KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers,
When my husband and I started planning a family, we talked a lot about the kind of parents we hoped to be. Naturally, we looked back on our own childhoods. David had story after story about his parents—their quirks, what they cared about, who they were. But when I tried to do the same, I came up oddly blank. I could tell you what I loved as a kid, but not much about what made my
own parents’ hearts sing. I remembered that my dad had a garden when I was little, but I couldn’t say whether he enjoyed digging in the dirt, liked making things grow, or was just trying to save money on vegetables. That realization stuck with me. I didn’t want my kids to grow up seeing me as a blur in the background of their story; I wanted them to see me clearly: as someone who had favorite things, real interests, and a sense of enjoyment they could understand. I wanted them
to grow up expecting that adulthood could be full of that, too... all of the vivid experiences that make up the inner life of a regular person, especially the joys. I started using the phrase "live what you love" as a kind of parenting guidepost. Our kids are always watching, taking cues about what adulthood looks like. If all they ever see is grownups stressed, rushing, and tired, they’ll assume that’s the default. But if they also see us delighted by a song, energized by a
game, inspired by something we've learned, genuinely laughing with people we love... that’s powerful. It shows them that joy isn’t something you age out of, it’s something you grow into. The holidays are packed with tasks and to-do lists, but they’re also full of opportunities for joy. So tune your radar to what YOU love, and if you catch yourself smiling at paper snowflakes or belting out a corny carol, don’t downplay it. Let yourself have that moment. When your kids see the
joy you've just pushed into the room; it's a gift to their present and to their future.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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Imaginary Circumstances is thrilled to offer Imagine Tots: A Grown-up & Me Imaginative Play Class. Kids ages 2-4, along with their grown-ups will explore stories, characters, and emotions through games, guided play, and movement. In each class, we'll read a story, and then act out ALL the parts! Imaginary Circumstances offers Acting, Improv, and Writing classes to Capital Region kids, ages 2-18, taught by working theatre professionals and educators. Our classes are designed to spark imagination while enhancing your child's communication, confidence, and social skills. Visit our website to learn more and register!
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Celebrate the magic of the season at the first annual A Very FAIRy Christmas Village, a festive holiday experience held over three weekends in December at the Altamont Fairgrounds from 6 PM – 8:30 PM. Holiday happy hour starts at 5 PM. We have something for everyone! This free-admission event is open to the public and features a charming holiday market with handmade craft vendors, a country store, and free holiday activities. Enjoy a variety of optional holiday activities for a small fee. Check our website for details. A Very FAIRy Christmas Village is a fun, family-friendly way to kick off your holiday season.
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Albany Academy, the Capital Region’s first and only PreK through postgraduate independent school, is a place where young learners are known, challenged, and supported as they grow into curious, diligent thinkers. In small, joyful classrooms led by caring faculty, children explore the early foundations of the arts, STEM, movement, and leadership, building the skills and mindset to thrive in an ever-changing world. Families considering enrollment for 2025–26 are encouraged to apply by the February 15 preferred consideration deadline for the strongest opportunity for review, placement, and financial aid. Discover what makes Albany Academy exceptional beyond measure.
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The M&T Bank Holiday Movie Series presented by Bonacio kicks off this Monday, DECEMBER 8 with The Muppet Christmas Carol! Bring the whole family down for a FREE evening packed with fun & holiday cheer. Doors open at 6pm, arrive early and enjoy a build your own hot cocoa station, with free cookies & brownies provided by 2Shea Catering, courtesy of M&T Bank. Reserve your free tickets and join us!
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Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan will host a tree lighting ceremony in honor of the holiday season at Academy Park, across the street from City Hall on Friday December 5 from 5 pm – 7 pm. The ceremony kicks off with a concert by Albany High School’s Albanettes and Troubadours, beginning at 5:00pm. Enjoy FREE take home holiday craft bags and refreshments from Cider Belly Donuts, La Empanada Llama and Albany High School Abrookin Center Culinary students. Experience our Winter Wonderland photo opps throughout the park. Representatives from local organizations will be on-hand with information on their programs and upcoming events. Join Mayor Sheehan, members of the Albany Tulip Court, and city officials as they light the tree at 6 pm sharp.
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A joyful and heartfelt celebration of song, Windborne’s lush vocals and unique arrangements bring light to a dark time, as they draw on midwinter music from traditional, classical, and folk from the US, British isles and beyond. The holiday spirit is accentuated with added instrumentation, from banjos and guitars, to Lithuanian Kanklės, and Irish bodhran. With Windborne as their guide across continents and centuries, audiences will be delighted by holiday stories, songs, and humor in an evening that is sure to become a holiday tradition for the whole family! Sing along with familiar favorites, enjoy new twists on old classics or sit back and enjoy discovering new favorites.
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Get ready for a day full of holiday cheer at Elves Day Out in Canajoharie, Montgomery County! Start the day with a delightful Character Breakfast at the VanAlstyne Homestead, perfect for families. Get into the holiday spirit by taking part in the Ugly Sweater 5K or explore the Vendor Village, where activities and vendors will be set up throughout the village. Enjoy the creative displays during the Tree Decorating Contest and make sure to vote for your favorite. As the day winds down, experience the magic of the Parade of Lights, followed by a warm bonfire and tasty s’mores at Canajoharie Riverfront Park. This event is a great way for families to kick off the holiday season with plenty of fun and festive activities!
