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Fan-Favorite Holiday Tradition Returns to Rhinebeck, New York

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Rhinebeck, New York is such a great town to visit for the holidays! (I can feel some of you writing in the comments "It's not even Halloween yet!" And to you I say, "Bah, Humbug!") First of all, I love how they light the streets on Route 9 and how pretty all the storefronts are. My favorite spots to hit are Oblong Books and Upstate Films. Not to mention, three Hallmark Christmas Movies have been shot in Rhinebeck in the last several years, including The Last Christmas Home, Christmas Camp, and Last Vermont Christmas (that last one is ironic, isn't it?).

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Sadly, earlier this year, it was announced that the annual Sinterklaas Festival was cancelled this year. Every year, at the very beginning of December, the streets of Rhinebeck are lined with decorations, and thousands of people begin to pour in. As the sun goes down, the Sinterklaas Parade fun begins. Sinterklaas will be put on pause for the 2024 season. In a social media post, Organizer Jeanne Fleming explained to HVNY  Fleming "cited the loss of several key volunteers (including her husband, “a Grumpus extraordinaire”), as well as “a significant budget deficit.”

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It's sad to see the Sinterklaas Festival put on pause because it has been a mainstay of the region since made its way to Rhinebeck 300 years ago with the Dutch settlers from the Netherlands. Until things get worked out, there is another (relatively newer) Rhinebeck tradition to enjoy this holiday season!

The Wonderland of Lights Returns to Rhinebeck to Put a Sparkle Into the Holidays This November and December

Returning for the fourth consecutive year, The Wonderland of Lights brings the sparkle and shine of the holidays to Rhinebeck Thursday, November 28 through Sunday, December 29, 2024, to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, 6636 U.S. 9, Rhinebeck, NY 12572. https://www.dutchessfair.com/
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This family-friendly drive-through experience boasts festive lighted displays from the whimsically wonderful to the nostalgic and traditional with thousands of dancing lights accompanied by sounds of the season.
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Producer Tammy Peters says,
“We are so excited to be back again this year. Dutchess County and beyond have embraced us and included The Wonderland of Lights into their family holiday traditions. We are so grateful. Our motto is ‘Producers of Memorable Experiences’ and that’s what we try to do for every person who takes the time to drive through be it their first time or a frequent visitor.”
New this year is Sensory Night. For those children and adults living with sensory challenges,The Wonderland of Lights is turning off the strobes and animation on the displays Monday, December 16, between 5pm and 9 pm.
Alan Miller Public Relations
Alan Miller Public Relations
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The Wonderland of Lights is once again supporting Make-A-Wish® Hudson Valley with Make-A-Wish Thursdays. With a donation from their wish list (https://hudson.wish.org/amazon), guests will receive $5.00 off the $30 car ticket at the gate only.  A cash donation section has been added as well online on the ticket purchase page. Visit our website at www.thewonderlandoflights for more information.
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Tickets start at $30 per vehicle up to eight passengers and may be purchased online at www.thewonderlandoflights.com or at the gate.  Military Discounts are available at the gate only with a valid military I.D.
Schedule
Thursday, November 28 – Sunday, December 1
Thursday, December 5 – Sunday, December 8
Thursday, December 12 – Sunday, December 29 (nightly)
5pm – 9pm Sunday through Thursday
5pm – 9:30pm Friday and Saturday
Make-A-Wish Thursday: December 5, December 11, December 18

Take a Photo Tour of The Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze

Meander through an 18th-century landscape and discover a breathtaking display of more than 7,000 illuminated jack o’ lanterns—all designed and hand-carved on site by our team of artisans. Complete with synchronized lighting and an original soundtrack, this one-of-a-kind event is not to be missed!

Gallery Credit: Conor Walsh

Spirit Halloween Relaunches Spirit Christmas with 3 New York Locations

Spirit Christmas is a seasonal retail store operated by Spencer Spirit Holdings. A sister brand to Spirit Halloween, the store offers various decorations and costumes for the Christmas season, along with visits from Santa Claus. If you're expecting it to be a spooky kind of Christmas store, don't. It will be a tried and true Christmas store.

At some point, the 1990’s incarnation of the store was discontinued. Spencer Gifts tested the concept themselves after acquiring the Spirit Halloween brand in 1999, operating their own Spirit Christmas stores in 2005 and 2006. In 2024, the store was revived once more, with 10 locations set to open. Below, you can find the full list of locations

Gallery Credit: Conor M Walsh

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