Albany Holiday Favorites: Week 2

Holiday spirit abounds in Albany during the second week of December!

If you want to take your kids to see Santa, you are in luck–Old St. Nick is all over the mid-valley this week. Kids can ride with him on a train, chat with him over not one but two breakfasts, or visit him at his workshop. If you’re looking for holiday events to make you feel merry and bright and that aren’t focused on the 12-and-under crowd, we can help you there, too–an elegant historic home tour, live theater, and holiday wine tasting are all coming up this weekend.

Here are a few of our top picks for what to do in Albany, Oregon, Dec. 10-14, 2014:

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014

Christmas Storybook Land continues. Yes, we mentioned this last week, but it’s worth mentioning again! If you’ve never been, make sure to take your kids this holiday season. It’s a one-of-a-kind winter wonderland featuring dozens of storybook scenes, all created by Albany volunteers. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the end. Admission is free; bring two cans of food if you’re able. This Albany, Oregon holiday tradition is open every day Dec. 5-19, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on weeknights and 10-8:30 p.m. on weekends.

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014

Heritage Mall cookie decorating. 2:30-4 p.m. Heritage Mall is full of holiday fun this month. Bring the kids to the mall for a free cookie decorating party. Stop by and visit Santa afterward; he’s there every day! (Other fun stuff at the mall includes live music nearly every day Dec. 12-21—check out HeritageMall.com for the schedule of performances).

Nutcracker Opening Night. 7 p.m. Linn-Benton Community College Russell Tripp Performance Center. Bring your kids and watch them stare in wonder at the fierce Mouse King, the magical Sugar Plum Fairy, and the other classic characters in Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, presented by Legacy Ballet. Tickets available at Linn-Benton Community College. $1 for every ticket sold is donated to FISH of Albany.Shows continue through the weekend at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m. Saturday Dec. 13, and a matinee at 2 p.m. Saturday Dec. 13.

Friday, Dec. 12, 2014

“Trials, Tribulations and Christmas Decorations,” 7:30 p.m. Friday Dec. 12, Albany Civic Theater. Enjoy live theater in historic downtown Albany with this warm-hearted holiday-themed production that tells the tale of a grumpy widower whose family is determined to turn him from Grinch to Christmas-lover.  $12 general admission, $9 seniors/students. 541-967-8140 for tickets. Shows continue at 7:30 p.m. Saturday Dec. 13, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday Dec. 14.

Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014

Heritage Mall Kids Club Breakfast with Santa, 9:30 a.m., Heritage Mall. Free kids’ pancake breakfast with Santa at the food court of Heritage Mall, with tasty hot food from Applebee’s. Must be a Heritage Mall Kids’ Club member (registration is free and available online at www.heritagemall.com). Call 541-967-8230 by 5 p.m. Dec. 10 to reserve your seat.

Downtown Breakfast with Santa, 10 a.m., Sybaris. Enjoy a breakfast with the jolly old elf himself. Santa will mingle table to table while families enjoy a meal prepared by James Beard-honored chef Matt Bennett. Afterward, each child will be invited up to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him what they would like for Christmas. Tickets $25. Call the Albany Downtown Association at 541-928-2649 for reservations.
Candy Cane Express, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Take a ride on a real train with Santa. The Candy Cane express takes families on a 45-minute round-trip train ride with hot chocolate and candy canes. Train departs at returns at the Lebanon Train Depot. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Kids 3 and younger are free. Buy tickets online or call 541-259-6470. Train rides continue Sunday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014

Moulin Rouge holiday luncheon, 12:30 p.m. at Café Sirene. Enjoy a decadent French-bistro-style meal complete with live entertainment at Café Sirene. $25; 541-704-0889 for reservations.

Dickens Lunch at Sybaris Bistro, 12:30 p.m. Chef Matt Bennett re-creates the flavors of Christmas past with a holiday meal that the characters in the classic tale of “A Christmas Carol” would have felt right at home with. $27; alcohol and gratuity not included. 541-328-8157 for reservations.

Christmas Parlour Tour, 2-7 p.m. Revel in the sights and sounds of a Victorian Christmas as you tour inside Albany’s elegant historic homes and building, all decked out in their holiday splendor. You can tour in your own vehicle, or ride in a horse-drawn wagon or vintage trolley; rides, entertainment and light refreshments are included in the ticket price. Tickets $15, $12 for seniors and groups of 10 or more. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets and tour maps are available the day of the tour at the Albany Visitors Association, 110 3rd Ave. SE, Albany. 541-928-0911 for info.

Marks Ridge Winery Christmas Carol Sing-a-long, 4 p.m.  Bring a friend and gather by the fire at Marks Ride Winery for wine, appetizers, and holiday cheer at the winery’s Christmas Carol Sing-a-long.

Pet Photos with Santa, 6 p.m. Heritage Mall. Bring your favorite furry friend to commemorate the holidays in a photo with Santa.
If you’re not exhausted just thinking about this much Christmas cheer, you can explore even more Albany, Oregon holiday events on our full event calendar.Know of something amazing going on in the mid-valley that didn’t make it into this blog post? Drop us a line and let us know.

Stay tuned for next week, when we keep the spirit alive with Albany Holiday Favorites, Week Three!