The Watertown Post · 2026 holiday season
Holiday events & parades
Gather together for the season. Find holiday markets, hometown parades, festive performances and community traditions across Northern New York.
Festive event labels open times, locations and organizer links. Open an event count to choose a listing. Gold holiday labels are observances, not local events. All times are Eastern. A blank date means no listing has been added here.
November 2026
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veterans Day | ||||||
| Bookstore Shop Hop | Christmas Past | |||||
| Turkey Day RunThanksgiving | ||||||
| Festival of Trees |
December 2026
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Past | Christmas Past | |||||
| Lake Placid Stroll | Lake Placid Stroll | |||||
| Lake Placid Stroll | ||||||
| Pet-food drive ends | Christmas Day | |||||
Plan a little holiday cheer
Browse confirmed listings below, from Thanksgiving traditions to December lights and celebrations.
November 14–15 · Community event
Holiday Bookstore Shop Hop 2026
Four North Country bookshops are taking part in a two-day holiday shop hop on Saturday, November 14, and Sunday, November 15. Visit the participating stores during their individual hours. The event supports local animal rescues and food pantries.
The Raven’s Quill Bookstore
7632 N. State Street
Lowville, NY
Saturday & Sunday:
10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Supporting North Country Pet Adoptions.
Raven’s Nest
1310 County Route 12
Gouverneur, NY
Saturday & Sunday:
10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Supporting Friends 4 Pound Paws.
The Silver Cauldron
440 Coffeen Street
Watertown, NY
Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Supporting Caring4Cats Rescue in Carthage.
Bearly Hyde N Cabin Used Books and Gifts
40071 Hyde Lake Road
Theresa, NY
Saturday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Supporting area food pantries and local rescues. The flyer lists this shop’s pet-food drive through December 24; check directly for donation hours.
Times are local Eastern time. Details are from the event flyer supplied to The Watertown Post. Check with the participating store before traveling for any last-minute changes.
November 14 · 10 a.m.–4 p.m. · Holiday market
Holiday Art and Craft Fair
Sackets Harbor Arts Center, 119 W. Main Street, Sackets Harbor · Jefferson County
Browse handmade art and gifts at the Arts Association of Northern New York holiday fair.
Admission: Free.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑November 14 · 9 a.m.–3 p.m. · Christmas market
Christmas Market at The Ballroom
Sackets Harbor Ballroom, 103 W. Main Street, Sackets Harbor · Jefferson County
A holiday shopping event at The Ballroom in Sackets Harbor.
Admission: $5, as listed by the official village visitor calendar.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑Selected dates · 10 a.m.–3 p.m. · Holiday tradition
A Festival of Christmas Past
Lewis County Historical Society, 7552 S. State Street, Lowville · Lewis County
Explore Christmas past at the Lewis County Historical Society. Open only on the listed dates, not every day between November 20 and December 5.
- November 20, 21, 27 and 28: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
- December 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Admission: Free.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑November 21 · 6 p.m. · Holiday parade
Light Up The Night Holiday Parade
State Street, Ogdensburg · St. Lawrence County
The parade begins at Ogdensburg Free Academy and follows State Street toward the Dobisky Center. A visit with Santa follows at the center. Listed by the City of Ogdensburg.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑November 26 · 9–10:30 a.m. · Thanksgiving tradition
43rd Annual YMCA Turkey Day Run
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 20020 Ives Street Road, Watertown · Jefferson County
A Thanksgiving running and walking event organized by the Watertown Family YMCA. Online registration closes November 22 at 9 p.m. Race-day registration and packet pickup run from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
Admission: Paid registration; prices vary by option. See the organizer’s registration details.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑Selected dates · November 27–December 6 · Holiday display
A North Country Festival of Trees
Dulles State Office Building, 317 Washington Street, Watertown · Jefferson County
This year’s theme is “A Christmas Carol: Dickens of a Christmas.” Presented by the Watertown Family YMCA and Samaritan Medical Center Foundation. Public viewing is available on the seven dates below only.
- November 27, 28 and 29: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
- December 3 and 4: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
- December 5: 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
- December 6: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Admission: Check the organizer for current admission details.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑November 27–28 · Times vary · Holiday community tour
Indian Lake Country Christmas Tour
Various venues, Indian Lake · Hamilton County · Farther regional destination
A two-day community holiday tour listed by Town of Indian Lake tourism. See the organizer for each venue’s hours; the tour has no single continuous start and end time.
- DIY resin holiday ornaments: Indian Lake Welcome Center, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. both days.
