❄️ First Friday Albany, Winter Wonders Market & tree lightings

Happy Thursday, Capital District! Today, we’re setting you up for First Friday Albany, featuring the Winter Wonders Market and more. You won’t want to miss it! Plus, we’ve got an absolutely packed weekend full of holiday events 🎄🎁 

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Get to the Winter Wonders Market at First Friday Albany!

First Friday Albany, the city’s monthly celebration of arts and culture, returns tomorrow with a terrific holiday twist: The Winter Wonders Market! (The 518 is the proud media sponsor for First Friday).

The Winter Wonders Market is where you’ll find unique, locally made holiday gifts from artisans throughout the Capital Region, handpicked for their craftsmanship. Skip the big box stores, find the perfect gift, and enjoy the historic atmosphere of downtown Albany while you’re browsing.

Here’s just a small sample of the high-quality crafts you’ll find at tomorrow’s event:

Affordable and adorable hand-sewn gifts from Northbound Boutique at Common Roots Brewery. Anna quit her full-time job in 2023 to turn this passion project into a business.

At City Hall, find hand-carved and hand-printed block prints from Sundog Printmaking. Karley bought a handprinted scarf from this sweet vendor last summer and she wears it all the time! Also at City Hall, find the whimsical crochet creations by Yarn from Jess (the Yoda is adorbs).

At the Washington Avenue Armory, there will be 8 different artists and artisans showcasing their craft. We love these approachable paintings from The Accidental Artist. You’ll also find vendors at Lark Hall and Albany Elks Lodge.

The Winter Wonders Market isn’t the only thing happening on First Friday. Albany Barn and Union Station will have their own gift markets. The evening holiday choir performance at First Presbyterian Church will be a beautiful experience.

At the Albany Institute of History and Art, author James M. Bradley will be joined by Times Union editor Akum Norder in a fireside chat on the life and times of Martin Van Buren. Plus, museum admission is free!

There’s so much more, we can’t fit it all here. Be sure to check the full schedule for First Friday Albany—and we’ll see you around town!

❄️ WEATHER WATCH

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🏮We’re looking forward to this one: Troy “restaurapreneur” Vic Christopher is opening a Tokyo-style bar in the Collar City. Called Daisuki and scheduled to open in February, the bar is inspired by the tiny alleyway bars in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Golden Gai area. [TU gift article]

🚧 There’s so much interest from bidders who want the job of tearing down Albany’s White Elephant Central Warehouse that the deadline for bids has been extended. There’s $13 million available to pay for the long-awaited demolition—which should be enough, but you never know with these things 🙄 [TU gift article]

🎤 Who doesn’t love the King of Pop? Michael Jackson fans should beat it to Proctors in Schenectady for “MJ,” the musical that’s basically a greatest-hits compilation. Bill Kellert offers raves in his Nippertown review, calling it “a trip down a piece of rock heaven that shouldn't be missed.”

⭐️ = 518 Staff Picks

⭐️ ❄️ First Friday Albany the city’s monthly celebration of arts & culture, returns with a holiday twist. For the Winter Wonders Market, artisans have been invited to showcase their handmade crafts in venues around the city. Come find the perfect holiday gift and check out all of the other cool events happening on First Friday! All free.

⭐️ The Empire Plaza Tree Lighting: We might not have the Rockefeller Center, but our Christmas tree lighting is within view of The Egg, so there’s that! (Btw, did y’all catch The Egg & Albany on Jeopardy!?) Festivities all day, including ice skating, carriage rides, and a visit with Santa. Lighting ceremony & fireworks: Sun, 5:15p, free.

⭐️ The Downtown Albany Hot Chocolate Stroll features 25 venues competing for the best hot chocolate in town. We gotta think that the adult beverages will be the favorites here. Sat, 11a—3p, $20-$30.

⭐️ Troy, which is featured in HBO’s “Gilded Age,” is the perfect backdrop for the 42nd Annual Troy Victorian Stroll. Expect downtown to be mobbed for this event, which features Victorian characters wandering about and tons of activities. Sun, 11a—5p, free.

⭐️ Transit of Venus Anniversary Celebration: This year is the 150th anniversary of the 1874 Transit of Venus and the 150th year of 128 Grand Street, a historic row house in Albany’s Mansion District where Kiddie Pool hosts its art & literature events. Come for the projections and curations, stay for the libations and good company. Fri, 7—midnight, free. Read Tuesday’s profile of Kiddie Pool.

🎟️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

TODAY

🎄 Albany’s Holiday Tree Lighting at Academy Park with da mayor. Troy and Saratoga also hold their tree lightings tonight.

🤶 Saratoga’s own Victorian Stroll kicks off at 6 pm tonight.

🕯️ Magic of Lights continues through the weekend at Altamont Fairgrounds. Don’t wanna pay? Check out Santa's Playland 2024 at Quick Response in Round Lake—it’s free! Also, Christmas at Animal Land is a new holiday drive-thru this season.

🎄 The Saratoga Festival of Trees returns with over 250 beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, and other holiday and gift items for purchase. Through Sunday. $5-$10.

🌲 Troy’s Hart Cluett Museum invites you to its 68th Annual Holiday Greens Show all weekend.

⛸️ Taking over the MVP Arena, Disney on Ice is a family favorite!

FRIDAY

🖼️ On Friday, the Albany Public Library and Opalka Gallery present “Repeat Play: The Art of Pattern.” Come meet the artists at the Pine Hills branch, plus enjoy music by RK Jazz and Blues, an all-female jazz trio.

Also, Opalka stays open late for First Friday Albany with live music. On Sat, at 2p, the gallery hosts a closing reception for its “Voracious Eye” exhibit.

⛸️ It’s opening day for the ice skating rink at Empire State Plaza! Gates open at 10 am. Rock-N-Skate with DJ Mr CEO 4—6p.

🎄Ballston Spa’s annual holiday parade and tree lighting kicks off at 6:30p.

SATURDAY

🏳️‍🌈 The Big Gay Market returns to Quackenbush Square. 11a—3p, free.

🎅 Bring the kids to St. Nicholas Day at Crailo Historic State Site in Rensselaer for hot cocoa, crafts and a visit with St. Nick. 11am—3p, free.

💻️ Ryan Shanahan brings “Sweating the Petty: Adventures in Internet Scambaiting” to Troy’s Mojo Cafe & Gallery. The evening will feature real (and absurd) conversations with internet scam artists.

🏡 The Bolton Holiday Home Tour will feature five stunningly decorated homes. Proceeds benefit The Conkling Center in Glens Falls, which supports seniors and their caregivers.

🎅 Troy SantaCon is a bar crawl with holiday spirit. Don your Santa’s hat and join a festive crowd, with proceeds supporting the Boys & Girls Club of the Capital Area. 11a—6p, $5 donation.

🎻 RPI is hosting a holiday concert at EMPAC as part of its bicentennial and the Victorian Stroll. 7—9p, free.

SUNDAY

🚂 The Great Train Extravaganza takes over the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. 10a—4p, $10.

🚉 Just across the street, the NYS Museum is putting on a free screening of “The Polar Express,” and will also showcase railroad-themed displays. All Aboard for a Polar Express Adventure is free, 11a—3p.

🎄 Rotterdam’s holiday festival kicks off at 3p, with tree lighting at 7p.

🎸 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

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