Holiday Fun in Historic Albany

Experience the magic of Albany’s winter tradition: The 37th Annual Nighttime Magic Light Contest! Enter your display or nominate a friend through the entry form now through December 8. Not into decorating? Sit back and enjoy the hard work behind the stunning displays. Plan a family night to drive through town and marvel at the dazzling entries from this year’s contest. A map of the houses will be available on our website for download, and printed copies will be in our office. You can also download the free Albany Explorer App on Apple and Android, where you will find an interactive map. Once you've seen all the displays, you can vote for your favorite through the survey link, which will be open December 9-18. Lights will shine from December 9 through January 1, brightening the season!

Small Business Saturday is November 30. It is an opportunity to shop and dine small and save big! Downtown Albany is proud of the many local, independent retailers who offer unique products you won't find at a big box store. Many items are handcrafted and made in the Northwest. Restaurants also offer specials, so be sure to fortify yourself for a great shopping day!

Springhill Cellars Winery's Federweisser German Fall Festival and Barn Dance from Friday, November 29, through Sunday, December 1! Enjoy Federweisser (a semi-sweet white pinot noir), Zwiebelkuchen (a savory onion, bacon, and cheese pie), and Pepper Tree sausages. Oompah music will play by day and live jazz from Just Lōnna on Sunday at 4:45 pm. Games, including board games, card games and corn toss, will be available all weekend. The $5 daily cover charge (payable at the door) includes a tasting for guests 21+. Free admission for kids under 15 and anyone in lederhosen or a dirndl. Cash-only for food. Hours: Friday, 12-5 pm; Saturday, 12-10 pm; Sunday, 12-6:30 pm. 

Visit Christmas Storybook Land November 30-December 22 at the Linn County Expo Center. This holiday season, an exciting collaboration is happening! Christmas Storybookland and Pastega Lights are collaborating to bring a larger and longer-lasting holiday display, inside and out. Relive your favorite childhood nursery rhymes, fairy tales and family movies in a magical indoor walk-thru forest! Check their calendar for special events like Star Wars Day and the Magical Friends Visit. Entry is free, although commercially packaged food for the local food bank is gladly accepted.

At the Children's Pioneer Christmas Party, kids experience Christmas as the pioneers did in the 1800s at the Monteith House! Children ages 5-16 are invited to a festive Christmas party from 2:30-4:45 pm on December 1. Kids can enjoy making pioneer-style crafts, decorating the Monteith House Christmas tree, singing carols and enjoying holiday treats. They’ll also have the option to watch the Downtown Twice Around Christmas Parade from the Monteith House front porch. Tickets are $25 at MonteithHouse.org, and space is limited. 

The Downtown Twice Around Christmas Parade winds through Historic Downtown Albany on Sunday, December 1, starting promptly at 5 pm, rain or shine. Expect to see the Albany Trolley, community groups, schools, local businesses, and Santa arriving on Albany’s antique fire truck! 

The route begins at Broadalbin Street and First Avenue, heads west down First past the Albany Carousel, turns left (south) on Calapooia Street to Second Avenue, left (east) on Second to Broadalbin, and left (north) on Broadalbin back to First Avenue—completing the loop twice and ending at Broadalbin Street and First Avenue. After the parade, there will be a break before the Community Tree Lighting Ceremony, allowing attendees to reposition. Ample viewing space is available in the Two Rivers Market parking lot at Ferry and Second.

Enjoy a free horse-drawn carriage ride after the tree lighting! Rides depart from Ferry Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues.

The Sleigh Bells Sing! is a festive tour through Albany’s Monteith Historic District on a horse-drawn wagon, singing holiday songs and spreading cheer. After caroling, warm up in the Monteith House with hot apple cider and cookies. The tour lasts 45 minutes. Arrive 10 minutes early and dress warmly for a cozy, old-fashioned holiday experience! The wagon departs several times each evening on December 13, 14, 20 and 21. Purchase tickets at MonteithHouse.org.