All Over Albany

Capital Region holiday events 2018

Thanksgiving is already past us, December starts later this week, the Capital Region's schedule of holiday-themed events is now full of tree lightings, Victorian strolls, Nutcrackers, concerts, displays, screenings of Christmas movies, and a bunch of other holiday this and that.

And here's a very large list of that stuff...

This isn't a comprehensive list. If there's something you think should be listed, please share in the comments.

Looking for local holiday markets? We also have a list of those, too

Ongoing through January 2: Capital Holiday Lights in Washington Park
The annual drive-through lights display in the park. $20 per car

November 27-December 23: Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley at The Rep
Based on the characters from Pride and Prejudice. "In this charmingly imagined sequel to Jane Austen's masterwork, the ever-dependable Mary Bennet is growing tired of her role as dutiful middle sister in the face of her siblings' romantic escapades. When the family visits for Christmas, an unexpected guest sparks Mary's hopes for independence, an intellectual match -- and possibly even love?" various times -- $22 and up

November 28-December 2: Saratoga Festival of Trees
The Saratoga City Center hosts the annual Festival of Trees, a weekend of holiday crafts, visits with Santa, and hundreds of decorated Christmas trees. various times -- $8 adults / $5 seniors / $3 children over 10 / children under 10 free

November 29: Saratoga Springs Victorian Streetwalk
Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs will be closed for food, entertainment and all sorts of holiday stuff. The tree lighting is at 6 pm. 5-10 pm -- free admission

November 29-December 2: Holiday Greens Show at the Hart Cluett House
The 62nd annual Holiday Greens Show, organized by the Van Rensselaer Garden Club and the Rensselaer County Historical Society, is at the Hart-Cluett House in downtown Troy. It's a holiday display of decorations that incorporate "fresh evergreen trees, greens and flowers to create an interactive experience that warms hearts, brightens eyes and fills the air with the fresh aromas of winter woods." (Thursday is the free community night from 5-8 pm.) various times -- various prices

November 29-December 13: The Snow Queen at the Sage Theater Institute
"Based on the beloved Hans Christian Anderson story, kids of all ages will be delighted by The Snow Queen, a heartwarming musical tale of friendship, love, and coming of age." various times -- $15

November 30: City of Albany Holiday Tree Lighting
Holiday tree lighting in Academy Park and open house in the city hall rotunda. 5:30 -- free

December 1: Hudson Winter Walk
"Winter Walk lights up the early December night once more with stunning storefront displays, roaming carolers, Mr. Claus, street performers, and a magical firework display from the Hudson River. " 5-8 pm -- free admission

December 1-2: Northeast Ballet The Nutcracker at Proctors
Annual performance. December 1 at 7 pm / December 2 at 2 pm -- $20 and up

December 1: The Klezmatics: Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous Hanukkah at Troy Music Hall
"Woody Guthrie, father of American folk music, writer of "This Land Is Your Land," also wrote Hanukkah songs!" 7:30 pm - $29 and up

December 2: Troy Victorian Stroll
All sorts of holiday whatnot in downtown Troy, including music, food, decorated store windows, and people in costume. 11 am-5 pm -- free admission

December 2: Holiday tree lighting at the Empire State Plaza
Music, ice skating, fireworks, the lighting of a really big tree. The Taste NY Holiday Market is also that day at the State Museum (11 am-4:30 pm). And the Great Train Extravaganza is in the ESP Convention Center from 10 am-4 pm ($7 / 12 and under free). plaza events start at 1 pm / fireworks at 5:30 pm -- free admission

December 2: Albany Symphony Magic of Christmas at The Palace
Popular annual Christmas show. 3 pm -- $28 and up / $14 and up kids

December 3: Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Holiday Pops at Proctors
"Capturing the magic of the Christmas season and the winter charms of New England, the Boston Pops will perform their signature Sleigh Ride, as well as other Holiday classics, and new arrangements of seasonal favorites." 7:30 pm -- $25 and up

December 4: The Messiah at The Cathedral of All Saints
The 147th year of the performance by The Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys. 7 pm -- $30 / $25 seniors / $15 students / $10 under 12

