The holiday season is right around the corner, and Schenectady County is ready to shine brighter than ever. From beloved hometown traditions to dazzling performances, festive markets, and family-friendly celebrations, there’s truly something for everyone this year.
Schenectady County Holiday Parade
Saturday, November 22, 3-7pm
Ring in the Holiday season in Downtown Schenectady at the 56th Annual Holiday Parade.
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!
miSci’s 34th Annual Model Trains Show
November 28 - December 28 - 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!
Town of Rotterdam Holiday Festival
Sunday, November 30, 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.
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
Tuesday, December 2 - Sunday, December 7
This heart-warming holiday musical at Proctors Theatre features the hit songs “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas” (written by Albert Hague and Dr. Seuss) from the original animated series. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the Holiday loving Whos.
Christmas on Hamburg St.
December 6, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
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!
Festival of Trees
Saturday, December 6 through Saturday, December 27, 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 the Schenectady County Historical Society. Admission is $8 for adults, 13 and up. No advance tickets. You can purchase admission at the front desk when you arrive. Closed 12/24 and 12/25.
Holiday Ramble in the Stockade
December 7, 12pm - 5pm
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 7, 5:30pm
This year’s Stockade Tree Lighting will be around the Lawrence circle at Front and Ferry Streets. All are invited to join in the singing of carols and tree lighting. Afterglow party follows at Arthur's Market.
Holiday on Jay
Sunday, December 7
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. Bring the kids for FREE photos with Santa!
Niskayuna Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, December 12, 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. Donations of unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots will be collected. Be sure to dress for the cold weather!
Northeast Ballet's Annual the Nutcracker
Saturday, December 13, 7pm & Sunday, December 14, 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.
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.
29th Annual Holiday on the Avenue
Sunday, December 14, 2-5pm
Come down to Scotia to celebrate with children's activities including visits with Santa & Mrs Claus and friends. Plenty of shopping, live music and food along Mohawk Avenue.
A Very Mabee Christmas
Saturday, December 13, 11am-2pm
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 13, 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.
CBS 6 Melodies of Christmas
Thursday, December 18 -Saturday, 20, 7pm | Sunday 21, 3pm
In its 46th year this holiday extravaganza is sure to get you in the spirit featuring songs of the season performed by the ESYO Symphony Orchestra backed by the Melodies Chorale along with many special guests! The net proceeds benefit the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer & Blood Disorders at Albany Med.
The Holiday Stockade Stroll
Thursday, December 17 through Saturday, December 20, 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 20, 7:30pm
Returning to the Proctors GE Theatre for its fifth year, “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.
Be sure to visit our event calendar for more holiday events!
