December Happenings of 2021

Here are some December Happenings version 2021! Yes, I am a bit late with this post and I do apologize about that! Since working with so many transplants from the city, many of whom are eager to get to know the area, I am bombarded with a plethora of questions on what to do up this way. They are seeking fun local activities, events, and such. So, I have decided to create monthly newsletter-type entries showcasing a few local fun things to do for the month.

December is underway, Christmas is almost here and Hanukkah just wrapped up for the year. I love the holidays, don’t you? The lights, the energy, the shopping, and the fun things to do! But being from the city, it’s not as simple as just a train ride or bumping into something interesting randomly while walking down the street. Up here, you’ll have to do some research or be a part of a great Facebook group in order to get an idea of what’s happening for the month. So to keep it a bit more simple for you, here are some great things to do this month with your family in tow or just solo.

December Happenings

1 – Museum Village’s – Christmas in the Village – Monroe

From December 11th at 11 am to December 12th at 4 pm, experience Museum Village’s winter wonderland! Listen to carolers, shop local vendors, and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

2 – Sugar Loaf Holiday Celebration – Sugar Loaf

December 11th at 11 am, the Sugar Loaf Holiday Festival is extra-spirited this year. Guests will enjoy a festive day full of holiday cheer including:

•  Hot cider courtesy of the Sugar Loaf Community Foundation;
• Treeside caroling with the Warwick Valley Chorale, Warwick Valley High School Treble Choir, and the Warwick Valley High School Meistersingers;
• Visits with Santa to share wishlists and capture keepsake photos;
• Horse Drawn carriage rides through the village of Sugar Loaf (weather dependent) from 1-4:30pm;
• Tree lighting at 4:30pm;
• Shopping the dozens of artisan shops and boutiques
• Dining and snacking at local village eateries.
• Shopping Discount Ticket for all guests! Stop in White Rabbit Restorations at 62 Wood Road to pick up a ticket valid for shopping discounts and freebies from shops and eateries throughout the Village of Sugar Loaf.

Additional details and updates available at https://www.sugarloafnewyork.com/events

3 – Breakfast With Santa! – Chester

December 19th at 7:30 am, Santa’s Firehouse Elves are hard at work cooking breakfast for you!

• $10 per elf
• $5 per seasoned elf (65+)
• Free for tiny elves 4 and under

4 – Santa Paws – Pet photos with Santa – Tractor Supply Co. in Pine Bush

December 11th at 11 am, all pets and children are welcome to have their photos taken with Santa for just $10! They will also have a raffle table of goodies and Christmas gift ideas.

-Each photo will be printed out on site. The photos will also be posted on this page the week after the event.

5 – Breakfast with the Grinch – Home2 Suites by Hilton Middletown

Sunday, December 19th at 10 am – 12 pm, Visit Home2ville at the Home2 Suites Middletown on Sunday, December 19th from 10 am-12 pm! Enjoy breakfast with the Grinch, crafts, and face painting by Legends Barbershop!! Bring your cameras for lasting memories. Reservations are required. Please email: Heather.Parkinson@hilton.com to reserve.

• $20.00 for Adults & Children (in advance)
• $25.00 at the door
• Children under 1 are free

6 – Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair – Sloatsburg

December 11th from 10 am to 4 pm, shop this year at our special Holiday Library Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair, which sets up this season at the Sloatsburg Senior Center.

7 – Brunch with Santa – The Thayer Hotel at West Point

December 5th, 12th, and 19th starting at 10:30 am, join in for their award winning Sunday Champagne Brunch with special guest, Santa! View the Menu: https://www.thethayerhotel.com/santabrunch.html

8 – Wynonna Judd – Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center

Wednesday, December 15th, at 6 pm, Orange Motorsports & Entertainment is pleased to present WYNONNA JUDD with a special holiday show at the Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, in Chester, NY. Tickets · $60 – $75.

9 – Holiday Artisan Fair – Mamakating Environmental Education Center

December 11th at 10 am to 3 pm, Enjoy a festive atmosphere as you peruse the wares of local artisans. Find unique gifts, enjoy holiday refreshments, and support local business at the same time.

10 – Santa at the Tap House – Pine Island Tap House

December 18th from 2 pm – 5 pm, guess who is coming to the Tap House??? You got it, Santa! Oh, what fun this is going to be!!!!

11 – Winterfest – Sloatsburg Train Station

12 – Holiday Market – The Yard – Beacon

13 – Ugly Sweater Party – Hillcrest Entertainment Inc – Florida

December 11th at 8pm, Join in at Hillcrest Entertainment for an ugly sweater party! Come enjoy a night out where the food is always great and the drinks are always cold, all while wearing your ugliest sweater! Saturday. Please bring a New unwrapped toy to contribute to the Toys for Tots program to Make Christmas special for a Child who may otherwise not have one.

14 – Home At Last – the Brewery at Orange County Hops – Walden

December 1oth at 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, beer and music always makes for a good time! Performance by Tom Rausch Gigs.

15 – Holiday Boutique – Stony Point

December 12th from 9am to 3pm, the Holiday season is upon us. So get your shopping started by supporting local businesses at Powerhouse Dance Center’s Holiday Boutique.

16 – A Christmas Carol – Dinner Theatre Show – New Windsor

December 18th at 4:30pm, You’ve seen Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the Ghosts of Christmas from a theatre seat. This season, why not dine with them?

17 – Westchester’s Winter Wonderland Drive-thru Holiday Light Extravaganza – Kensico Dam Plaza

Holiday season from 6pm to 9pm, Westchester’s Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza, presented by Westchester Medical Center Health Network, returns to Kensico Dam Plaza bigger and better than ever with thousands of more lights, magical holiday animations and a live Santa!

18 – Kids New Years Bash – Newburgh Mall

19 – Holiday Lights on Jenkins Court – Ossining