Friday, December 21
Kids Day
Saratoga Automobile Museum, 110 Ave of the Pines, Saratoga Springs | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Celebrated local authors, Danielle Searles and Elizabeth Macy will be performing readings of their books. Also, the Tang Museum, along with We Rock the Spectrum Gym, and Saratoga Kids Yoga will have entertaining activities. Of course, no holiday event is complete without a visit from the man himself, Santa Claus! The Saratoga Santa will be here while the trunk trimming contest takes place in front of the museum from 2-4 p.m. Come out and experience a jolly good time at the Saratoga Automobile Museum!
A Community Festival of Carols with Four Choirs
The Church of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Saratoga Rd., Glenville | 7:30 p.m.
The Burnt Hills Oratorio Society chorus invites you to gather your family and friends for a community festival to herald the Holiday Season. Great for all ages, this celebration includes many of your seasonal favorites and opportunities to sing along. Experience the excitement of lifting your voice with others, accompanied by brass, organ, and percussion. Joining Burnt Hills Oratorio Society will be members of First Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir of Glens Falls, Immaculate Conception Choir of Glenville, and special guests Auriel Camerata. General admission $25, senior (65+) $20, teen (13-19) $15, children 12 and under free. Tickets available at the door the day of the performance. To learn more or to purchase your tickets ahead of time, go to the Burnt Hills Oratorio Society website: bhos.us. For questions call 518-416-4060 or find us on Facebook.
Saturday, December 22
Holiday Party
Ballston Spa Public Library, 21 Milton Ave., Ballston Spa | 10 a.m.
Kids ages 4-10 will watch a holiday movie, make crafts and have yummy snacks. This event is free, but registration is required, limited to 20. To register stop in or call 518-885-5022. Parking lot is behind the building on Low Street.
Full Moon Hike
Moreau Lake State Park, Gansevoort | 5 – 7 p.m.
Our Park Naturalist will be leading the hike. While walking around the lake, we will point out flora and fauna as the sun is setting and the moon is rising. Call for reservations with 24-hour advanced notice, 518-793-0511. Program fees apply.
Sunday, December 23
Sunny Sundays
Museum of Innovation and Science, 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Sunny Sundays are your opportunity to take a safe glimpse at the sun! Educators from the Dudley Observatory at miSci will operate our 14-inch telescope inside the roll-top roof observatory, allowing visitors to safely look at the sun and search for sunspots. Other objects such as the moon and planets may also be visible. In the event of poor weather, we will have hands-on activities indoors instead.The observatory will be open from 1-2:30 p.m. every Sunday. miSci galleries will be open continuously from 12-5 p.m. Access to the observatory or activities is free with museum admission.
Monday, December 24
Open Mic Night
Caffe Lena, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs | 7 – 10 p.m.
Every Monday. All ages, all styles. Originals encouraged but not required. Free. Please leave a $3 donation for our non-profit organization if you’re able to. Sign-up is 7 to 7:25 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. 2 songs or 10 minutes. Sign up is first-come, first-serve.
Tuesday, December 25
Santa Claus Comes to Town!
Wednesday, December 26
Make and Take Winter Craft
Saratoga Springs Public Library, The Children’s Room, 49 Henry St., Saratoga Springs | All Day
Looking for something to do this week? Stop in Wednesday or Thursday and create your own winter wonderland (minus the melt) with our make and take crafts for all ages. No registration required. For more events at the library, visit www.sspl.org.
Thursday, December 27
Horse Explorers Series
National Museum of Racing, 191 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs | 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
Recommended for ages 3-6, “Horse Explorers” is a hands-on series intended to creatively educate children about horses by developing age-appropriate skills in disciplines including art, literacy, science and math. The program will be staffed by the Museum’s professional educators. Children free with paid adult admission.
Going the Distance: A Peace Corps Volunteer’s Experience
Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Rd., Clifton Park | 6:30 p.m.
Take a moment to step outside of your cultural comfort zone: join Casey to hear more about the daily life and lessons learned as a Peace Corps Volunteer, for the chance to learn about the rich Moldovan culture and for the opportunity to pursue your own cultural adventure and exchange! Tucked away in this small Eastern European country, she has learned to navigate life as a young woman living in a small, foreign community as well as all of the wonders, amusements, and challenges that come from this cultural experience. No registration required. Appropriate for teens and adults.
Friday, December 28
The Puppet People Present: “A Christmas Carol”
Saratoga Springs Public Library, The Children’s Room | 11 a.m. – Noon and 1 – 2 p.m.
A Charles Dickens holiday classic, this show features beautiful handcrafted marionettes, shadow puppets, gorgeous masks, lavish costumes, vivid sets, a professional soundtrack that includes many holiday favorites, and a giant 9-foot parade puppet. Pick up free tickets in the Children’s Room. For children ages 5 and up.
