Winter Walk on Warren Street

Hudson, NY - On Saturday, December 1 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Hudson's main street will be transformed into a winter wonderland as the Hudson Opera House presents “A Winter Walk on Warren Street,” one of the premier holiday events in the Hudson Valley.

“Magical” is the word most often used to describe Winter Walk, where dancing snowmen and walking grandfather clocks meet Victorian carolers and horse-drawn carriages. This fantastic mélange draws thousands of delighted visitors to Hudson's main commercial street, lined with brightly lit shops and teeming with surprises at every turn.

At Winter Walk you will find the usual face painters and balloon animals, but also mammoth parade puppets leading the Santa Parade, a walking Gingerbread Boy, elves of all sizes, and even fireworks. Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus greet children in City Hall. Live reindeer, Roger the Jester, a brass quartet, a bagpiper and a stilt-walking toy soldier all vie for attention.

Somehow the angels are more beautiful and the clowns are wackier at Winter Walk. This hip holiday festival is now in its eleventh year and still going strong. Part of its charm is the City of Hudson itself and the beautiful architecture lining its streets. Produced by the Hudson Opera House, a multi-arts center housed in the 1855 former City Hall building, Winter Walk relies on the talents of Hudson's many local performing and visual artists, costumers, and theatrical experts, as well as the shop owners who go “all out” in decorating the buildings that line Warren Street.

One of the unique features of Winter Walk is choreographer Abby Lappen's fascinating window dancers posing as department store mannequins. Area dance companies including Diata Diata, Kuumba Dance & Drum, Sternfeld's Dance Studio, and the Albany Berkshire Ballet, display their talents in larger Warren Street venues.

Music is everywhere. A rich and diverse group of regional musicians provide lively, festive sounds both on the street and in the shops. From a cluster of Girl Scout carolers or a Celtic harpist to a one-man band, from classical music to jazz and folk, there is something to please every ear.

Veteran Winter Walkers wear sturdy shoes and warm clothing, for there is a lot to see and do on mile-long Warren Street. Walkers will find friendly faces along the way, as well as nourishment—hot mulled cider, roasted chestnuts, chili and steaming hot soup. A free trolley is available for those who prefer to ride.

Visitors to the City are warned to arrive early to secure a parking spot. Winter Walk officially starts at 5:00 p.m. with a trumpet fanfare from the steps of the Opera House at 327 Warren Street. This ceremony is preceded by some early performances on Lower Warren. The festivities often continue past the official closing time of 8:00 p.m. For further information call the Opera House at 518-822-1438, or visit the website at www.hudsonoperahouse.org. Maps, schedules and other information such as lodging and area restaurants, can be found on the website. A snow date of December 8 has been established.