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Author: Saratoga TODAY

The 39th Annual Victorian Streetwalk

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Local Briefs.

December 4th

Come Downtown & experience why Saratoga Springs was voted… 

#1 Most Festive Christmas Town in the USA!

Saratoga Portrait Studio

As dusk falls, downtown Saratoga Springs transforms into an enchanting winter scene for the 39th Annual Victorian Streetwalk. 

On the evening of Thursday, December 4, from 6 to 9 p.m., Broadway becomes a pedestrian-only holiday promenade.

∅ PLEASE NOTE: Broadway will be closed to traffic from 5–9 p.m. between Broadway at the Saratoga Springs City Center through Washington Street heading South. 

The evening begins with a festive Tree-Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. in front of Putnam Market,
preceded by Santa & Mrs. Claus’ arrival with a… 

Trolley Parade accompanied by the Saratoga Springs Police Department, Saratoga Springs High School Cheerleaders, The Dance Lab performers and more! 

Then the magic unfolds…

Nearly Two Dozen Entertainment Sites along Broadway feature live music, choral performances, dance showcases, carolers in Victorian dress, and wandering street entertainers. Highlights include the Road Soda Pop band (at the Washington Street Stage), Lennox performing at Santa’s Cottage and the Abundant Life Church just outside City Center. Additional acts: Racing City Chorus inside the Adirondack Trust Co., St. Paul Lutheran Church Choir on the City Hall steps, John & Orion Kribs on Celtic Treasures, Tumblin’ Gap Trio and more. 

Storefronts become stages too—look for Ballerinas by Saratoga City Ballet in the windows of Caroline and Main, Piper, Petal + Hive, Gilded and Encounter; and a showcase by the Saratoga Springs Youth Ballet at Lex & Cleo. 

Other experiences include Photos at Santa’s Cottage beside the tree (cottage open hours listed online), Festive Food and Treats (kettle-corn, hot cocoa, cotton candy), and… the “Festival of Trees” by Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties inside the City Center, Face-Painting, Balloon Artists, Crafts, Photos with Noel the Peppermint Pig at Saratoga Candy Co. and a cheerful Toys for Toga Toy-Drive Table in front of G. Willikers.

Revelers watch live ballerinas in the window of Violet’s during the 38th Victorian Streetwalk hosted by the Downtown Business Association on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Saratoga, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union)

Please check back to our website as details are updated daily!  

www.SaratogaSpringsDowntown/Victorianstreetwalk

Major Supporters & Sponsors:

This event is brought to life by the generous support of the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association and a strong roster of sponsors, including:

Santa Sponsor: 4 Pillar Funding 

Gingerbread Sponsors: Adirondack Trust Co.; On Call Plumbing and Heating, and
European Wax Center Saratoga Springs

Additional Supporting Sponsors:
Saratoga Candy Co.; Impressions of Saratoga; Lifestyles of Saratoga, LLC; Caroline & Main; Union Hall Supply Co.; Celtic Treasures; Scallions; G. Willikers Toys; Saratoga Springs City Center; Cudney’s Launderers & Dry Cleaning; Violet’s of Saratoga, Samantha Nass Floral 

In-kind sponsors: D.A. Collins; High Peaks Event Production; Munter Enterprises; Saratoga Springs Police Dept.; Saratoga Springs Dept. of Public Works, NYRA, Saratoga TODAY

November 28 – December 4 , 2025

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Local Briefs.

Upcoming Events

Fall Food Drive

The Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum is hosting a Fall Food Drive to benefit Lifeworks Community Action. As winter approaches, SCHC seeks to support our community by raising funds and gathering food items to support those facing food insecurity. Please join us in generosity this holiday season. Funds can be donated directly to Lifeworks Community Action at their website, https://www.lifeworks.org/. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off during museum hours, Tuesdays-Sundays, from 12-4 p.m. Most needed items include canned fruit and vegetables, pasta, rice, oatmeal, mac and cheese, canned tuna, canned chicken, and peanut butter. Donations will be accepted through January 1, 2026.

Stretch Your Budget Sale

On Friday and Saturday December 5 and 6, the Old Stone Church will hold its Stretch Your Budget sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 159 Stone Church Road (town of Milton) Ballston Spa. New and next to new items will be available for a cash donation.  Some new items will be priced.  For additional information call the church number 518-583-1002.  A parking lot is available behind the church.

