Events in Glens Falls, NY

Explore black-and-white film development in a guided session that takes you through each step so you can develop your own film. No prior experience is required, just curiosity. Please bring 1 or 2 rolls of already shot 35mm black-and-white film. All other chemicals and equipment are provided. If the group session does not fit your schedule, private lessons are available.

The Richards Library Board Meeting is open to the public.

A friendly presentation focused on safeguarding personal details on the internet. It highlights practical ways to develop safer browsing habits, spot scams that appear online, and decide when to share information and when to keep it private.

Ride aboard the Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway with the Adirondack Thunder. Guests can meet Gunner and the players during this exclusive train ride, an hour-long round trip departing from Corinth Station.

Meet others who work on or care about environmental protection, conservation, and sustainability at an informal Green Drinks gathering at Whitman Brewing Company in Saratoga Springs. The focus is friendly networking and conversation among professionals, volunteers, and supporters. Food, along with alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, will be available for purchase. This Saratoga Springs Green Drinks meetup is held monthly, and solicitation is not permitted.

Settle in for an evening that pairs mindful movement with intuitive insight. It begins with a soothing seated yoga practice that quiets the mind and relaxes the body, then moves into a shared Tarot Circle led by psychic intuitive Wendy Bordwell of B.Well Insights. The atmosphere invites ease and reflection, with light fare and beverages contributing to a welcoming community feel. Open to all experience levels, participants receive a short introductory reading and may arrange a longer one-on-one session with Wendy for a future date.

A chamber program from the Omega Trio brings together Skidmore music faculty members Michael Emery on violin and Jameson Platte on cello with pianist Matthew Quayle. The opening portion highlights contemporary voices with Chen Yi’s Tibetan Tunes, Jessie Montgomery’s Duo for Violin and Cello, selections from Reena Esmail’s Piano Trio, and the world premiere of a new trio by Quayle. The second half is devoted to Shostakovich’s Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67, a work the ensemble previously performed at Zankel during the concert hall’s inaugural season in 2010. Presented by the Skidmore College Department of Music and made possible by the Elisabeth Luce Moore Chamber Music Fund. Ticket options include General Admission at $25 plus fees or a Pay What You Will choice that allows patrons to set their own price. Contributing at the suggested level, or higher when possible, helps sustain programming and keeps Zankel concerts accessible for students, families, and community members. Skidmore students, faculty, and staff can access free or discounted tickets using Single Sign On, and tickets are free for children 18 and under.

Next Stop Comedy presents a stand-up showcase at Adirondack Winery Queensbury, featuring a new lineup each time. The show spotlights comedians with appearances on TV and podcasts.

Settle in for a casual, drop in knitting session at Idlenot, guided by instructor Beth Vandewater. Designed for beginners and advanced beginners, this class offers support for starting a new project or getting past a challenging pattern. First time knitters are warmly welcomed, and Beth brings years of experience teaching in Saratoga with a range of skill levels. The class is for ages 18 and up, and the drop in fee is $20. This offering takes place on the second Saturday of each month.

Light & Lens Studios presents a Visibility Series portrait event that centers Transgender Awareness Day. Although this observance is an awareness day, it is included in the studio’s visibility-focused series due to scheduling. The sessions highlight LGBTQ+ identity, presence, and chosen family, with a welcoming space for individuals, partners, and chosen families. Allies are invited in support of their LGBTQ+ loved ones. Sessions are brief and creative, and each booking includes a 15 minute photoshoot with 2 to 4 final images. Pricing follows a sliding scale so participants can choose what fits their budget, with a reduced option at $40, a standard option at $50, and a $100 pay it forward option that helps cover free or low cost sessions for others. A limited number of no cost sessions are available on request with no questions asked. In addition, 20 percent of every session supports Lower Adirondack Pride.

Savor a cozy soup supper with the chance to sample as many varieties as you like. A complete meal is included, featuring salad, bread, dessert, and beverages. Early arrival offers the widest soup selection. There is no set price, as contributions are accepted by freewill donation. No reservations are required, and service is dine in only.

