Edited by Pamela Doan ([email protected])
For a complete listing of events, see highlandscurrent.org/calendar.

HOLIDAY EVENTS

SAT 22
Beary Merry Holiday Party
BEAR MOUNTAIN
10:30 a.m. Trailside Zoo
3006 Seven Lakes Drive
trailsidezoo.org
Meet at the bear den to make treats for the bears and watch them explore their decorated enclosure. Cost: $1 per person

SAT 22
Cold Spring Aglow
COLD SPRING
4:30 – 8 p.m. Main Street
More than 1,000 candle-lit paper lanterns will line the thoroughfare from Route 9D to the waterfront bandstand in this event sponsored by the village and the Chamber of Commerce. The highway department, C&E Paints and Pidala Landscaping provided sand (for weight) and supplies, the fire department opened its meeting room for the assembly line and volunteers from the Walter Hoving Home and elsewhere put together the luminaries. Rain date: SUN 23.

SUN 23
North Highlands Santa Run
PHILIPSTOWN
Noon – 3 p.m.
Santa’s sleigh makes stops to visit with children along two routes. See highlandscurrent.org/santa for times and stops.

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES

SAT 22
A Christmas Carol
COLD SPRING
6:30 p.m. Hudson House | 2 Main St.
845-265-9355 | hudsonhouseinn.com
A dinner-theater production with Theatre on the Road and Victorian carolers. Cost: $75

SAT 22
Brasiles Ensemble
COLD SPRING
7 p.m. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
1 Chestnut St. | 845-228-4167
stmaryscoldspring.org
The vocal chamber group will perform selections from its debut CD, A Christmas Feast, and other holiday songs. John Drew accompanies on organ. Cost: $20 donation

SUN 23
Holiday Caroling
COLD SPRING
1 – 3 p.m. The Gift Hut | 86 Main St.
Kat and Stephen Selman perform holiday classics.

COMMUNITY

SAT 22
Retro Recipe Exchange
BEACON
1 p.m. Howland Public Library
313 Main St. | 845-831-1134
beaconlibrary.org
Bring 20 copies of your favorite recipe to share. Free

FRI 28
Community Blood Drive
BEACON
2:30 – 7 p.m. Beacon Elks Lodge
900 Wolcott Ave. | 800-933-2566
nybloodcenter.org

SAT 29
64th Annual Putnam Christmas Bird Count
PHILIPSTOWN
putnamhighlandsaudubon.org
As part of the annual Audubon
Christmas Bird Count, a tradition created by ornithologist Frank Chapman in 1900, the Putnam Highlands Audubon Society will conduct a census in Philipstown. Beginner birders welcome. The data helps assess the health of bird populations and guide conservation efforts. A group will gather at 6:30 p.m. to compile the results. Contact Charlie Roberto at 845-270-2979 or [email protected] to participate.

SPORTS
SAT 22
Army vs. Niagara (Men’s Basketball)
WEST POINT
1 p.m. Christl Arena
845-938-2526 | goarmywestpoint.com
The Black Knights (5-7) are undefeated at home. Cost: $12

THURS 27
Westchester Knicks vs. Capital City Go-Go
WHITE PLAINS
7 p.m. Westchester County Center
198 Central Ave. | 914-995-4050
gleague.nba.com
The Knicks’ minor-league squad takes on the Washington Wizards’ team. Cost: $14 to $125

FRI 28
Haldane vs. Chester (Boys’ Basketball)
COLD SPRING
2 p.m. Haldane | 15 Craigside Drive
845-938-2526 | haldaneschool.org
The Blue Devils host the Hambletonians. Free

SUN 30
Army vs. Connecticut College (Women’s Basketball)
WEST POINT
1 p.m. Christl Arena
845-938-2526 | goarmywestpoint.com
The Black Nights (4-6) will host the Camels (8-2). Cost: $12

