MECHANICVILLE — Nothing warms the heart during the holidays quite like pets and Santa.
On Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Car Shoppe Malta will host its second annual Santa Paws event. All are welcome to bring their pets for a photoshoot with Saint Nick. The $5 fee for the experience will be donated to the Saratoga Springs-based H.O.P.E animal shelter.
The Car Shoppe Malta is located at 2215 US-9 in Mechanicville. For more information about H.O.P.E., visit hopeanimalrescue.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Support local artists this holiday season by purchasing unique gifts at Saratoga Arts’ makers’ market. The event will take place throughout the Saratoga Arts building, 320 Broadway, from Dec. 8 -10.
Event schedule:
Friday, Dec. 8, 4-8 p.m.: Live music from Cosby Gibson and Tom Staudle, tastings from Nine Pin, Ledge Rock Winery, and Walt Whitman Brewery, and an appearance by the Grinch.
Saturday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: A family-fun day. Kids activities from mural painting, warm beverages, and tasty treats. An appearance by the Grinch.
Sunday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: A family fun day. Kids activities from mural painting to printmaking, warm beverages, and tasty treats.
Saratoga Springs — The 37th Victorian Streetwalk presented by the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association held it’s annual event Thursday, Nov. 30. Broadway was closed off to celebrate this festive time of year with the city’s tree lighting ceremony, Victorian costumes, carolers, a visit from Santa, The Saratoga Festival of Trees held at the City Center, live musical performances and more.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —130 Thanksgiving food baskets were made for local families during this year’s Operation Turkey initiative. Culinary students from the F. Donald Myers Education Center, as well as members of the Saratoga Wilton Kiwanis Club, prepared the meals. The baskets were then delivered to families in need, seniors, shut-ins, and area shelters, according to the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex Board of Cooperative Educational Services (WSWHE BOCES).
“Our program has had a long tradition of supporting the community through this effort,” said Chef Celeste David in a statement. “Helping address food insecurity is an important issue for our students since they are training to work in the hospitality industry.”
WILTON — On Friday, Dec. 6 The Town of Wilton will host their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Gavin Park at 6 p.m. Take pictures with Rudolph, Frosty, and Santa’s Elves as they roam the park. The lighting of the tree will take place at approximately 6:15 p.m. and at 6:30 Santa arrives. Say hello to Santa and get your picture taken with him. Coffee, hot chocolate, cookies and treats will be provided.
Gavin Park is located at 10 Lewis Dr., Saratoga Springs.
Santa’s Magical Express will operate Nov. 24 – Dec. 23.
ALBANY — The 12th season of Santa’s Magical Express, which opens to the public Nov. 24, announced Yankee Trails.
Those ready for holiday cheer will have an opportunity to help retrieve Santa’s hat from Jack Frost – and save Christmas! Along the way, children can write a letter to Santa, meet beloved characters like Frosty, Mrs. Claus, Ebenezer Scrooge, Sprinkle, Twinkle, & Santa’s Head Elf, Winky, with special appearances from Senator Schumer, Albany Mayor Sheehan, Lindsay Lohan, Darth Vader, and others.
Santa’s Magical Express runs through Dec. 23. The 100-minute shows are every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night with tickets available for varying times between 3 and 5 p.m. until 7:40 p.m. A full list of showtimes and tickets may be referenced online. Tickets range from $24 to $49 with select showtimes eligible for discounted tickets.
Back after popular demand, is the Live-On Tour version of Santa’s Magical Express that is just 60 minutes, designed for some of Santa’s younger elves. This show will perform two matinees on Dec. 9 and 16 at noon and 2 p.m. and departs from Crossgates Mall. Tickets for the Live-On Tour Santa’s Magical Express are $24 per person and also have discounts available.
For more information about Santa’s Magical Express, visit santasmagicalexpress.com.
BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum announced the annual Artisan Market will be opening on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25 and will run through Saturday, Dec. 24.
The 23rd annual market features only handmade/hand crafted products created by local artisans. Items include: soaps, lotions, ornaments, jewelry, syrups, scarves, ceramics, hats and more.
The Artisan Market is held at SCHC @ Brookside Museum, 21 Fairground Ave., Ballston Spa.
The 2023 hours are: Tuesday-Thursdays, 1–5 p.m.; Friday, Noon–5 p.m., and Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Fire truck, 2022 Ballston Spa Holiday Parade. Photo provided.
BALLSTON SPA — The Village of Ballston Spa plays host to the annual Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec. 1 on Milton Avenue.
A hometown-style tradition, this December favorite typically draws hundreds of spectators to Ballston Spa to watch the brightly decorated floats, fire trucks and community groups parading through the village.
The parade steps-off at 6:30 p.m. on the north side of Milton Avenue and proceeds to West High Street. Following the parade, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will arrive on the back of an Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company truck to light the tree in Wiswall Park.
The event is free to spectators. To learn more about the Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting, visit www.ballson.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A new outdoor market event – “The NightmarKeT before XMAS,” will be staged 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Saratoga Springs Arts District.
The outdoor evening market with a Tim Burton vibe will feature 13 vendors set up between 30 and 38 Beekman Street selling a variety of handmade goods including oddities, ceramics, paintings, jewelry, accessories, hand knitted items, baked goods and more.
The intent, says event organizer Jessica Boshek, owner of The Dark Gem Shoppe, is to help local artists have an inexpensive venue to sell their handmade items while bringing more awareness to the artists on Beekman Street and the other small businesses on the west side of Saratoga Springs.
The galleries, gift shops, and restaurants along Beekman Street will be open during the event.
Washington County Fairgrounds “Holiday Lighted Nights” returns Nov. 24.
GREENWICH — Opening Day of the Washington County Fairgrounds “Holiday Lighted Nights” takes place Friday, Nov. 24 and will run select nights through Dec. 30.
The drive-thorugh holiday tradition includes giant, lighted displays featuring holiday favorites as well as community-created displays over a mile-and-a-half journey.
Tickets are $25 per carload. The event is staged at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Greenwich. For specific dates, times and other information, go to: washingtoncountyfair.com.