Tang Baazar

Held at The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. This event brings student creativity into the marketplace, with more than 50 students selling wares, including art, jewelry, clothing, and pottery. Friday, December 5, 3:30 to 6 p.m. Free to attend and open to the public. While each student vendor will have their own payment system, visitors should expect most students to accept payments via Venmo. Tang publications will also be discounted for in-person sales. The book sale runs Tuesday-Friday, December 2–5; discounts apply to purchases made in the Museum, with no shipping available. For more information, contact the Visitors Services Desk at tang@skidmore.edu or 518-580-8080, or visit the Tang website at https://tang.skidmore.edu.

Holiday Opera “La bohème”

Celebrate the holidays with the original RENT — a story of young artists in love, from first blush to dying breath. This holiday season, Opera Saratoga invites you to be swept away by the romance, laughter, and heartbreak of Puccini’s timeless masterpiece, “La bohème.” In this special staged concert, the Skidmore Chorus and members of the Excelsior Vocal Ensemble joins forces with the most exciting rising stars from the Juilliard School and the Metropolitan Opera to bring to life the unforgettable arias, soaring ensembles, and rich choral moments that have enchanted audiences for generations. Single tickets are on sale now. The concert will be held on December 5 at 7 p.m. at Universal Preservation Hall 

25 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs. Single tickets are on sale now at www.atproctors.org. 

Annual Holiday Market

Join us for our Annual Holiday Market at Balet Flowers & Design on Saturday & Sunday, December 6 and 7. Start your holiday shopping at our festive open house featuring local artisans, tastings from area vendors, snacks, and hot cider. Our holiday arrangements are handmade including wreaths, kissing balls, and boxwood trees. There will be local pottery, jewelry, soaps, gifts, sale items and so much more! Please bring a canned good to donate to a local food pantry. The event will be held in our Flower and Arts Barn as well as in our heated greenhouse. 5065 Nelson Ave Ext, Malta. Call 518-584-8555 or email baletflowers@gmail.com with any questions! We are open every day 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

November 28 – December 4 , 2025

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Calendar.

This Week’s Events: NOV. 28 – DEC 4 

Wednesday, November 26

Santa’s Playland

Quick Response Restoration, 2077 Route 9, Round Lake | 5 – 11 p.m. Open to the public on Wednesdays – Sundays. Toys for Toga will be collecting donations on December 12 and December 13. The event will be open through January 4. Admission is free. Event is drive through only.

Thursday, November 27

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

24TH Annual Christopher Dailey Foundation 5K Saratoga Turkey Trot

Downtown Saratoga Springs, 8:30 a.m. Packet pickup will take place at the Saratoga Hilton on Wednesday November 26 between 4 – 8 p.m.  and Thursday between 6:30 – 8:15 a.m. The course starts at City Hall and finishes on the corner of Route 50 and North Broadway. Learn more and register here: https://www.christopherdaileyfoundation.com/turkey-trot-2022-1. 

Friday, November 28

Holiday Art, Craft & More 

Clifton Park Center Mall, Clifton Park | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Fairs with over 50 amazing vendors attending along with live music. Additional dates: Saturdays December 13, Sunday December 14, Saturday December 20, and Sunday December 21. Free admission. Hosted by Friends & Families Muscular Disorders Foundation. We are also seeking community support for a non-perishable food drive to benefit the local food pantry; please drop off your donations at any of our upcoming events. For more information call or text Mark 585-519-1917.

Art Exhibition – A Brush with Magical Realism 

79 Beekman St., Saratoga Springs | 4 – 8 p.m. Artist Talk 6 p.m. and November 29 and 30 at 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Kelly Jean Smith has created a new series of oil paintings made possible by a 2025 Saratoga Arts Regrant which explores narrative illustration, the singular female image, and the space between joy and sorrow through expressive color and playful composition. Future prints will be made available to benefit Pitney Farm Food Insecurity Program.  

Saturday, November 29

Pet Photos with Santa

Gateway House of Peace, 479 Rowland Street, Ballston Spa | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The event is open to pets, children and families. A $25. donation covers the sitting fee, digital downloading and printing rights. Services are being donated by Ashley Wilbur Photography. Photos will be sent within one week via email. Appointments strongly encouraged.  Walk-ins cash or check only. Register online. Gateway House of Peace is an end-of-life facility for those who have been diagnosed as terminally ill and have less than three months to live and who cannot stay comfortably at home. Twenty-four care is provided at no cost. Gateway receives no insurance reimbursements or public funding and relies on fundraising and community support.

