A dusting of light snow, a crackling fire, the sounds of carolers—it’s Holiday season in Columbia County. Plan your visit for this magical time of year and exciting and memorable events. Winter Walk on Warren Street brings visitors from all over the Northeast for a music-filled stroll along this authentic 19th century thoroughfare. Shops brim over with music and dance, festive carolers and clowns, while dancers posing as department store mannequins come to life to the delight of young and old alike. The holiday season at Clermont, Olana, and Lindenwald showcase Victorian and period American celebrations that make it a must see, year after year. Mix in a little cross country skiing, ice skating at our state parks, weather permitting, or a tobaggan run down a long snowy hill, and you’ve really got something!

Plan to spend early July in the country and you'll be drawn to a host of charming Independence Day festivities that are Americana to the core. Your family is sure to have an experience they will never forget! Join a charming small-town parade in Kinderhook or Old Chatham. Sashay over to the fairgrounds for fireworks, music, food and fun—it's Family Fest at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. Or your family can go back in time and experience 18th century music, entertainment, food and the Saugerties fireworks display when you celebrate Independence Day at The Clermont State Historic Site. Be sure to plan a visit to the Berry Farm for an afternoon of picking your own fresh strawberries and blueberries, and end your day with a stunning sunset picnic at Olana.

Wherever you turn it seems Columbia County has something to celebrate. There are music festivals galore for fans of jazz, blues, classical, folk, rock, country and bluegrass. But come July, some of the most famous folk musicians and performers from around the world come to the rolling hills of Columbia County for the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival a four-day community of folk music and dance at Dodds Farm in Hillsdale. Photo credit: Jeff Lang