Schenectady Holiday Parade
Saturday, November 18, 3-7pm
A storied holiday tradition! Schenectady County welcomes the holiday season in Downtown Schenectady with sparkling floats, glittering firetrucks, marching bands, dance troupes, and a special visit from Santa Claus. It's fun for the whole family. Gather along the parade route, take a stroll down State Street, grab a hot coccoa or a bite to eat at your favorite local eatery, and start your holiday shopping on Jay Street. Come early to enjoy live music, characters, live ice sculpture and more in the streets of Schenectady!
Winter Wonderland
Opening Saturday November 18 through December 24
Wintertime Wonderland located at the Via Port Rotterdam in NY is the largest indoor Christmas event in the Capital Region. Guests will find themselves gliding through a Frosty Ice Maze, parading through Santa’s Village, peeking into Santa’s Workshop, meeting Santa and Mrs. Clause, wandering through Candy Cane Alley’s whimsical light display.
A Charlie Brown Christmas, live on stage
Saturday, November 25, 2pm & 7pm
Kick off the holidays at the beautiful Proctors theater, with the award winning story, A Charlie Brown Christmas. This classic animated television special comes to life in this stage adaptation that celebrates the timeless classic so the whole family can join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the Peanuts characters in their journey to uncover the true meaning of Christmas.
Upper Union Street Annual Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 25, 5pm
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!
The Town of Glenville Annual Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 25, 6-8pm
The tree lighting will take place at the corner of Route 50 and Glenridge Rd. After the tree is lit, festivities will continue at First National Bank in honor of their 100th year anniversary. At the bank, families can take a free photo with Santa, do a Christmas craft, and enjoy cookies and cocoa courtesy of the Rotary. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit Toys for Tots.
Jay Street Marketplace Holiday Kick-off Event
Saturday, December 2, 12-4pm
Offering a wide variety of unique, independently owned shops & eateries. Take a stroll through Schenectady Jay Street Marketplace and discover the Capital Region's only pedestrian exclusive district, and shop small!
Festival of Trees
Saturday, December 2 through December 23, 10am-5pm
Celebrate the holiday season with us as we fill our galleries with 100+ lighted fir trees, each one uniquely hand decorated. Join us for a festive holiday season and enjoy the shimmering displays of glittering fir trees.
The Festival of Trees is a fundraiser for both Schenectady County Historical Society and the YWCA. Admission is $6 for adults, 12 and up. No advance tickets. You can purchase admission at the front desk when you arrive.
Come celebrate the beginning of the Festival of Trees with the Night of Lights, an exclusive evening of radiant fir trees and wintertide enchantment. Featuring live music, great food, and more! Advance tickets $25.
Northeast Ballet's Annual the Nutcracker
Saturday, December 2, 7pm & Sunday, December 3, 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.
Season of Light
Saturday, December 2 – Friday, January 5, 10am-8pm
Season of Light is presented by YWCA NorthEastern NY and First New York Federal Credit Union. It is an inclusive exhibit showcasing all holidays celebrated in our community during the holiday season. With this exhibit, we hope to give our friends, allies, and supporters a new perspective on how others celebrate this time of year.
27th Annual Holiday on the Avenue
Sunday, December 3, 2-5pm
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 3, 3-7pm
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, horse drawn wagon rides, and more it will be a truly community event.
Annual Stockade Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 3, 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!
The Passport Series and 8th Step Presents: The Klezmatics’ Happy Joyous Hanukkah Concert
Saturday, December 3, 2023
For Hanukkah, the foremost and best loved klezmer band offers a program from their Grammy-winning collaboration with Woody Guthrie’s recently discovered lyrics. The Klezmatics bring their hip, East Village sensibility to this favorite time of year, when candles and family warmth light up the dark nights.
Niskayuna Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, December 8, 5-6pm
Join in on the holiday fun with the beautiful Tree Lighting Ceremony, enjoy holiday music with the Niskayuna High School Choir, hot chocolate and cookies. Be sure to dress for the cold weather!
Miracle on 34th Street Classic Theater Guild
Friday, December 08, 2023 to Sunday, December 17
The timeless classic about believing in the magic of Christmas, performed in the Addy. $25 admission.
Christmas on Hamburg Street
Saturday, December 9, 4-8pm
Join us for Christmas on Hamburg St. Local businesses are coming together again to plan a fun night out for the family with crafts, treats, and more. A full list of activities and participating businesses coming soon
A Very Mabee Christmas
Saturday, December 9, 12pm
Join us as we share in colonial holiday traditions, including those celebrated by the Dutch-American Mabee family. We'll 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, we'll have 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 9, 3pm
Our 85th 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
Chanukah on Jay
Sunday, December 10, 2:30-4pm
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.
Merry Melodies ft. Grand Central Station
Sunday, December 10, 12-3pm
Join as we kick off the holiday season to support the only provider of care for children and teens with cancer and blood disorders in the Capital Region. The event is in the Officer's Club of Armory Studios and will feature music performances, a silent auction and raffle, and food and drinks for purchase. Admission is $10.
CBS 6 Melodies of Christmas
December 14-17
Returning to the mainstage at Proctors for its 44th 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, and to date has raised nearly 10 million dollars.
The Holiday Stockade Stroll
December 14,21,22, 5:30-7pm
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.
Wolf Hollow Brewing Co.'s Annual Ugly Sweater Party
Saturday, December 16, 5-9pm
Our annual celebration of ugly holiday sweaters returns on Saturday, December 16th! Wear your ugliest holiday sweater and receive a discounted first drink! Two For The Road will be slinging food til 8pm. Desserts by Kat’s Cookies. We’ll also have live entertainment by Jeff Becker 6-9pm to make your spirits bright.
It's a Jazzy Christmas
Saturday, December 16, 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.
