Albany Holiday Favorites: Week 3

Only 10 days left until Christmas–in the middle of all your shopping, wrapping and baking, take time for some holiday fun, too.

Here are our top picks for holiday memory-making this week:

Monday, Dec. 15

Christmas Storybook Land continues through Friday, Dec. 19. This is the last week of Albany’s beloved display of holiday and storybook scenes–make sure you get over to the Linn County Fair and Expo center by Friday night so you don’t miss out on this mid-valley holiday tradition. Santa will be there in his workshop to greet children as you exit. Admission is free, but bring non-perishable food items to donate if you can. Hours are 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 16

Storytime with Santa, 10 a.m. Take your little ones to Heritage Mall to hear a story from the jolly old elf himself. Photos with Santa are available for purchase afterward.

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Go look at Christmas lights. 6-10 p.m. Spend some time admiring the holiday spirit of mid-valley residents when you take the Albany Visitors Association “Night Time Magic” holiday light tour. Map and driving directions will be posted soon!

Thursday, Dec. 18

Albany Senior Center Holiday Banquet, 12:30 p.m. All are welcome in this gathering at the Albany Senior Center, 489 Water Ave., for a festive holiday banquet, including a traditional meal, a visit from Santa Claus, a photo booth and hors de oeuvres. Sponsored by Brookdale Senior Living. Tickets $9; call 541-917-7777 for tickets and info.

“Trials, Tribulations and Christmas Decorations” live theater performance, 7:30 p.m. at Albany Civic Theater. It’s the final weekend for this funny, holiday-themed holiday show. $12 general admission, $9 seniors/students. 541-967-8140 for tickets. Performances continue at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 and 20.

Friday, Dec. 19

Live Reindeer at Heritage Mall, 3-7 p.m. Two of Santa’s favorites from his reindeer team will be visiting Heritage Mall before they get ready for their big flight next week! Visit the mall and see the reindeer up close.

Horse-Drawn Christmas Caroling Wagon, 5 p.m. Enjoy a night of touring the Monteith Historic District in a horse-drawn wagon while singing carols. Hot Cider, cocoa, and cookies will be available for the riders.The ride is approximately 45 minutes long and has no stops. Ridges begin and end at  at Albany Tie Dye, 325 1st Ave NW, Albany. Photo opportunities with the horses are available before and after the rides. Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for kids ages 4-11, and lap riders 4 and younger are free. Call 541-908-5778 for reservations. The Horse-Drawn Caroling Wagon continues Dec. 20 and Dec. 21.

Saturday, Dec. 20

Holiday Nosh Tour, 4-7 p.m. Taste your way through Albany as you ride a vintage trolley through Albany’s Monteith and Downtown Historic Districts, stopping at restaurants and historic homes for samples of food and drink from Albany’s finest chefs and artisans. This tour is currently full, but call 541-928-0911 to be added to a waiting list for any spots that may open up.

Wednesday, Dec. 24

Whitespires Church Christmas Eve Sing-a-long. Gather at Albany’s lovely historic Whitespires Church for a carol sing-a-long on Christmas Eve. Call 541-928-2469 for more details.

Know of a holiday event this week that we left off the list? Give us a call (541-928-0911) or comment on this post to let us know.

And, stay tuned for next week on the blog, as we look ahead to New Year’s Eve happenings around the mid-valley!