The 79th Anniversary Celebration of “It’s a Wonderful Life”
Seneca Falls, NY
December 12-14, 2025
We suggest you arrive Thursday, Dec. 11 and leave Monday, Dec. 15
since there will be three full days of activities and special events.
Check back periodically for an updated schedule of events.
Tickets are now on sale for the special events. See colored buttons on the home page.
Where to Stay: Hotels Will All Fill Up — Reserve Your Rooms Early
(Shuttles will be available from Friday evening through Sunday night from the Hampton Inn, Microtel and Quality Inn to the Gould Hotel, downtown, and specific venues)
The Gould Hotel — (315) 712-4000 (located on the main street of Seneca Falls)
The Hampton Inn (Seneca Falls) — (315) 539-3939
The Microtel (Seneca Falls/Waterloo) — (315) 539-8438
Lux Hotel (Waterloo) — (315) 577-6068
Del Lago Hotel & Resort (15 minutes from Seneca Falls) — (315) 946-1777. Del Lago has a special block of rooms at a discounted rate. Ask for the “It’s a Wonderful Life” block when you call.
Partial Draft Schedule
Special Guests:
Karolyn Grimes (“Zuzu Bailey”)
Jimmy Hawkins (“Tommy Bailey”)
and Don Collins (“Young Pete Bailey”)
Special Presentations:
Mary Owen (Donna Reed’s Daughter)
Monica Capra Hodges (Frank Capra’s Granddaughter)
John Kuri (Son of Emile Kuri, Set Decorator It’s a Wonderful Life)
“Jimmy Stewart On the Front of Life”
One Man Play Featuring Brian Rohan as Jimmy Stewart
“I Want to Live Again! Reflections and Lessons From George Bailey”: Series of paintings by Paul Abate
Presentations by Michael Willian, Author,”The Essential It’s a Wonderful Life: A Scene-by-Scene Guide to the Classic Film”
Presentation by Harold Buchholz Netflix Producer and Writer (Mystery Science Theater 3000)
Panel Discussion — Seneca County Suicide Prevention Coalition
“Dance by the Light of the Moon” Featuring Andy Stobie and the Greater Finger Lakes Jazz Orchestra
Display of LEGO It’s a Wonderful Life buildings by the Jason Middaugh Family
Thursday, December 11, 2025:
7:00 — 9:00 pm: “Zu Zu, My Little Gingersnap.” Dinner with the actors from It’s a Wonderful Life, Bee’s Cafe, 107 Fall St. $60/person. Salad, choice of three entrees (pot roast, salmon or vegetable lasagna), dessert. Limited seating. Reservations required. Email: alaw@wonderfullifemuseum.com
Friday, December 12, 2025:
9:00 am — 4:00 pm: Bedford Falls Postal Cancellation, Seneca Falls Post Office, 38 State St.
10:00 am — 4:30 pm: Visit the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, 76 Fall Street.
9:00 am — 8:00 pm: “All Things Wonderful.” It’s a Wonderful Life Museum Gift Shop and Photo Opportunity with Bedford Falls Mural and “You Are Now in Bedford Falls” sign. 80 Fall St.
10:00 am — Special Exhibit, Original Museum Location, 32 Fall St.
11:00 am — 1:00 pm: Autograph signing by cast members. Autograph free with purchase; $30 fee for items you bring yourself. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St.
10:30 am: “The Real Bedford Falls: It’s a Wonderful Life. The Town, The Movie, The Legend.” Documentary by Francis DeClemente and Stu Lisson. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
11:00 am: Locations in California where “It’s a Wonderful Life” was filmed. Video by Brian Rohan. Followed by: Journey to the 80th Anniversary of “It’s a Wonderful Life” — “For Auld Lang Syne” — Video on the Expansion of the “It’s a Wonderful Life Museum”. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
11:15 am — Noon: Presentation: “It’s a Wonderful Film! How did Frank Capra create the most popular message movie of all time?” Netflix Producer/Writer Harold Buchholz (Mystery Science Theater 3000) takes you on a fun behind-the-scenes tour of the master storyteller’s creative journey that gave us It’s a Wonderful Life.
Noon — 1:00 pm: Presentation by Author Michael Willian. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
1:00 — 2:00 pm: Presentation by Mary Owen, daughter of Donna Reed. Special Screening of a classic episode of TheDonna Reed ShowTrinity Church, 27 Fall St.
2:00 — 4:00 pm: Autograph signing by cast members. Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee per autograph for items you bring yourself. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St.
