Through the generosity of the community businesses and organizations listed below, the City of Olean Youth Bureau & Recreation Department is offering free admission for public ice skating the following dates and times. There is a $3.00 skate rental fee.
Special appearance by Santa on December 24th from 12-2pm. Free admission, just a $3 rental fee. Sponsored by the Olean Rotary Club.
Join the acclaimed New York Theater Ballet for a seventy-five minute program that brings to life the timeless tale of the Firebird, Royal Pas de Deux, and contemporary ballet. This magical experience will captivate audiences of all ages.
This is in Association with Tri County Arts Council.
Grab your Christmas list and meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Kids will receive a special treat from Santa.
Santa Claus will be back in the Town of Olean at his cottage in Lincoln Park on December 13th from 5:30-8:30 pm.
Kids can leave letters for Santa in a mailbox outside his cottage created by families of the EvenStart program. Kids will also receive a small treat from Mrs. Claus!
Take a trip back in time with a Victorian Christmas at the Fannie Bartlett House in Olean, the Friday after Thanksgiving. Watch the Santa Claus Lane Parade before or after touring this beautifully restored mansion built in 1881 with 15 rooms, including a third-floor ballroom.
The historic house will be adorned with Christmas decorations during its annual open house on Friday from 6-9pm. There will be refreshments and raffle baskets, proceeds to benefit the Bartlett House.
Join the fun at Hunter Hill Farm on November 9th from 10 AM to 2 PM for a festive Christmas Tree Pottery Class with Tara from TShed Pottery!
TShed Pottery, run by Tara, is renowned for its unique and handcrafted pottery pieces. Celebrated for her creativity and quality, Tara’s classes are both educational and enjoyable. She will guide you through the creative process of designing and crafting two unique Christmas trees—one small and one large.
Event Schedule:
If you’re a first responder, enjoy a free roundtrip train ride from Gowanda, NY, to South Dayton and back. A 30-minute layover in the village of South Dayton lets you explore the vendors in the area, such as farmers, baked goods, and crafts. All first responders ride for free!
The Challenger Learning Center announced the return of their popular space quiz event! Join in to test your space knowledge and also support a local organization. The event will feature a quiz with prizes for the winning team. You can participate in a team of 2-5 players.
Apart from the quiz, we will also have raffles with exciting prizes such as a Cutco Block, a $100 gift certificate from the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, a $50 AMC gift certificate, and more. You can still purchase raffle tickets even if you are not attending the event.
Immerse yourself in a stunning display of Native American artistry at the 1st Annual Ohi:yo' Art Market! Join in on May 3rd, 2025, at the Seneca Allegany Casino Event Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Witness the vibrant culture and creativity through exquisite beadwork, pottery, and other traditional crafts. There's something for everyone, making it a perfect outing for the whole family!
Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels Free Tours available on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Fridays of the month. No reservations necessary. Come and discover the beauty of the southern tier's Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in Olean, NY. The 33 Munich-style windows are some of the finest domestically-produced windows in the nation. Pope Frances designated the church as a Minor Basilica on February 14, 2017 for its exquisite art, architecture and history. Group tours are also available by calling 716 372 4841.
Jamestown Paranormal will be hosting Paracon '24 (a Paranormal Convention) Saturday, September 28th from 12-6pm at Gowanda's historic Hollywood Theater.
Admission is $5/person at the door, all ages welcome!
Come get an insight of the unexplained with the following speakers:
Come join Santa and Mrs. Claus as they officially light the town's holiday decorations! This festive Annual Santa Claus Lane Parade is held annually on the Friday after Thanksgiving and the traditional kick-off to the holiday season. Santa will be in attendance and light up thousands of lights in Lincoln Park and downtown Olean when he parades through town in celebration.
Below is a video that highlights the 2016 parade, from the Olean Times Herald, produced by Adam Miller.