From art benefits to concerts and plays, there is something to do for everyone in Peekskill this 3rd weekend in December. This is the last ‘Weekend Roundup’ for a while and we want to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy Holidays and a Happy New Year. Don’t forget to enter the “Welcome Home for the Holidays” decorating contest sponsored by the Garden Club of Peekskill and co-sponsored by the Peekskill Herald. Click here for more details.
FRIDAY December 15
10:00 am – 5:00 pm 3-day “Community Art Benefit” at KinoSaito
KinoSaito presents their first annual “Community Art Benefit” from December 15-17. Artists in all stages of their careers from the Hudson Valley and beyond submitted their works to be included for this special opportunity. Around 200 artists submitted works totaling 800 pieces. Of those, 100 works were chosen. The 3-day exhibition aims to highlight the wealth of talent and skill in artistic ability that can be found in the local community. Patrons visiting during the Art Benefit will be able to purchase work that is displayed from the local artists. KinoSaito is a nonprofit interdisciplinary art center in the former St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Verplanck. It houses two large art galleries, a multipurpose theater/dance/performance space, two studios for a rotating roster of resident artists, a classroom for arts education and public programs, a café, and a bountiful garden. KinoSaito is open 10-5pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information visit KinoSaito’s website.
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm 29th annual “A Glorious Christmas Concert” at the Assumption Church
For the 29th year, Mary Mancini and accordionist Mario Tacca will hold “A Glorious Christmas Concert” at the Church of the Assumption. Joining them will be The Hudson Valley Accordion Ensemble. Adult tickets cost $20 and 15 years and under cost $15. Tickets can be purchased at the Assumption Rectory, 131 Union Avenue.
To learn more, view the Peekskill Herald article: “A Glorious Christmas Concert” at the Assumption on Friday evening.
SATURDAY December 16
10:30 am – 12:00 pm Beary Merry Holiday at the Trailside Museum & Zoo in Bear Mountain State Park
Drive 15 minutes, cross the Bear Mountain Bridge and join the Trailside Museum and Zoo staff at the Bear Den from 10:30 – 11:00am to make tasty snacks for the famous Bear Mountain black bears. Celebrate the holiday season at 11:00am when the bears come out to unwrap their gift boxes full of delicious treats! Continue the fun afterward and enjoy a stroll around the zoo to visit the coyotes, opossums, porcupines, beavers and many other animals. Stay a little longer and enjoy ice skating at the ice rink, take a trip around the merry-go-round, take a walk around Lake Hessian or take a hike to the top and enjoy the view from Perkins Memorial. Parking is $10/ vehicle and $2 suggested donation per person to the Trailside Museum and Zoo. Allow 20 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the zoo.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm “The Peekskill Holiday Surprise” Play at Antonia Arts
The “Peekskill Holiday Surprise” is a play featuring youth taught and directed by teaching artist Sonia Lee Garber right here in Peekskill at Antonia Arts. Show your support of local aspiring Peekskill talent as they perform in a heartwarming play. The play is written by playwright Leesa Thompson. Antonia Arts is located at 925 South Street. This event is free.
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Peekskill Arts Alliance: CREATIVITY in 2023 Reception at The Field Library
The Peekskill Arts Alliance is holding an End of Year Exhibition starting on Wednesday, December 6th through Wednesday, December 27th at The Field Library, with a reception to be held on Saturday, December 16th from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Visit The Field Library all through the month of December to view works from our local area artists. To learn more, view the Peekskill Herald article: CREATIVITY in 2023 arts exhibition marks year’s end for the Peekskill Arts Alliance. This is a free event.
