Upcoming Events
Southern Saratoga Art Society
SSAS will be hosting artists and members throughout the area. The Clifton Park Senior Community Center Gallery, 6 Clifton Common Blvd., will show artwork at SSAS’s annual Themed Show, “Artwork Inspired by a Song “ during the months of November and December. Mechanicville Library, 190 N. Main Street, will show the artwork of SSAS member, Faith Weldon, during November. The Town of Clifton Park Hall Lobby, 1Town Hall Plaza, is showing the artwork of SSAS member, Cheryl Birmingham during November. Artist and member of SSAS, Cheryl Jenks, is showing her artwork at Soave Faire, Broadway, Saratoga Springs during the month of November.
Annual Holiday Show
We’re gearing up for our annual holiday show this year at Balet Flowers & Design! Get ahead with your holiday shopping at this open house community event. We’ll have local artisans in our greenhouse as well as in our flower and arts barn, tastings from local vendors, sharable snacks, and hot cider. All handmade holiday arrangements, wreaths, pottery, jewelry, soaps, scarves – and more! Please bring canned goods to donate to the food pantry and help others this season. Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 5065 Nelson Ave Ext., Malta. 518-584-8555.
Winter 2024 Kids Bike Giveaway
December 7 at St. Peter’s Church, 241 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Bring your children by to select a new to them bike from our stock of refurbished bikes. All are welcome to come, the recipient must be present with a responsible adult. Donations are encouraged but not required. Our entrance is at the rear of the church facing Hamilton Street at the top of the parking lot. Contact us at info@bikeatoga.org or text us at 518-290-0746 for more information.
Winter Faire
The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs will be hosting a Winter Faire on Saturday, December 7 from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at 62 York Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Families can come enjoy homemade soups and breads, hot cocoa, fresh brewed coffee, festive baked goods while listening to live, instrumental music and carols. Crafts for children include beeswax candle dipping, making a wool-roved angel and creating holiday cards and decorations from natural materials. www.waldorfsaratoga.org
12th Annual Laying of Wreaths
Please join us on Saturday, December 7, at noon, at one of the following locations as we honor those who have served our country: Galway Town Hall, Galway Junior-Senior High School, Galway Village Park, Gideon Hawley Park in Charlton, Scotch Church Cemetery, Providence Town Hall. Sponsored by the Glenville Hills Garden Club and partial funding by Bob’s Trees.
The Greenwich Holiday Craft Fair
Sunday, December 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Greenwich High School gymnasium. Admission to the event is free. There are over 50 vendors attending. There will also be a Basket Raffle, Ed Levin Specialty Item Raffle and Concessions. Get in the holiday spirit, shop local, and support small businesses as well as the GCS students!
Trip to Turning Stone
The Olde Saratoga Seniors are planning a trip to Turning Stone Casino for a Classic Christmas Spectacular. Combines the hottest hits from the 50s & 60s along with the classic Christmas songs you’ve come to adore with an included casino bonus. You will receive a $25 slot bonus and $5 meal credit. Cost will be $49. Thursday, December 12. Bus leaving at 8 am from American Legion, Clancy St., Schuylerville with stop on way to Casino arriving around 10:15 am and stop on way home arriving around 7:30 p.m. Contact Peg Jennings at 518-695-6861 or 518-275-5805 to reserve a seat on the bus.
Jane Austen Birthday Tea
The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA)-New York Capital Region is hosting the annual celebration of Jane Austen’s birthday on Sunday, December 15, 1 – 4 p.m. at the Inn at Saratoga, 231 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY. Registration fee of $40 includes a free raffle ticket for Austen-related items, an Afternoon High Tea, and, of course, Jane’s birthday cake. Reserve your place by contacting jasnanycaptitalregion@gmail.com and making a payment before December 1st. Make check payable to JASNA NYS Capital Region and send to: JASNA, NYCR, c/o Nancy Duell, 56 Fifth Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801. For additional information, contact Nancy at 1 (518) 321-1887 or jasnanycaptitalregion@gmail.com.
