Christmas with the Ellisons at Knox’s Headquarters
For a lovely, peaceful end to the day, how about taking a ride to the Knox’s Headquarters State Historic Site for Christmas with the Ellisons? On Saturday, December 20 from 4 to 7 p.m., tour the 1754 mansion by candlelight, decorated in 18th-century holiday style and a world of comfort away from the living conditions endured by Revolutionary War soldiers who lived at the nearby cantonment.
Knox’s Headquarters is located at 289 Forge Hill Road in Vails Gate. For more information, call (845) 561-5498 or visit https://nysparks.com.
Kwanzaa Festival at Hudson Opera House
Habari gani? What’s the news? On Saturday, December 20 from 3 to 5 p.m., join the Kwanzaa Festival and Umoja Community Celebration at the Hudson Opera House. This event is family-friendly, beginning with a craft for all children, a candle-lighting ceremony and sharing the Nguzo Saba: the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The celebration includes performances by West African drummer Mangue Sylla, Hip Hop Dance with Anthony Molina and Kuumba Dance & Drum, and is followed by Karamu, a light supper, and Zawadi, gifts for the children.
The Hudson Opera House is located at 327 Warren Street in Hudson. For more information, call (518) 822-1438 or visit https://hudsonoperahouse.org.
Jazzy Nut/Cracked at Bard
Like many of you, I thoroughly enjoyed last week’s wonderful Nutcracker performance by the New Paltz School of Ballet at the Bardavon. And now, if you are looking for an alternative experience of Sugar Plum Fairies and waltzing flowers, just head up the river to Bard College. On Saturday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 21 at 2 p.m., the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College presents Nut/Cracked by the Bang Group. Suitable for ages 12 and up, Nut/Cracked includes tap dancing and versions of Tchaikovsky’s score in the style of Duke Ellington and Glenn Miller.
Tickets run between $25 and $45. Bard College is located at 60 Manor Avenue in Annandale-on-Hudson. For tickets or more information, call (845) 758-7900 or visit https://fishercenter.bard.edu.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21
Holiday Craft Festival in Poughkeepsie
All are invited to celebrate this holiday season with hands-on activities at the Holiday Craft Festival at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie this Sunday, December 21 from 1 to 4 p.m., following a potluck lunch. Families can make a variety of projects to take home, including pinecone wreaths, holiday paper crafts, cookie-decorating, luminary jars, candle-dipping and tag- and card-making. Father Yule will make an appearance, and seasonal music will play throughout the afternoon.
Admission costs $5 per person to $20 per family. The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie is located at 67 South Randolph Avenue in Poughkeepsie. For more information, visit www.uupok.org or on Facebook.
Caroling at High & Mighty Therapeutic Riding & Driving Center
Many of you have done holiday caroling before, but have you ever fa-la-la-ed to horses? No? Well, here’s your chance! On Sunday, December 21 from 4 to 6 p.m., head over to the High and Mighty Therapeutic Riding and Driving Center for holiday goodies and singing. Remember to bring horse treats to stuff into their stockings, and dress warmly.
High and Mighty is located at 71 County Road 21C in Ghent. For more information, call (518) 672-4202 or visit https://high-n-mighty.org.
Children’s Day Celebration at Sky Lake in Rosendale
Bring some light to this darkest day of the year with a visit to Sky Lake for its Children’s Day Celebration. On Sunday, December 21 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., join this Winter Solstice event, which includes a visit from the Winter Queen and King with a magical story and sweet gifts. Children of any age are welcome to offer their talents of music, dance, poetry, seasonal art or “even a good joke” during the festivities. Remember to bring a wrapped gift for Family of New Paltz and a child-friendly dish for the potluck.
Sky Lake is located at 22 Hillcrest Lane in Rosendale. For more information, call (845) 658-8556 or visit https://skylake.shambhala.org.
Holiday House Hunt at Poughkeepsie’s Locust Grove
How in the world can you combine holiday shopping with a fun and educational outing with the family? It’s easy when you’re at Locust Grove! Sunday, December 21 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. is the last Sunday for the Holiday House Hunt, where children explore the mansion in a search for animals in the extensive art collection, followed by refreshments and caroling in the pavilion. Arrive by 3 p.m. to complete the hunt.
