This December, our gift to you is this list of free and frugal events for each week of the month. Take a break from all that holiday spending and take a peak at some ways to celebrate the season with little-to-no cost events. 

Week 1: December 1 to December 9 

2023 City of Albany Tree Lighting
Presented by: City of Albany Office of Cultural Affairs
Location: Academy Park
Date: December 1
Time: 5 PM to 7 PM
Price: Free!

2023 Pine Bush Perspectives Photo Exhibit Opening Reception
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: December 1
Time: 6 PM to 7:30 PM
Price: Free!

Albany Barn Flash Bash
Location: Albany Barn
Date: December 1
Time: 6 PM to 8:30 PM
Price: Suggested donation $5

The Hustle - A 70's Disco Party
Location: City Beer Hall
Date: December 1
Time: 10:30 PM to 2 AM
Price: Free!

CSI Pine Bush: Critter Scene Investigation
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: December 2
Time: 11 AM
Price: Suggested donation $5

St. Nicholas Day
Location: Crailo State Historic Site
Date: December 2
Time: 11 AM to 3 PM
Price: Free!

Music in the Mansion: A Holiday Performance by Albany Symphony String Duet
Location: Ten Broeck Mansion
Date: December 2
Time: 12 PM to 12:45 PM
Price: Free!

Around the World Cuisine for Kids: Morocco with Selena
Location: Honest Weight Food Co-op
Date: December 2
Time: 12 PM to 1:30 PM
Price: Free!

Oh Deer!
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: December 3
Time: 10 AM
Price: Suggested donation $5

Great Train Extravaganza
Location: Empire State Plaza Convention Center
Date: December 3
Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
Price: $10 for adults, children 12 and under are free

“Elf: The Classic Illustrated Storybook” Hour
Location: Stuyvesant Plaza
Date: December 3
Time: Session One: 1:15 PM to 2 PM | Session Two: 2:15 PM to 3 PM
Price: $5

New York State Tree Lighting and Fireworks Festival
Location: Empire State Plaza
Date: December 3 and December 4
Time: Varies
Price: Free!

The Fabulist: a conversation with author and journalist Mark Chiusano
Presented by: New York State Writers Institute
Location: Hearst Media Center
Date: December 5
Time: 7 PM
Price: Free; registration required

Holiday Open House
Location: Pruyn House
Dates: December 8 and December 9
Time: Varies
Price: Free!

Lust for Life - Lana Del Rey Dance Party
Location: City Beer Hall
Date: December 8
Time: 10:30 PM to 2 AM
Price: Free!

Evergreen Tree Walk
Location: Thacher Park
Date: December 9
Time: 10 AM to 11:30 AM
Price: Free!

Holiday Memory Journal Workshop
Location: Ten Broeck Mansion
Date: December 9
Time: 11 AM to 12:30 PM
Price: Free!

Pine Bush Appreciation Walk
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: December 9
Time: 2 PM
Price: Suggested donation $5

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Week 2: December 10 to December 16 

Rock, Jewelry, Bead Show
Location: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Albany Airport 
Date: December 9 and December 10
Time: 10 AM to 6 PM
Price: Free

Nature Journaling
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: December 10
Time: 10 AM
Price: Suggested donation $5

Storytelling in Metal: Artist Talk with Margaret Jacobs
Location: New York State Museum
Date: December 10
Time: 2 PM to 3 PM
Price: Free!

On Christmas Night! Holiday Concert
Location: American Italian Heritage Museum
Date: December 10
Time: 3 PM
Price: $12

Film Club: Brooklyn
Location: Irish American Heritage Museum
Date: December 11
Time: 6 PM 
Price: $5

Yoga for Writers
Location: Honest Weight Food Co-op
Date: December 11
Time: 6 PM to 7 PM
Price: Free!

Felted Soaps with Mallory
Location: Honest Weight Food Co-op
Date: December 12
Time: 6 PM to 8:30 PM
Price: $12

Nine PINGO
Location: Nine Pin
Date: December 12
Time: 6 PM to 8 PM
Price: Free!

Pine Bush Pups: Neat Feet
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: December 13
Time: 10 AM
Price: Suggested donation $5

Christmas Time in Ireland
Location: Irish American Heritage Museum
Date: December 14
Time: 7:30 PM 
Price: Free

Irish Christmas Cooking Demonstration
Location: Irish American Heritage Museum
Date: December 15
Time: 3 PM 
Price: Free

Grrrl Power (An All Female Artist Dance Party)
Location: City Beer Hall
Date: December 15
Time: 10:30 PM to 2 AM
Price: Free!

Community Holiday Party
Location: Capital Repertory Theatre 
Date: December 16
Time: 10 AM to 1 PM
Price: Free!