50th Annual Holiday Craft Marketplace

Saratoga Springs City Center, 522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Packed with vendors selling handmade jewelry, specialty food items, and other crafts perfect for holiday gift-giving. In addition to gift shopping, you can bring the kids to visit Santa and enjoy free face painting with the elf volunteers! All proceeds help the Saratoga Center for the Family battle child abuse and neglect in the community. Each year, this nonprofit organization provides more than 3,000 children and families in Saratoga County with the support and counseling they need to cope with the wounds of domestic violence. For more information on the Holiday Craft Marketplace, visit https://saratogacff.org/craft-show.

Winter Wonderland Art Market

Holiday Inn, 232 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. There will be over 50 artists participating in this year’s event. Shop small this holiday season and find one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list, all while supporting local artists and artisans. The market has everything from pottery to jewelry to paintings to candles. There will photo ops with the Grinch and the chance to have your gifts wrapped by Saratoga Arts’ staff. Check out the artists below who will be joining us on the day!

Brookside Museum Holiday Market 

Brookside Museum, 6 Charlton St., Ballston Spa |The Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum is celebrating the 25th year of our annual Artisan Market, which will be open until December 24, 2025. The opening of the market, on Small Business Saturday, will feature holiday music performed by the Ballston Spa High School Orchestra, from 12 – 1:30 p.m. This annual market features exclusively handmade and handcrafted products created by local artisans. Items featured at the market will include soaps, lotions, ornaments, jewelry, syrups, scarves, ceramics, hats, and much, much more! The 2025 hours are: Tuesdays-Thursdays, 12 – 4 p.m.; Fridays 12 -5 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday, November 30

Holiday Concert

Historic First Baptist Church, 45 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs | 2 p.m. As part of our new organ dedication concert series, experience classical and holiday favorites performed by a thrilling Horn Quartet accompanied by Organ. Featuring Gustav Holst’s Chorale from Jupiter from The Planets, G.F. Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah, J.S. Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring and C.M. von Weber’s Overture to Der Freischutz. Holiday favorites include Angels We Have Heard on High, Arranged for Horn Quartet and Organ by Farrell Goehring, Joy to the World and O Come, O Come, Immanuel. Patrice Malatesttinic, Amy Baker, Sam Kennedy and Mallorie Meyer in concert with Organist, Farrell Goehring. Presented without charge to the public.  Donations gratefully accepted toward the Bell Tower Restoration.

Concert – Mozart & More 

Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church | 3 p.m. Saratoga Chamber Players Concert  will feature cellist Ashley Bathgate, violinist Jill Levey and violist David Rose. Tickets can be purchased at the door on the day of the show or visit, saratogachamberplayers.org. 

Monday, December 1

Galway Preservation Society Meeting

Galway Town Hall, 5910 Sacandaga Road, Galway | Doors open at 6:45, followed by this month’s program at 7 p.m. “School Days,” will be presented by Charlene DuBuque, Education Director at the Saratoga County History Center.  Charlene’s talk will highlight Galway’s one-room schoolhouses and their role in rural community life incorporating engaging personal stories. She will trace the evolution of education from colonial times to centralized school districts. 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 some fun and to learn more about our history.

Tuesday, December 2

Virtual Author Talk with Sue Hincenbergs 

Clifton Park Halfmoon Library ZOOM Program | 2 p.m. Buckle up for a wild ride and chat with debut author Sue Hincenbergs to discuss The Retirement Plan, in which the only thing standing between three best friends and a sunny beachfront retirement condo is their husbands. What ensues is a diabolical plan to collect on their spouses’ life insurance policies. Registration required. 518-371-8622. www.cphlibrary.org. 

Catholic Daughters Meeting

Knights of Columbus, 50 Pine Rd. Saratoga Springs | 5 p.m.  Members will gather to pray the Rosary, with refreshments and fellowship to follow. Our business meeting will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.  If you are a practicing Catholic woman interested in joining us please plan to attend. Reminder to members, please bring an unwrapped toy for Christmas toy drive.

