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.
The Sunday Breakfast & Sunday night dinner are Sold Out
There are a few tickets left for the Friday Dinner. Click on blue button on the home page.
Where to Stay: Hotels Are Filling Up
(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)
“From Paris to Mexico” — The Paintings of Todd Karns (“Harry Bailey”)
“Jimmy Stewart On the Front of Life”
One Man Play Featuring Brian Rohan as Jimmy Stewart
Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II
“I Want to Live Again! Reflections and Lessons From George Bailey”: Series of paintings by Paul Abate
Presentation by Victoria Wejko, Mrs. New York American 2024
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/United Way
“Dance by the Light of the Moon” Featuring Andy Stobie and the Greater Finger Lakes Jazz Orchestra
It’s a Wonderful Christmas Card Workshop at Bee’s Cafe
A Wonderful Winter in LEGO
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. SOLD OUT
Friday, December 12, 2025:
8:00 am — 2:00 pm: Bee’s Cafe, home of Zu Zu’s Gingersnaps, serving full breakfast. 107 Fall St.
9:00 am — 4:00 pm: Bedford Falls Postal Cancellation, Seneca Falls Post Office, 38 State St.
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. Zu Zu’s Gingersnaps for sale. 80 Fall St.
10:00 am — 4:30 pm: Visit the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, 76 Fall Street.
10:00 am — 4:00 pm: “From Paris to Mexico” — Paintings by Todd Karns (“Harry Bailey”). Original Museum Location, 32 Fall St.
10:00 am – 4:00 pm: “I Want to Live Again! Reflections and Lessons From George Bailey”. Paintings by Paul Abate. Original Museum Location, 32 Fall St.
10:00 am – 4:00 pm: A Wonderful Winter in LEGO. Step into a world of creativity and nostalgia. CNY Bricks, a local Adult LEGO User Group, presents a winter wonderland of brick-built scenes inspired by the magic of the season. From snowy villages to twinkling holiday streets, these custom LEGO creations capture the charm and community spirit of It’s a Wonderful Life. Original Museum Location, 32 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. 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.
11:15 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 John Kuri, Filmmaker and Son of Emile Kuri (Set Decorator, It’s a Wonderful Life). Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
1:00 — 2:00 pm: “Donna Stone and the Real Housewives of Hilldale.” Presentation by Mary Owen, daughter of Donna Reed. Special Screening of “Just a Housewife” — a classic episode of TheDonna Reed Show.Trinity 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: “Bedford Falls 1934-1945: A Closer Look at the Film’s ‘Bailey Family’ and ‘War Years’ Montages. Presentation by Author Michael Willian. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
3:15 — 4:15 pm: “Jimmy Stewart on the Front of Life” — One-man play written by and featuring Brian Rohan as Jimmy Stewart. Tickets — $15. First Presbyterian Church, 23 Cayuga St.
3:00 — 5:00 pm: It’s a Wonderful Christmas Card Workshop. 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.
7:00 – 8:30 pm: “Merry Christmas, George Bailey!” — Radio Play presented by the Seneca Community Players. First Presbyterian Church, 23 Cayuga St. Tickets: www.senecacommunityplayers.org
Saturday. December 13, 2025:
7:30 — 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.
8:00 am — 4:00 pm: Bee’s Cafe, home of Zu Zu’s Gingersnaps, serving full breakfast. 107 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. ZuZu’s Gingersnaps for sale. 80 Fall St.
9:30 am: Free Roasted Chestnuts. Provided by the Knights of Columbus (as long as they last). Corner of State and Fall Streets.
10:00 am – 3:00 pm: Wonderful Spice Coffee by Cafe 19. Unique spice blend samples with bags available for purchase. It’s a Wonderful Life Museum and Gabbard’s Barber Shop, 76-78 Fall St.
10:00 am — 4:00 pm: “From Paris to Mexico” — Paintings by Todd Karns (“Harry Bailey”). Original Museum Location, 32 Fall St.
10:00 am – 4:00 pm: A Wonderful Winter in LEGO by CNY Bricks. From snowy villages to twinkling holiday streets, these custom LEGO creations capture the charm and community spirit of It’s a Wonderful Life. Original Museum Location, 32 Fall St.
10:00 am – 4:00 pm: “I Want to Live Again! Reflections and Lessons From George Bailey”. Paintings by Paul Abate. Original Museum Location, 32 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.
12:00 noon: Cinnamon Bun Eating Contest. $5 entry fee. Cafe XIX, 20 East Bayard St.
12:15 — 1:00 pm: Presentation by Paul Abate, Artist —“I Want to Live Again! Reflections and Lessons From George Bailey”. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
1:00 pm: It’s a Wonderful Parade. Fall Street.
2:00 – 3:00 pm: “Wonderful Wings: Soaring with hope, empowering YOUth” Panel Discussion Coordinated by the Seneca County Suicide Prevention Coalition/United Way.
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: “Every Time a Bell Rings: Helping Children Find Hope in Hard Times.” Presentation by Victoria Wejko, Mrs. New York American 2024. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
3:00 – 4:00 pm: “Jimmy Stewart on the Front of Life” — One-man play written and performed by Brian Rohan as Jimmy Stewart. Tickets – $15. First Presbyterian Church, 23 Cayuga St.
4:40 pm: It’s a Wonderful Run 5K. 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.
7:00 – 8:15 pm: “Merry Christmas, George Bailey!” — Radio Play presented by the Seneca Community Players. First Presbyterian Church, 23 Cayuga St. Tickets: www.senecacommunityplayers.org
Sunday, December 14, 2025:
8:00 — 2:00 pm: Bee’s Cafe, home of Zu Zu’s Gingersnaps, serving full breakfast. 107 Fall St.
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. Zu Zu’x Gingersnaps will be on sale. 80 Fall St.
10:00 am – 4:00 pm: A Wonderful Winter in LEGO by CNY Bricks. From snowy villages to twinkling holiday streets, these custom LEGO creations capture the charm and community spirit of It’s a Wonderful Life. Original Museum Location, 32 Fall St.
10:00 am — 4:00 pm: “From Paris to Mexico” — Paintings by Todd Karns (“Harry Bailey”). Original Museum Location, 32 Fall St.
10:00 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 Shop Around the Corner” — Radio play featuring Brian Rohan as Jimmy Stewart. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
12:00 noon — 1:00 pm: Presentation by Govan Martin. “Saving Lives from Suicide through It’s a Wonderful Life and Suicide Prevention Training (QPR — Question Persuade Refer). Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
1:00 — 2:00 pm: Presentation byJohn Kuri. Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
1:00 -2:15 pm: “Merry Christmas, George Bailey!” — Radio Play presented by the Seneca Community Players. First Presbyterian Church, 23 Cayuga St. Tickets: www.senecacommunityplayers.org
2:00 – 2:30 pm: Presentation byDonald Collins(“Young Pete Bailey”). Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
2:30 — 3:30 pm: Presentation byJimmy Hawkins(“Tommy Bailey”): Trinity Church, 27 Fall St.
3:30 — 4:00 pm: Presentation by Karolyn Grimes (“Zuzu Bailey”)
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
