Local Places to Celebrate the Holiday Season
Barry Plott via Pexels
From light shows to handmade Christmas decor, the Hudson Valley has no shortage of holiday spirit. Here are various local events happening in the month of December to celebrate the season.
Just a 25-minute drive from tMarist, at 8 Patrick Drive, in Lagrangeville, lies a Guinness World Record-winning home Christmas light display with over 720,426 lights. There is a variety of colorful lights and diverse displays all synchronized to 250 songs. The owners of the home- the Gay family, won the title in 2014 for most lights on a residential property. They also collect donations during the season, in which the light show has raised over $600,000 for charity, primarily for the Union Vale Volunteer Fire Department. The display will be open on Nov. 24, starting at 4:45 every day, till Dec. 28.
Another short 25-minute drive from campus brings one to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, which hosts the Wonderland of Lights drive-thru holiday light show. The show offers tunnel light displays, tall lit-up structures, and unique designs with 3D displays. It is currently open on the weekends from 5:30-9 p.m., with weekday shows being added nightly from Dec. 14-30. The price is $30 per vehicle, with 8 passengers or less.
If there is one event that Dutchess County does well during the holiday season, it’s holiday markets. Arts Mid-Hudson hosts a holiday arts pop-up shop at their 696 Dutchess Turnpike location, featuring handmade jewelry, cards, art pieces, and more every Tuesday through Saturday starting at 10 a.m. till Dec. 16.
Every weekend from Nov. 11 to Feb. 4, the Bannerman Island Gallery in Beacon hosts their Small Works Holiday Exhibition, which features holiday paintings, prints, and all sorts of media, many being inspired by the Hudson Valley. For a more permanent option, Paper Trail, a gift shop in Rhinebeck, is known for its stunning seasonally-themed store and items. From customized handmade holiday cards to beautifully painted Christmas plates and cups, the store has a variety of charming holiday trinkets and items for sale.