Saturday, December 29
Foal Patrol Kids
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, 191 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs | 10 a.m. – Noon
Join us for a special family-friendly celebration of Foal Patrol and the unveiling of the new Foal Patrol Education Site. There will be snacks, giveaways and a variety of fun and educational activities featuring the educational concepts of Foal Patrol: Guided exploration of the Foal Patrol website on iPads to learn all about the new educational site including our partner, Godolphin Kids; Free Godolphin guides plus coloring and craft project; Explore interactive stations on horse care, foal naming, and more. Meet the REAL miniature horse, Upset, and attend a book reading inspired by this horse. Locate the farms that will be participating in Foal Patrol season two at the geography and map station. View a loop of videos on the career paths of horses from our partner, Godolphin. Free admission. The museum is located at 191 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs.
Ninth Annual Birthday Party for Horses
Old Friends at Cabin Creek, 483 Sand Hill Rd., Greenfield Center | Noon – 3 p.m.
Bring the family and enjoy a festive day outdoors and celebrate the birthdays of Old Friends’ 15 retired Thoroughbred racehorses. Participating restaurants this year are: The Wishing Well, Longfellows/Olde Bryan Inn, Triangle Diner, Sweet Lou’s Deli, Five Points Deli, Village Pizzeria and Izzy Bella Foodz and they will provide a variety of delicious soups for guests to enjoy as they tour the facility and meet the horses. Naturally, there will be birthday cake for everyone and The Gift Shop will be open as well. Suggested donation is $10 per person, and all proceeds go to the care of the horses. Old Friends at Cabin Creek, a 501 c (3) non-profit organization, is located less than 20 minutes from Saratoga Springs. For more information, call 518-698-2377, or visit www.oldfriendsatcabincreek.com or like us on Facebook.
Contra Dance
Southern Saratoga YMCA, 1 Wall St., Clifton Park | 7 – 10 p.m.
An evening of contras, circles, squares and waltzes. In the community spirit of American contra dance, this series will feature talented local callers and musicians. Live music. Caller Joan Savitt with music by the Up Front Session Band. All dances taught (except waltzes). No need to bring your own partner. Please wear sneakers or other shoes with clean, soft soles and non-marking heels (preferably not worn outdoors). Free contradance instruction for beginners at 6:40 p.m. Admission is $11 for adults; $10 Dance Flurry Organization members or seniors (65+); $9 YMCA members; $8 high school or college students with ID; $7 Dancers under age 14.
Sunday, December 30
Free Ice-Skating Show and Skate
Saratoga Springs Weibel Rink, 30 Weibel Ave., Saratoga | 3:15 p. m.
The Saratoga Springs Figure Skating Club will offer free ice skating immediately followed by 20th Annual Winter Ice Skating Exhibition. Bring friends and family. All are welcome to join. Lace up your skates ($4 rentals available if needed) and take a spin. Free skate will run from 3:15-3:45. At 4 p.m. we will start our Ice Exhibition. The show will showcase area ice skaters and medalists of levels ranging from beginners in our learn-to-skate program up through national and international competitors. The show will include performances to music including solo, group, duet and synchronized team skating and will run approximately 2 hours. Elementary age kids 11 and under will be admitted free to show, all others will be asked for a $5 donation to SSFSC, a not-for-profit to cover costs of show. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Registration will be available to skaters age 4 and up who would like to join our Learn to Skate program starting on January 6. Additional information can be found at www.SaratogaLearnToSkate.com, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 518-490-1231. See you at the rink!
Monday, December 31
First Night Saratoga 2019
Downtown Saratoga Springs, Various Locations | 5:30 p.m. – Midnight
First Night Saratoga is New York’s largest New Year’s event outside of NYC. As one of the oldest and largest First Night celebrations in the country, First Night is the most affordable, accessible, family-friendly, safe and exciting way to spend New Year’s Eve in the region. Join over 15,000 revelers as Saratoga Arts hosts dozens of regional and touring performing groups in thirty venues throughout Historic Downtown Saratoga Springs. Starting with the 5K road race at Skidmore College at 5:30 p.m., culminating with the fireworks in Congress Park at midnight, and packed full of live music, dance, comedy and magic in between, this event will be a highlight of your outgoing year.
Tuesday, January 1
Happy New Year!
First Day Hike
Saratoga Spa State Park, 19 Roosevelt Dr., Saratoga Springs | 10 a.m. – Noon
Join park staff on a 2-mile guided hike through the unique natural features of Saratoga Spa State Park and afterwards, relax by the fire sipping hot cocoa in the Creekside Classroom. Registration required.
Wednesday, January 2
2019 Winter Storytellers Series
SUNY Empire State College, 2 Union Avenue, Room 126, Saratoga Springs | Noon – 1 p.m.
The Academy for Lifelong Learning presents the eleventh annual story tellers series every Wednesday through February 20 January 2 features storyteller Joe Doolittle with “Stories of Echoes of Old Saratoga.” Sponsored by Prestwick Chase at Saratoga. Free and open to the public. Postponed if Saratoga Springs city schools are closed or delayed. For more information, call the Academy at 518-587-2100 ext. 2415. www.esc.edu/all.
Thursday, January 3
New Parent Meetup
Northshire Bookstore, 424 Broadway, Saratoga Springs | 10:30 a.m.
Our new parent meetup takes place weekly on Thursdays, and is facilitated by Rebecca Rovner, birth and postpartum doula. Parents and their babies, birth to age one, are welcome to drop by for company and conversation. For other events, visit www.northshire.com.