Celebrate the Season
Saratoga Chamber Players celebrates the season on Sunday December 15, 3PM with dazzling string sextet arrangements of Mozart’s Symphonie Concertante in Eb Major, K364 and Strauss’ Metamorphosen, TrV 290. Saratoga United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Avenue, Saratoga Springs. Purchase tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-season-of-sextets-tickets-950934620047?aff=oddtdtcreator For more information and musician bios visit https://www.saratogachamberplayers.org/
This Week’s Events: nov. 29-dec.5
Friday,
November 29
Black Friday Saratoga
Various Locations, Downtown Saratoga Springs | All Day. This is a Black Friday shopping event centered around downtown Saratoga Springs, offering a variety of deals and discounts in a select group of local shops and eateries. Black Friday Saratoga supports “shopping local” on the busiest shopping day of the year. It has become an annual event that hundreds look forward to as an opportunity to get a jump start on their holiday shopping, while enjoying the historic charm of downtown Saratoga Springs. For information on participants, open hours, and individual deals, go to blackfridaysaratoga.com.
Saratoga Bridges Black Friday Job Fair
Wilton Day Program, 690 Route 9, Gansevoort | 2 – 4 p.m. Shop for your next career and make a difference in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities in Saratoga County. No appointments required; just come in and learn more about our job opportunities. A recruiting specialist will be available to answer questions about job openings. We offer competitive benefits and pay, opportunities for advancement, paid training, and flexible hours! Plus, there will be a bake sale where all proceeds benefit Saratoga Bridges programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. For more information about our current job opportunities, please visit www.saratogabridges.org and click on “Current Opportunities.”
Saturday, November 30
Holiday Sale
Old Saratoga Reformed Church, Corner of Burgoyne and Pearl Street, Schuylerville | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. We will have lots of Holiday themed items for sale, as well as raffle baskets, and a bake sale. For questions, call the office phone at 518-695-3479.
Pet Photos with Santa
Gateway House of Peace, 479 Rowland St., Ballston Spa | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Get into the holiday spirit and support Gateway House of Peace by bringing your pets to meet Santa. This event is open to children, pets, and families; appointments strongly encouraged. While walk-ins are welcome, we cannot guarantee how long your wait will be. We encourage you to book an appointment to secure your spot. Walk-in donations are accepted as cash or check only. Your $25 donation covers your sitting fee, digital download and printing rights. Gateway House of Peace is a not-for-profit organization serving persons with terminal illness who are diagnosed with three months or less to live. Contact: Allison Drapeau, adrapeau@gatewayhouseofpeace.org or 518-450-1273.
Winter Wonderland Art Market
Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs, 232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Support local vendors: Discover unique, handcrafted gifts from local artists and crafters. From jewelry to candles, there’s something for everyone on your list! Gift Wrapping Station: Let us help you finish off your gift! For a modest donation, we’ll wrap your gifts. Photos with The Grinch: Capture the holiday spirit with a fun photo op! Art Activities: Get creative with a hands-on art activity for all ages. We will have a printmaking activity and craft for kids! Don’t miss out on this festive celebration of art and community!
Sip & Shop
Brookhaven Golf Course, 333 Alpine Meadows Rd. |10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Town of Greenfield will hold a “Sip & Shop” event. The new holiday bazaar will combine a winter market and a holiday social opportunity that is free to the public. The event will benefit the Greenfield Elementary School Home School Association, its parent teacher group.
24th Annual Holiday Artisan Market
Brookside Museum, located at 21 Fairground Ave., Ballston Spa | Join us this holiday season for the 24th annual Holiday Artisan Market featuring only handmade/ hand crafted products created by local artisans. Items include soaps, lotions, ornaments, jewelry, syrups, scarves, ceramics, hats and much more! Not only is the market perfect for your holiday shopping needs, it is also an investment in our community. All the proceeds from this year’s market will go to local artisans and the Saratoga County History Center, helping to both ensure the continuation of artisan work and the preservation of history in Saratoga County. 2024 Artisan Market Open Hours: Tuesdays – Thursdays, 12 p.m. – 4.p.m., Fridays 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, November 30 to Tuesday December 24.
