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Last updated: November 11, 2024

Create your ultimate holiday plan in Albany! Our guide has all the top events and activities for the season. Whether you're deeply rooted in Albany or just branching out, this guide helps your holiday spirit grow.

Popular Events: Experience a mesmerizing blend of music and storytelling with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve," a show that brings a unique twist to holiday classics. For a dose of nostalgia, join Chevy Chase in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," a delightful retelling of a holiday family's misadventures. And the enchanting Grand Kyiv Ballet's "The Snow Queen" is something you definitely don't want to miss. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!

Contact information and details below.

Albany Holiday Light Displays

What to Expect:

Special skating performances and tree lighting ceremony.

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

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What to Expect:

Decorated trees with unique and creative ornaments.

Description:

The Schenectady Festival of Trees is a holiday celebration featuring over 60 decorated trees, including upside-down chandelier trees and eco-art trees, at the Schenectady County Historical Society. Visitors can enjoy a variety of ornaments, toys, and festive displays.

Where: Schenectady | More Info: Schenectady Festival of Trees

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Albany Holiday Markets and Shopping

What to Expect:

Victorian-era themed holiday celebration with live music and shopping.

Description:

The Troy Victorian Stroll is a holiday event that transforms downtown Troy into a Victorian-era setting, featuring live music, shopping discounts, and family-friendly activities.

Where: Troy | More Info: Troy Victorian Stroll

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Albany Holiday Shows and Entertainment

What to Expect:

All-new version of TSO's Christmas trilogy with elaborate light and pyrotechnic displays.

Description:

Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents "The Lost Christmas Eve," an all-new version of their Christmas trilogy, featuring a blend of rock and symphonic elements, complex light shows, and pyrotechnics. The story revolves around a bitter businessman who finds redemption on Christmas Eve through a mysterious girl and his long-lost son.

Where: Albany | More Info: Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve

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What to Expect:

Exclusive Q&A with Chevy Chase about his iconic career.

Description:

Join Chevy Chase for a special screening of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, followed by a live conversation and Q&A session. Hear behind-the-scenes stories and personal anecdotes from the making of this beloved holiday classic, and enjoy hilarious anecdotes from Chevy's Emmy award-winning career.

Where: Albany | More Info: Chevy Chase presents National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

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What to Expect:

World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.

Description:

Grand Kyiv Ballet presents The Snow Queen, a captivating ballet performance featuring intricate sets and elegant costumes, bringing the timeless tale to life with precision and beauty.

Where: Albany | More Info: Grand Kyiv Ballet: The Snow Queen

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What to Expect:

Sherlock Holmes meets Ebenezer Scrooge in a murder mystery comedy.

Description:

Sherlock Holmes and Ebenezer Scrooge team up in a hilarious holiday whodunit filled with intrigue and suspense. When Tiny Tim asks Sherlock to investigate Scrooge's death, the Great Detective must use his tools of deduction to unravel the mystery. The ghosts of past, present, and future help Sherlock save the day and his Christmas spirit.

Where: Albany | More Info: Sherlock Holmes and the Case of Ebenezer Scrooge

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What to Expect:

World-class holiday concert with hometown talent.

Description:

The Albany Symphony Orchestra presents a holiday spectacular featuring Christmas carols and sparkling holiday favorites, conducted by David Alan Miller. This event is a beloved holiday tradition in the Capital Region, celebrating the season with family and friends.

Where: Albany | More Info: Albany Symphony Orchestra: Magic of Christmas

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What to Expect:

World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.

Description:

Celebrate America's favorite Christmas tradition with an international all-star cast blending world-class ballet with whimsical puppets, lavish costumes, and stunning acrobatics. Share the tradition of pure Holiday magic and Tchaikovsky's timeless score with friends and family of all ages.

Where: Albany | More Info: Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet

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What to Expect:

Interactive time with beloved Disney characters.

Description:

Disney on Ice is a touring ice show produced by Feld Entertainment under agreement with the Walt Disney Company. The event features interactive time with beloved Disney fan favorites, including character experiences and immersive audience experiences.

Where: Albany | More Info: Disney on Ice

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What to Expect:

Celebrating women in music and history at a historic mansion.

Description:

Join us for a unique blend of music and history at the Ten Broeck Mansion, where women's history and musical talents come together in a special concert.

Where: Albany | More Info: Music in the Mansion

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What to Expect:

Largest nighttime holiday parade in the Northeast with a variety of festive performances.

Description:

The Schenectady Holiday Parade is a vibrant nighttime event featuring sparkling floats, glittering firetrucks, festive marching bands, and spectacular dancers. It celebrates the holiday season with a diverse array of participants, including local volunteers and veterans.

Where: Schenectady | More Info: Schenectady Holiday Parade

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What to Expect:

Interactive motorcoach adventure to save Christmas.

Description:

Join Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves on a 100-minute adventure to save Christmas from Jack Frost's mischief. Enjoy interactive motorcoach rides, singing and dancing, cookies and milk, and more.

Where: Rensselaer | More Info: Santa's Magical Express

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What to Expect:

Live holiday performances by one of the leading a cappella groups in the world

Description:

A captivating concert where the Grammy-winning a cappella group Pentatonix showcases their holiday classics alongside original compositions. Their rich harmonies and remarkable vocal arrangements create an energetic atmosphere, making it a memorable occasion for fans of all ages. Audiences can expect an engaging performance filled with festive cheer and musical brilliance.

Where: Albany | More Info: Pentatonix: Hallelujah It's a Christmas Tour

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Albany Other Holiday Activities

What to Expect:

Interactive holiday experience with local artisans and community events.

Description:

Christmas Land LLC offers a variety of holiday activities, including horse-drawn sleigh rides, live music, and local author readings, set on a large farm area in Altamont, NY.

Where: Altamont | More Info: Christmas Land LLC

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