Hot Chocolate Stroll

Palace Theatre

19 Clinton Avenue

About

The sixth Downtown Albany Hot Chocolate Stroll, presented by Pioneer takes place Saturday, December 6 from 11:00 AM-3:00 PM. The Hot Chocolate Stroll is held in conjunction with day three of the Deck The Hall-bany Holiday Market & Festival.

Pre-registered tickets are $25, and door tickets will be $30 (if available). Use the link above to purchase tickets before they sell out! *This event is rain or shine, and refunds will not be issued except in the case of emergency cancellation of the event.

With ticket purchase, you'll receive:

A passport allowing you to try gourmet beverages from participating locations and vote for your favorite hot chocolate! (For an additional cost, various locations may offer grown-up hot chocolate cocktails as well)
A commemorative Downtown Albany x Upstate of Mind hot chocolate mug designed by CompasLife!

⚠️ Ticket Notice
Please do not purchase tickets from third-party sellers. To ensure your tickets are valid and to avoid scams, only purchase through the Downtown Albany BID.

HOW THE STROLL WORKS:

Check in at the registration table located inside the Palace Theatre (19 Clinton Ave) between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to receive your passport map and commemorative mug. Day-of tickets and additional mugs may also be purchased here, while supplies last. Now it's time to start your stroll!
Show your passport when you arrive at each business to receive your hot chocolate serving. You will receive a stamp or check mark for visiting that business.
Collect stamps or check marks from each stop to receive chances to win a $50 Downtown Albany Gift Card. 10 stamps earn you 1 entry, checking off 20 or more earns you 3 additional entries!
Vote! When you are done sampling and strolling, return to the registration area to vote for your favorite hot chocolate.

Participating Locations

Plan your stroll with the Interactive Map

Hot Chocolate Stroll locations:

Alias Coffee – 76 N Pearl St — Homemade hot chocolate with orange, clove, and cardamom syrup, topped with orange zest
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

At 3:00, join the Alice Moore Black Arts & Cultural Center at 135 S Pearl St for the Jingle & Soul Holiday Party! Take a picture with Santa, listen to Holiday Storytelling with Barbara Howard at 3:30 PM, enjoy free gourmet beverages from Starbucks, holiday sweets & refreshments, arts & crafts, caroling, live holiday music, and a kids’ coat giveaway, while supplies last.

Live Music

Sax-A-Claus I 11:00 AM-12:00 PM I Quackenbush Square
Victorian Carolers (theREP) I 11:00 AM-11:30 AM I Quackenbush Square
♪ Lucia and Levi I 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM I Irish American Heritage Museum
♪ Eribeth Classical Trio | 2:00 PM-3:30 PM | Irish American Heritage Museum

♪ = Performance brought to you by a grant from the Music Performance Trust Fund, arranged by Albany Musician’s Association Local 14 of the American Federation of Musicians.

Parking

Event parking is available in ParkAlbany Garages, just a short walk from the Palace Theatre. On-street parking in downtown Albany is free on weekends. Find more parking options at ParkAlbany.com.