State, city, and local officials announce “Deck the Hall-bany: Holiday Market and Festival”
The Albany Parking Authority and the Downtown Albany BID, along with the City of Albany, and Assemblymember Gabriella Romero, today announced the upcoming Deck the Hall-bany: Holiday Market and Festival. The festival will take place at the Clinton Market Collective and Quackenbush Square on November 22nd, 29th, and December 6th and 13th, just in time for the holiday season.
While exploring the market, festival goers will discover unique and one-of-a-kind gifts for sale from more than 30 small businesses and local makers, selling everything from handmade items like art, jewelry to home goods and seasonally-themed items. Vendors will be located across both the Clinton Market Collective and Quackenbush Square, each of which will have multiple heating towers located throughout.
In addition to nearby local dining gems like Olde English Pub, Common Roots Brewing Company and McGeary’s Pub, each Deck the Hall-bany date will have a variety of unique food and beverage options available on site. Food trucks and baked good vendors will be offering everything from savory snacks to sweet holiday treats. Local businesses like the The Bull & Bee Meadery will be prominently featured throughout the festival. Dominick Purnomo Wine Director & Co-owner of Downtown staple Yono’s & dp An American Brasserie, will be running an on-site noodle pop-up.
For entertainment, there will be live music performances featuring artists curated by the Albany Musician's Association in partnership with the Downtown Albany BID, along with the jazzy holiday tunes of Sax-a-Clause! On select dates, the Albany Barn will have live art on-site for attendees to enjoy while walking through the market. Other creative entertainment is currently in the works and will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Barn will also be offering specially ticketed “House of Joy” art tours, where guests will take a guided stroll through Downtown Albany, visiting five artist-made “houses” that each contain a free gift of joy. Along the tour, participants will also learn more about the many murals and public art lining the walls of ParkAlbany’s Downtown locations.
If you are interested in becoming a vendor at this year’s Deck the Hall-bany: Holiday Market and Festival, click the links below:
The event is a must-attend for locals and visitors alike who are looking to get into the holiday spirit and thanks to a rotating list of vendors and entertainment there is plenty of reasons to return each Saturday.
During the festivals both Clinton Market Collective and Quackenbush Square will be adorned with holiday lights and festive decoration bringing joy to the area and creating the perfect photo opportunities for your holiday themed selfies! #DecktheHallbany
This wouldn’t be a holiday celebration without hot chocolate! On Saturday, December 6th, the Downtown Albany BID will host their sixth annual Downtown Albany Hot Chocolate Stroll! As part of this specially ticketed event participants will receive a commemorative Downtown Albany x Upstate of Mind hot chocolate mug designed by CompasLife and a “passport” to travel to more than 20 Downtown Albany businesses, where they can taste and then vote on the best gourmet beverages in the city.
The family fun doesn’t stop there! Also on December 6th, the Albany Public Library will be hosting a holiday children’s book giveaway at the Discovery Albany Visitor Center in Quackenbush Square.
Also at the Visitor Center, each event day Discover Albany will also be hosting a kids’ activity featuring free hot chocolate and holiday-themed activities for the whole family. The area will also include a letter-writing station where children can write letters to the troops and Santa and drop their letters directly into Santa’s personal mailbox; ensuring they reach the North Pole in time for the holidays.
“We’re excited to kick off the inaugural Deck the Hall-bany: Holiday Market and Festival this year! The festival has fun activities and treats for the entire family,” said Sean Palladino, Executive Director at the Albany Parking Authority. “Whether you’re shopping for the perfect holiday gift or enjoying live music with a warm cup of cocoa, there's something for everyone thanks to the support of our community businesses and lawmakers.”
To learn more about the Deck the Hall-bany: Holiday Market and Festival, visit the website https://www.downtownalbany.org/holidaymarkethere.
Assemblymember Gabriella Romero said, “As we head into the holiday season, I’m thrilled to announce $80,000 in operating funds that I personally chose to invest in the City of Albany. "Nearly half of which will support the Deck the Hall-bany Holiday Market and Festival. When I make these decisions, I’m choosing what to invest in to make our city more vibrant, connected, and full of life. These funds will help expand the events and experiences that make Albany such a special place to live, work, and celebrate together.”
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, “I am incredibly excited to host the first Winter Market in Downtown Albany at the Clinton Market Collective. This massive undertaking could not have happened without the partnership of Assemblymember Gabriella Romero, the Albany Parking Authority, Downtown BID, and Discover Albany. Downtown Albany has seen an incredible amount of growth and redevelopment over the last decade, and because of the impacts of the pandemic, we have seen the importance of redefining our downtowns as spaces and places for people to come together. Being able to host this series at the Clinton Market Collective is an amazing way to bring people into the city from all over, and a fun way to kick off holiday cheer. Hope everyone is ready to Deck the Hall-bany, because I sure am!”
Capitalize Albany Corporation president Ashley Mohl said, “Deck the Hall-bany is a wonderful example of how Clinton Market Collective can help energize Downtown — especially during the holiday season, when activation is so important to our small businesses. We’re thrilled to be a part of this collaborative effort alongside the City of Albany, Assemblymember Romero, the Albany Parking Authority, and the Downtown Albany BID. With festive decor, live music, and dozens of local vendors, these holiday events will bring people together and create new opportunities to explore and support the heart of our city. This is exactly what Clinton Market was designed for—and it’s exciting to see it becoming an integral part of Downtown’s rhythm and identity.”
Georgette Steffens, Executive Director of the Downtown Albany BID said, “There’s something magical about celebrating the holidays Downtown. The Deck the Hall-bany Market and Festival builds on beloved traditions like the BID’s Holiday Market and Hot Chocolate Stroll, creating even more opportunities for festive fun and entertainment. We’re grateful to Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Assemblymember Gabriella Romero, and ParkAlbany for supporting this expansion. Our goal is to make it a holiday tradition for the entire region, and with over 100 shops, restaurants, and bars offering local fare and holiday deals, we encourage guests to explore all that Downtown has to offer while they visit."
Dominick Purnomo, Wine Director & Co Owner of Yono’s & dp An American Brasserie said, “As a Downtown Albany business owner, I am proud to support the Deck the Hall-bany: Holiday Market and Festival. This type of event supports local small businesses and provides opportunities for not only my restaurant, but others in the area, to provide visitors with another tasty dining option while they shop.”
