2025 Holiday Fun & Christmas Activities in the Capital Region
It’s the most wonderful time of the year across the Capital Region, when lights twinkle from Albany to Saratoga and festive events fill the calendar from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. You might join a cherished local tradition, plan a family outing, or simply enjoy the glow of community celebrations.
However you celebrate, the region is filled with ways to embrace the season.
Christmas Land LLC in Altamont, NY brings the magic of an old-fashioned Christmas to life with festive activities, Santa visits, crafts, and rides. Perfect for families, birthdays, field trips, and group events, it’s a joyful holiday tradition! Learn More »
Lace Up for a Thanksgiving Tradition: The 2025 Troy Turkey Trot
The holiday season in the Capital Region kicks off on Thanksgiving morning with the Troy Turkey Trot, a community favorite that dates back to 1916. What started with six runners has grown into one of the nation’s most prestigious road races, ranking as the 12th oldest in the U.S. and 64th oldest in the world.
The event begins with the Capital Region’s only Thanksgiving Day 10K at 8:00 a.m. It’s followed by the Turkey Walk and Grade School Mile at 9:30 a.m. and the 5K run at 10:00 a.m.
Runners and spectators fill downtown Troy with energy and enthusiasm, many dressed in creative or funny costumes. Between the music, cheering crowds, and festive atmosphere, the Troy Turkey Trot sets the tone for the entire holiday season.
Cheer On a Local Favorite: Holiday Parades Across the Region
From glowing floats to marching bands and community groups, parades bring small-town charm and festive excitement to streets across the Capital Region. These celebrations are among the most anticipated Christmas parades near Albany and beyond.
Schenectady County Holiday Parade – Saturday, November 22, 2025
This major nighttime parade lights up downtown Schenectady each November. The festivities begin earlier in the day with a pre-parade block party from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on State and Jay Streets.
Families can enjoy live music, vendors, kids’ activities, and plenty of hot cocoa before the main event. The parade steps off at 5:00 p.m. from SUNY Schenectady and travels up State Street past the MVP building.
Bring a chair, a blanket, and a sense of holiday cheer. Thousands line the streets for this dazzling celebration that officially kicks off the season downtown.
Greenwich Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade – Saturday, November 22, 2025
Since 2013, the Greenwich Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade has become one of Washington County’s signature holiday gatherings. It’s now estimated to draw more than 10,000 spectators, making it one of the largest parades of its kind in the country.
More than 70 tractors and displays travel through the village, each decorated with strings of lights and creative Christmas themes. Visitors can also enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, photos with Santa, and music in the park.
For many, the glow of the tractors rolling down Main Street marks the moment the holiday season truly begins.
Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting – Friday, December 5, 2025
The Ballston Spa Holiday Parade steps off at 6:30 p.m., traveling south along Milton Avenue to West High Street. The route is lined with illuminated floats, decorated fire trucks, and local groups spreading seasonal joy.
Once the parade ends, head to Wiswall Park for the tree lighting ceremony. Santa will arrive on an Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company truck to help light the village tree.
With shops open late and the streets filled with music, the whole village turns into a cheerful celebration that lasts long after the final float passes by.
Watch the Season Shine: Tree Lightings That Brighten Every Town
As December arrives, the Capital Region glows with tree lightings that mark the start of the holiday season. The holiday lights across the Capital Region turns public spaces into gathering places filled with music and warmth.
NYS Holiday Tree Lighting at the Empire State Plaza – Sunday, December 7, 2025
Celebrate the season at the Empire State Plaza with an evening packed with free entertainment. The event features the official state tree lighting, fireworks, skating, and live performances that keep the crowd smiling all night.
Few places shine brighter in winter than the plaza beneath the Capitol dome, where families gather to welcome the season together.
City of Albany Tree Lighting – Friday, December 5, 2025
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan will host the city’s annual tree lighting at Academy Park from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The evening begins with a performance by Albany High School’s Albanettes and Troubadours, followed by the tree lighting ceremony at 6:00 p.m. sharp.
Guests can enjoy craft kits, local food from Cider Belly Donuts and La Empanada Llama, and refreshments prepared by students from Albany High’s Abrookin Center Culinary program.
Winter Wonderland photo stations and local organization tables add to the fun, making this one of Albany’s most joyful community traditions. Join the City of Albany for this wonderful celebration!
Skate Beneath the Skyline: Ice Skating at the Empire State Plaza
Among the most popular Christmas events in Albany, NY, ice skating at the Empire State Plaza brings families together beneath the city skyline each winter. The rink typically opens in early December with free admission and affordable rentals.
Families return year after year for this simple pleasure: skating under the lights, sipping cocoa, and taking in the view of the Capitol.
All Aboard for Family Fun: Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway’s Holiday Trains
The Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway offers one of the most memorable family-friendly holiday activities in the Capital Region, featuring themed rides filled with Christmas spirit. Each journey combines nostalgia, scenery, and plenty of cheer.
