Historic Huguenot Street and the Reformed Church of New Paltz present A Holiday on Huguenot Street on December 6 and December 7, featuring historical holiday themed tours, a free community tree lighting, a craft fair, horse-drawn wagon rides, and more.
Ring in the holiday season with an engaging special topic tour at Historic Huguenot Street! The 2019 holiday tour will highlight Christmas and community traditions in New Paltz during the late Victorian period, and feature costumed interpreters portraying Huguenot Street’s past residents. Explore the meticulously decorated Deyo House with Gertrude Brodhead, who lived in the home from 1894-1915, and hear about her family’s lavish Christmas arrangements. Then, join Gertrude and her neighbors for a special concert at the reconstructed 1717 French Church, featuring traditional musical performances and storytelling from the period. The experience will last approximately one hour, and each tour ticket includes a cup of hot apple cider to be served at the conclusion of the tour.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6
From 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Local at Heart will host their annual Cookie Walk in the DuBois Fort Visitor Center. Also at 5:00 PM, the Reformed Church’s annual Craft Fair Preview will open in the Wullschleger Education Building where visitors will also be able to purchase and pick-up their paper lanterns for the 7:00 PM light parade, along with other holiday items and crafts. Soup on the Stoop will begin at 5:45 PM on the steps of the Church.
The Paper Lantern Light Parade will begin at the Reformed Church and led by 845 Vibrations to the Deyo House lawn for Historic Huguenot Street’s annual Community Tree Lighting. (Paper lanterns may also be pre-ordered in advance online at huguenotstreet.org/shop.)
Following the tree lighting, guests are welcome to take free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus on the Deyo House porch until 8:00 PM.
Starting at 7:30 PM, the Reformed Church will host a free holiday concert in the sanctuary with local musical group The Olive Quintet.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
The Reformed Church will open the doors to its annual Craft Fair at 9:00 AM. The Craft Fair will be open until 2:00 PM.
The Museum Shop at Historic Huguenot Street will open its doors at 10:00 AM and will be selling holiday themed goods and gifts until 5:00 PM. Historic Huguenot Street’s Holiday Tours will start up once again and will leave from the Museum Shop at 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM, and 4:00 PM.
Local at Heart with volunteer support from the Misty Mountain Girl Scout Troop, will continue their Cookie Walk from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the lawn of the Reformed Church.
At 11:00 AM, all are invited to the Church’s Christmas Café in the Social Hall (92 Huguenot Street) until 2:00 PM. Immediately after, there will be a free holiday concert featuring the Big Blue Big Band in the Church’s sanctuary.
Beginning at 11:00 AM, Historic Huguenot Street will host horse-drawn wagon rides along the street. Rides will be available every 15 minutes from 11:00 AM to 2:00 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 local 4–H members.
A HOLIDAY ON HUGUENOT STREET IS SPONSORED BY
Ulster Savings Bank; Americas Best Value Inn; Lothrop Associates; Riverside Bank, A Division of Salisbury Bank and Trust; and Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union.