It's the most wonderful time of the year in Albany County! The region shines with holiday magic, bringing joy to children and families throughout the season. Find festive, family-friendly fun throughout December with wintertime traditions, Santa meet-and-greets, shows, movies, performances, tree lightings, and light displays. Keep reading for our ultimate Albany County kid's guide to the holiday season!
Wintertime Traditions in Albany County
Empire State Plaza Ice Rink
Opening day December 6. Open through March. Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 AM to 6 PM. Free.
Skating the day away at Empire State Plaza is a favorite family winter activity in Albany! The free ice rink allows skaters of all skill levels to glide across the ice against a backdrop of the Plaza's iconic landmarks such as The Egg and New York State Capitol. The ice rink is an especially lovely sight during the holidays, with decorations and the Plaza's holiday tree on display. Enjoy refreshments, music, and free activities planned throughout the season.
Downtown Albany Hot Chocolate Stroll
December 7, 11 AM to 3 PM. $25 advance, $30 day-of.
Warm up this season with the Downtown Albany BID's annual Hot Chocolate Stroll! A favorite festive drink for all ages, stroll through downtown Albany and stop by participating businesses to sip on samples of gourmet hot chocolates. Once you're done sampling each hot cocoa, make sure to vote for the best in town!
Great Train Extravaganza
December 8, 10 AM to 4 PM. $10, children 12 and under free.
The Great Train Extravaganza is chugging its way back to the Empire State Plaza Convention Center on December 8! This annual event allows families to fully immerse themselves in the world of model trains with layouts of all sizes. Kids can enjoy the magic of the giant, interactive, LEGO layout.
Christmas Land in Altamont
Saturdays and Sundays, November 30 to December 22. 10 AM to 6 PM
Almost as magical as the North Pole itself, Christmas Land offers holiday cheer for the whole family! Bring Christmas wish lists and take photos with Santa, take a tour on a horse drawn carriage or train ride, marvel at light displays, enjoy tasty Christmas cookies by the fire pit, and craft some Christmas ornaments.
Annual Capital Kwanzaa Celebration
December 26, 4 PM to 8 PM. Free
Join the New York State Museum for their yearly Kwanzaa celebration. Families can explore the African marketplace, enjoy live drumming, and join in activities for all ages including a candle-lighting ceremony and special workshops. All are welcome to bring fruit for the community fruit basket!
New Year's Eve for Kids
December 31, 11 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 4 PM. $15
Ring in the new year at Indian Ladder Farms! This New Year's Eve event is designed for kids to celebrate the start of 2025 with bingo, crafts, s'mores, and more. Enjoy an exciting countdown complete with hats, horns, and sparkling cider.
New Year's Mid-Day Celebration
December 31, 12 PM to 3 PM. Free
Little ones can cheer for New Year's at this mid-day NYE celebration at New York State Museum. Families are invited to take part in crafts and activities to welcome 2025.
Santa's Stops
Write your Letters at the New York State Museum's A Visit from St. Nicholas - A Holiday Reading and Historic Treasure
December 21, 11 AM to 12 PM. Free
Tiny visitors to the New York State Museum can make sure their letters to Santa are sent on time at this festive family event. Join the museum for a special holiday story time, featuring a read-aloud of the beloved "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." Did you know this classic holiday tale was first published right here in the Capital-Saratoga region? To celebrate this piece of local history, the museum will display the original 201-year-old printing of the story from December 20 to December 27. Come celebrate the season, hear and view the beloved holiday story, and stop by the festive letter-writing station before Santa visits your home on the 24th!
Colonie Center Mall
Daily through December 24, times vary. $20 deposit (includes time with Santa and $20 credit towards photo purchases)
Take a break from holiday shopping at Colonie Center and stop by Santa’s Workshop to take a photo. Santa will be visiting every day this season until Christmas Eve, but it is recommended if you visit on the 24th to come early for shorter wait times and to give St. Nick more time to gather all the gifts.