2:00 – 3:00 pm: Presentation by John Kuri, filmmaker, son of Emile Kuri (Set Decorator, It’s a Wonderful Life). Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
3:15 — 4:15:
3:00 — 5:00 pm: It’s a Wonderful Christmas Card Class. Bee’s Cafe, 107 Fall St. Create 5 hand-made cards that you can then take to the Post Office for the Special Bedford Falls Postal Cancellation. $30 includes all materials and refreshments. Advance reservations needed: email alaw@wonderfullifemuseum.com.
4:30 pm: Shuttles start leaving the Gould Hotel for the Frank Capra Preview Dinner.
6:00 — 9:00 pm: Frank Capra’s Preview Dinner. MC: Monica Capra Hodges. Advance Tickets Required. Del Lago Resort, located off Exit 41, NY State Thruway. Limited Seats Available
Saturday. December 13, 2025:
7:30 am — 11:00 am: It’s a Wonderful Breakfast. Eggs, sausage, pancakes, OJ, coffee, tea, hot chocolate. Tickets $10 at the door. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
9:00 am — Noon: Bedford Falls Station Postal Cancellation. Seneca Falls Post Office, 38 State Street.
9:00 am — 4:30 pm: Visit the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, 76 Fall Street.
9:00 am — 8:00 pm: “All Things Wonderful.” It’s a Wonderful Life Museum Gift Shop and Photo Opportunity with Bedford Falls Mural and “You Are Now in Bedford Falls” sign. 80 Fall St.
10:00 am: 21st Annual George Bailey Award. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
10:30 — 11:30 am: Presentation by Monica Capra Hodges, granddaughter of Frank Capra. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
11:00 am — 1:00 pm: Autograph signing by cast members. Autograph free with purchase; $30 fee for items you bring yourself. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St.
11:30 am — 12:15 pm: Presentation by Mary Owen. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
12:15 — 1:00 pm: Presentation by Govan Martin. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
1:00 pm: It’s a Wonderful Parade. Fall Street.
2:00 – 3:00 pm: Presentation by John Kuri.
2:00 — 4:00 pm: Autograph signing by cast members. Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee per autograph for items you bring yourself. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St.
3:00 — 4:00 pm:
4:40 pm: It’s a Wonderful Run 5K. Run started by Karolyn Grimes (“Zuzu Bailey”). To register, go to www.itsawonderfulrun5K.com
7:00 — 9:15 pm: Special Screening of It’s a Wonderful Life. Free Admission. Douglas Avery Performing Arts Center, Mynderse Academy, 105 Troy St.
6:30 — 7:30 pm: Dance Lesson by Groove Juice Swing (from Rochester). Mynderse Academy Gymnasium, 105 Troy St.
7:30 — 10:30 pm: “Dance by the Light of the Moon.” Music by Andy Stobie and the Greater Finger Lakes Jazz Orchestra (18-piece swing band). Free Admission.Mynderse Academy Gymnasium, 105 Troy St.
Sunday, December 14, 2025:
8:30 — 10:30 am: “A Toast to Karolyn . . .” — Karolyn Grimes’ 22nd Anniversary Celebration Breakfast. Arrive by 8:45 to secure your seat. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St. SOLD OUT
9:00 am — 4:30: Visit the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, 76 Fall St.
9:00 am — 4:30 pm: “All Things Wonderful.” It’s a Wonderful Life Museum Gift Shop and Photo Opportunity with Bedford Falls Mural and “You Are Now in Bedford Falls” sign. 80 Fall St.
11:00 am — 2:00 pm: Autograph signing with cast members. Autographs free with purchase; $30 fee per autograph for items you bring yourself. The Gould Hotel, 108 Fall St.
11:15 am: “The Real Bedford Falls: It’s a Wonderful Life. The Town, The Movie, The Legend.” Documentary by Francis DeClemente and Stu Lisson. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
12:00 noon — 1:00 pm:Presentation by Author Michael Willian, Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
12:30 — 1:30 pm: Presentation by John Kuri. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
1:30 — 2:00 pm: Presentation by Donald Collins (“Young Pete Bailey”). Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
2:00 — 3:30 pm: Presentation by Jimmy Hawkins (“Tommy Bailey”): Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
3:30 – 4:00 pm: Presentation by Karolyn Grimes (“Zuzu Bailey”). Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
4:15 pm: The Ringing of the Bells of the Real Bedford Falls. Gather outside Trinity Church and 32 Fall St.
5:00 pm: Seneca Singers Annual Holiday Concert. First Presbyterian Church, 23 Cayuga St.
6:00 — 9:00 pm: “For Auld Lang Syne – The Final Scene Dinner.” Seneca Falls Country Club, 2790 NY-90, Seneca Falls. SOLD OUT