Candy Cane Express
The Candy Cane Express is a 60-minute ride through the Southern Adirondacks that delights kids and adults alike. Passengers enjoy candy canes, cookies, and hot chocolate while Santa makes his rounds.
First Class, Coach, and Lounge seating provide heated comfort, while an open-air car lets guests bundle up and take in the crisp winter air. For families looking to make new traditions, this train ride is a favorite.
Christmas Tree Limited
This special two-hour excursion takes passengers to a local tree farm at Kings Station. Families can pre-purchase a tree and have it loaded onto a flatcar for the return ride to Corinth.
The experience includes hot chocolate, Christmas music, and decorations that fill each car with holiday warmth. It’s a festive way to combine a scenic train ride with one of the season’s most enjoyable traditions.
Step Into Nostalgia: Christmas Land LLC in Altamont – November 29 through December 21, 2025
Just outside Albany, Christmas Land LLC brings holiday wonder to life with wagon rides, live music, and visits with Santa. It’s a festive outing for families looking to spend the day in a cheerful, small-town setting.
This year’s offerings include food and beverages, cookie decorating, Frankie the Christmas Land Train rides, and a holiday gift shop stocked with locally made goods. Kids can enjoy games, crafts, and plenty of chances for photos with Santa.
Open weekends from November 29 through December 21, this family-run attraction has become a seasonal favorite for visitors across the region.
Stroll Through History and Holiday Cheer: Victorian Streetwalks
Historic downtowns throughout the region embrace the holiday spirit each December with two of the Capital Region’s most charming events. Both offer free entertainment, festive shopping, and a warm sense of community.
Saratoga Victorian Streetwalk – Thursday, December 4, 2025
With twinkling lights, carolers, and Victorian costumes, Saratoga’s annual Streetwalk captures the beauty of the season. The event runs from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and includes the community tree lighting, a visit from Santa, and live music throughout the evening.
Downtown transforms into a walkable celebration filled with good cheer, local shopping, and holiday hospitality.
Troy Victorian Stroll – Sunday, December 7, 2025
The 43rd Annual Troy Victorian Stroll turns downtown into a festive marketplace with live music, performers, and costumed characters. Shoppers can enjoy discounts, entertainment, and family activities throughout the historic streets.
Each year, the Stroll blends old-fashioned charm with a lively downtown spirit, drawing visitors from across the region.
Pick the Perfect Tree: Christmas Tree Shopping in the Capital Region
Bringing home a real Christmas tree is one of the season’s simplest pleasures. The scent of pine, the search for the right shape, and the moment you find the perfect one make it a timeless holiday ritual.
Typically, Christmas tree farms across the Capital Region open around Thanksgiving weekend for families eager to choose their own evergreen. The experience is straightforward but memorable. Picture cocoa in hand, bundled against the cold, walking through rows of fir and spruce.
Ellms Family Farm in nearby Ballston Spa is a great place to find your tree. The farm offers Fraser firs and balsams, along with wreaths, wagon rides, and hot cider. Few things capture the spirit of the holidays more than bringing home a freshly cut tree to decorate together.
Feel the Music: Major Holiday Concerts Return to the Stage
The Capital Region’s stages fill with music each December as favorite holiday performances return. Concerts in Albany and Schenectady bring both nostalgia and excitement to the season.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra at MVP Arena – Wednesday, December 17, 2025
This year’s show, The Ghosts of Christmas Eve: The Best of TSO and More, delivers the group’s signature blend of rock, symphony, and storytelling. Stunning lights and powerful music make it a highlight of the season.
Fans come for the spectacle but stay for the energy, as every performance ends on a note of celebration and connection.
CBS 6 Melodies of Christmas at Proctors – Thursday, December 18 through Sunday, December 21, 2025
Now in its 46th year, CBS 6 Melodies of Christmas features the ESYO Symphony Orchestra, the Melodies Chorale, and guest performers.
Proceeds support the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer & Blood Disorders at Albany Med, which has received nearly ten million dollars from this event since its inception. The concert’s lasting success shows how community and music can come together for a meaningful cause.
Ring In 2026: New Year’s Eve Celebrations Across the Capital Region
The season ends with festive Capital Region New Year’s Eve events that bring communities together. From fireworks at Albany’s Empire State Plaza to family-friendly activities in Saratoga, the area knows how to welcome the new year in style.
Each celebration offers something unique, from live music and countdowns to cozy gatherings with friends. However you spend the night, you’ll find the Capital Region full of excitement as midnight approaches.
A Season to Remember
From Thanksgiving morning races to glowing parades, ice skating, and concerts, every community across the Capital Region adds something special to the holidays. Plan ahead, gather loved ones, and enjoy the warmth, lights, and laughter that define this festive season.
The joy stretches from late November through the first moments of the new year, leaving behind memories that linger long after the decorations come down.
