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Category - Holidays

An aerial view of Sagamore Resort on the edge of bright blue Lake George with the Minne Ha Ha ship passing before it
Credit: Courtesy of Sagamore Resort

Get ready for some eggcellent springtime fun with colorful events, festive brunches, and more across New York State. With Easter taking place April 20 and Passover from April 12 through April 20 this year, and events taking place the week before the both holidays, there’s tons of exciting opportunities to celebrate. Here’s where you can find holiday activities and events in the Empire State.

Syracuse St. Patrick's Day Parade - Photo by James Cahill

How do you celebrate Saint Patrick's Day? Whether you hail from Irish ancestry or just want to get decked out in green, here are some St. Patrick's Day parades and festivals in New York State to make this holiday the best one yet. Céad míle fáilte to New York!

A car's headlights are visible as it rolls down a NYC Chinatown street at night under the glow of hundreds of colorful Chinese Lanterns

Get set to celebrate the Lunar New Year in New York State! The Lunar, or Chinese, New Year is celebrated for 15 days, from New Year's Eve on January 28 to the Lantern Festival on February 12. 2025 marks the Year of the Snake, specifically the wood snake, which is associated with traits of wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, intuition, and creativity. Here are just a few ways you can celebrate the Lunar New Year in New York State!

A person watches the sunrise from Artists Rock at North-South Campground

Now is the perfect time to make 2025 resolutions and new year goals for renewal and self-discovery.

Lake Placid - Olympic Center

With so much to see and do in New York State, it’s tempting to add a few days to your getaway. But what if you could minimize dipping into those PTO days and maximize time spent exploring? We have your guide to the best ways to stretch those vacation days to make it a holiday to remember, taking up to 24 days of PTO and turning them into 56 days of getaway bliss through 2025. So what are you waiting for? Put in for that time off and start packing those bags! 

Snowmen figurines surround a gazebo covered in garland in string lights

From grabbing a festive beverage to outdoor winter adventures to holiday markets, here are 12 ways to launch you and your loved ones into the spirit of the season, New York State style.

Santa's Workshop - Photo Courtesy of Santa's Workshop

Thoughts unavoidably turn to the North Pole this time of year, and the lesser-known North Pole sits in the shadow of Whiteface Mountain in New York's Adirondack Park. It's a real town (hamlet, actually, in the town of Wilmington) in the state's northeast corner, just about 12 miles from Lake Placid. Appropriately, it's home to Santa's Workshop, believed to be the nation's oldest theme park.

Aerial view of shops and a church in Lake Placid covered in snow with the Adirondack Mountains in the distance

Thanksgiving is a special time for family, friends, and celebration, so why not spend the holiday in the Empire State? There’s truly something for every type of traveler, whether you’re spending Thanksgiving solo on a self-care getaway to the Catskills, indulging in a delicious turkey dinner from a decadent dining room in Lake George, or admiring dazzling floats at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Gobble up this guide and plan an unforgettable Thanksgiving in New York State. 

Macy's at Herald Square during the Holidays (Christmas)

‘Tis the season of scenic shopping splendor! New York State transforms into a shopper’s paradise during the holiday season, offering everything from luxury boutiques to charming, decked-out main

Fireworks erupt in the sky during a New Year's Eve celebration in Buffalo's downtown

It’s time to celebrate New Year’s in New York State! Welcome 2025 with a First Day hike at a state park or trail, explore a wildlife refuge, or drive through an amazing light display. Want to stay home while you toast to the new year? Enjoy virtual ball drops, and home-based family-friendly activities courtesy of New York attractions.