Your perfect guide to the holidays in Albany is here! Explore the best festive events and attractions. Whether you're a resident or a traveler, our guide helps you explore the holiday magic of Albany.
Popular Events: Kick off the season with the enchanting New York State's Holiday Tree Lighting, where the city gathers to witness the dazzling display of lights illuminating the festive spirit. Then, immerse yourself in the charm of the historic Troy Victorian Stroll, featuring beautifully decorated storefronts and delightful performances. And the Roc Holiday Village Winter Festival is something you definitely don’t want to miss, offering a vibrant blend of seasonal activities and attractions for all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Albany
- New York State's Holiday Tree Lighting
- Schenectady Holiday Parade (Schenectady)
- Troy Victorian Stroll (Troy)
- Roc Holiday Village Winter Festival (Rochester)
- Lake Placid Holiday Festivities (Lake Placid)
- “It’s a Wonderful Life” Festival (Seneca Falls)
- Schenectady Festival of Trees (Schenectady)
- Christmas Land LLC (Altamont)
- Santa's Magical Express (Rensselaer)
See these and even more events listed below!
Albany Holiday Light Displays
New York State's Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Special skating performance and fireworks display.
Description:
The New York State Holiday Tree Lighting at the Empire State Plaza features a special performance by the Hudson Mohawk Figure Skating Club, followed by the official tree lighting ceremony and fireworks. Enjoy free family activities, including holiday-themed arts and crafts, meet and greets with Santa, and live music performances.
Where: Albany | More Info: New York State's Holiday Tree Lighting
Schenectady Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday tree decorations benefiting local non-profit programs.
Description:
The Schenectady Festival of Trees is a holiday celebration featuring over 70 artistically decorated fir trees, showcasing local artists' and businesses' creativity. Visitors can enjoy the festive displays and vote for their favorite trees in various categories.
Where: Schenectady | More Info: Schenectady Festival of Trees
Albany Holiday Markets and Shopping
Roc Holiday Village Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Cozy winter igloos and free ice skating.
Description:
Roc Holiday Village is a festive event in downtown Rochester, NY, featuring visits with Santa, ice skating, a shopping village, food and drink options, and various activities for all ages.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Roc Holiday Village Winter Festival
Albany Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Troy Victorian Stroll
What to Expect:
Historical downtown Troy transformed into a Victorian era setting.
Description:
The Troy Victorian Stroll is a community holiday tradition that transforms historic downtown Troy into a bygone Victorian era, featuring visitors in Victorian dress, live music, boutiques, and children's activities.
Where: Troy | More Info: Troy Victorian Stroll
Santa's Magical Express
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday show with a double-decker trolley ride and magical activities.
Description:
Join Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves on a 100-minute quest to save Christmas. This interactive holiday show includes a double-decker trolley ride, magical hat decorations, and singing and dancing at the North Pole. Enjoy cookies and milk while participating in an interactive motorcoach adventure through town.
Where: Rensselaer | More Info: Santa's Magical Express
Albany Other Holiday Activities
“It’s a Wonderful Life” Festival
What to Expect:
Celebrates the real-life inspiration behind "It's a Wonderful Life" with family activities and cast member appearances.
Description:
The It's a Wonderful Life Festival in Seneca Falls, NY, celebrates the real-life inspiration behind Frank Capra's "Bedford Falls" with family-oriented contests, activities, a 5k run, and special presentations about the film featuring regular appearances by cast members.
Where: Seneca Falls | More Info: “It’s a Wonderful Life” Festival
Christmas Land LLC
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday experience with Santa visits and local artisan shopping.
Description:
Christmas Land LLC is a holiday attraction in Altamont, NY, offering a variety of activities and events for all ages, including horse-drawn sleigh rides, live music, and visits with Santa Claus.
Where: Altamont | More Info: Christmas Land LLC
Schenectady Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Largest nighttime holiday parade in the Northeast.
Description:
The Schenectady Holiday Parade is a nighttime celebration featuring sparkling floats, glittering firetrucks, marching bands, dance troupes, and Santa Claus. It is a community-driven event that brings together local volunteers and organizations to spread holiday cheer.
Where: Schenectady | More Info: Schenectady Holiday Parade
Lake Placid Holiday Festivities
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday events with Santa appearances and a skating party.
Description:
The Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll is a three-day family and couples weekend filled with events like a skating party, photos with Santa, a free movie showing, and a scavenger hunt. The activities take place in the picturesque winter setting of Lake Placid, New York, and include various holiday activities and entertainment.
Where: Lake Placid | More Info: Lake Placid Holiday Festivities
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Corvallis (9 miles)
- Salem (21 miles)
- Keizer (25 miles)
- Woodburn (37 miles)
- McMinnville (40 miles)
- Eugene (40 miles)
- Springfield (41 miles)