Wednesday, December 3

Baked Ham Dinner

Saratoga Wilton Elks Lodge, 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs | 4:30 – 6 p.m. Curbside pickup only. Call Monday or Tuesday between 10 a.m. – Noon to place an order. 518-584-2585. Menu: Baked ham, Au Gratin Potatoes, Vegetable, apple sauce, roll, tossed salad. Dinner $15 (cash only). 

Poetry Reading

Caffè Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs | Doors open for sign-ups at 6:30 p.m. and the readings will start at 7 p.m. Caffè Lena will present a poetry reading by Carol Graser. An open-mic poetry reading will follow. Jeannine Laverty and Austen Halpern-Graser will be hosting. 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.

Pulp City Comedy

The Wood Theater, 207 Glen St, Glens Falls | 7 – 8:30 p.m. Get ready to laugh ‘til you cry as Pulp City Comedy, the Capital Region’s favorite improv group, hits the stage for completely unscripted, high-energy comedy!  No scripts. No safety net. Just fast, funny, fearless improv from a dynamic cast that includes seasoned performers, stand-up comics, musicians, artists, and actors—some trained for years, others freshly minted in the art of the unexpected. Together, they create something totally unique each and every night. Visit, https://www.pulpcitycomedy.com/upcomingshows for full details, updates, and ticket links.

Thursday, December 4

39th Annual Saratoga Springs Victorian Streetwalk

Downtown Saratoga Springs | 6 – 9 p.m. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. with our traditional tree lighting ceremony, which will be especially heartwarming this year. The Saratoga Springs Cheerleaders and dancers from The Dance Lab will bring in Santa with a parade of holiday spirit! We are honored to have children from Make-A-Wish and their families join us to help light the tree, illuminating the holiday spirit and bringing joy to this festive season. Following the lighting, children will have the opportunity to visit Santa in his Cottage! Enjoy over 25 sites with free entertainment, music and sights to see. Celebrate until 9 p.m. throughout downtown Saratoga Springs and experience why we are proud to be the #1 Most Festive Christmas Town in the USA. Please visit www.saratogaspringsdowntown.com for more details.

New Principal for Schuylerville High

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

Schuylerville High School is once again searching for a new principal after Mark Brooks resigned effective Dec. 1. 

The announcement was made by Superintendent Dr. Ryan Sherman on Nov. 24. The announcement said that Brooks was resigning for “personal reasons.” 

“I understand this news is unexpected but can assure you that the high school building and district will continue to run seamlessly during this time of transition,” Dr. Sherman said. “We wish Mr. Brooks the best moving forward.” 

In his place, Dr. Sherman said Mark Doody will serve as interim high school principal. Doody was the Hudson Falls Central School District Superintendent for 13 years and retired from the district in 2015. Since retirement, Doody has served in various interim roles throughout the state. 

Brooks’ hiring was approved by the school board in May 2025 to replace longtime principal James Ducharme who left Schuylerville in July to serve as superintendent for the Cambridge Central School District. Brooks’ first day at Schuylerville High School was July 1. 

Senior Ethan Passage earns Eagle Scout, highest honor in Boy Scouts of America achievement

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Education.

A milestone more than a decade in the making, Schuylerville High School senior Ethan Passage earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement in the Boy Scouts of America and an honor attained by only a small percentage of all Scouts nationwide. For Passage, the journey began in first grade as a young Cub Scout. 

By fifth grade, he had advanced into Boy Scouts, where he began working steadily toward merit badges, leadership milestones, and the ultimate goal he set for himself early on: Eagle Scout.

“It’s been seven years of hard work,” said Passage. “Being able to finish what I started means everything to me,” Passage said. “I gained a lot of friendships, and it was really about the people around me who helped me get there.”

To earn Eagle Scout, candidates must complete a capstone service project that demonstrates leadership, project management, community engagement, and perseverance. Passage knew he wanted his project to connect with his long-standing interest in animals, the environment, and public health. The inspiration struck during horseback rides along the Saratoga Siege Trail, a flat, half-mile walking trail that runs beside Fish Creek and connects Route 4 and Evans Street.

“I was riding the trail on my horses and getting eaten alive by mosquitoes,” Passage said. “It made me think—maybe there’s a way to help both the trail and the environment.”