The second annual Fairytail Jubilee brings a charity masquerade and basket raffle to the Adirondack Ballroom at The Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls. Attendees can expect a lively evening with a cash only basket raffle, performances by the local belly dance trio Aya, and the Hilltown Hags presenting the witches dance made famous by Wolfshager Hexenbrut. Madame Malarkey returns with tongue in cheek fortunes meant purely for laughs. Santa Nick C will be available for festive photos, while Krampus roams for mischievous meet and greets and picture moments. The Siren Seasters will also be on hand to charm guests into a photo or two. Come costumed as a fairytale character or creature and enter the contest. Medals will be awarded by Santa Nick C for First and Second place Individual Costumes, along with a medal for Best Group Costume. A cash bar will be open with signature drinks, and a buffet is planned. Fairy wings, magic wands, and shining armor are welcome but not required, and cocktail attire is suggested if not in masquerade. Tickets will not be sold at the door, so advance purchase is required. Tickets are $90 plus Eventbrite fees.

Upstate NY Paranormal opens its first public event with The Haunted Pizza Hunt at Skene Manor. The evening begins with pizza, then continues with a guided exploration of the manor led by the team. Guests will have the chance to try paranormal investigation equipment and take part in an experience that blends curiosity with history and mystery. It is suited for true believers, thoughtful skeptics, and anyone interested in a first-hand look at paranormal investigating. Ticket availability is limited.

This two-day festival celebrates folk music through live performances, workshops, jam sessions, and community activities that bring students, artists, and public audiences together for shared learning and music-making. Acclaimed fiddler Jenna Moynihan, whose inventive style draws on Scottish, American, Irish, and Swedish traditions, performs with guitarist and bouzouki player Owen Marshall. Skidmore alumni Francis Davies, Paul Machabee, and Ellie Ushakov open the festival concert. The program also includes an interactive workshop with Moynihan and Marshall, and a participatory session led by alumni exploring their musical practices and experiences.

The Saratoga Springs City Center hosts a sprawling sports cards and TCG gathering featuring more than 100 vendor booths. Expect a wide selection that spans vintage and modern sports cards, memorabilia, certified autographs, and graded cards from PSA, Beckett, SGC, and CGC, along with hobby supplies and collectibles. The floor also includes unopened modern and sealed vintage wax boxes, mystery boxes, vintage and modern non-sports cards, comics, Pokémon cards, and a full range of trading card game items. Vendors travel in from across the Eastern United States. Show management operates an authorized submission center on site for SGC and CGC card grading as well as CGC comic grading, with the option to drop items off here and pick them up at a future show. James Spence Authentication is regularly scheduled at these events. Parking is available in the Saratoga City Center garage or on nearby streets. Admission is $5 for general entry, children under 12 are free, and a $20 Early VIP option allows access 30 minutes before general admission. Tickets are available at the door. The venue is surrounded by downtown Saratoga restaurants and bars, and vendor load in and load out are set up to be simple. Albany NY Show Promotions – Sports Card & Memorabilia Shows presents this event and notes a 51 year history, more than 30 professionally run shows each year across five locations in Upstate and Central New York, and a widely attended monthly show network in the Northeast.

This qualifier is part of the APA 9-Ball Doubles Championship series. Teams must have a combined skill level of 10 or less, and players must be on an active Greater Saratoga APA 9-Ball roster. The top two teams advance to the 9-Ball Doubles Finals. Entry fees from all five qualifying events will be awarded to the winning team in the finals to help with travel to the APA 9-Ball Doubles Championship in Las Vegas in April 2027. The entry fee is $50 per team, plus $5 in greens fees per player. Pre-registration is required.

Discover the fundamentals of the darkroom as you turn your developed film into black-and-white prints. This beginner-friendly session welcomes those with no prior experience. Please bring 35mm black-and-white negatives and RC photo paper. All other chemicals and equipment are provided. If a group session does not fit your schedule, private lessons can be arranged.

Support the Post 358 Color Guard as they honor the flag and the country during the game’s opening ceremonies. Admission includes a soda and popcorn.

