Every fall, clients ask me the same thing: what is there to do around here once the leaves are down? A lot, it turns out. Here are the holiday events I have checked on each organizer's own website, with the dates, places and links you need to plan your calendar.
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What holiday events are on the Capital Region calendar for November and December 2026?
Here is the list in date order. Every date below comes from the organizer's own site as of October 27, 2026.
| Date (2026) | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Now through Fri, Dec 18 | Shaker Holiday Market (Tue to Sun, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) | 25 Meeting House Road, Albany (Town of Colonie) |
| Sun, Nov 8, 8:30 a.m. | Stockade-athon 15K, the 50th running | Downtown Schenectady and the Stockade |
| Sat, Nov 21, 5 p.m. | 57th Schenectady County Holiday Parade | Downtown Schenectady |
| Thu, Nov 26 (Thanksgiving), 8 a.m. | Pioneer Troy Turkey Trot (10K at 8, walk at 9:30, 5K at 10) | Troy |
| Thu, Dec 3, 6 to 9 p.m. | Victorian Streetwalk | Broadway, Saratoga Springs |
| Sat, Dec 12, 7 p.m. and Sun, Dec 13, 2 p.m. | The Nutcracker by Northeast Ballet | Proctors MainStage, Schenectady |
Dates and times can change, especially for outdoor events. Check the organizer's link before you go.
What is happening in Schenectady this holiday season?
Schenectady has a full month. It starts with the Stockade-athon on Sunday, November 8. The 2026 race is the 50th running of this 15K, and the course winds through the Stockade, Central Park and Vale Cemetery. If you are not running, it is a fun one to watch from State Street.
Two weeks later, on Saturday, November 21, the 57th Schenectady County Holiday Parade steps off downtown at 5 p.m. The county says Santa and Mrs. Claus make their first official visit to the county that night. Then in December, Northeast Ballet brings The Nutcracker to the Proctors MainStage on the weekend of December 12 and 13.
A local detail worth knowing: Proctors opened on December 27, 1926, so this December marks its 100th anniversary. Schenectady County named Proctors the Grand Marshal of the 2026 Holiday Parade to mark it.
Sources: Schenectady County, Holiday Parade; Proctor's Theatre history.
Looking at homes in the area? See our Schenectady County page for listings by town.
What is happening in Troy and Saratoga Springs?
In Troy, Thanksgiving morning belongs to the Pioneer Troy Turkey Trot. The 10K starts at 8 a.m. The organizers call it the Capital Region's only Thanksgiving Day 10K. The one-mile Turkey Walk and Grade School Mile go at 9:30 a.m., and the 5K starts at 10 a.m. Registration is on the race's website.
In Saratoga Springs, Broadway turns into a holiday street party for the Victorian Streetwalk. The Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Alliance lists it for Thursday, December 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. Their page also says more 2026 details are coming this fall, so check back closer to the date.
Browse homes near both: Rensselaer County and Saratoga County.
Where can I do holiday shopping with some local history?
The Shaker Holiday Market is open now through Friday, December 18, Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is run by the Shaker Heritage Society at 25 Meeting House Road, right next to Albany International Airport. The suggested donation is $5 per adult.
Why this spot is special: The National Park Service calls the Watervliet Shaker site America's first Shaker settlement, founded in 1776 in what is now the Town of Colonie. Mother Ann Lee, the Shaker founder, is buried in the cemetery there.
Source: National Park Service, Watervliet Shaker Historic District.
Homes in this part of town are on our Albany County page.
What do homes cost near these events right now?
If a holiday visit gets you thinking about a move, here is what is for sale in each city as of October 27, 2026. These are asking prices on active listings from our MLS feed, not sold prices.
| MLS city | Homes for sale | Average asking price | Lowest asking price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schenectady | 172 | $305,000 | $40,000 |
| Troy | 105 | $358,000 | $90,000 |
| Colonie | 110 | $525,000 | $200,000 |
| Saratoga Springs | 101 | $1,232,000 | $349,900 |
Homes, condos, townhouses and multi-family listings, rounded. MLS city names can include addresses outside the city limits. A few high-end listings pull the Saratoga Springs average up a lot. Figures change daily.
Is the holiday season a good time to buy or sell a home here?
It can be. In my experience, the people out looking at homes in late November and December are serious. They often have a job start date or a lease ending. That can mean fewer showings for sellers, but better ones.
For buyers, there are usually fewer people competing for the same house. You may have more room to negotiate on price or closing date. If you are thinking about a move in the spring, the holidays are also a good time to get your numbers in order, so you are ready when more homes come on the market.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Schenectady holiday parade in 2026?
The 57th Schenectady County Holiday Parade is Saturday, November 21, 2026, in downtown Schenectady. The Veterans Division steps off at 5 p.m. behind the Grand Marshal, Proctors, which turns 100 this year.
When is the Saratoga Victorian Streetwalk in 2026?
The Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Alliance lists the Victorian Streetwalk for Thursday, December 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs. Full 2026 details are still to come on their website.
What time does the Troy Turkey Trot start?
On Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026, the 10K starts at 8 a.m., the one-mile Turkey Walk and Grade School Mile at 9:30 a.m., and the 5K at 10 a.m., according to the Pioneer Troy Turkey Trot website.
How long is the Shaker Holiday Market open?
The Shaker Heritage Society's Holiday Market at 25 Meeting House Road in Colonie is open through December 18, 2026, Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The suggested donation is $5 per adult.
Alex Cooley, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson and leader of The Capital Region Team at Compass.
12+ years in Capital Region real estate, 300+ closed transactions and $80M+ in sales. Ranked in the top 50 of 4,000+ Capital Region agents. New construction and VA specialist.
Last updated October 28, 2026. This post is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
Sources: Schenectady County, Holiday Parade; Stockade-athon; Pioneer Troy Turkey Trot; Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Alliance, Victorian Streetwalk; Proctors Collaborative, The Nutcracker; Shaker Heritage Society, Holiday Market; National Park Service; MLS listing data via capitalregionteam.com, October 27, 2026.