Every Hudson Valley Happening to Get You in the Holiday Spirit

A storyteller’s Christmas Carol, a holiday market at Angry Orchard, and more from this week’s top picks for things to do in and around the Hudson River.

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Local arts and culture organizations bring us holiday events and more, with updated COVID-19 guidelines on their websites.

Holiday Events

A Christmas Carol Drive-In Performance
Nov 19–Dec 20
Guests can enjoy A Christmas Carol from the comfort of their own car. Park on the grand lawn, tune the radio to station 100.5, and watch the performance on the raised outdoor stage. No shows Nov 26 and 27.
The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck; 845.876.3080; www.centerforperformingarts.org

Photo courtesy of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Peace, Love & Lights at Bethel Woods
Nov 23–Jan 3
Over the course of a one-mile drive-through holiday light experience, encounter the 120-foot Twinkle Tunnel, Groovy Way, Santa’s Workshop, and more. Dinners with Santa, discounted tickets to The Museum at Bethel Woods, and special promotional nights will be also available. Check website for promotional nights.
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel; 845.583.2000; www.bethelwoodscenter.org

Frosty Fest
Nov 27–Dec 20
This popular event is a drive-through experience this year, with stops in Frosty’s Enchanted Forest, Glistening Gardens, and Candy Cane Lane. Visitors are allowed to get out of their cars and walk through the 3D wonders of Frosty’s Magical Adventure. Fri–Sun only; reservations are required.
Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted Houses, Ulster Park; 845.339.2666; www.afrostyfest.com

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Cross County Center’s New Outdoor Holiday Market
Nov 27–Dec 24
A 40-foot Christmas tree, visits with Santa, a pop-up ice skating rink, holiday decorations, food trucks, and music will help visitors at this new outdoor market get into the holiday spirit.
Cross County Center, Yonkers; 914.968.9570; www.crosscountycenter.com

Capitol Holiday Lights in the Park
Nov 27–Jan 3
The Price Chopper/Market 32 Capital Holiday Lights in the Park is continuing the tradition this year with their 24th annual event. The drive-through experience includes holiday scenes of yesteryear and new lighting displays. All proceeds from the event benefit the Albany Police Athletic League’s juvenile crime prevention programs.
Albany; 518.435.0392; www.albanycapitalholidaylights.com

Westchester Winter Wonderland
Nov 27–Jan 3
This carnival-like annual event has been transformed into a drive-through experience featuring displays like Peace on Earth Place, featuring floating stained-glass angels, Take Flight Way, with a 50-foot white dove flying into the night, and Magical Woods, surrounded by dozens of illuminated dancing trees.
Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla; 914.231.4600; www.wwinterwonderland.com

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Bethel Woods Annual Holiday Market
Nov 27–29, Dec 5–6
Over the course of two weekends, this free holiday market will feature goods from a variety of regional vendors to provide an enjoyable shopping
experience that supports local businesses.
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel; 845.583.2000; www.bethelwoodscenter.org

Culinary Dinner and Live Radio Play of It’s A Wonderful Life
Nov 28–Dec 20
Enjoy an evening of delicious food — think sautéed jumbo gulf shrimp with sweet-and-sour orange glaze, mashed sweet potatoes, and sautéed haricot verts — prepared by CIA-trained chefs. As patrons dine on this decadent meal, they get to listen in to a live radio play of It’s A Wonderful Life.
Clove Creek Dinner Theater, Fishkill; 845.202.7778; www.clovecreekdinnertheater.com

Sinterklaas Celebration
Early December
Although the annual festival is canceled this year, the folks behind Sinterklaas have ways to honor this tradition: Annual stars are for sale on their website and in stores in Rhinebeck, which will help keep Sinterklaas alive for future years. The week leading up to Sinterklaas Day (Dec 5), children can pick up a free sweet surprise from Samuel’s Sweet Shop, and, on Sinterklaas Day, the community can watch a 10-minute shadow puppet movie and a recorded blessing of the honorary animal on the Sinterklaas Facebook page.
Rhinebeck; www.sinterklaashudsonvalley.com

 

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Winter Walk
Dec 5–24
The 24th annual Winter Walk has been reimagined from one night of celebration to 20 days of celebration in order to hold a safe and distanced event this year. Shops on Warren Street will be festively decorated as always. This year’s activities include fireworks, Zoom visits from Santa, the Menorah and Christmas tree lightings in the Public Square, and a Kwanzaa celebration.
Hudson; 518.822.1438; www.hudsonhall.org

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Caramoor Virtual Music Concert
Dec 12
Itching to see your favorite carols performed live? Caramoor has partnered with TENET Vocal Artists to present a virtual concert through livestream. Members can watch the event for free, and nonmembers are invited to partake for a $10 fee.
Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Katonah; 914.232.1252; www.caramoor.org

 

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Handel’s Messiah
Dec 19
Tune into BardavonPresents’ YouTube channel to participate in this free virtual sing along of Handel’s Messiah. The event will feature a recording of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic and Capella Festival’s 2019 performance, along with commentary by guest conductor Christine Howlett.
Bardavon, Poughkeepsie; 845.473.2072; www.bardavon.org

Also This Month…

Virtual St. Peter’s Cardiac & Vascular Center’s 2020 Albany Last Run 5K
Dec 8–14
Hosted by The City of Albany Office of Cultural Affairs, the 24th annual edition of this 5K race will be a virtual format this year. Runners can run between December 8—14. and submit their time virtually to be considered for awards.
Albany; 518.434.5090; www.albany.com

*Rescheduled: Hudson Jazz Festival
Previously scheduled for five weekends in November and December, the festival has been moved to spring 2021. Stay tuned to Hudson Hall’s Facebook for more information about the upcoming performance lineup.
Hudson Hall, Hudson; 518.822.1438; www.hudsonhall.org

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