(Photo by Walter Hill)
Billed as “Hudson’s liveliest, largest and most colorful event of the year,” the annual celebration Winter Walk, organized by the Hudson Opera House, returns this Saturday, December 5 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Hudson’s mile-long Warren Street is transformed into a festive boulevard with twinkling lights, brightly decorated shops, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, live reindeer, a petting zoo, a horse-drawn wagon, carolers and a legion of characters and performers. At 5 p.m. the carillon bells of the First Presbyterian Church launch the Santa Parade from the Opera House to City Hall, where free books are distributed to children all evening. Holiday frolicking continues throughout the evening, with activities and performances both inside shops and on the street. From jazz to classical, African drums to banjo, music is everywhere. Face-painting, stiltwalkers, animal balloons by Tots the Clown and Roger the Jester compete for children’s attention. At 8 p.m., fireworks launched from Promenade Hill at the foot of Warren Street light up the winter sky marking the conclusion of the festivities, but many businesses (especially restaurants) stay open long afterwards.
For more info about Winter Walk, visit https://hudsonoperahouse.org/winter-walk.