Admission costs $8 for children aged 4 years and up, and $10 for adults. Locust Grove is located at 2683 South Road in Poughkeepsie. For more information, call (845) 454-4500 or visit www.lgny.org.
Holiday Skating Spectacular Show in Saugerties
Here are some inside details about a terrific event that I want you to know about this weekend. On Sunday, December 21 from 4 to 6:30 p.m., the Saugerties Skating School presents its Holiday Skating Spectacular Show at the Kiwanis Ice Arena. Not only is this a chance to be mesmerized by artful forms on the ice, but it’s also a fundraiser for two-year-old Jared Andrews of Saugerties, who’s fighting liver cancer, and every dollar counts.
Tickets for the entire event, including the show and dinner buffet, cost $15 for adults and $10 for children aged 12 years and younger; children 2 and under get in free. If you preorder your tickets, you can purchase show-only admission for $5 (children 2 and under get in free); dinner-only tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for children. In addition to dinner and the show, there will be a raffle, prizes and a bake sale.
The Kiwanis Ice Arena is located at 6 Small World Avenue in Saugerties. For tickets, more information or to donate raffle prizes or bake-sale goods, call (845) 246-7657, stop by the Kiwanis Ice Arena Skating School on Monday or Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. or contact the Noah’s Ark Nursery School at (845) 246-7581 and ask for Ethel. Checks or money orders can be made out to Jared Andrews, listing the names and ages of all attending, and sent to Noah’s Ark Nursery School, c/o Skating Fundraiser, 9 Frontier Road, Saugerties, NY 12477. To learn more about how to support Jared, visit www.gofundme.com/savejaredandrews.
Iceboats on view at FDR site in Hyde Park
Now here’s something that you don’t see every day: an ice yacht display. They were the fastest crafts on Earth until the invention of the automobile. This tradition of speeding iceboats dates back to the 1800s, and our own Franklin D. Roosevelt owned a boat named Hawk. From Sunday, December 21 through Saturday, January 3, visitors can see this display for free at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Home, Library & Museum. Hawk is on display in the Visitor Center lobby, and additional historic ice yachts are on display in front of the library.
The FDR Home is located at 4097 Albany Post Road in Hyde Park. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/hofr.
Puppets & Parrots concert in Kingston
Talk about an intriguing name for a performance: “Puppets and Parrots.” On Sunday, December 21 at 2 p.m., Catskill Mountain Music Together presents this family concert at the Uptown Gallery of the Kingston Arts Festival. Lydia Adams Davis incorporates puppets into her music, and Gloria Waslyn brings her live parrots. Tickets at the door cost $10 for families and $7 for single adults, or purchase them in advance and save $2 per ticket.
The Uptown Gallery is located at 296 Wall Street in Kingston. For tickets or more information, call (845) 657-2600 or visit https://catskillmountainmusictogether.com. To learn more about the performers, visit https://lydiaadamsdavis.com and https://parrotsforpeace.org.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 22
Hyde Park Station hosts Polar Express reading
“Though I’ve grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe,” shares the narrator of the Polar Express story. Do you and your family still hear the bell? This Monday, December 22 at 5 or 7 p.m., head over to the Hyde Park Station for a reading of The Polar Express in the historic station. A craft and refreshments will be available.
The Hyde Park Station is located at 34 River Road in Hyde Park. For more information, visit www.hydeparkstation.com.
Highland Winter Day Camp suitable for special needs kids
For kids on the spectrum, kids with special needs, kids who need A Little More or just a chance to connect with other children in a safe, welcoming, supportive space, the Highland Winter Day Camp is a terrific resource. Hosted and facilitated by Hudson Valley Behavioral Solutions, camps take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, December 22 and 29 and Tuesday, December 23 and 30. Registration costs $50 per day and includes social skills, academics, an art project and instructional lunch. Participants need a snack, lunch and two drinks.
The Highland Winter Day Camp is located at 550 Route 299, Suite 100B, in Highland. For reservations or more information, call (845) 834-3722, e-mail lsrosner@gmail.com or visit www.behaviorsos.com.
Erica Chase-Salerno lights the Yule log in New Paltz with her husband Mike and their two children: the inspirations behind hudsonvalleyparents.com. She can be reached at kidsalmanac@ulsterpublishing.com.
Join the family! 