After appearing in the Caffè Lena @ SPAC series, Jordanian singer songwriter Farah Siraj returns to Caffè Lena with a new program that intertwines Arabic traditions and flamenco in an intimate setting. Her forthcoming album, Miel y Limón, produced by Javier Limón, a multiple Grammy recipient with ten awards, shapes the evening’s sound by uniting flamenco’s guitar and pulse with the lyricism and heritage of Arabic music. Touches of jazz and her dynamic voice bring it all together, creating music that feels both timeless and modern, close and expansive. Siraj has taken her voice from Jordan to renowned stages including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, as well as global forums such as the United Nations, the World Economic Forum and the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. Her songs move across borders, exploring love, longing, resilience and the connections shared among cultures. She performs with her trio for an evening of virtuosic vocals, flamenco guitar, percussion, storytelling and improvisation. Rather than placing Arabic and Spanish traditions side by side, the players let them converse, shifting from delicate and haunting moments to fiery, rhythmic passages. The title Miel y Limón, translated as Honey and Lemon, reflects the project’s contrasts of sweetness and bite, vulnerability and strength, tradition and reinvention. Presented as part of the Nordlys Global Voices Series with support from The Nordlys Foundation.

Celebrate Helen Tworkov’s memoir, Lotus Girl: My Life at the Crossroads of Buddhism and America, in a conversation presented in collaboration with Skidmore College and The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum. Moderated by Skidmore College Associate Professor of Asian Studies Benjamin Bogin, with an introduction by SPAC Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Sobol, the discussion explores Tworkov’s spiritual journey, her upbringing in New York’s Abstract Expressionist art scene, and her reflections on Buddhism’s evolution in the West. The memoir traces her search for truth and belonging through Japan, Cambodia, India, and Nepal against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and American counterculture. Tworkov also reflects on encounters with figures from the worlds of art and spirituality, including the Dalai Lama, Pema Chödrön, Charles Mingus, and Richard Serra. She founded The Tricycle Foundation, which helped bring Buddhist perspectives to a wider Western audience through Tricycle: The Buddhist Review. The event is free, with limited space.

Celebrate Thanksgiving with a musical story time featuring songs, stories, and finger plays. Children will enjoy Setting the Turkeys Free by W. Nickola-Lisa and sing “Run, Turkey, Run!” Parents will also hear ideas for simple holiday crafts families can make at home.

Everyone is welcome to enjoy a community meal featuring shepherd’s pie. A different meal and dessert will be served each month.

This informative session guides participants through the process of selecting a new computer. It explains where to begin, how to assess brand reliability, how to plan a budget, and which technical specifications deserve attention. The discussion also reviews major operating systems and compares a traditional computer with alternatives such as tablets and Chromebooks, helping match the right device to individual needs.

Boston-based duo Cold Chocolate returns to Saratoga Springs, bringing their expansive acoustic sound to the Caffè Lena stage. Guitarist and mandolinist Ethan Robbins and percussionist, banjo player, and vocalist Ariel Bernstein build from bluegrass roots while folding in folk, funk, rock, soul, jazz, and jam-band energy. The result is song-driven music with memorable melodies, tight harmonies, and a rhythmic pulse that makes two musicians feel like a much larger outfit. Twangville’s Mayer Danzig has highlighted their blend of jam rock with hints of jazz and funk, as well as the duo’s harmonies that add warmth and lift to the tunes. Classically trained, Robbins shifted from violin to bluegrass under the influence of The Band, Bob Dylan, John Hartford, Hank Williams, and the Grateful Dead, while Bernstein brings a drummer’s sense of groove and restraint. Together they can move from brisk acoustic picking to a relaxed pocket and into something funky without losing focus. Their sixth full-length album, Not Gonna Stop, continues their evolution toward a groove-rich Americana sound. Along the way they have shared stages with Leftover Salmon, David Grisman, and Angélique Kidjo and earned a reputation for high-energy performances at venues and festivals nationwide.

The Park Theater presents an evening of jazz featuring Matt Niedbalski and special guests, with a rotating lineup of artists and collaborators. The program brings together interpretations of jazz classics and original compositions. The GNP piano trio features Tyler Giroux on piano, Matt Niedbalski on drums, and Dylan Perrillo on bass. The longtime musical partners perform their own work as well as accompany instrumental soloists and vocalists, and have released two albums, “Codes” and “Returning.”

