Holiday Events in Troy 2026: Elf Shelf, Tree Lighting, and Polar Party

Troy's 2026 holiday season has four family events on the city's official recreation calendar, starting with the Elf Shelf Arts and Crafts Show on Saturday, November 28, and running through the Polar Party on Saturday, December 13. The schedule also includes the Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, December 4, and Cocoa and Crafts with Santa at the Troy Historic Village on the first weekend of December. All four are open to the public and confirmed on the city's own listings.

The Elf Shelf Arts and Crafts Show takes place Saturday, November 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Troy High School at 4777 Northfield Parkway. It is a holiday craft show with about 200 booths, which makes it a practical stop for families who want to do some gift shopping close to home while the kids look at the seasonal displays. The show is listed on the Troy Recreation events calendar.

The Christmas Tree Lighting happens Friday, December 4, at 6:30 p.m. at Jeanne M. Stine Community Park at 241 Town Center Drive, at the park's outdoor ice rink. The evening includes treats, hot cocoa, and a visit from Santa, and the rink location means families can combine the ceremony with some skating. The city of Troy lists the event on its official recreation calendar.

The Troy Historic Village holds Cocoa and Crafts with Santa on Saturday, December 5, and Sunday, December 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 60 West Wattles Road, with early access at 10 a.m. for families who register in advance. The event includes time with Santa, a holiday craft, and holiday games around the village's historic buildings. Advance pricing is $7 for Troy Historical Society members and $9 for non-members, and the village's website at troyhistoricvillage.org carries the registration details.

The Polar Party on Saturday, December 13, is a free winter event at Stine Community Park with ice skating and other winter activities, listed on the Troy Recreation calendar. It is a low-pressure outing for families who want a reason to get outside in December without a big production.

Taken together, these events give Troy families a full month of holiday programming from late November through mid-December. The city's recreation calendar at rec.troymi.gov is the place to confirm details, since times and activities can adjust as the season gets closer.

Sources: City of Troy Recreation official calendar (rec.troymi.gov) and the Troy Historic Village official website (troyhistoricvillage.org). Information verified October 2026.