Sunday,
December 1
2024 Winter Photography & Hiking Series
SPAC Parking Lot, Section A, Route 50, Saratoga Springs | 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Led by Saratoga nature photographer Louis Valenti. This series of photo hikes is open to beginner photographers and will explore the uniqueness and beauty of the Geyser Creek trail. The Photo Hikes will be held every Sunday through December 22, 2024. Each hike will provide photographic opportunities and will introduce participants to key fundamentals of photographing nature. Please come prepared for a 1.4-mile hike including appropriate clothing, footwear, camera or iPhone. This series of photo hikes is free. Reservations required. Contact Louis Valenti at 518-438-1141 or email LouisValentiPhotography@gmail.com.
Annual Memorial Service
Saratoga-Wilton B.P.O.Elks # 161, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs | 1 p.m. The ceremony will honor fourteen members that have died this past year and is open to the public. All are invited to attend and following the ceremony, a light social will be hosted in the lounge. No reservations are necessary. Further information can be obtained by calling Memorial Chairman, Mark Phillips at 518-584-7464.
Monday, December 2
Galway Preservation Society Meeting
Galway Town Hall, 5910 Sacandaga Road, Galway | Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Program starts at 7 p.m. which will focus on sharing memories and stories of winter activities and holidays of yesteryear. Our programs are always open to the public, free of charge. If you choose, annual family or household memberships are available for $10 per year. Please join us for our December meeting!
Tuesday, December 3
Chestwood: 150 Years of History & Preservation
Zoom Presentation, Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation | 7 p.m. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the storied Second Empire residence at 432 Grand Avenue. This program will feature an introduction by local historian Carol Godette, followed by a presentation from homeowners, Kristi Krulcik and Marco Anichini. Kristi and Marco will share fascinating stories about the past residents, the Slade and Snyder families; information about the architect – Gilbert Bostwick Croff; highlight architectural features and discuss their passion for preservation. Suggested donation of $10 or more. To register, please visit www.saratogapreservation.org or call 518-587-5030. All registrants will receive a Zoom link in advance, as well as access to the program recording.
Wednesday, December 4
ZOOM: Virtual Author Talk with Dr. Jeffrey Post
Clifton Park Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Rd., Clifton Park | 2 p.m. Dr. Jeffrey E. Post, emeritus curator of the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection, will talk about The Smithsonian National Gem Collection Unearthed: Surprising Stories Behind the Jewels, which explores the scandals, mysteries, and human stories behind the world’s greatest gems, including the Hope Diamond, Star of Asia Sapphire, Carmen Lucia Ruby, Hooker Emerald, and Blue Heart Diamond. Registration required. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org
Poetry Reading
Caffè Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs | 7 p.m. Caffè Lena will present a poetry reading by Effy Redman. An open mic poetry reading will follow. Doors open for sign-ups at 6:30 p.m. The host for the event will be Carol Graser and the cost is $5 general, free for students. The featured reading will also be livestreamed. You can find a link for the livestream at caffelena.org. 518-583-0022.
Chicken & Sausage Riggies Dinner
Saratoga Wilton Elks, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs | 4:30 – 6 p.m. For curbside pickup only. Call Monday and Tuesday between 10 a.m. and noon to place an order at 518-584-2585. Menu: Chicken, sausage, diced tomatoes in a pink sauce over penne pasta. Dinner for $15 (cash only).
Pickin’s Session
Milton Community Center, 310 Northline Rd. Ballston Spa | 6:30 – 9 p.m. Open to the public, free admission and ample free parking. Doors open 6 p.m. All acoustic musicians who enjoy playing country/western, folk, gospel and bluegrass are welcome to participate. If you don’t play, become part of the audience and enjoy the music. Bring a snack to share. Beverages provided. Call 518-885-4229 with questions.
Thursday, December 5
38th Annual Victoria Streetwalk
Downtown Saratoga Springs | 6 – 9 p.m. The Victorian Streetwalk is the Downtown Business Association’s way of welcoming the Holiday Season with a Christmas Tree Lighting followed by live music and other festivities throughout downtown. The tree lighting ceremony will take place in front of Putnam Market at 6 p.m., Santa & Mrs. Claus will be at the cottage. The Festival of Trees will be inside at the Saratoga Springs City Center ($5 admission for Victorian Streetwalk evening).