At Caffè Lena, acclaimed guitarists Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo share the stage for an evening of jazz standards, classic melodies, and lively improvisation. Their long-running collaboration highlights crisp rhythm, fluid leads, and easy onstage rapport. Frank Vignola is a renowned guitarist whose range and technique have placed him alongside Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Tommy Emmanuel, Lionel Hampton, and Les Paul, who named him among his Five Most Admired Guitarists in The Wall Street Journal. His performances have included Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Center, The Blue Note, and tours in more than 21 countries. A prolific recording artist and educator, he also leads the weekly Guitar Night residency at Birdland Jazz Club in New York City. Vinny Raniolo, a sought-after rhythm guitarist recognized for precise timing and dynamic accompaniment, has appeared at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, Lincoln Center, and Italy’s Teatro Olimpico. He has been featured on PBS in Tommy Emmanuel & Friends and Four Generations of Guitar, with recording credits that include soundtracks for HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and Café Society. The duo returns to Caffè Lena with a program that spotlights interplay, swing, and the enduring voice of the guitar in jazz.

Saratoga Springs City Center hosts a pop culture convention billed as the largest in Upstate New York. It gathers fans in one place for a celebration of all things pop culture.

This low-cost pop-up veterinary clinic offers rabies vaccines, heartworm tests, and more. State-licensed veterinarians are available at every clinic.

13 - A Celebration Of Taylor Swift is back at the Strand Theater, with lead singer Lacey Allen and her band delivering a set packed with Taylor Swift favorites. Created for devoted Swifties and casual listeners alike, this high energy show encourages plenty of singing along and dancing. Expect a full scale concert atmosphere that keeps the excitement high from start to finish.

Family Saturday offers a hands-on art-making experience that brings multiple generations together. Participants look closely at selected artworks, talk about what they notice, and then create their own pieces during a guided activity. Each session includes a tour of highlighted works. Admission is free and open to all. The program is intended for children ages 5 and up accompanied by an adult. Registration is not required, and materials are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The long running winter tradition from Warren Miller returns with Days Off, the 77th installment in the series. Guided by host Katie Burrell, the film travels the globe as elite skiers and riders spend their downtime without a schedule or competition, focusing on spontaneous joy. The journey spans heli drops in Alaska and high alpine mountaineering in Chamonix, the deep snow of Hokkaido in Japan, a lap down Banff’s skijoring course, turns at Deer Valley, and standout Canadian terrain in Revelstoke, Whistler, and Pemberton. It is a tribute to the unfiltered spirit of mountain culture, celebrating skiing for its own sake and the value of making time for what matters most. Tickets are $20 for standard admission and $15 for seniors and students.

Celebrate the holiday season with photos of children, families, and pets of all kinds with Santa. Each family receives five high-resolution digital photos by email, along with access to a complimentary hot cocoa bar and festive treats for people and pets.

Dan Navarro brings a lifetime of songcraft to the stage, blending warm humor, hard earned wisdom, and a resonant baritone in an evening of stories and songs. Known from Lowen & Navarro and as a solo artist, he writes with care about love, resilience, loss, and hope. His songs have been recorded by Pat Benatar, The Bangles, Dionne Warwick, and The Temptations, and his Grammy-nominated co-write We Belong became a landmark hit. His music has been heard in Deadpool 2, This Is Us, Mare of Easttown, The Office, and Pitch Perfect 2. His singing voice also appears in animated films including Encanto, Coco, and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. On stage he moves easily between heartfelt tunes, laughter, and candid stories from a far-reaching career. Recent work reflects an artist fully engaged with the world, including his Folk Alliance International Song of the Year winning recording of $20 Bill (for George Floyd). The result is an intimate, conversational concert experience.

An annual 5K from The Open Door Mission invites participants to move at whatever pace feels right. Stroll, jog, or wobble through a course suitable for all ages while helping provide food and shelter for neighbors in need.

The inaugural Nerd Fest event is presented by JAK IN THE BOX. The event page will share updates about guest announcements.

Angelz Fury turns Vapor at Saratoga Casino Hotel in Saratoga Springs, NY into a high-octane 80s metal Black Friday bash. Expect huge choruses, cranked-up riffs, and arena-scale energy as the group powers through the era’s definitive anthems, from shout-along favorites to blistering, shred-heavy burners. Led by vocalist Tina Valenti, the performance unfolds on a cutting-edge stage with top-tier sound, an immersive light show, and a giant video screen that amplifies every moment. Vapor’s two-level setting, comfortable lounges, and several bars set the scene to keep the holiday weekend momentum going with friends, family, and fellow headbangers. Leather and denim fit right in, with vintage riffs and crowd-pleasing hooks fueling an all-out 80s metal experience in one of the Capital Region’s standout live music venues.

