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Festive Events across the State will get you in the Holiday Spirit

posted by Teresa Farrell at 2021-11-23 19:23:00

As the holiday season kicks off, many of the towns across Upstate New York are gearing up to bring back their annual holiday events in 2021. Here’s a look at just a few taking place across the state this year.


The Adirondack towns of Old Forge and Inlet are teaming up again this year for the annual Adirondack Christmas on Main Street, Friday through Sunday, November 26-28. Between the two towns, there’s a whole slate of events planned: tree lightings, horse-drawn carriage rides, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, scavenger and candy cane hunts, an ugly sweater contest, arts and crafts, raffles, a Santa Express Train from the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, and two parades—a light parade in Old Forge and a dog parade in Inlet—are just a few.


The Thousand Islands towns of Clayton and Alexandria Bay will both celebrate the season with their annual events as well. In Clayton, the annual Christmas Village and Tree Lighting will be held on Dec. 2, featuring music and opportunities to explore downtown Clayton’s shops during a business open house; then, on Dec. 4, Clayton hosts its annual Christmas Parade, which features more than 100 floats and other entertainment, including a visit from Santa and fireworks. Santa will also be in attendance at Alexandria Bay’s Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 1, featuring free cocoa and a winter concert on the streets of Alexandria Bay. 


In the Capital Region, Saratoga Springs will celebrate its 35^th annual Victorian Streetwalk Weekend Dec. 2-5, kicking off with a tree lighting ceremony Thursday evening and continuing throughout the weekend with dozens of live music performances, shopping and dining specials, a scavenger hunt, a free gift wrapping station, and roaming performances by a juggler and a balloon artist. Kids can drop off letters to Santa at Santa’s Cottage on Broadway; the big man in red will be traveling throughout the town on weekends via the local firetruck as well.


Meanwhile, the city of Troy has expanded its 39^th annual Victorian Stroll into an entire season. From Dec. 5 through Dec. 18, local businesses deck out their windows and special exhibits, events, and more take place in honor of the season, including holiday shopping and dining specials and local businesses and restaurants, live entertainment, and more.


Rochester will be kicking off the season with the lighting of the Liberty Pole downtown on Dec. 4, with holiday activities for the kids followed by a parade to the kickoff of the Roc Holiday Village, an annual tradition that offers free ice skating, visits with Santa, crafts for kids, holiday shopping opportunities, entertainment, petting zoo, popup restaurants with food and beverages for sale, and more. The Roc Holiday Village will be open Dec. 3-5, 8-12, and 15-19 this year. Dec 4. Is also the date for Buffalo’s Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting, which will feature free ice skating and fireworks, horse and wagon rides, visits from Santa and more at the Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza.


There are plenty of other villages and towns throughout Upstate New York having their own holiday celebrations this year, so don’t be afraid to do some exploring and find an event near you—or check out any of the other fun activities, events and destinations across Upstate New York this season. 


PHOTO CREDITS


Adirondack Christmas on Main Street tree photo credit Inlet NY Information & Events
Deer surrounded by holiday lights photo credit Central Adirondack Association
Christmas parade float photo credit Clayton Christmas Parade & Fireworks
ROC Holiday Village aerial view photo credit Roc Holiday Village
Ice skating photo credit Buffalo Place


 

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