Reserved time-slots are also available on December 15 for a sensory-friendly Santa experience. Additionally, pet photos with Santa are open on December 4 and December 11.
Crossgates Mall
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through December 24, 11 AM to 8 PM. Prices vary.
While perusing Crossgates Mall this holiday season, visit the special guest from the North Pole each weekend through Christmas Eve. Santa will be at Crossgates to hear Christmas wishes and take photos on the lower level across from Apex Entertainment. Plus, with any photo purchase children will receive a special gift from Apex Entertainment and 110 Grill.
Stuyvesant Plaza
Sundays through December 22, 12 PM to 3 PM. $35
Stuyvesant Plaza is one of the merriest places to be each Sunday this holiday season. New this year, reserve your time to pay a visit to Santa in his Holiday Hideaway, a vintage airstream trailer next to The Lawn. Enjoy a private, personalized meet & greet with St. Nick and leave with two photo strips and downloadable images. Santa will be dressed up in his Holiday Hideaway digs, keeping his famous red suit clean for the big day. While at the shopping center for Santa, enjoy some holly jolly activities during their weekly Holiday Strolls.
Stuyvesant Plaza will also host Sensory Santa Sessions on December 8.
Pruyn House
December 7, 10:30 AM to 12 PM. Free
Sinterklaas is stopping by the Holiday Open House at the historic Pruyn House the first weekend in December! Stop by and take pictures with a historically dressed Santa at this event that nods to Albany's Dutch history. Enjoy tasty cookies, hot chocolate, and punch while admiring the historic home's 1800's-inspired festive decor.
Crailo State Historic Site
December 7, 11 AM to 3 PM. Free
Celebrate St. Nicholas Day at Crailo! This holiday brought to the Hudson River Valley from the Dutch was traditionally celebrated on December 6. Festivities at Crailo's celebration include 17th and 18th century treats, crafts, and of course a visit from St. Nicholas himself.
Ten Broeck Mansion
December 21, 11 AM to 12 PM. Free
Known to the Dutch as Sinterklaas, families can enjoy a story hour led by the visitor from the North Pole himself at the historic mansion's Children's Holiday Program. The mansion will also host ornament making for children to take home their own keepsake. Continue the holiday fun with a mansion walk-through tour and free children's activities & kits. Space is limited so make sure to register for the story hour and ornament making ahead of time!
Indian Ladder Farms
Varying dates and times throughout December
Spend some time with Santa during a special brunch at Indian Ladder Farms. Chat with St. Nick, snap some photos, enjoy a delicious brunch buffet, and take a tour of the farm on a holiday hayride. Brunches take place every Saturday in December, but spots are booking up fast so be sure to register soon!
Santa will also be stopping by Indian Ladder Farm’s Howliday Ugly Sweater Party and Contest on Sunday, December 8. Bring your pet in their holiday best, prizes will be given out for different categories and Santa will be onsite to take pictures with your four-legged friend.
Shows & Performances
Performances of the Nutcracker
Take the family on an adventure through an enchanted Christmas dreamland and watch a performance of the classic holiday ballet, The Nutcracker. Multiple dance groups grace the stage with their adaptation of the tale this December.
- Dec. 3: Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet
- Dec. 7: The Nacre Dance Group Presents: The Nutcracker
- Dec. 14 & Dec. 15: Albany Berkshire Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker
- Dec. 19 & Dec. 20: The Grand Kyiv Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker
A Christmas Story: The Musical
December 4 to December 22, weekly excluding Mondays and Tuesdays. Times and prices vary.
Holiday fun awaits at Cohoes Music Hall, a historic music hall operated by Playhouse Stage Company. Families will love the Playhouse Stage Company's nostalgic production of A Christmas Story: The Musical.
