Night of Lights.  Come celebrate the beginning of the Festival of Trees with the Night of Lights, an exclusive evening of radiant fir trees and wintertide enchantment. Tickets are $20, include Wagon Train BBQ and wine samples,  and are available at schenectadyhistorical.org/programs. 7 p.m. at SCHS, 32 Washington Ave. Schenectady, 12305

Middleburgh Makes Miracle. Middleburgh dashes into the holiday spirit with a blizzard of excitement for Miracle on Main Street. 1st annual tree lighting starts at 5:15 p.m. then village festivities wrapping up at 8:30 p.m., Main St, Middleburgh, 12122

Italian Christmas Market. This festive annual Italian tradition sees the Museum’s exhibit spaces transformed into market places filled with unique, hard to find Italian merchandise. Great gifts for Christmas, and enjoy food, beverages and fellowship. Dec 6 and 7 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec 8 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at American Italian Museum and Cultural Center, 1227 Central Avenue in Albany.

Winterloo: The Great New York State Fair. Holiday shopping and family fun in the Exposition Center. December 7-8 and 14-15. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Exposition Center, Syracuse, 13209

In Praise of Christmas. Carols, Songs, and Dances of Christmas & Mid-Winter Celebrations with John Roberts, Lisa Preston & Armand Aromin. Tickets are $25 for adults; $12 for youth ages 13 to 18; $5 for children 12 and under and are available at oldsongs.org or by calling Old Songs at (518) 765-2815. Event will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Songs Community Arts Center, 37 S Main Street, Voorheesville.

Holiday Bazaar at Thacher Nature Center.  Shop for unique hand-crafted gifts made by local artisans and crafters, and enjoy live music that’ll put you in the holiday spirit. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec 7, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec 8 at 87 87 Stan Levine Dr, Voorheesville, 12186.

Albany County Sheriff’s Office Toy Drive. This year’s program will provide services to 100 families with nearly 200 children. You have an opportunity to participate in supporting this program by attending  the toy drive. You can also provide financial assistance to the program by contributing to the collection buckets at the toy drive. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bethlehem Price Chopper in 1395 New Scotland Ave, Slingerlands, 12159.

Make a Wreath at the Knox Reformed Church. Join the HFCO and make a holiday wreath. For this activity, please register in advance by emailing

Spaghetti Dinner at the Knox Reformed Church. Bring your family and friends and enjoy a spaghetti dinner hosted by the HFCO. (A gluten-free option will be available) Register in advance by emailing

Christmas Bazaar. Bake sale, crafts, raffle baskets, and a quilt show. The quilts are not for sale. Starts at 2 p.m. at St. Boniface, 5148 Western Ave, Guilderland, 12084.