Historic Huguenot Street and the Reformed Church of New Paltz present A Holiday on Huguenot Street on November 30 and December 1, featuring holiday tours, a craft fair, horse-drawn wagon rides, farm animals, and more. The series of events will begin at 5 pm on Friday, November 30, with Historic Huguenot Street’s special Holiday Tours that last about 45 minutes and will be taking place at 5, 6, and 8 PM.
This year’s A Holiday on Huguenot Street tours will explore seasonal and holiday traditions practiced by different cultures in New Paltz over the centuries. The tour will begin at the replica Esopus Munsee wigwam where an interpreter will share traditional Munsee stories and New Year customs. Next, visitors will watch a vignette in the Abraham Hasbrouck House featuring two actors portraying Hasbrouck children in the mid-18th century as they delve into French Huguenot and Dutch traditions. Finally, tour-takers will become special guests of the Deyo House during an in-the-moment tour with Gertrude Deyo Brodhead, a wealthy Victorian socialite, who will share all of her lavish Christmas plans in her meticulously-decorated home. Tours will run about 45 minutes long.
From 5 to 8 pm, the Misty Mountain Girl Scout Troop will host a cookie walk to support Local at Heart, while working toward their Community Service and Cooking badges. Also at 5 pm, the Reformed Church’s annual Craft Fair will open in the Wullschleger Education Building, followed by Soup on the Stoop on the steps of the Church at 6 pm. Greens, crafts, and ornaments are being sold in the education building Friday 5 to 8 pm and Saturday 9 to 2 pm.
At 7 pm the community will participate in a Paper Lantern Light Parade, beginning at the Reformed Church and proceeding to the Deyo House lawn for Historic Huguenot Street’s annual Community Tree Lighting. Luminaries will line the street and paper lanterns will be available for purchase at the Museum Shop. Paper lanterns may be pre-ordered in advance online at huguenotstreet.org/shop and can be purchased that evening at the Craig House at 18 Broadhead Avenue. During the tree lighting, come listen to festive holiday carols performed by Historic Huguenot Street’s own a cappella choir, the Huguenot Heralds!
Guests are welcome to take free photos with Santa on the Deyo House porch following the tree lighting until 8 PM, at which point the Reformed Church will host a free holiday concert in the sanctuary with local musical group Wind and Stone.
On Saturday, December 1, Historic Huguenot Street’s Holiday Tours will be leaving from the Museum Shop at 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm. The Misty Mountain Girl Scout Troop will continue their cookie walk from 10 am to 3 pm.
In the Wullschleger Education Building from 9 am to 2 pm, children can participate in a build a bear workshop.
At 11 am, all are invited to the Church’s Christmas Café in the Social Hall (92 Huguenot Street) until 2 pm. Immediately after, there will be a free holiday concert featuring the Big Blue Big Band in the Church’s sanctuary.
Beginning at 12 pm, Historic Huguenot Street will host horse-drawn wagon rides along the street. Rides will be available every 15 minutes from 12 to 3 pm for $5 (children 3 and under are free), departing from the DuBois Fort. Visitors can also meet and pet local farm animals and learn about these friendly creatures from our local 4-H members.
Sponsored by Americas Best Value Inn of New Paltz, Ulster Savings Bank, Riverside Bank, A Division of Salisbury Bank and Trust Company, Redfin, and Stewart’s Shops.