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Holiday spirit shines brightly here in the heart of New York's Hudson Valley at this most wonderful time of year, with numerous Dutchess County celebrations and lights displays helping to spread joy and peace with each twinkling bulb. We've made this list — and checked it twice — to help you find the most cheerful and heartwarming holiday festivals in Dutchess.
Keep that camera handy (those mittens, too)! Feel free to share your photos here and tag @DutchessTourism on social media.
Happy holidays!
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Select nights, Nov. 29–Dec. 29, 5–9 p.m. at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck
This drive-through lights extravaganza features dozens of spectacular exhibitions and musical accompaniment. Be sure to ask about enchanted 3D elf glasses available for purchase at the gate. Dec. 16 will be Sensory Friendly Night, as during that night's show, the animation will be turned off and the lights will be static.
Nightly from Nov. 29–Dec. 28 at 8 Patrick Drive, LaGrangeville
A holiday tradition for the Gay Family since 1995 (ERDAJT are the initials of the family’s three children), this attraction set a Guinness World Record in 2014 and seems to get bigger every year. This season’s display features more than 735,000 lights! Tune your car radio to 95.3 FM and enjoy.
Select nights, Nov. 29–Dec. 23 at Bowdoin Park, Wappingers Falls
If you thought Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion was fun, be sure to check out his Holiday Spirit Festival! Experience more than 15 attractions on your Winter Wonderland Walk.
Related: Sinterklaas: A Dutch Holiday Tradition in Dutchess
Saturday, Dec. 7, 4:30–6 p.m. at Tymor Park, Union Vale
A Union Vale holiday tradition continues! Visit with Santa, make s'mores around the fire pits and let the Grand Illumination lights display put a twinkle in your eye. Each family will receive a special handcrafted wooden ornament and some magical reindeer food. Free admission for residents, non-residents are $5 per family. Advance registration required.
Friday, Dec. 6, 5:30 p.m. at Waryas Park, Poughkeepsie
Whether it's the Fourth of July or early December, there is nothing like a fireworks show on the Poughkeepsie Waterfront. Enjoy the tree lighting ceremony, fireworks, vendors and more!
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2–7 p.m. in the Village of Tivoli
See Santa as he tours the village in a fire truck, settle in for a horse-drawn wagon ride on Broadway, catch the tree-lighting at the fire house and enjoy kid-friendly activities at the library. Be sure to stop in at the Tivoli Artists Gallery and check out their holiday show!
• Photos with Santa (Nov. 27–Dec. 24 at the Poughkeepsie Galleria) — Head to the center court to see Santa in front of a new display. Special events include Pet Night with Santa on Dec. 2 from 5–7 p.m. and Sensory Santa on Dec. 8 from 10–11 a.m.
• Pine Plains 39th Annual Town Decorating Day and Parade of Lights (Saturday, Nov. 30, beginning at 3 p.m. in Pine Plains) — Help decorate the Christmas trees that line the sidewalks, visit with Santa, listen to holiday music playing through the town center, and enjoy cookies and cocoa. The parade begins at 5 p.m.
• Village of Wappingers Falls Annual Tree Lighting and Parade (Saturday, Nov. 30, 5:30–8 p.m. at Mesier Park) — All are welcome to march in the holiday light parade; line up on Elm Street at 5:30 p.m. Afterward, enjoy holiday music and refreshments as you watch the tree lighting in the park!
• Town of LaGrange Festival of Lights Parade (Saturday, Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m. on Route 55, LaGrange) — This annual event kicks off the holiday season and features fun floats and lighted firetrucks and highway trucks. Stick around for a photo op with Santa and Mrs. Claus in Lexington Plaza following the parade.
• Hyde Park Candlelight Walk and Tree-Lighting Ceremony (Sunday, Dec. 1, 5 p.m. at Hyde Park Town Hall) — Line up for the Candlelight Walk at the Hyde Park Town Center at 5 p.m. Following the parade, stick around at Town Hall for the Tree-Lighting Ceremony, refreshments, crafts and, of course, Santa!
• Millbrook Parade of Lights (Friday, Dec. 6, 3 p.m. on Franklin Avenue, Millbrook) — Stop in and see Santa at the Angels of Light office (RSVP required) before the tree lighting at the Tribute Gardens and the Parade of Lights at 6 p.m.
• Arlington Holiday Festival (Saturday, Dec. 7, 12–5 p.m. at The Garden Arts Space, LaGrange Avenue, Poughkeepsie) — This afternoon of festivities includes an Egg Nog Crawl, a tree lighting, a holiday parade, a fire pit for roasting marshmallows, vendors and more!
• Town of Poughkeepsie Holiday Caravan (Saturday, Dec. 7, 4:30 p.m. starting at the NYS DOT Building) — The caravan will wind its way through the streets of the Town of Poughkeepsie and finish at the Galleria Mall with treats for everyone!
• Pawling's Annual Tree Lighting (Saturday, Dec. 7, 5 p.m. at the Pawling Chamber of Commerce Building) — Meet Santa and his elves and enjoy all of the food, music and festivities!
• Town of Dover Holiday Fest and Christmas Tree Lighting (Saturday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m. at Boyce Park, Wingdale) — The annual lights exhibit is all set up in advance of the big Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 7. Enjoy coffee, hot cocoa, donuts, music and arts and crafts. Be sure to take a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus! The park is open until 8 p.m. each night for anyone wishing to stroll through the display.
• Pleasant Valley Festival of Lights Parade (Saturday, Dec. 7, 6:45 p.m. on Main Street, Pleasant Valley) — The parade features the annual float competition; stop in and see Santa in the upper Town Hall parking lot. Enjoy hot cocoa and make sure to drop off your letters to Santa at Town Hall!
• Hanukkah Celebration (Thursday, Dec. 26, 5:30 p.m., at Mesier Park, Wappingers Falls) — Celebrate Hanukkah with friends, food and more!
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