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm The History of the Bear Mt. Bridge as it Turns 100 at the Lincoln Depot Museum
The Lincoln Depot Museum will present “The History of the Bear Mountain Bridge as it Turns 100”. The completion of the Bear Mountain Bridge ushered in enormous changes to the Hudson Valley and New York State. It paved the way for the building of other suspension bridges, and even lead to the creation of new roads and parkways. To learn more about the fascinating story of how the bridge came to be built, by whom, and how it has served the Hudson Valley over the past 100 years, join the Lincoln Museum and local historian Frank Goderre, for a discussion of the iconic Bear Mountain Bridge. Cost is $10 per person and free to Lincoln Depot Museum members. To learn more, view the Peekskill Herald article: Our bridge: 100 years of the Bear Mountain Bridge retrospective.
SUNDAY December 17
9:30 am – 11:30am Holiday Hike at Depew Park & Blue Mountain hosted by Peekskill Walks
Join the Peekskill Hikes group, an extension of Peekskill Walks, as they hike a moderate, easy paced, 3 to 4 mile morning hike. The crisp oxygen enriched air and the smell of the woods will make a cup of coffee seem boring. The group will meet by the Depew Park Pool around 9:30 a.m. and then begin their adventure hiking through Depew Park, looping through Blue Mountain Reservation and then back to the starting spot. The hike should take about 2 hours. Sturdy shoes and a bottle of water to carry along is recommended. Please remember to carry out what you carry in. For more information or to let the group know you are interested in joining them, click here to reply to their Facebook event. This is a free event.
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm The Hudson Bells concert and performance at the Hendrick Hudson Library
Visit the Hendrick Hudson Library as they present a Holiday Coffeehouse Concert featuring The Hudson Bells. The Hudson Bells are a women’s choral group, singing three and four part harmony a cappella and with piano accompaniment. In the spirit of the season, the Hudson Bells will sing holiday standards and favorites. No registration is required to attend.
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Jessica Lynn’s “A Very Merry Country Christmas” at the Paramount
Country music sensation and local area resident, Jessica Lynn will present “A Very Merry Country Christmas.” Jessica Lynn’s “A Very Merry Christmas” has become a New York holiday tradition and was named as the “#1 Great Thing to do in The Hudson Valley for The Holidays,” “Best of Westchester,” and “Best of Hudson Valley.” The Saturday performance at the Paramount sold out a week ago and Jessica is looking to be the first artist in the history of the Paramount, since it opened in 1930, to sell out the theater two consecutive nights in a row. A Very Merry Christmas is not to be missed as it rivals Broadway shows, featuring dancers, marching bands, choirs, special effects and even Santa himself. Tickets range form $25 – $45. For tickets visit the Paramount Hudson Valley. Also visit the official Jessica Lynn Facebook page.
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm “It’s a Wonderful Life” Movie Matinee followed by “Talent Time” Open Mic at Antonia Arts
The Artist Spot at Antonia Arts, 925 South Street, presents Sunday Movie Matinee!
Enjoy the Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” followed by an easy discussion of the film. This is a family fun event for all ages 12yrs and under! And there is free popcorn to boot. Following the free movie and discussion is “Talent Time” Open Mic Night from 5-6pm!
Share your talent and new work with other fellow artists! All diverse artists and audiences are welcome to share poetry, theater, vocals, dance, comedy, and music! Suggested Donation for “Talent Time” Open Mic Night is $10 per person. You can find out more information by visiting Antonia Arts.
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Trail of Luminaria and Candlelight Vigil at Lasdon Park
From 5-6pm, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 49 and Boy Scout Troop 73- White Plains will lit hundreds of luminaria at dusk along the Trail of Honor for the Vietnam Veterans of America Candlelight Vigil at the VietNam Memorial at Lasdon Park. This moving and beautiful event is a tribute to the Veterans as they remember their fallen comrades. This event is free and registration is not required. For more information visit Lasdon Park Events
Please remember December is Peekskill Herald’s big annual fundraising campaign – where every dollar we raise is matched, dollar for dollar, by major national funders through our partnership with NewsMatch. Every dollar counts and helps keep this 501c3 organization thriving.
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