AUBURN - Within a community, families have different holiday traditions and beliefs.

Yet one thing is certain - the Christmas season holds a festive atmosphere for everyone.

There was no shortage of the festive feelings on Sunday afternoon when local attractions and sites throughout the city opened their doors to share in the Christmas spirit during the annual Holiday Traditions celebration.

“I love the way that everyone in the city gets involved in the holiday,” said Tracy Holley, of Auburn, after taking a tour of the Seward House with her daughter Tailer Holley, 8. “We have been attending for about three years now and it is something that we excitedly look forward to.”

Tailer said she especially liked the “old fashioned” way that the different places celebrated Christmas.

“It looks so much better than the way that we do it,” she said. “But I still like our way, too.”

Holley said that the pair would try to visit as many attractions as possible throughout the day.

“We usually cannot make it to them all,” she said. “So we try to go to different ones each year.”

The mother and daughter said that since they have been attending the various events each year, they have gotten more involved into Auburn's history.

“It is a really cool place,” Tailer said. “I am really glad that we live here.”

The Seward House hosted a recreation of a Victorian-era Christmas, as well as guided tours of the home by costumed docents, the Key of C singers, and even Civil War re-enactors.

Willard Memorial Chapel was also one of the stops among the Holiday Traditions celebration with its own Victorian-era Christmas tree and tours of the chapel.

“We have had quite a few people,” said Willard Memorial Chapel volunteer Patty Lupien. “It is nice to see everyone out and happy for the Christmas season.”

The chapel also hosted an afternoon of show tunes performed by the Auburn Community Players.

Ward O'Hara Agricultural Museum was a big hit with the children with its offer of horse-drawn sleigh rides and visits with traditional Christmas animals.

“This is how Christmas should be at my house,” said Christopher Allen, 6, of Auburn, as he showed off his freshly-decorated Christmas cookie. “I'm gonna tell Santa to bring me this place for Christmas.”

Holiday music, popcorn and hot-mulled cider were among other attractions at the museum for excited visitors.

A hand-sewn advent banner depicting the Christmas story, tours of the church, and a chili and dessert buffet were offered to guests at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Also included in the celebrations were the Harriet Tubman Home, Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, St. Francis of Assisi Church, and the Cayuga Museum.��