You may have heard: I love Christmas. I love the movies (a list forthcoming), the music (thanks 96.1), the cookies, the cocktails, Santa Claus – the list goes on. Above all else, I love how our small corner of Western New York comes alive. Whether it’s November 1 or the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Medina knows how to hit the holidays in stride.

Alix’s love of avocados is akin to my love of the entire holiday season, so it’s no surprise that I regularly receive holiday memes, articles, and images from friends – one of those articles came in the form of a text on Monday evening entitled “East Aurora is the Best Place to Spend Christmas in NY.” Bold statement. The article which was recently updated from last year’s publication highlights businesses, snow, events, and more. At its conclusion they ask if you agree with their assessment or if there is another place you love even more…

Enter my submission of Medina, New York.

Oh, guys. This isn’t even up for debate. Let me count the ways:

Fresh off the heels of costume contests and candy, the first Saturday in November launches the Canal Village Farmers’ Market Holiday Market, which runs through December and offers unique holiday shopping options.

As businesses begin decorating their storefronts, holiday open houses begin to roll-out in advance of Moonlight Madness. This is an evening of holiday specials around downtown Medina that features an evening of early shopping opportunities and an opportunity to frequent your favorite Main Street shops.

Around this time is when volunteers assemble on State Street and Rotary Park to decorate for upcoming celebrations and the arrival of the Clauses. State Street Park features a Nativity scene and lighted trees, while Rotary Park is the home to a mini holiday village.

Then comes the crème de la crème of holiday kick-off events on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. From all over the area, thousands of people fill the streets of Medina for an entire day of events that span all ages during Olde Tyme Christmas. The official tree lighting occurs at 5:30PM, a fireworks show at 5:45PM, and then people pack the sidewalks on Park Ave to Main Street for the Parade of Lights. If you haven’t been, we hear this is the year that might top all…bundle up and join us, as this is our favorite event of the season.

So about those Christmas movies….from classics to romantic comedies, from Hallmark to Netflix, I’ll watch them all. Watching Polar Express with a train-loving 2 year old is enjoyable, but it might not be as memorable as taking him on the Polar Express train ride that concludes with seeing Santa Claus. Beginning during Olde Tyme Christmas and running for 4 weekends, this event is more than just a local favorite, as visitors come from all over WNY to ride the Polar Express. (Watch it at Bent’s Opera House with the family on November 25th at 1pm for free!)

Santa Claus sightings abound!! Don’t forget the first Friday of December Santa will be at the Lee-Whedon Library, the following week at Medina Memorial Hospital, days later at the Orleans YMCA, and those are only some of his stops. We will detail his outings in an upcoming post, stay tuned!

Santa and Mrs. Claus check for letters in the official red mailbox on Main Street Medina, NY.

There’s plenty more to help you enjoy the season – December is full of listening to holiday favorites on the speakers scattered around downtown, enjoying holiday open houses, phenomenal restaurants, and all the holiday charm an area can offer. Remember, Santa’s official red mailbox can be found at the corner of Main Street at East Center Street.

Respectfully, your local true believer,

Scott