Jason Irwin performs a solo acoustic set at Fenimore's Pub and Restaurant at The Queensbury Hotel. Enjoy live music alongside food and drinks from the pub.

Jason Irwin brings an evening of acoustic music to The Long Horn Restaurant and Pub. Settle in for live songs while you enjoy good food and cool drinks.

Thunder Hockey returns to Glens Falls for Military Appreciation Night featuring special edition jerseys. Expect big hits, plenty of goals, and an electric atmosphere. Fans can purchase Michelob Ultra for $5 and stick around for a live auction of the jerseys after the game.

Now in its fifth year, the Whitehall Christmas Craft Fair offers a seasonal gathering centered on holiday crafts. Space is limited, and a spot is secured only after payment is received. Registration and payment are handled by Heather Gordon.

www.kevinrichards.com

A community holiday gathering in Lake Luzerne centers on the meaning of the memory trees. Attendees can enjoy hot chocolate, coffee, and sweet treats, with ornaments and gifts for the kids, plus a visit from Santa. Music is by Susie Q & Matt, and catering is by Adirondack Sips & Sweets.

Kick off the holiday festival at Slate Valley Museum with a free community gathering featuring decorative displays created by community members, hands-on crafts, cookies, and hot cocoa. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will be on hand for meet and greets. Those who wish to participate creatively can submit a decoration or display to be part of this year’s festivities.

Jason Irwin performs live at Broadway Lanes, a family-friendly bowling center known for budget-conscious fun. Kids can use bumper lanes that keep balls from the gutters and smiles on their faces. The venue also features Cosmic Bowling, with the lights low, music turned up, and colorful effects that create a nightclub-style vibe. In Fort Edward, it offers bowling and entertainment for family and friends.

Putnam Place hosts a night of boundary-pushing grooves with Octave Cat alongside Natalie Brooke. Octave Cat features Eli Winderman of Dopapod on keyboards, Jesse Miller of Lotus on bass and modular synth, and drummer Charlie Patierno. Their sound shifts from lean, jazz-rooted rhythms to analog synth-powered dance passages, echoing touches of Herbie Hancock’s jazz funk and Four Tet’s electronic textures while blending jazz, jam, and electronic elements into a style all their own. Natalie Brooke leads a powerhouse four-piece from the Baltimore area, taking the spotlight on keys, synth, keytar, and vocals with Nathan Shulkin on drums, Nester on bass, and Luke Walker on guitar. Her sets stay high energy from start to finish, getting crowds moving, dancing, and jumping. The music has been compared to a mix of Rick James and Rush, pairing fast tempos and gritty rock edges with jazz and classical foundations. Her percussive yet melodic keyboard approach stands out, and recent appearances include performances with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Andy Frasco & the U.N., Big Something, Cris Jacobs, Doom Flamingo, Sunsquabi, lespecial, and The Magic Beans. Tickets are $18 in advance and $23 the day of show.

This low-cost pop-up veterinary clinic offers rabies vaccines, heartworm tests, and more. State-licensed veterinarians are available at every clinic.

Enjoy a holiday market featuring guest vendors alongside the shops at The Shirt Factory. Browse handmade creations, specialty foods, artwork, and other thoughtful finds from independent businesses, and take time to visit familiar shops or discover new makers. Everyone is welcome to explore with friends or family, or on their own.

Have your pet photographed in a festive winter and holiday setting and take home a framed 4-by-6-inch keepsake photo with a $10 donation. The Animal Support Project is run entirely by volunteers, and all donations go directly to pets in need.

Have something that needs fixing? Bring it to a Repair Café at Saratoga Springs Public Library, presented with Sustainable Saratoga. Work side by side with a Repair Café coach to troubleshoot and repair everyday items such as lamps, small appliances, computers, leather goods, and jewelry, and get help with sewing or hemming a favorite piece of clothing or a cherished stuffed animal. This gathering marks the eighteenth Repair Café at the library. For questions, call 518-584-7860, ext. 242.

