Friday,  December 4

Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony 

Gavin Park, 10 Lewis Rd., Wilton, 6 p.m. 

Enjoy holiday songs, Gavin Park’s beautiful Colorado Spruce tree lighting and a visit from Santa. Santa will hand out candy, treats, and gifts. There will be holiday movies for the little ones, cards to decorate for our friends at Home of the Good Shepherd and sing songs of the season. Refreshments will be served. Free. For more information, call (518) 584-9455.

Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting 

Downtown Ballston Spa, 6:30 p.m.

The parade begins on Milton Ave. and ends in Wiswall Park on Front St. with Santa lighting the Christmas tree. Fire trucks, floats, animals, kids and Santa will be parading down the main street of the village.  The parade will spotlight the Toys for Tots campaign. Volunteers will be on hand to collect donations of new, unwrapped toys from spectators along the parade route and at the tree lighting.

Winter Dance Concert 

Dance Theater, Skidmore College, Friday and Saturday 8 p.m. and Saturday 2 p.m.

The Skidmore Dance Department presents an evening of dance with choreography by faculty and guest artists. Adults $10, students and senior citizens $5. No advanced reservations; tickets go on sale 45 minutes before each performance. For more information call (518) 580-5392. 

Saturday, December 5

Holiday Sale 

Old Saratoga Reformed Church, Pearl and Burgoyne St., Schuylerville, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

New and gently used Christmas items, Hallmark decorations and collectables, basket raffle,  bake sale, and much more. For more information, call (518) 695-3479. 

Defensive Driving Class

First Baptist Church, 45 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

New York State approved. Save 10 percent on your base auto insurance for the next three years and receive up to 4 points off your driving record according to NYSDVM guidelines. Fee $35.00. Bring a friend and fee is $30.00 each. A portion of the fee goes to First Baptist Church. Registration required and can be made by calling Ray Frankoski at (518) 286-3788. 

Fabulous Christmas Cookie and Candy Sale 

Charlton Freehold Presbyterian Church, 768 Charlton Rd., Charlton, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Let us do the baking!  

“This Day” Winter Concert

Grace Chapel, 996 Main St., Clifton Park, 3 p.m.

The Burnt Hills Oratorio Society presents its winter concert featuring music for the holiday season. Tickets can be purchased online at www.BHOS.us or at BrownPaperTickets.com and will be available at the door.  Admission is $20, group tickets (10 or more) $18, student tickets $10 with student ID.

A Ballerina’s Tale

National Museum of Dance, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald A. Riggi Theater, 99 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 7 p.m.

This feature documentary tells the story of ballerina Misty Copeland, and her journey to becoming the first African-American Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theater. Tickets are $10 per person and includes popcorn. For more information and to purchase tickets please call (518) 584-2225 x3001.  Seating is limited.  

Sunday, December  6

Breakfast Buffet 

Saratoga-Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Rt. 9, Saratoga Springs, 8:30 – 11 a.m.

Adults $8, Seniors and Military (Active/Retired with ID Card) $7, Children 5—12 $6, Under 5 Free, Take-outs $8. Call (518) 584-2585 for more information.

Monday, December 7

Saratoga Springs Retired Teachers Association Meeting

Longfellows Restaurant, 500 Union Ave. (Route 9P), Saratoga Springs, Noon

Membership is open to retired educators who taught in or now live in Saratoga County.  For membership information, call (518) 587-5356.

a  ca-CELEBRATION! 

Knights of Columbus, 50 Pine Road, Saratoga Springs, 7:30 p.m.

Join Saratoga Soundtrack Chorus for traditional and modern holiday classics in women¹s 4-part a cappella harmony with all proceeds to benefit Code Blue. Admission is payable at the door.  Suggested donations are cash or canned goods and/or warm outerwear such as hats, scarves, gloves or mittens. Snow date is December 14, 7:30 p.m.  Visit www.saratogasoundtrack.org for updates or call (518) 747-3823.

Tuesday, December 8

Women in Business Group

Saratoga County Chamber, 28 Clinton St., Saratoga Springs 9 – 10 a.m.

Philanthropy Advisor and Coach Susan Axelrod offers attendees an opportunity to address the most human of concerns:  the desire to be remembered, to stay relevant, and to make an impact in our world.  With humor, spirit and inspiration Susan uses “The Philanthropy Formula™ in this engaging workshop. Admission is free. For more information call (518) 584-3255. 

Wednesday, December 9

Saratoga Reads Season Kickoff Party 

Northshire Bookstore, 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 7 p.m.

Join us for a party celebrating the start of the Saratoga Reads season! Enter our door prize raffle, enjoy complimentary refreshments and receive a 10 percent discount off this year’s book of choice. For more information visit www.northshire.com. 

It’s Pickins’ Time 

Milton Community Center, 310 Northline Road, Ballston Spa, 7 – 9:30 p.m.

Get ready for a great evening of music with the popular Ballston Area Seniors Pickins’ Session.   Admission is free, open to the public, and there is ample free parking. Bring your guitar, banjo, fiddle, harmonica or whatever you use to make music – or just come. Please bring finger foods to share.

Thursday, December 10

Brown Bag Lunch Series

Saratoga Springs Public Library, H. Dutcher Community Room, Noon - 1 p.m.  

The subject will be History of the Saratoga Drum and Bugle Corps, presented by Jeff Perkins, of the Avant Guard Drum and Bugle Corps, Saratoga Springs. Open and free to the public. 

Yaddo Presents: Works in Progress Night 

Northshire Bookstore, 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 7:30 p.m.

This new speaker series kicks off with a conversation between Yaddo writer Will Hermes, senior critic at Rolling Stone, and journalist Thomas Dimopoulos. Hermes will talk about his life in music writing, and take us into his research on the musician everyone’s been talking about—Lou Reed. For more information visit www.northshire.com.