MUSIC

SAT 22
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams
BEACON
8:30 p.m. Towne Crier | 379 Main St.
845-401-4062 | townecrier.com
The band, formed in Sleepy Hollow nearly 20 years ago, will perform its annual Christmas show. Cost: $30 ($35 door)

THURS 27
Dance Jam
BEACON
7 p.m. Towne Crier | 379 Main St.
845-855-1300 | townecrier.com
The Beacon Dance Beat plays music from the 1960s to the present. Cost: $10

FRI 28
Upstate
BEACON
8:30 p.m. Towne Crier
379 Main St. | 845-855-1300
townecrier.com
The band’s new album, Healing, recorded mostly in six days in Rhinebeck, is the first with a new member, Allison Olender, its first with four songwriters, and its first since shortening its name from Upstate Rubdown. Cost: $20 ($25 door)

SUN 30
Newburgh Chorale
BEACON
4 p.m. St. Andrew’s Church
15 South Ave. | newburghchorale.org
Directed by Michael Saunders, the chorale will perform holiday music from the British Isles during its program “Make We Joy Now in This Fest.” Cost: $10 donation

KIDS & FAMILY

SUN 23
Holiday Stories
COLD SPRING
2 p.m. Butterfield Library | 10 Morris Ave.
845-265-3040 | butterfieldlibrary.org
Jonathan Kruk will share stories of the holidays, including “Santa on the Hudson” and “Hanukkah Bear.” Free

WED 26
School Break Mini-Camp
CORNWALL
9 a. m. – 3 p.m. Outdoor Discovery Center
100 Muser Drive | 845-534-5506 x204
hhnm.org/minicamp
Children ages 6 to 9 will meet a live animal, spend time outdoors and do crafts and other activities. Registration required. Also, THURS 27, FRI 28. Cost: $50 ($42 members)

WED 26
Winter Break Fun
GARRISON
9:30 – 11:30 a.m. & 1 – 3 p.m. Boscobel
1601 Route 9D | 845-265-3638
boscobel.org
These two-hour programs include a flashlight tour of the mansion. On WED 26 the activity is candle dipping/making and FRI 28 will be making a pomander ball. Reservations requested. Cost: $11 ($7 members)

THURS 27
Children’s Holiday Tea
BEACON
Noon. Mount Gulian | 145 Sterling St.
845-831-8172 | mountgulian.org
Children will learn about Victorian tea traditions while enjoying afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones, breads and — of course — tea. Reservations required. Cost: $22 ($17 children)

STAGE & SCREEN

FRI 28
Sinbad
PEEKSKILL
8 p.m. Paramount Hudson Valley
1008 Brown St. | 914-739-0039
paramounthudsonvalley.com
The comedian, a U.S. Navy veteran whose real name is David Adkins, has performed stand-up for decades. “If you’re not happy before you’re successful, you’re going to be miserable when you do become successful because all your problems just get magnified.” Cost: $35 to $70

FRI 28
Cirque de la Lune
BEACON
8 p.m. Howland Cultural Center
477 Main St. | 845-765-3012
howlandculturalcenter.org
This repeat performance (the first was in June) is an original musical by Hayden Wayne with Kelly Ellenwood, Rhiannon and Rowan Parsaca, Leah Siegel and Michael Bonanno. Also SAT 29. Cost: $10

SAT 29
Searching for Bobby Fischer
NEWBURGH
11:30 a.m. Downing Film Center
19 Front St. | 845-561-3686
downingfilmcenter.com
In this 1993 film, starring Max Pomeranc, Joe Mantegna, Joan Allen and Ben Kingsley and nominated for an Oscar for cinematography, a chess prodigy hopes to become a champion who is better liked than the elusive Bobby Fischer. Rated PG. Cost: $9 ($8 students, $7 seniors, children, $6 members)

Behind The Story

Type: News

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Doan, who resides in Philipstown, has been writing for The Current since 2013. She edits the weekly calendar and writes the gardening column. Location: Philipstown. Languages: English. Areas of expertise: Gardening, environment