capital region holiday events

Are you new Heritage Custom Builder homeowner in Saratoga County? If you’re looking for ways to spend the holiday season, you’re in luck. Saratoga County is located in the Capital Region which is home to many exciting holiday events. Whether you like to listen to live Christmas music, take in the scene of holiday lights, or visit new holiday attractions, there are plenty of options nearby. Check out our local’s guide to Capital Region holiday events!

Holiday Attractions

From November 26th, 2021- January 2nd, 2021 you can witness the local favorite animated light display at Albany’s Washington Park. Drive through a holiday light show and stop in for some hot chocolate and a photo with Santa at the very end. Proceeds from this Capital Region holiday event benefit the Albany Police Athletic League.

Christmas Land, LLC is located in Altamont, NY. This Capital Region holiday event runs through the holiday season offering photos with santa, sleigh rides, and a giftshop full of gift ideas for every one on your list this year!

On Friday December 3rd from 6:30-9:30pm, visit the village of Ballston Spa for their annual holiday parade and tree lighting. Admission is free to all. The parade will start on Milton Avenue and end in Wiswall Park on Front Street.

Take a trip to the Washington County Fairgrounds for their drive-thru holiday lighted nights experience. The experience is open from November 26th- December 23rd for the 2021 season.

Starting November 25th, Lake George participates in their annual Capital Region holiday event. The Holiday Festival of Lights offers a beautiful light display with decorated storefronts of businesses that line Canada Street. Check out the event schedule for live events and artisan markets hosted during this time.

Santa’s Magical Express is a Capital Region holiday event hosted by Yankee Trails World Travel. Located in Rensselaer, Santa’s Magical Express is a bus ride, holiday show, and theatrical experience all in one for the entire family!

Explore the galleries of Downtown Schenectady from December 4th to December 23rd and take in the beautiful display of their lighted fir trees! Decorated from classic to kooky Christmas styles. The Festival of Trees is a fundraiser for the Schenectady County Historical Society and the YWCA NorthEastern NY.

Wintertime Wonderland is a Capital Region holiday event that is new to the area this year. Open from November 20th to December 23rd, 2021, Wintertime Wonderland is the Capital Regions largest indoor Christmas event. Visit the Frosty Ice Maze, Gingerbread House, Santa’s Workshop, and more right in Latham, NY!

Holiday Concerts and Recitals

The Adirondack Ballet Theater takes the stage for their 30th anniversary to display a popular Capital Region holiday event, The Nutcracker. Showtimes are December 11 at 1pm and 6pm and December 12 at 1pm at the Charles R. Wood theater.

On Sunday December 5th from 3pm to 5pm take a trip to the Palace Theater in Albany, NY for a musical night celebrating the holidays. The Albany Symphony will showcase their talent singing popular Christmas carols and performing holiday classics!

Albany Pro Musica presents “Many Moods of Christmas” at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on December 19th at 3pm. The show’s intention is to inspire, celebrate, and unite us in the spirit of the season.

Enjoy one of the Capital Region’s holiday events, the Glens Falls annual Holiday Pops concert. December 12th at 4pm at the SUNY Adirondack Auditorium. Enjoy holiday classic favorites with the whole family!

The Northeast Ballet returns for their annual recital of the Nutcracker at Proctor’s theater in Schenectady, NY. Join the Sugar Plum Fairy, the heroic Nutcracker Prince and the evil Rat King in this whimsical celebration of the season.

Join the Saratoga City Ballet for their 27th anniversary production of the Nutcracker on Saturday December 18th at 1pm and 4pm at the Empire State Plaza. Bring the whole family for some holiday fun!

Holiday Shows

Watch a screening of one of the classic holiday movies, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” at the Palace Theater on December 15th at 7:30pm. Then enjoy a live Q & A with Chevy Chase himself! Fun for the whole family at this Capital region holiday event!

Visit the Palace Theater in Albany, NY on December 23rd, for a showing of the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” at 7pm. Get the entire family together to watch and get in the holiday spirit together.

Do you love watching “The Muppets Christmas Carol” around the holidays? On December 20th you can watch a screening of the movie at the Palace Theater in Albany, NY at 7pm. Fun for the entire family!