Connect with others who care about the environment at Green Drinks in Saratoga Springs. This relaxed networking gathering welcomes people who work in, volunteer for, or are passionate about conservation and sustainability. Held at Whitman Brewing Company in Saratoga Springs, it offers food and drinks for purchase, with both alcoholic and nonalcoholic choices available. The Saratoga Springs gathering occurs monthly. Soliciting is not permitted.

Create a cup of cocoa themed painting on slate in a hands-on workshop for ages 12 and up. Instructor Darcie Parrott leads the session and provides guidance so each participant completes a one of a kind slate piece. The cost is $40 per person, and advance registration is required. To register, call 518-642-1417 or email mail@slatevalleymusem.org. Photo credit: Darcie Parrott.

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Lucy Kaplansky brings her modern folk voice and heartfelt storytelling to the stage, drawing praise from outlets like NPR, The New Yorker, and The Boston Globe. She has released nine albums, with two honored as Best Pop Album of the year by the Association for Independent Music, and her reputation for unforgettable live shows continues to grow. Known for a background in clinical psychology, she creates an easy sense of connection, turning a room into a gathering of friends with songs that feel personal and shared at once. Kaplansky is a member of the folk trio Cry Cry Cry with Dar Williams and Richard Shindell. Her cover of Roxy Music’s More Than This has surpassed 12 million streams on Spotify. Her music and story have been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, Weekend Edition, and Morning Edition, as well as BBC Radio and CBS Sunday Morning, and her harmony vocals appear on recordings by Suzanne Vega, Bryan Ferry, Nanci Griffith, and Shawn Colvin. Her latest release, The Lucy Story, collects unreleased tracks, demos, and live recordings that span her journey from early bedroom tapes to international tours and collaborations. NPR’s Scott Simon has praised the beauty and emotional impact of her work, a fitting nod to songs that resonate with honesty, warmth, and grace.

Jason Irwin performs a solo acoustic show, with great food and drinks to enjoy alongside the music.

Granville’s family friendly tradition returns for its ninth year as illuminated tractors, firetrucks, ATVs, and more wind through the village to celebrate the holiday season. The parade sets off from Telescope Casual Furniture and concludes at the same spot, creating a loop of lights for all to enjoy. Spectators can watch along the route at no cost. Those interested in participating may register for a small fee and compete for prizes that include cash, trophies, slate ornaments, gift cards, and more. More than 60 entries are anticipated again. Registration details will be shared soon, and updates can be found by following the Granville Lighted Tractor Parade on Facebook.

The program at The Tang Museum at Skidmore College features J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations in an arrangement for string trio, performed by violinist Jessica Tong, violist Ken Hamao, and cellist Ashley Bathgate. These concerts are made possible in part by a grant from the NY State Council on the Arts, the office of the Governor, and the NY State Legislature.

CTE Works! gives students in grades 8 through 12 from school districts across the WSWHE BOCES service area an interactive introduction to careers in the local region. Students can explore hands-on stations where they can touch, control, drive, or write as they discover what different career opportunities may involve. The event brings together local employers, businesses, career and technical education programs, early college career academy pathways, colleges, nonprofit organizations, unions, apprenticeship co-ops, and more.

Eric and Leigh Gibson bring celebrated sibling harmonies and a roots-forward bluegrass sound shaped by their upbringing on a dairy farm in northern New York. Expect a concert that mixes heartfelt songwriting with nimble picking, quick wit, and seasoned stage chemistry. The duo are two-time IBMA Entertainers of the Year, with additional IBMA honors for vocal group, song, and album, and they are Grammy nominees who have appeared at The Grand Ole Opry, MerleFest, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and the Ryman. Their music has been highlighted by Rolling Stone, NPR, and The New York Times. Recent albums showcase their range, from Darkest Hour, produced by Jerry Douglas, which reconnects with their bluegrass core while weaving in soul, gospel, and country influences, to Mockingbird, produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, which broadened their Americana reach without losing emotional depth. The title track from Darkest Hour and I Go Driving enjoyed strong airplay on Americana and bluegrass charts. All tickets are $35, available at The Strand Theatre box office and online.

