Weird Christmas Tradition Continues This Year In Western New York

There have been some unique Christmas traditions across the country over the years. In Arizona, one city makes a tree out of tumbleweeds…In Boston, Massachusetts, there is an ugly Christmas sweater run – you get hot chocolate at the end so it’s basically worth it. 

But in New York state, one of the best (and most unique traditions) involves none other than kegs of beer. 

And for the 9th year, our weird Christmas tradition will continue in Western New York. 

What Is The Tradition?

Since 2014, empty half-barrel kegs from Genesee Brewery have been outlined with LED green rope lights to create a tree – out of kegs! The “star” for the tree is a rotating Genesee Beer sign that lights up as well. Back then, the tree was only 23 feet tall. 

This year, the tree will feature 642 empty beer kegs decked out with 25,000 lights and it will stand at 30 feet tall. 

And how about this? This year’s tree will also feature an LED light board and a choreographed light show set to holiday music. 

When Is The Tree Lighting? 

The tree lighting ceremony will be held on Friday, Dec. 1 at 6:30 PM, but all of the winter festivities will kick off at 5 PM that evening and run until 9 PM. 

What Happens During The Festivities?

There will be food trucks from Bay Vista Taqueria, ROC City Sammich, Tuscan Wood Fired Pizza, Wraps On Wheels, Rob’s Kabobs, Rob’s Al Dente, Rochester Kettle Corn, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck and Smoke Shack Snacks. 

Genesee will also be serving some of their seasonal ales, including Cinnamon Cream Ale, from their beer trucks. 

There’s another big Christmas tradition happening in Buffalo this weekend with the iconic SantaCon. It is a massive pub crawl down Chippewa, where most participants will dress like Santa Claus, an elf, or reindeer. You can read more about that Saturday event when you click here.