Hot Chocolate Stroll, Holiday Market return to downtown Albany

On Saturday, December 6, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) will host the sixth annual Downtown Albany Hot Chocolate Stroll, presented by Pioneer, in conjunction with the Deck-The-Hall-bany Holiday Market and Festival.  

The Hot Chocolate Stroll will take place from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, featuring unique hot chocolate creations and giveaways from 23 participating businesses, a commemorative mug for all ticket holders, voting in the Downtown Albany Window Decorating Contest, and voting in the Hot Chocolate Stroll Contest.  

The Deck The Hall-bany Holiday Market and Festival is free to enter and will run from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM at Clinton Market Collective and Quackenbush Square, featuring local makers and food vendors selling handcrafted products including custom holiday cards and gifts, jewelry, art, locally distilled spirits, canned preserves, baked goods, coffee, apparel, and accessories, and more.  

There will also be live musical performances from Victorian Carolers, sponsored by theREP, Sax-A-Claus, and thanks to a grant from the Music Performance Trust Fund, Lucia and Levi and Eribeth Classical Trio will perform at the Irish American Heritage Museum, arranged by the Albany Musician’s Association. 

Hot Chocolate Stroll ticketholders must check in at the Downtown Albany BID's registration table at the lobby of the Palace Theatre, at 19 Clinton Ave., between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to receive their event passport and map. Guests may then embark on the stroll, stopping in at participating locations indicated on the map to enjoy hot chocolate samples. For an additional cost, various locations may offer hot chocolate cocktails as well. After completing the stroll, guests should return to the Palace to vote for their favorite hot chocolate samples and continue to shop and enjoy live music and activities during the final hour of the Holiday Market & Festival, taking place across the street from the Theatre. 

Tickets are sold out online, but 30 tickets will be available for purchase at the door for $30 (while supplies last). No ticket or purchase is required to enter the Deck The Hall-bany Holiday Market & Festival. 

The following businesses will participate in the Hot Chocolate Stroll: 

Hot Chocolate Stroll locations: 

• Alias Coffee – 76 N Pearl St — Signature hot chocolate 
• Banh Mi 47 – 74 N Pearl St, Suite 5 — Rich hot chocolate w/ Ovaltine, melted chocolate, Saigon cinnamon, homemade marshmallows 
• Castle Island Montessori – 602 Broadway — Mexican hot chocolate (spicy chili + cinnamon, dairy-free) 
• Dawn’s Victory Sports Café – 10 Sheridan Ave — Classic hot chocolate (opens at 12 PM) 
• Downtown Nutrition – 27 N Pearl St — Traditional & mint protein hot chocolate 
• Fort Orange General Store – 412 Broadway — Spicy dark chocolate w/ almond milk 
• Higher Tolerance – 121 S Pearl Street — Homemade classic hot chocolate 
• Hilton Albany – 40 Lodge St — Nutella peanut butter hot chocolate 
• Historic Albany Foundation – 48 Hudson Ave. — Holiday Spice Cocoa (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove) 
• Loch & Quay – 414 Broadway — Traditional hot chocolate (add peppermint schnapps or Bailey’s) 
• McGeary’s Irish Pub – 4 Clinton Square — Classic hot chocolate w/ brownie fudge topping 
• Motor Oil Coffee – 136 State St — “Fireside Cocoa” w/ hand-mixed cinnamon 
• Stacks Espresso Bar – 488 Broadway – Spiced blood orange hot chocolate
• St. Peter’s Church – 107 State St — “Gingered-Up” hot cocoa w/ dark chocolate + ginger 
• The City Beer Hall – 42 Howard St — Cinnamon bun hot chocolate 
• The Hollow Bar + Kitchen – 79 N Pearl St — Peanut butter & Oreo hot chocolate 
• The Olde English Pub – 683 Broadway — Creamy hot chocolate w/ whipped cream + “Frosty the Snowman” garnish 
• The Skinny Pancake – 1 Steuben St — White chocolate hot cocoa w/ apricot & Earl Grey 
• Wellingtons – 144 State St — Brown-butter house-made hot chocolate 

Giveaways and activities locations: 

• Albany Firefighter’s Museum – 384 Broadway — Free candy canes 
• B. Lodge & Co. – 75 N Pearl St — Free candy canes 
• Broadway Plaza Liquor – 418 Broadway — Seasonal spirits tastings (21+), candy canes for kids  
• Castle Island Montessori – 602 Broadway — Make & take ornament craft for kids (supplies limited)  
• Discover Albany (Albany Public Library) – 25 Quackenbush Sq — Arts & crafts, book giveaway  
• The Vandy Thrift Shoppe – 412 Broadway — Free Candy Canes 

Thomas L. Amell, President & CEO of Pioneer, said: “The Downtown Albany Hot Chocolate Stroll is a wonderful way to celebrate the season and bring our community together. At Pioneer, we love seeing families and friends create warm memories while supporting local businesses. It’s events like this that make the holidays truly magical."

City of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said: “The Hot Chocolate Stroll is one of my favorite Albany events each year, bringing people and holiday cheer to our Downtown. With 18 amazing businesses offering gourmet hot cocoa, there are plenty of opportunities to get a sweet treat. This year we are fortunate to also have the first season of the Deck the Hall-bany Holiday Market at Clinton Market Collective and Quackenbush Square; featuring more than 30 makers and food vendors, this community celebration brings the kind of energy Albany needs heading into the new year.” 

With the Governor’s $400 million investment and the Championing Albany’s Potential (CAP) plan on the horizon, large-scale events like this help us build the momentum needed to achieve our city’s future goals. I look forward to attending with friends and family, enjoying the festivities, and taking it all in, one last time, as mayor of this great city.” 

Georgette Steffens, Downtown Albany BID Executive Director, said: "The Hot Chocolate Stroll is the perfect blend of holiday fun, community pride, and small business support. It truly captures what the BID strives to do: bring people together, showcase the beauty and history of Downtown, introduce our businesses to new customers, and have a great time while doing it.” 

As you stroll and enjoy those delicious hot chocolates, don’t forget to check out our Window Decorating Contest and vote for your favorite. Then head back to the Palace Theatre to drop off your ballot for your favorite hot cocoa. We can't wait to celebrate the day and enjoy all of the sweet treats our businesses are concocting!” 

FREE on-street parking will be available throughout downtown Albany on the day of the event; additional paid event parking will be available at ParkAlbany’s Green-Hudson, Riverfront, and Quackenbush Garages until 5:00 PM. For more about information about off-street parking, please visit: www.parkalbany.com/find-parking 

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