Hudson Valley holidays: Find concerts, holiday parades, Christmas Express

Once November rolls arounds, thoughts turn to the holidays. Many events, canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 have returned. Here's a list of things happening in Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties.

If you have an event to be included, please email information to Shaniquah Gabino, sgabino@th-record.com.

Peace, Love and Lights, thru Jan. 2

Bethel Woods is setting up for the holidays with a magical light display expanding over a mile! See new themes such as Snowflake Alley, Candy Cane Lane, the Enchanted Forest and more to see. Children can also dine with Santa at an all-you-can-eat buffet on select evenings. You can enjoy the displays from your car, or for a special experience, walkthroughs will take place on Mondays. Once your drive is complete, warm up with refreshments and enjoy the Musical Mega Trees light display, with trees up to 30-feet tall, in sync to holiday music. Peace, Love and Lights will open Nov. 1- through Jan. 2, head to the website for tickets and time, ticketmaster.com. Go: 200 Hurd Road, Bethel. 583-2000.

Walkill Holiday Parade, Nov. 20

Watch the Town of Wallkill's Annual Holiday Parade on Nov. 20 beginning at 5 p.m. Line up will be at Orange Bank & Trust on Trust Way, and the parade will be visible from parking lots along Winning Way to Galleria Ring Road.

Kevin McCurdy's Holiday Spirit Festival, thru Dec. 26

Get into the holiday spirit with Kevin McCurdy's Holiday Spirit Festival! There will be animated and light displays, holiday tunnels and characters, picture ops, so much to see! New this year is the Winter Wonderland Walk where you can enjoy the Legend of the Frost Fairies, holiday trains, a scavenger hunt for misfit toys and more. Holiday Spirit Festival will open Nov. 26 and run through Dec. 26, Fri. 6-9 p.m., Sat. 4:30-9 p.m. and Sun. 4:30-8:30 p.m. For ticket info, visit holidayspiritfestival.com. Go: 38 Sheafe Road, Wappingers Falls. 297-9627.

Chanukah Gelt Drop & Menorah Lighting, Nov. 29

Chabad of Orange County hosts this public menorah lighting beginning at 6 p.m. in the commuter lot, 70 Mill Pond Parkway in Monroe. There will be latkes, hot cocoa, dreidels and a chocolate gelt drop from a fire truck. Go: For info, go to chabadorange.com

Catskill Christmas Express, thru Dec. 26

Go on a 60 minute trip through the Catskill Forest and visit Santa's Workshop at the North Pole. Starting Nov. 26 through Dec. 23 from 12-4 p.m., you can board on open-air flat cars, so bring a blanket and dress warm. Everyone will receive a cookie and a small gift. More information can be found at catskillmountainrailroad.com. Go: Catskill Mountain Railroad, 55 Kingston Plaza Road, Kingston. 332-4854.

A Frosty Fest, Nov. 26-Dec. 19

There will be plenty of attractions at Frosty Fest! Some attractions include Bubbles the Christmas Bear with a gift all must see, a huge Forest Snowman, a talking reindeer, animated musical light show, gardens and an enchanted forest that light up, and way more than can be listed here! After a day of fun, visit the gift shop for tasty treats and gifts for purchase. Opening Nov. 26 through Dec. 19, tickets can be purchased at afrostyfest.com/tickets. Go: 778 Broadway, Route 9W, Ulster Park. 339-2666, ext. 10.

Snowflake Festival, Dec. 3

The annual Snowflake Festival will take place Dec. 3 from 6-8 p.m. Plenty of entertainment and performances with fire twirlers, a stilt band, fiddlers and dancers, ice carving and much more. There will also be the Christmas tree lighting and a Santa will be there too. Go: North Front and Wall streets, Kingston.

A Christmas Carol, Dec. 3-19

Charles Dicken's classic, "A Christmas Carol," will take place at the Center for Performing Arts from Dec. 3-19, Fri. and Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at centerforperformingarts.showare.com. Go: 661 Route 308

Rhinebeck. 876-3080.

The Magic of Christmas, Dec. 4

Jimmy Sturr will be at the Paramount Theatre on Dec. 4 starting at 3 p.m. Special guests will be Jay Siegel's Tokens, also The Jimmy Sturr Singers, Matt and Elaine Dancers and more. Tickets range from $39-$45. Visit middletownparamount.com for more information. Go: 17 South St., Middletown. 346-4195.

Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, Dec. 4

Bring the kids to witness Santa and Mrs. Claus flying in by a helicopter landing on Dec. 4 at 10:30 a.m. Then head to Rest Haven from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to enjoy a music group and drumline. Information can be found at helenkellermonroeny.com/community-events.html. Go: Rest Haven, 236 High St., Monroe.

Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting, Dec. 4

The entire family will enjoy the Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting, complete with vendors, food trucks, performances and photos with Santa. The fun takes place on Dec. 4 from 12-6 p.m. Go: 51 Waterstone Road, Greenwood Lake.

Goshen Holiday House Tour, Dec. 4

This self-guided outdoor driving tour features festively decorated homes throughout the greater Goshen area. Tickets are $25 per carload, if purchased by Nov. 29; $35 per carload day off. Hours are 5-9 p.m. Snow date is Dec. 5. To buy online, go to www.cccsos.org; by phone, call 845-294-5124, x1005. Attendees are asked to donate warm winter gear (socks, mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, etc.) for a prize entry. The event raises funds for Catholic Charities’ emergency food and shelter programs and other services. Go: Check-in and day of ticket sales 3-6 p.m. at Burke Catholic High School, 80 Fletcher St.

Worth the trip

Bryant Park's Winter Village thru Jan.2

Now in its 20th season, the Winter Village is returning right before Halloween. The village will have The Rink, an outdoor ice skating rink with free admission, the holiday market with over 170 merchants, and The Lodge, a "skate escape" where guests can relax with drinks, food and people watch. The holiday market will run from Oct. 29 until Jan. 2 while the rest will remain open until March 6. For more information, go to bryantpark.org. Go: Winter Village at Bryant Park, between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues, Manhattan.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Nov. 5 - Jan. 2

After their hiatus in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rockettes are back for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. The show will run for 90 minutes without intermission. Tickets are on sale and range from $49 to $225. Ticket holders are advised to check the website for the most up-to-date COVID-19 protocols, as New York state and the music hall's policies are subject to change.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center, opens Nov. 6

The Rink at Rockefeller Center, where people can ice skate beneath the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, will reopen on Saturday, Nov. 6. The Rink will be open daily from 9 a.m. to midnight. Tickets to skate the rink are on sale now and range in price from $20 to $54, changing based on time of day and the date, so it is advised to check out the website for the most accurate pricing. Lessons, memberships, and skate rentals are also available. Go: The Rink at Rockefeller Center, between 49th and 50th Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues, Manhattan; 212-771-7200; rockefellercenter.com.

Jessica Lynn's a Very Merry Country Christmas, Dec. 18

Enjoy a Broadway-style holiday spectacular in Peekskill with Jessica Lynn performing over a dozen holiday classics such as "Jingle Bell Rock", "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year", "Let It Snow" and more. Featured will be a seven-piece band, children's choirs, dancers, local musicians, special effects, some country flair and a visit from Santa, all complete with snow! Toys will be collected to benefit Toys for Tots of Westchester, so feel free to bring a new unwrapped toy. Tickets are $25 to $35 and can be purchased at jessicalynnmusic.org/shows. Go: The Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown Street, Peekskill. 914-739-0039.

'Twas The Night Before ... Cirque de Soleil,' Dec. 9-27

Cirque du Soleil’s spin on the beloved Christmas tale is about the wonders of sharing and friendship. The production marks Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever Christmas show. It will run at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden for 28 performances from Dec. 9-27, 2021. Go: Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased online at msg.com/cirque. Service charges apply to internet orders.

Holiday Train Show, Nov. 20-Jan. 23, 2022

The Holiday Train Show is back at The New York Botanical Garden for its 30th year. Visitors will find a display of more than 175 New York landmarks, each re-created from natural materials such as birch bark, lotus pods, and cinnamon sticks. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to nybg.org.

GLOW, Nov. 24-Jan. 22, 2022

GLOW, a walk-thru color-and-light experience in the New York Botanical Garden's illuminated landscape, has been expanded to 1.5 miles with added displays. Guests will also find music, dance and food options. GLOW will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. on 25 nights starting Nov. 24 and running through Jan. 2. Tickets are on sale at.nybg.org

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Goshen house tour, Frosty Fest, more Hudson Valley holiday events