December 5: Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker at The Palace
"Presenting world class Russian artists, hand-painted sets, Russian Snow Maidens, and jubilant Nesting Dolls - Great Russian Nutcracker brings the Christmas spirit to life for all ages." 7 pm -- $31 and up

December 5-9: Dr. Seuss' How The?Grinch?Stole Christmas! The Musical? at Proctors
"[T]he record-setting Broadway holiday sensation which features the hit songs 'You're A Mean One Mr.?Grinch' and 'Welcome Christmas' from the original animated special." various times -- $20 and up

December 6: Bill Kirchen's Honky Tonk Holiday at The Hangar
"Let Grammy nominated 'Titan of the telecaster' Bill Kirchen add some honky-tonk to your holidays!" 8 pm -- $20

December 7: Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting
Holiday parade down Milton Avenue to Wiswall Park on Front Street. Tree lighting, Santa, carolers, open shops. 6:30 pm -- free

December 7-9: Sharon Springs Victorian Holiday Celebration
"Kissing beneath the mistletoe, Santa Claus or St. Nick, exchanging gifts, caroling, all wonderful traditions embraced by the Victorian Era, are some of our best loved traditions. " various times -- free admission

December 7: The Gibson Brothers North Country Christmas at Proctors
"The Gibson Brothers North Country Christmas Shows have become a tradition in their hometown. This year they are taking this show on the road bringing family and friends along to celebrate the holidays with you." 7:30 pm -- $40

December 8: Downtown Schenectady's City Hall-iday
Holiday-themed activities at City Hall, free pictures with Santa. noon-4 pm -- free admission

December 8: Chatham Winterfest
Holiday sales at village shops, activities for kids, live music. 10 am-4 pm -- free admission

December 8-9: Albany Berkshire Ballet performance of The Nutcracker at The Egg
42nd year year. December 8 at 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm, December 9 at 1 pm -- $41 / $26 kids

December 8: In Praise of Christmas at Old Songs
"A program of songs and carols from England, Wales, and Spain, all in English translations. " 7:30 pm -- $25 / $12 ages 13-18 / $5 ages 12 and under

December 8: Cirque Musica Holiday presents Wonderland at The Palace
"[A] concert and visual experience where audiences will journey into a world of high-flying adventure with amazing acrobats, aerialists, hilarious hijinks and holiday cheer that is Wonderland." 7:30 pm -- $45 and up / $15 kids

December 8: Turning of the Year: A Celtic Holiday Mini-Fest at Proctors
"[A]n intergenerational extravaganza of traditional Irish button accordion, Scottish & Cape Breton fiddle, guitars, mandolin and harmony singing!" An Eighth Step show. 7:30 pm -- $26 and up

December 9: Historic Albany Foundation Holiday House Tour
"The tour highlights some of the very best Albany residential architecture, seasonal decor, and ongoing preservation efforts. This year's tour will feature the homes of the Pine Hills and Manning Boulevard neighborhoods!" noon-4 pm - $25 December 3 / $30 after

December 9: Albany Pro Musica The Many Moods of Christmas at Troy Music Hall
"[T]his year's program will feature the sounds of Christmas from across the globe as well as traditional holiday favorites, including Tchaikovsky's classic The Nutcracker and The Many Moods of Christmas Suite IV by Robert Shaw and Robert Russell Bennett." 3 pm - $25 and up

December 10: The Muppet Christmas Carol at The Palace
With Michael Caine as Scrooge. 7 pm -- $5

December 12-16: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Classic Theater Guild production in Proctors performance space. various times -- $20 / $16 students, seniors, military

December 13-16: Melodies of Christmas at Proctors
Annual holiday concerts featuring the Empire State Youth Orchestra and Youth Chorale. various times -- $25 and up

December 14: Mendelssohn Club Holiday Concert at The Egg
Now in its 110th season. 7:30 pm -- $22

