Schenectady Holiday Parade
Saturday, November 23, 3-7pm
Ring in the Holiday season in Downtown Schenectady at the 55th Annual Holiday Parade Presented by the County and City of Schenectady.
Enjoy the northeast's largest night-time holiday parade and usher in the holiday season with this storied holiday tradition. Experience the magic of the holidays with sparkling floats, glittering firetrucks, marching bands, dance troupes, and Santa Claus - fun for the whole family!
Schenectady Winter Village
Weekends, November 22-December 22
The magic is coming to life at Frog Alley in Downtown Schenectady! The transformation of the patio into a Winter Village wonderland is complete with heated greenhouses, hundreds of lights, a towering 17-foot tree, and so much more.
Season of Light
Friday, November 29 – Thursday, January 2, 10am-8pm
Spread the joy this season of light! Embrace and celebrate diversity in all holidays and people with an inclusive exhibit showcasing all holidays celebrated in our community during the holiday season. Give hope to our friends, allies, and supporters a new perspective on how others celebrate this time of year.
miSci’s 34th Annual Model Trains Show
November 29 - January 15 - 11:00am - 5:00pm Daily
The Museum is open on this extra Friday and the trains are running for the season. Stop by and see this holiday tradition!
Upper Union Street Annual Tree Lighting
Wednesday, December 4, 4-6pm
The tree lighting will be located at 1598 Union St, with lots of fun activities including; horse drawn carriage rides on Upper Union and Meet-and-Greet with Santa from 4-7pm, Artisan Vendors, Games & Crafts and more!
Niskayuna Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, December 6, 5pm
Join in on the holiday fun with the beautiful Tree Lighting Ceremony, enjoy holiday music with the Niskayuna High School Choir, hot chocolate and candy canes. Be sure to dress for the cold weather!
Festival of Trees
Saturday, December 7 through December 28, 10am-4:30pm
Celebrate the holiday season with us as we fill our galleries with 70+ lighted fir trees, each one uniquely hand decorated. Local artists, businesses, and non-profits have come together to turn the galleries of SCHS into a land of wintertide enchantment, and we warmly invite you to come stroll!
The Festival of Trees is a fundraiser for both Schenectady County Historical Society. Admission is $6 for adults, 12 and up. No advance tickets. You can purchase admission at the front desk when you arrive.
The Town of Glenville Annual Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 7, 5-8pm
The tree lighting will take place at the corner of Route 50 and Glenridge Rd at 5:30pm. Families can visit with Santa, do a Christmas craft, and enjoy cookies and cocoa. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots.
Christmas on Hamburg St.
December 7, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Come out and support your local businesses and nonprofit organizations between the circle of Curry Rd. And Hamburg to the bridge. Enjoy free stockings children can stop by for candy and crafts at participating locations. Santa will be joining us at Palazzo at 4pm, raffle prizes and more fun along the way!
Holiday Ramble in the Stockade
December 7, 11:00am - 4:00pm
The Holiday Ramble in the Stockade is coming, and you don’t want to miss this magical day!
Stroll through the charming streets of Schenectady’s Stockade and dive into a day of holiday cheer, special treats, and unique shopping at all your favorite local spots!
Annual Stockade Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 8, 5pm
This year’s Stockade Tree Lighting will be around the Lawrence circle at Front and Ferry Streets. Holiday welcomes and blessings, carol singing, and surprises! Afterglow party follows at St. George’s Church Great Hall. Please bring finger foods to share!
Jay Street Marketplace Holiday Kick-off Event
Sunday, December 8
Offering a wide variety of unique, independently owned shops & eateries. Take a stroll through Schenectady's Jay Street Marketplace and discover the Capital Region's only pedestrian exclusive district, and shop small!
28th Annual Holiday on the Avenue
Sunday, December 8, 2-5pm
Come down to Scotia to celebrate with lots of children's activities including visits with Santa & Mrs Claus and friends. Plenty of shopping, live music and food along the Avenue.
Town of Rotterdam Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 8, 4-7pm
Come and enjoy the Holiday ambiance and start your holiday season right in front of town hall. With FREE cookie decorating & hot cocoa, FREE pictures with Santa, FYI kids crafts, Rotterdam PD giveaways and more! It will be a truly community event. Tree lighting will be at 7pm
Northeast Ballet's Annual the Nutcracker
Saturday, December 14, 7pm & Sunday, December 15, 2pm
Become a traveler in Clara’s magical dream through the glistening snowfall to the Magic Kingdom of Sweets. Experience all the thrilling variations from the various countries she visits.
A Very Mabee Christmas
Saturday, December 14, 12pm
Share in colonial holiday traditions, including those celebrated by the Dutch-American Mabee family. Learn how revelers of yore celebrated the season, enjoy colonial-era treats and stories by the Inn's fire, and make a craft to take home. Plus, a very special scavenger hunt -- kids can use riddles and clues to find holiday friends nestled around the historic site.
The Octavo Singers Present: Handel's Messiah
Saturday, December 14, 3pm
This special presentation of Handel’s Messiah, performed once again in the acoustically perfect Memorial Chapel at Union College, has been an audience favorite and a treasured annual tradition for decades. $30 for adults, $25 for seniors, and $15 for students
Sweetest Home for the Holidays: Gingerbread House Competition and Cookie Stroll
December 14, 5-9pm
Holiday fun for everyone! Join the Rotterdam Community Center for a festive day filled with holiday cheer! Test your creativity in our Gingerbread House Competition or enjoy some sweet treats during our Cookie Stroll! Buy a box and fill it with your favorites! And stick around for a FREE showing of "The Polar Express" to end the day with some cozy family fun. Bring your holiday spirit, and don't miss out on this day of excitement for all ages!
Merry Melodies ft. Grand Central Station
Sunday, December 15, 1-4pm
Fundraiser to benefit the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Disorders at Albany Medical Center at the Officer's Club at Armory Studios NY. Schenectady's own Joe Sinatra will kick off the fun followed by local favorite Grand Central Station. Silent auction and raffle items to bid on, food will be available, cash bar and drink specials. Special appearance by Santa Claus and photos will be available.
The Holiday Stockade Stroll
December 18-21, 5:30pm
Schenectady’s Stockade is beautiful any time of year but the holidays always bring out a certain magic! In this walking tour we’ll explore the lights and sights of this historic district while learning the ways in which generations past celebrated the season. Light refreshments will be served, and guests are invited to explore the sparkling Festival of Trees before and after the tour.
It's a Jazzy Christmas
Saturday, December 21, 7:30pm
Returning to the Proctors GE Theatre, “It’s a Jazzy Christmas” has all your favorite holiday songs! This ensemble performs concert hall shows that feature the music of Vince Guaraldi from the Peanuts holiday specials and many other seasonal favorites.
Chanukah on Jay
Sunday, December 29, 3:30-5pm
Join the Capital Region Jewish Community for Chanukah on Jay! With a grand Menorah lighting, music, food, crafts, games and more, there's something for everyone! Co-hosted by the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York and Capital Chabad.