Enter the world of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker in an interactive performance that blends classical and jazz interpretations of the famous score. A featured ballerina dances close to the audience so children can observe storytelling, gesture, and musicality up close. Live musicians guide families through familiar themes and invite gentle participation through singing, swaying, clapping, or simple guided movement. Throughout the program, playful activities introduce musical ideas like rhythm, tempo, and dynamics in ways that feel welcoming and easy to grasp. After the show, families can take part in an instrument discovery session, meet the musicians, see instruments up close, and ask questions, creating a direct link between what they heard and hands-on exploration. Arrive early for complimentary arts and crafts with the SPAC Education team, a Nutcracker-themed self-service photo station, and a picture book giveaway in the lobby while supplies last. The experience is especially enjoyed by children ages 2 to 8 and offers seasonal fun for all ages. General admission is $15. Children two and under are free on a caregiver’s lap, but a ticket is required if a separate seat is needed.

Experience a cherished holiday tradition in Saratoga Springs as the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center presents Bach’s complete Brandenburg Concertos. This Sounds of the Season program brings all six works together in one concert, performed by an ensemble of twenty distinguished chamber musicians at the Arthur Zankel Music Center at Skidmore College. Praised by The New Yorker for its buoyant, festive spirit, these CMS performances have become a New York City favorite and return following a sold-out appearance in 2025. Expect sparkling virtuosity, imaginative interplay, and an inspiring celebration of music’s power to bring people together.

Next Stop Comedy brings comedians from across the country to an intimate local venue for an evening of high-energy performances and laughter. The lineup features Raja Narayanan and Giancarlo Biondino.

Canadian Brass brings a festive concert back to Saratoga Springs at Arthur Zankel Music Center, promising a merry, lighthearted celebration of the season. Fresh off a previously sold-out holiday visit, the internationally renowned quintet presents a playful program of seasonal favorites that pairs virtuosic brass sound with quick wit, popular selections, and polished showmanship. Wonderful Time of Year showcases the group’s own arrangements and signature spins on classics like It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Jingle Bell Rock, and Christmastime Is Here. Their bright, celebratory style has attracted a devoted following worldwide, with acclaim noting that few sounds signal festivity quite like brass, especially in their hands.

Sober Salon is a quarterly gathering created for people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction to share their creative work in a supportive, substance-free setting, enhanced by Caffe Lena’s professional sound, lights, and stage. All forms of creativity are welcome, from crafts and visual art to magic, comedy, music, and poetry, offering a space where artistic expression can help process difficult emotions, build trust through onstage sharing, and encourage connections with a healthy circle of friends. Sign up is first come first served, and presentations are limited to five minutes. The kitchen will be open for service. A piano and a selection of instruments, including guitars, are available for use. While there is no screen for photo display, performers can use backing tracks for singing. This edition is hosted by John Dillon and Vivian Nesbitt, longtime creative partners whose work brings together music, storytelling, creativity, and recovery. John has been in long-term recovery since 1992 and shares his experience by bringing music and collaborative songwriting to treatment and recovery communities throughout the Northeast. Vivian is an actor, writer, producer, singer, musician, and storyteller who draws out the stories and creative spirit in others, with work that spans stage, film, radio, and television. Together, they created and hosted the nationally syndicated public radio program Art of the Song for more than 20 years, exploring creativity, inspiration, and the journey to finding one’s voice. Admission is free thanks to the support of the Victor and Helen Geisel Foundation.

A new New Year’s Eve residency launches with a celebration designed to become a tradition. The night features interactive bingo and trivia, prizes, music and dancing, and a buffet to keep the energy up. A toast at midnight marks the moment, and the festivities continue into the night. This is the kickoff year, setting the stage for even bigger editions to come.

Experience the music of Prince and The Revolution in a full musical performance, featuring special guests Jessica Black and Tania Susi.

Maxx Explosion is a hard rock trio featuring drummer BJ Zampa, guitarist Jimi Bell, and singing bassist Chris McCarvill, all connected through their work with House of Lords. Formed in 2012, the band developed from a cover group into an outlet for original music, releasing the albums Forever and Dirty Angels. Their sound blends glam-infused hard rock inspired by the 1980s and 1990s with a modern edge. After a hiatus during which the members performed with Dokken and Autograph, the trio has reunited.