Top 5 Weekend: Dec. 4–7, 2025

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Happy Thursday, Capital Region! Our Top 5 Weekend roundup is here to ramp up your weekend with tree lightings, hot chocolate, holiday markets, and all the things that make the season merry and bright. Stay warm & cozy, friends!

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Thank you to everyone who’s donated to the Americana/ble Pop-up Art event on Kickstarter so far. We’re 4 days into our month of fundraising, and 15% of the way to our goal! And, a special thanks to Marisa Espe of the Albany Institute of History & Art—the very first person to back our project 😘 

We hope you’ll consider supporting us too, even $1, $5, or $10 would be such a gift 🥁 Make a $50 pledge and join Marisa on our Contributor Wall at the big night in May!

⭐️ ⛸️ Twirl into the Empire State Plaza Ice Rink’s Opening Day and experience the Capital Region at its wintery finest as skaters swirl and cheeks flush with fun. It’s free to skate and rentals are just $5. ⏰ Friday, Dec. 5, 10a–6p

⭐️ 🎨 After checking out the ice rink, stay in town as First Friday Albany returns for another monthly celebration of arts and culture. Highlights include:

• View the expansive “For Liberation and for Life: Black Dimensions” show at the Albany Institute of History & Art. Plus, there will be delicious libations and more at their Members Holiday Open House, free and open to the public!

• Opalka Gallery stays open late with the one-man band As Iz

• David Hinchen Gallery invites you for a festive evening of art, conversation, and refreshments.

• Check out the full list of events

⭐️ 🕰️ Troy Victorian Stroll | Now in its 41st year, the Troy Victorian Stroll is your invitation to enjoy carolers in costume, decorated shop windows, and delightful treats along the way. Pull on your overcoat for a holiday stroll into the past. ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 7, 11a-5p

⭐️☕ Downtown Albany Hot Chocolate Stroll brings together hot chocolate and the best spots in downtown Albany, including the Palace Theatre and our fave little shop, Fort Orange General Store. Sample some of the best hot cocoa in town and vote for your favorite! ⏰ Saturday, Dec. 7, 11a–3p

⭐️🎄 Don’t miss the New York State Tree Lighting + Fireworks Festival, the biggest tree lighting event in the Capital Region. Expect fireworks 💥, music, skating, food, and a Santa sighting or two. Elf ears are optional but encouraged, especially since temperatures will be frosty! ⏰ Sunday, Dec. 7, 12–8p (tree lighting at 5:15p)

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FRIDAY

🍺 Break out your cringe-worthy sweaters for Fort Orange’s Ugly Sweater Bingo night.

🎄Celebrating its 30th year, the Saratoga Festival of Trees runs through the weekend. And the beloved Schenectady Festival of Trees kicks off on Saturday. Artisanal Brew Works in Saratoga is putting on a free Trail of Lights, featuring 50+ decorated trees, through Dec. 31.

🎬️ Get to the Hart Cluett Museum in Troy for its Annual Holiday Greens Show. This year, the museum turns into a festive homage to holiday movies!

🚒 The Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting steps off at 6:30 pm. Also, Glens Falls hosts a tree lighting at 6 pm as part of its Adirondack Holiday Festival.

🇮🇹 The American Italian Heritage Museum puts on an Italian Christmas Market through the weekend. Buon Natale!

SATURDAY 

🪑 New Collar Goods is one of our favorite makers in the Capital Region. Their small-batch furniture is both beautiful and exquisitely handcrafted. This Saturday, the husband-and-wife team behind the brand is putting on their third annual Holiday Market, featuring wood-crafted home goods, fiber & knitwear, ceramics, forged iron goods, children's toys, and more. Plus, they’ll have a live vinyl set and other small businesses on hand.

🎅 St. Nicholas Day at Crailo State Historic Site is inspired by a Dutch holiday. Come for 17th & 18th century traditional treats, hearth baking, live music, crafts & activities, and of course—a visit from St. Nick himself.

🍺 Bootleggers hosts Troy’s Annual SantaCon Pub Crawl.

🌶️ Get to Lost & Found Bar & Kitchen for a night of holiday mischief and tantalizing performances at The Krampus Cabaret: A Naughty Holiday Revue!

🎻 Music in the Mansion: A Holiday Concert at the Ten Broeck Mansion is a family-friendly affair. Donations accepted.

🎁 The Innovation Center at Saratoga hosts its first annual Holiday Makers Market.

🪓 The Barrel in Bolton Landing hosts its Flannel Fest.

🎅 The Jingle Bell Bash at Halfmoon Town Complex features sleigh rides, face painting, crafts and photos with Santa!

💥 miSci debuts two new laser shows with an adults-only Laser Launch Party!

SUNDAY

🏳️‍🌈 The Big Gay Market returns to Washington Park Lakehouse for a winter’s gathering.

🖼️ Get to the Storefront Gallery in Troy for the opening reception for In the Toilet and Down the Drain.

🚂 The Great Train Extravaganza returns to the Empire State Plaza Convention Center.

☠️ The Punk Rock Flea Market returns just in time for some alternative holiday shopping.

🎻 Featuring some young talents, Albany Symphony’s “Magic of the Season” at the Palace Theatre promises to be a delightful holiday show.

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

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