Children’s Tea Party & Sinterklaas Story Hour
Location: Ten Broeck Mansion
Date: December 16
Time: 11 AM to 12 PM
Price: Free!

Simple Habits for a Happier Life with Jackie
Location: Honest Weight Food Co-op
Date: December 16
Time: 1 PM to 2 PM
Price: Free!

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Week 3: December 17 to December 23 

Adult Art Class w/ Selena; Tissue Paper Collages
Location: Honest Weight Food Co-op
Date: December 17
Time: 12:30 PM to 2 PM
Price: Free!

Gift Wrapping Day at Nine Pin Cider 
Location: Nine Pin Cider
Date: December 18
Time: 9 AM to 5 PM
Price: Free!

Winter Birds
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: December 17
Time: 11 AM
Price: Suggested donation $5

Felted Mushroom Ornaments with Mallory
Location: Honest Weight Food Co-op
Date: December 19
Time: 3 PM to 6 PM
Price: Free!

Nine Pin Trivia Hosted by Typhoid Mary
Location: Nine Pin
Date: December 19
Time: 6 PM to 8:30 PM
Price: Suggested donation $5

Ugly Holiday Sweater Show-Off
Location: Nine Pin
Date: December 21
Time: 8 AM to 7 PM
Price: Free!

Winter Solstice Coffee Social
Location: Honest Weight Food Co-Op
Date: December 21
Time: 6 PM to 8:30 PM
Price: Free

Winter Solstice Night Hike
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: December 21
Time: 6:30 PM
Price: Suggested donation $5

Discover the Pine Bush at Blueberry Hill East
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: December 23
Time: 10 AM
Price: Suggested donation $5

The Great Gingerbread Build-Off
Location: Nine Pin
Date: December 23
Time: 2 PM to 4 PM
Price: $13

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Week 4: December 24 to December 31 

Music BLINGO
Location: Nine Pin 
Date: December 26
Time: 3 PM to 5 PM
Price: Free!

Full Moon Hike
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: December 26
Time: 6:30 PM
Price: Suggested donation $5

Annual Cookie Burner Stroll
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: December 27
Time: 11 AM
Price: Suggested donation $5

Nine Pin Yarn Swap
Location: Nine Pin
Date: December 28
Time: 6 PM to 8 PM
Price: Free!

Regenerative Writing Circle Series
Location: Honest Weight Food Co-op
Date: December 28
Time: 6 PM
Price: Free!

Snowflakes and Crystals of the Albany Pine Bush
Location: Pine Bush Preserve
Date: December 29
Time: 10 AM
Price: Suggested donation $5

WORK! (Drake vs Rihanna Dance Party) 2.0
Location: City Beer Hall
Date: December 29
Time: 10:30 AM to 2 AM
Price: Free!

Family Time Vision Board
Location: Nelly’s Treats Boutique Bakery
Date: December 30
Time: 2 PM to 4:30 PM
Price: $25 includes 4-seat table and supplies.

New Years Eve Forest Bathing
Location: Pine Hollow Arboretum
Date: December 31
Time: 10 AM
Price: Suggested donation $10 per person

Noon Year's Eve Pajama Party
Location: Colonie Center Mall
Date: December 31
Time: 10 AM to 12 PM
Price: Free! 

First Night of Funny!
Location: Cohoes Music Hall
Date: December 31
Time: 7 PM to 9 PM
Price: $25

Typhoid's Takeover: New Year's Eve Pre-Game
Location: Nine Pin
Date: December 31
Time: 7 PM to 10 PM
Price: Free!

City Beer Hall Presents: New Years Eve 2024! 
Location: City Beer Hall
Date: December 31
Time: 10 PM to 1 AM
Price: Free!

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Ongoing Events 

Empire Skate Plaza
Location: Empire State Plaza
Dates: Tuesday through Sunday from December 1 to March 2024
Time: 12 PM to 8 PM
Price: Free!

Holiday Strolls at Stuyvesant Plaza
Location: Stuyvesant Plaza
Dates: Sundays through December 17
Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
Price: Free!

Evening Capitol Tours for the Holidays
Location: New York State Capitol
Dates: Thursdays & Fridays, December 7 to December 22
Time: 6 PM & 7 PM
Price: Free!

Holiday House 2023: Special Tours
Location: Ten Broeck Mansion
Dates: Fridays from December 1 to December 15
Time: Varies
Price: $10 for adults, free for children and ACHA members

Holiday House 2023: Walk-through Tours
Location: Ten Broeck Mansion
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays from December 2 to December 17
Time: 10 AM to 4 PM
Price: Free!

Holiday Movie Series
Location: The Palace
Dates: December 11, December 18, December 22 and December 27
Time: 7 PM to 10 PM
Price: Free!

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