Disney on Ice presents Into the Magic
December 5 through December 8, times and prices vary
Fans of Disney, young and old, will want to head to the MVP Arena this December for Disney on Ice. This magical show features world-class skating, dazzling acrobatics, and surprising stunts from beloved Disney characters.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
December 5, 7:30 PM. Prices vary
Visit The Palace for a show-stopping performance of Cirque Dreams Holidaze. Step into a storybook world and watch as holiday characters like penguins, toy soldiers, and reindeer come to life in this larger-than-life show. The awe-inspiring production features aerial circus acts, sleight-of-hand tricks, acrobatics, and more.
All Aboard for a Polar Express Adventure!
December 8, 11 AM to 3 PM. Free
Get ready for a magical holiday event at the New York State Museum! This train-themed day of festive, family fun is chugging into town on December 8. Browse railroad-themed displays from the New York State Library's collections and take part in themed crafts. At the end of the afternoon, find a seat in the Huxley Theater and get ready for a trip to the North Pole during a screening of The Polar Express.
Holiday Movie Series
December 9, December 16, December 20 & December 28. 7 PM (1 PM on the 28th). Free
Keep the kids entertained throughout the month with the Palace Theater's free movie series. Watch Home Alone on December 9, A Christmas Story on December 16, and It's a Wonderful Life on December 20. As a post-Christmas treat, bring the family to a screening of Aladdin on December 28.
Harambee! Songs and Stories for Kwanzaa
December 28, 11 AM to 11:30 AM & 1 PM to 2 PM. Free
Storyteller April Armstrong brings a vibrant celebration of Kwanzaa to the New York State Museum this December. Through music and stories hear uplifting folktales from African, Caribbean, and African American traditions. This holiday event is open to all ages.
Tree Lightings & Light Displays
Magic of Lights
November 22 to January 4, 5:30 PM to 9 PM. Prices vary
Throughout the holiday season, pack your family into your sleigh (or car!) and embark on a journey through this immersive light display. This drive-through experience at the Altamont Fairgrounds features dozens of dazzling festive light displays and digital animations.
2024 City of Albany Tree Lighting
December 5, 5 PM to 7 PM. Free
Albany is all spruced up for the holiday season! Academy Park, located across the street from City Hall, will be aglow with a glittering holiday tree and festive inflatables. Enjoy a holly and jolly tree lighting ceremony with special local performances. Warm up with hot drinks and free refreshments and enjoy some holiday crafts.
Winter Light Walk
Fridays, December 6 to December 20, 6 PM to 8 PM. $10 per person, group discount available.
Join the Pine Hollow Arboretum for their inaugural holiday event. During this magical evening, wonder the Fir Trail which will be whimsically illuminated. The trail leads to a cozy bonfire and s'mores station. Make sure to stop indoors to create a lantern craft and grab some hot cocoa!
City of Watervliet Tree Lighting
December 7, 5 PM to 6:30 PM. Free
Venture to Veterans Memorial Park in Watervliet for their annual holiday tree lighting ceremony! The festivities are complete with Christmas carols, horse drawn carriage rides, a visit from Santa and a souvenir ornament gifted to each family.
City of Cohoes Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 7, 5 PM to 7 PM. Free
The City of Cohoes is making the season bright with their annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. This free event in Silliman Park features music, food, gifts, and a visit from Santa.
New York State Holiday Tree Lighting
December 8, 12 PM to 8 PM. Free
Enjoy a quintessential day of holiday cheer at Empire State Plaza! Festivities include ice skating demos, a rock-and-skate, performances by Tuba Christmas and ice carvings by The Ice Farm. Cornerstone at the Plaza will have a warming area, holiday concessions and photo opportunities with Santa Claus. Once night falls, enjoy the magic of the season with the official ceremony, tree lighting and a spectacular fireworks display.
Lanterns of Wonder: A Magical Lantern Showcase
December 29, 11 AM to 3 PM. Free
Take a fantastical trip back in time at the New York State Museum and enjoy a magic lantern show inspired by the late 1700s. Elliott & Schlemowitz bring Victorian-era entertainment to life using magic lantern glass slides and projectors to tell exciting stories. Children will delight in slide sets that showcase circus performers, astronomy lessons, and fantastic creatures.
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