Our monthly list of Top 10 Events has been altered to ensure everyone can experience Dutchess’ exciting happenings – both virtual and in-person (while maintaining social distancing to keep everyone safe)!
Saturday, December 5 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Join the Arlington Holiday Festival for a day of shopping local, jolly music, and warm treats! Stop by the Holiday Shopping Village in the old Arthur May school parking lot where vendors will be selling baked goods, arts and crafts, and holiday decor until 4:00 p.m. Then stay for the holiday parade which will be a caravan with decorated floats and vehicles going through Eastdale Village on Route 44 and ending at the Galleria. The caravan will move through the Arlington Business Improvement District by the way of Main Street to Raymond Avenue South onto Route 376. For more information, click here.
Saturday, December 5 - Sunday, December 6 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Drive through Wilcox Park during the Go Light Your World Holiday Illumination Weekend. Enjoy festive displays made by local businesses, fire departments, non-profits, and towns in this open-to-the-public event. For more information, click here. For more spectacular light displays, visit ERDAJT Holiday Christmas Display - with 670,000 lights and 1,770 individually-controlled items to over 250 songs - open through December 27.
Saturday, December 5 at 8:00 p.m.
Watch Grammy-nominated fiddler/guitarist/banjoist Bruce Molsky and internationally acclaimed Franco-American duo The Whispering Tree in this virtual concert from Howland Cultural Center. Watch it live or watch it later (on-demand) when you buy your tickets before the show. Purchase tickets here. The Valley Hour is a live-streamed intimate concert experience created, produced, and hosted by Americana duo Annalyse & Ryan. The show features Hudson Valley musical artists and seeks to support the local music community by providing a high-quality outlet to connect musicians and listeners during COVID-19 and beyond.
Sunday, December 6 through Sunday, December 20
Hop in your car and ride around Hyde Park to see the Merry and Bright Holiday Displays created by the community and business owners, including the town hall tree all lit up for the festivities! For more information, click here. For more town-wide celebrations join the Lagrange community as they spread holiday cheer during their Drive-Thru Festival of Lights on Saturday, December 12 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 12 from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Whether there's snow on the ground or not, it's always a good time for some winter stories! Join one of Clermont's costumed interpreters as they read a seasonal story in-person or on Facebook Live. This program is free, registration in advance is required. For more information, click here. Looking for more history? Join the 1st Annual Livingston Family Open Mic Night in-person or Facebook Live on December 13 from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., where Clermont interpreters read the words of the people who lived in this house.
Saturday, December 19 at 2:00 p.m.
Join music enthusiasts all around in this free, virtual sing-along hosted by the Bardavon and Hudson Valley Philharmonic. Tune in and watch excerpts from the 2019 performance of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic and Cappella Festiva. Sing along with lyrics on the screen and enjoy commentary by Guest Conductor Christine Howlett. For more information, click here.
Sunday, December 27 at 7:00 p.m.
From the comfort of your own home, watch classical guitarist David Temple’s virtual concert “Seasons of Joy!” In this presentation, there will be both pieces of celebration and reflection. Make yourself a cup of hot cocoa or pour a glass of wine and enjoy. This will be streamed LIVE and ticket holders will receive a private link to the LIVE performance on the night of the show. For more information, click here.
Throughout December
Continue to enjoy the outdoors with a winter hike at Bowdoin Park. With five miles of beautiful trails, Bowdoin is the perfect place to safely enjoy time outside with family and friends. Each weekend in December, the park will ring in the winter season with holiday music amplified from the historic Ellessdie Chapel between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. Come enjoy and celebrate.
9.Sinterklaas!Throughout December
Although this annual spectacle isn’t happening in its usual capacity, you can still experience the magic of Sinterklass in Rhinebeck! Visit Winter Sun Summer Moon and watch a short animated film featuring this year’s honored animal, the frog, displayed in their storefront window. Then hop down to Samuel’s Sweetshop and pick up a bag of frog gummies. Don’t forget to purchase your own Sinterklaas! Star Light Lantern to display in your home! A portion of the proceeds will benefit Rhinebeck Responds, helping other local not-for-profits during COVID-19. Stay tuned for details on virtual ways to participate via their Facebook.
Throughout December
Escape to the outdoors and visit the Winter Wonderland Walk at Kevin McCurdy's Holiday Spirit Festival! This magical holiday journey will take you to see a magical train, meet Freddy the Christmas Bear, through a Gingerbread Village, and all new this year: enjoy a Christmas Canyon with a laser show. This one-of-a-kind Hudson Valley tradition is one worth visiting! For tickets and more information, click here.
