build engagement and all that good stuff,” Pastella said.

“The core of what our organization at large does is support our community,” she added. “Ithaca is a cultural hub of activity, so it’s important to not have any barriers that keep people from coming.”

Pastella added that the DIA’s efforts are well supported by community sponsors.

What is different at Ice and Lights this year? The DIA has tried out many different versions of the event, and it proved very difficult to include the more interactive, dynamic ice carving exhibitions and sculpting contests.

In the past, the ice sculptures were on display for two weekends, but trying to keep them from melting throughout the week proved difficult, and repairing them was expensive.

One year, local businesses sponsored professional sculptures, but some of the sculptures were vandalized less than a day after they went up. It was very hard to ask businesses to put up money for a sculpture after that, Pastella said.

So this year, the DIA has commissioned ice thrones, sculptures and an ice bar with beer, wine, cider and hot cocoa.

This year’s festivities also include Santa’s arrival in downtown Ithaca on Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with live performances and special guest Sparky the Unicorn.  

“The goal is to bring people downtown, occupying the space, seeing what the downtown businesses are doing and what they’re offering,” Pastella said, “as well as enjoying local food, drinks and music that we bring out.”

For more information on the Cookie Walk, including information on how to preorder or volunteer, visit www.tchabitat.com/cookiewalk. 

For more information about the Ice and Lights Festival and the Chowder Cook-Off, visit www.downtownithaca.com/iceandlights2023. 

Other Tompkins County holiday events coming up

4^th Annual Dryden Ugly Sweater 5K

Nov. 26 at 11 a.m.

Dryden Hotel, 42 W. Main St.

This event combines “fun” and “run.” Participants are definitely encouraged (though not required) to dress in ugly sweaters for this chilly run/walk. All race participants will receive a custom Team Santa or Team Grinch long sleeve shirt, jingle bell bracelet and finisher medal.

The event, which will start at the historic Dryden Hotel, is a benefit for the Dryden Rail Trail Revenue Fund. Postrace fun will be held at the Dryden Hotel immediately following the run.

Visits with Santa

Dec. 1 to Dec. 24

The Shops at Ithaca Mall

40 Catherwood Rd.

Santa is coming to town! He will be available during mall hours throughout the holiday season to listen to your little one’s Christmas wishes.

Book a special experience with Santa, including a pajama party, a visit for your furry friends or a special visit for baby’s first Christmas or a child with sensory special needs, at theshopsatithacamall.com/events.

27^th annual Trumansburg WinterFest

Dec. 2 from 3 to 6 p.m.

Main Street, Trumansburg

All are welcome at Trumansburg WinterFest, featuring a tree lighting and free horse-drawn carriage rides. Many organizations and businesses offer festive foods for free, including soup, popcorn, cookies, hot chocolate, hot cider and more.

Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and take your own photo. Plus, the fire truck will stay on site for families to check out up close.

Handmade Holiday Market

Dec. 2 from 1 to 6 p.m.

Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts

5 McLallen St.

Find local crafts, artwork and everything you need for your holiday shopping. There will be seasonal music by West of Ithaca and The WinterFest Singers.

Vendors will offer a variety of products, including handcrafted metalwork, eco-painted scarves, art and functional pottery.