- Tree lighting: Indian Lake Pocket Park, Friday, November 27, at 4 p.m.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑December 4 · 6 p.m. · Holiday gala
Festival of Trees Gala
Dulles State Office Building, 317 Washington Street, Watertown · Jefferson County
An evening celebration from the Watertown Family YMCA and Samaritan Medical Center Foundation. Dinner begins at 7 p.m. and the live auction at 8 p.m. This is separate from daytime public viewing.
Admission: Ticketed. Check the organizer for pricing and availability.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑December 4 · 7–9 p.m. · Christmas concert
Lowville Village Jazz Band Christmas Concert
Lewis County Historical Society, 7552 S. State Street, Lowville · Lewis County
Celebrate the season with a Christmas concert by the Lowville Village Jazz Band, listed on the Historical Society calendar.
Admission: Free.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑December 4–6 · Times vary · Holiday stroll
Tupper Lake Holiday Stroll
Community-wide, Tupper Lake · Franklin County · Farther regional destination
A weekend of shopping, lights and family activities involving the Town of Tupper Lake, Tupper Arts, The Wild Center, ROOST and local businesses. Daily activity hours are still being added; check the organizer’s schedule before planning a visit.
Admission: Varies by activity; see the organizer schedule.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑December 5 · 11 a.m.–3 p.m. · Holiday market
Elves’ Fair
Thousand Islands Arts Center, 321 James Street, Clayton · Jefferson County
Shop a holiday art and craft market organized by the Thousand Islands Arts Center.
Admission: Free.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑December 5 · 6 p.m. · Christmas parade
64th Annual Clayton Christmas Parade in Lights & Fireworks
Downtown Clayton · Jefferson County
The Clayton Chamber of Commerce presents “Stars, Stripes & Christmas Lights.” Fireworks follow the parade.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑December 5 · 6 p.m. · Parade & tree lighting
Potsdam Light the Night Parade and Tree Lighting
Garden Street to Market Street, Potsdam · St. Lawrence County
The parade starts at 6 p.m. and ends in the lot across from the cinema. The Ives Park tree lighting follows at 6:30 p.m. Organized by the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce and Village of Potsdam.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑December 5 · 11 a.m.–3 p.m. · Family holiday event
Christmas With Almanzo
Almanzo Wilder Farm, 177 Stacy Road, Burke · Franklin County · Farther regional destination
Children’s crafts, readings and refreshments with the Almanzo & Laura Ingalls Wilder Association. Regular tours and the other buildings are unavailable during this event.
Admission: Free.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑December 5 · Parade at 5:30 p.m. · Parade & tree lighting
Miracle on Margaret Street
Downtown Plattsburgh · Clinton County · Farther regional destination
The City of Plattsburgh parade travels Brinkerhoff, Oak, Court and Margaret streets, ending at Margaret and Broad. The tree lighting follows on The Strand’s front lawn. A quiet zone is at the southeast corner of Brinkerhoff and North Catherine streets.
Admission: Free public event.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑December 6 · 4 p.m. · Hanukkah celebration
Light Up Lake Placid: Community Menorah Lighting
Miracle Plaza, Lake Placid Olympic Center, Lake Placid · Essex County · Farther regional destination
Join Chabad of Lake Placid for an outdoor community menorah lighting, Chanukah treats and family activities. All ages are welcome, and the event is open to everyone. An end time has not been announced.
Admission: Free.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑December 11–13 · Times vary · Holiday village stroll
Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll
Various venues, Lake Placid · Essex County · Farther regional destination
A weekend of holiday activities around Lake Placid. The schedule is expanding; the confirmed highlights below have individual times and locations.
- Friday, December 11: skating party, 5–6:30 p.m., Olympic Center 1932 Rink; free skate rentals.
- Saturday, December 12: Jingle Bell Run, 8:30 a.m., starting and finishing at Public Beach.
- Saturday, December 12: tree lighting, 5 p.m., Mid’s Park.
- Sunday, December 13: check the organizer’s developing schedule for individual activities and hours.
Admission: Varies by activity. Free skate rentals do not mean every activity is free.
Official event details. Details checked November 8, 2026. Confirm with the organizer before traveling.
Back to calendar ↑Holiday dates at a glance
- November 11: Veterans Day
- November 26: Thanksgiving Day
- December 25: Christmas Day
- January 1, 2027: New Year’s Day
These are holiday observances, not local event listings. Dates checked against the U.S. Office of Personnel Management holiday schedule.
