Top 5 Weekend (Dec. 11-14): Santa Speedo Sprint, SantaCon & more!

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Happy Thursday, Capital Region! Welcome to the best Weekend Guide in upstate New York because, yes, we’ve read them all 😉

This weekend, Santa’s coming to town… and he might not be wearing much, at least not at the Santa Speedo Sprint. We’ll be there, so say hello if you catch us at the festivities.

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

⭐️ 🎅 It’s that time of year again when Lark Street turns into a runway of red cheeks and holiday chic. The 20th Annual Santa Speedo Sprint is dashing through the snow this Saturday. Whether you’re sprinting, spectating, or just here for the reindeer games, this annual tradition may be Albany’s most joyous holiday event of all. Sat, race time at 2p, free to watch.

⭐️ The Albany Institute of History & Art opens for a free International Makers & Flavors Market. Visit with over 20 international vendors, artisans, and makers showcasing their handmade goods rich with craftsmanship and heritage. Oh, did we mention the good ethnic eats?! Sat, 12-4p, free.

⭐️ ⛄️ Expect to see hundreds of Santas, elves, snowmen, and other holiday hooligans descend upon downtown for a full day of holiday mischief and merriment at the Saratoga SantaCon 2025, one of the Capital District’s largest pub crawls. Sat, 1:30-3:30p, $23.18.

⭐️ 📜 Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site is commemorating the 250th Anniversary of Henry Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery with an immersive historical reenactment. Interact with historical re-enactors and enjoy 18th century refreshments. Sat, 1-5p, free. Also, on Saturday, Arts Center on the Hudson in Mechanicville puts on “A Candlelight Concert Featuring Music of Knox’s Era.”

⭐️ 🎅 It’s the final Saturday for the Deck the Hall-bany Holiday Market and Festival. Browse for holiday gifts under heated tents. As part of the festivities this weekend, the Albany Barn is taking folks on a Holiday Houses of Joy downtown art tour. Sat, 11a-4p, free.

Honorable mentions this week:

👧 "Barbie: A Cultural Icon Exhibition" at the New York State Museum features an exclusive collection of vintage Barbies and 300 artifacts that tell the story of the world’s most famous doll, including the very first 1959 doll, the original Barbie Dreamhouse, and early prototypes. Free.

🚢 Taking over the Armory Studios NY in Schenectady, Titanic: An Immersive Voyage – Through the Eyes of the Passengers features real artifacts from the doomed ship, dramatic room recreations, and 3D visuals. Tix from $27.90. (We haven’t seen this yet, so let us know if it’s truly worth it!)

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MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

🎭️ Tonight and tomorrow evening, The Troy Foundry Theatre puts on the classic ‘A Christmas Story.’ It’s also a fundraiser for the theater!

🎄 Schenectady’s Festival of Trees is a beloved holiday tradition that instantly gets you into the Christmas spirit. Featuring 70+ decorated trees, through Dec. 26th.

Not afraid to brave the cold? Get to Artisanal Brew Works in Saratoga for its free Trail of Lights. It looks pretty decked out for the holidays!

🪵 We love the charm of high school theater. This weekend, get to Bethlehem Central High School for “Little Women,” a coming-of-age production based on the Louisa May Alcott novel. Tix are just $10.

🎄 ‘Tis the last season for “The McKrells Christmas,” a local tradition going on 25 years. The TU has the lowdown on the final performances.

FRIDAY

❄️ The first annual A Very FAIRy Christmas Village at the Altamont Fairgrounds is free and features a charming holiday market with handmade craft vendors, a country store, and a hot cocoa bar. Fri & Sat.

🎙️ The Mendelssohn Club of Albany will present a “Mostly Classical Christmas” on Friday at St. Pius X Church in Colonie.

🌡️ How much do you really know about climate change? Test your science brain at the Climate Change Trivia Night at The Eleven / Lark Hall.

🐂 The PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour barrels into the MVP Arena on Fri & Sat.

☄️ Catch a falling star as the Geminids meteor shower peaks on Fri & Sat.

🎄Niskayuna’s Festive Tree Lighting brings holiday magic to Town Hall.

SATURDAY 

🎅The Ten Broeck Mansion brings Santa to town, Old World-style, with their Free Children's Holiday Program, featuring story time with Sinterklaas and ornament-making for families.

🎁 If you haven’t been to the Shirt Factory in Glens Falls, their Holiday Open House is the perfect time to pay a visit.

✍️ Jane Austen Day at MochaLisa's Caffe & Books in Clifton Park celebrates the author’s 250th birthday with a full day of fun activities, including a bookish popup market, and cookie and candle pouring classes!

✨ Shine on as Oropendola & Ellen Atwood light up the Troy Listening Room.

🏳️‍🌈 If you missed last weekend’s performance of “Jingle All the Way,” the Albany Gay Men’s Chorus is back for another show, this time at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Albany.

☠️ The holidays get moody at the Albany Twilight Market, returning to the Washington Park Lakehouse.

👋 Toast to the past and the future at the Holiday Hootenanny / Last day in business as the SingleCut Beersmiths in Clifton Park goes out with a bang beginning at noon.

📢 Tour the magnificently acoustic EMPAC building with Executive Director Dena Beard.

🎙️An audience favorite, Handel’s Messiah is performed by Octavo Singers every December.

🚜 A beloved local tradition, Granville's 8th Annual Lighted Tractor Parade kicks off at 5:30 pm.

SUNDAY

🎄Get to the Ukrainian American Citizens Club in Cohoes for a Ukrainian Christmas Market.

🎤 Stroll in as Open Mic Night at the Armory returns to their swanky sports lounge.

📚️ The NYS Writers Institute goes off campus for a conversation with Victoria Redel, author of the new novel, I Am You, at Nine Pin.

MONDAY

🎺The Dave Kitchen Quintet brings their eclectic blend of jazz, pop classics, and Great American Songbook standards to the Moon & River Cafe.

🧝 Get to the Palace Theatre for a free screening of “Elf” and a visit from Santa too!

TUESDAY

👯‍♀️ 2025’s final Velvet Visions at September's Too promises to channel the season in inventive, unpredictable ways.

Our music listings are now published separately on The 518 website. Click here.

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