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For the 29th year, Hudson’s Winter Walk will usher in the holiday season with a street festival bursting with joy and wintery magic! Bands, circus performers, dancers, choruses, costumed characters, fireworks, street food vendors, petting zoos, horse and carriage rides, holiday lights and decorations, fantastic late-night shopping – all this and more will animate Hudson’s Warren Street as Winter Walk comes to life again this year!
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Step back in time and experience the magic of an old-fashioned Christmas inside the Esperance Historical Museum’s 1800s one-room schoolhouse. Stroll through 10 beautifully decorated Christmas trees, enjoy homemade cookies and hot cocoa, take photos with the two nutcrackers standing guard at the gazebo, shop handcrafted holiday gifts, and enter raffles for festive prizes. There will be a carol sing-along at 1 pm at the Presbyterian Church. Help us decorate our tree! Grab a F-R-E-E ornament from the red mailbox in the park, then bring it with you on December 6 to hang on our tree. And while you’re there, don’t forget to drop your letter to Santa in our North Pole mailbox for a special reply from the jolly man himself!
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For 42 years, the Troy Victorian Stroll has been a community holiday tradition that transforms the streets of historic downtown Troy into a bygone Victorian era, complete with visitors in Victorian dress strolling the City. The Victorian Stroll has brought residents and tourists alike together to enjoy our beautiful City of Troy - its past, present and future. The Stroll’s activities and entertainment are strategically spread throughout the streets, amidst unique shops, storefronts, restaurants, bars and parks. The events’ footprint is South to Congress Street, East to 6th Ave, West to River Street, and North to Hutton Street. There is something of interest for people of all ages at this one-day. Held each year 10 days after Thanksgiving, we hope you will join us to shop, dine and Stroll Troy!'
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There are tons of holiday events in the Capital District this year! Here's our traditional 101 ideas for local holiday fun to make the holidays special around Albany, Schenectady, and Troy for 2025. Christmas concerts, lights, trees, nativities, and more. .
. plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.
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- A Very FAIRy Christmas Village - Altamont Fair Weddings, Grand St, Altamont, NY, USA, December 5, 2025, 5PM - Holiday Happy Hour, 6PM Holiday activities
- 2025 Shaker Holiday Market - Shaker Heritage Society, Meeting House Road, Albany, NY, USA, December 5, 2025, 10am - 4pm
- Santa's Playland
Christmas Lights at Quick Response Restore - 2077 Rt. 9, Round Lake, NY 12151, United States, December 5, 2025, 5 pm - 11 pm
- 2025 City of Albany's Tree Lighting - 7 Hoffman Avenue, Albany, Albany, NY 12209, United States, December 5, 2025, 5 pm
- Wicked: Family Bingo - Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065, United States, December 5, 2025, 4:30PM-5:30PM
- Music At The
Market - Delmar Farmers Market - Delmar Farmers Market, 332 Kenwood Avenue Bethlehem Central Middle School, Delmar, NY 12054, United States, December 6, 2025, 11 am - 1 pm
- St. Nicholas Day at Crailo State Historic Site - Crailo State Historic Site, 9 1/2 Riverside Ave,
Rensselaer, NY 12144, United States, December 6, 2025, 11 am - 3 pm
- Saturday Story-time - Rensselaer Public Library, East Street, Rensselaer, NY, USA, December 6, 2025, 11 AM
- Elves Day Out Canajoharie - Canajoharie, NY, USA, December 6, 2025, See website for details
- Canajoharie Ugly Sweater 5K - Canajoharie, NY, USA, December 6, 2025, 10 am
- Holiday Bazaar at Greene County YMCA - Capital District YMCA - Greene County Branch, New York 81, Coxsackie, NY, USA, December 6, 2025, 9 am - 2 pm
- Winter Walk 29th Anniversary - Hudson Hall - Warren Street, Hudson, NY, USA, December 6, 2025, See website for details
- Guilderland Town Tree Lighting - Sage Bistro, Western Avenue, Guilderland, NY, USA, December 6, 2025, 6 pm
- 2nd Annual Santa's Workshop - Saratoga Joinery, Caroline Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA, December 6, 2025, 9:30AM-1:30PM
- Toddler Time! - Athens
Cultural Center, 24 Second Street, Athens, NY 12015, United States, December 7, 2025, 10:30am-11:30am
- Sunday School - Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Delmar, NY, 85 Elm Ave, Delmar, NY 12054, United States, December 7, 2025, 9:45 am
- 43rd Annual Troy Victorian Stroll - 255 River Street, Troy, Rensselaer County, NY 12180, United States, December 7, 2025, 11 am to 5 pm
- Live Nativity - Bethlehem
Lutheran Church, Elm Avenue, Delmar, NY, USA, December 7, 2025, 5:00 pm
- New York State Tree Lighting and Firework Festival at the Empire State Plaza - Empire State Plaza, South Mall Arterial, Albany, NY, USA, December 7, 2025, 12 pm - 8 pm
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The Capital Region offers a delightful selection of Christmas tree farms that bring the magic of the holiday season to life. Families can enjoy the cherished tradition of selecting the perfect tree while exploring picturesque landscapes and engaging in
festive activities.
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Click here to discover Birthday party locations in the Albany area. From Arcades to Ziplines our Big List will help you think outside the box and plan the party of your kids' dreams! KidsOutAndAbout has dozens of ideas!
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2025's best places to take kids in the Capital District as voted by New York parents! Parents vote, we do the math, and the result is the Top 20 Places to Take Kids! But there is LOTS more to do in Albany than even just this wonderful list: visit
KidsOutAndAbout.com to see our events calendar, find seasonal activities, get ideas for the perfect day trip and MORE.
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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