December 14: Mountain Snow Orchestra at The Egg
"Kevin McKrell, Brian Melick, John Kirk & Trish Miller have been bringing Christmas cheer to audiences for years as the 'orchestra' for the annual Mountain Snow Mistletoe Show and return for a down home evening of holiday music, merriment and mischief." 8 pm -- $25

December 14: Jewel's Handmade Holiday Tour at The Palace
"[P]erforming Holiday classics, Holiday originals and classic Jewel songs." 8 pm -- $39.50 and up

December 15: Santa Speedo Sprint
People dashing down Lark Street in scant, holiday-themed attire. For charity. sprint starts at 2 pm at Lark and Madison -- registration is $25 to run

December 15: North Central Holiday Justice and Peace Celebration at Sanctuary for Independent Media
"We'll have free portraits, arts activities, music by Derrick Horton & The Jay Street Band plus Uncle Mac!, free food from Unity House, Troy Bike Rescue bike give-away, tours of our new NATURE Lab gallery, on-demand typewriter poetry, the lighting of the tree at Freedom Square (at the corner of 101st and 5th/6th Avenue), and more!!" noon-5 pm -- sliding scale contribution

December 15-16: Scrooge in Rouge at The Linda
"Confetti Stage continues its tradition of holiday shows at the Linda Performing Arts Studio with Scrooge in Rouge ... There's no solace this winter solstice for The Royal Music Hall Twenty-Member Variety Players, who have been reduced to three after an unfortunate case of food poisoning afflicts the cast. Can the remaining members still manage to pull off a musical production of Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol on short notice? Christmas miracles and fashion nightmares collide in this gaudy, bawdy music hall comedy where the holiday blues don't stand a ghost of a chance!" 7:30 pm each night -- $15 / $10 students

December 15-16: Holiday Folk Show at Caffe Lena
"The time when festive folks across the region come to Caffe Lena to enjoy a sweet, sentimental and silly celebration of the season complete with swanky décor, audience participation, and loads of lovely songs." December 15 at 8 pm, December 16 at 3 pm -- $20 / $10 kids and students

December 15-16: Everett Bradley's Holidelic at Helsinki Hudson
"[T]he holiday-funk spectacular Holidelic features original holiday songs as well as loose, funk-infused adaptations of Tchaikovsky, "Frosty the Snowman," "Little Drummer Boy" and the like." December 15 at 9 pm, December 16 at 8 pm -- $25

December 16: Albany Gay Men's Chorus: "Everything Possible"
Annual chorus concert of holiday music, this year at the at the First Lutheran Church in Albany (181 Western Ave). 4 pm -- $15

December 16: President's Holiday Concert at EMPAC
Annual RPI holiday concert in EMPAC's concert hall. 3 pm -- free (registration requested)

December 17: Bad Santa at The Palace
The 2003 film starring Billy Bob Thornton. 7 pm -- $5

December 18: Cherish the Ladies Celtic Christmas at Troy Music Hall
Celtic version of Christmas songs. 7:30 pm - $29.50 and up

December 19: It's a Wonderful Life: Live from WVL Radio at Proctors
"It's Christmas Eve in 1945, and only a handful of WVL Radio's actors have braved the blizzard to perform that evening's broadcast of It's a Wonderful Life and keep the station afloat. This clever stage adaptation breathes new life into the poignant story of George Bailey and Bedford Falls." 7:30 pm -- $35

December 21: It's a Wonderful Life at The Palace
A screening of the classic film in the old movie palace. 7 pm - $5

December 21: Saratoga City Ballet The Nutcracker at The Egg
25th anniversary production 7:30 pm -- $28 / $20 students and seniors / free ages 5 and under

December 28: The Naughty List: Stage Readings at Proctors
"On Christmas Eve in 1934, a hard-hearted nightclub chanteuse rekindles her Christmas spirit when she rescues Santa Claus from the clutches of a dastardly, scheming toy maker who is bent on becoming the New King of Christmas!" 2 pm and 7 pm -- $11

December 31-January 1: Capital Region Kwanzaa celebration
A series of events organized by the Hamilton Hill Arts Center celebrating each theme of Kwanzaa. various times -- free