Passage’s answer was bat houses, also the title of his project. He says New York’s bat population has been struggling in recent years, and lower numbers contribute to increased mosquito activity. Passage realized that providing safe nesting spaces could help support the bat population while also making the trail more enjoyable for residents and visitors. He proposed, planned, organized, and led the installation of 15 bat houses along the Saratoga Siege Trail.

Passage secured funding from donations—including contributions from his grandparents and mother—and used tools his family already had in their garage. The Village of Victory also played a key role, offering support as the project aligned with the village’s ongoing restoration efforts on the trail.

“It makes me very proud,” he said. “Seeing this project get done is definitely rewarding. When I walk down the trail and see the bat houses, I say to myself, ‘Wow, I did that!’”

Passage’s successful board of review is now complete and he is expected to be officially awarded the Eagle Scout rank by the beginning of the next calendar year. After graduating from Schuylerville, he plans to pursue a pre-veterinary bachelor of science degree, with the long-term goal of working in emergency veterinary care. 

Saratoga Day Spa Gets New Owners

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


The Saratoga Day Spa—located at 376 Broadway, Suite 21 in downtown Saratoga Springs—recently celebrated its new ownership at a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. The business is now owned by Kierra Bertrand, who “aims to provide high-quality, reasonably priced services that help clients look and feel their best,” the chamber said. The racetrack-themed Saratoga Day Spa was first founded in 2016. Photo provided by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

Ballston Spa National Bank Adds New VP

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

Photo of Matt Becker provided.

BALLSTON SPA — Christopher R. Dowd, president and CEO of Ballston Spa National Bank (BSNB) recently announced that Matt Becker has joined the bank as its new vice president, wealth management solutions officer.

In his new role, Becker will focus on delivering personalized financial solutions to clients with an emphasis on investment management, estate planning, tax strategies, and comprehensive wealth preservation. He will also help to ensure that BSNB’s wealth management offerings meet the diverse needs of individuals and families across the region by engaging with the community, participating in local events, and forging new partnerships.

Prior to joining BSNB, Becker spent nearly a decade at Arrow Bank, most recently serving as an assistant vice president of retirement programs and plan administration.

“Matt understands that wealth management is about more than numbers – it’s about helping clients achieve what matters most to them,” said Jeff Goliber, vice president, director of wealth management solutions at BSNB. “His depth of experience in retirement planning and his collaborative approach will enhance our ability to provide thoughtful, personalized financial strategies for every stage of life.”

Ballston Spa National Bank is a community bank headquartered in Ballston Spa.

Wine and Spirits Shop Celebrates Grand Re-Opening

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


Jones & 50 Wine and Spirits celebrated its grand re-opening under new ownership with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 21 hosted by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. The store is located at 4208 NY-50 in Saratoga Springs. Photo provided by the chamber.

Albany Airport Adding New Nonstop Flights to Fort Lauderdale

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

ALBANY — A new route between the Albany International Airport (ALB) and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) will begin on Feb. 13, 2026, Allegiant Air announced last week.

“Seven years after Allegiant first launched service at Albany International Airport, we’re proud to see this partnership continue to grow,” said Peter Stuto, Albany International Airport CEO. “The new Fort Lauderdale route gives Capital Region travelers another exciting destination, especially as so many residents look to fly south during the winter and spring. We’re grateful for Allegiant’s continued commitment to ALB as we work together to expand even more in the years ahead.”

Saratoga Breakfast Joint Named New York’s “Top Hole in the Wall”

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.


Compton’s Restaurant at 457 Broadway in Saratoga Springs. 
Photo by Jonathon Norcross.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — To paraphrase the 1942 film “Casablanca,” of all the breakfast joints in all the towns in all New York State, they picked ours.

Compton’s Restaurant, a popular spot on Broadway that serves classic American breakfast and diner fare, was recently named New York’s top “hole in the wall” by The Daily Meal, a food and drink website founded by the former CEO of Forbes.com.

“Locals and travelers alike all know about Compton’s, especially those who love the track or traveling to the area for a SPAC concert,” The Daily Meal’s Jenn Carnevale wrote. “This unassuming spot on the main drag pulls people from all over for a solid breakfast every day. Award-winning and no fuss, this is your next favorite breakfast spot.”

Compton’s, which first opened in 1984, is perhaps best known for its speedy food delivery and hearty pancakes.