Communities across the Hudson Valley are getting into the Christmas spirit

It's that time of year again. Communities across the Hudson Valley are getting into the holiday spirit with their annual tree lighting ceremonies, parades and other community events. We have rounded them up by county right here for you!

If you don't see your community event listed here e-mail editor@excitingread.com to have it added.

Dutchess County

Nov. 24-Dec. 28

ErDAJT’s Holiday Christmas Light Display, 11^th year with the animated display. Donations for charity for the night. Open Sun-Thurs. 4:45-9:30pm. Fridays, Saturdays, 12/25, 12/26 4:45-10:30pm. 8 Patrick Drive, LaGrangeville.

Nov. 24

Santa on the Walkway, Santa will make a surprise visit on the Walkway's West (Highland) approach. 1-3pm. Walkway Over the Hudson. 87 Haviland Rd., Highland.

Nov. 25
8th Annual Holiday Light Parade, Parade line up at 6 pm, step-off at 6:30 pm from Elm St. Santa will arrive in Mesier Park by 7pm in time to light the tree. Be a part of this spectacular parade! Floats, boats, bikes, dogs, characters, carriages; the possibilities are endless. Trophies for the best floats will be awarded! To register for the parade, leave a message at 297-8773x7 or email dcalabrese@wappingersfallsny.gov.  6:30pm. Mesier Park. East Main St. and South Ave. (9D), Wappingers Falls. 845-297-8773, ext. 7.

Nov. 25
Sinterklaas Send-Off Celebration, Sinterklaas departs from the historic Kingston Waterfront (aka “Spain”) after a full day of open houses, musical performances, workshops creating beautiful crowns and branches, and a Children’s Maritime Parade down Broadway, with stars and puppets galore. Kingston sends off Sinterklaas and his white horse on a tugboat across the river to his destination there. After his send off, there will a Sinterklaas Soiree, Tree Lighting Ceremony, and plenty of specials at all of the local restaurants. 11am-5:30pm. Hudson River Maritime Museum. 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston. 845-338-0071.

Nov. 25

Holiday Spirit Festival, Kevin McCurdy's Holiday Spirit Festival is the Hudson Valley's original, one of a kind, family holiday event. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Holiday Spirit Festival is like no other event, offering your family a place to make new memories and relive old ones. From its inception, The Holiday Spirit Festival was designed to take you back to those days of yesteryear, with holiday tunnels and twinkling light displays, while adding a new twist. "Kevin’s ability to blend creativity and good old fashioned fun, together with leading edge technology, make the Holiday Spirit Festival a truly magical family holiday experience for all ages”.  Fri, Sat and Sun through 12/23. 6-9pm on Fri and 4:30-9pm on Sat and Sun. ImaginaArt Studios. 38 Sheafe Rd, Wappingers Falls. 845-297-9627.

Dec. 1

24^th Annual Celebration of Lights Parade & Fireworks, It is hosted by the City of Poughkeepsie, the Bardavon, and many others. Each year thousands of people attend this event, voted by Dutchess County Tourism as the “Best Event” of the holiday season. Starts at 6:30pm. 35 Market St., Poughkeepsie. 845-473-2072.

Dec. 2

Arlington Holiday Festival Includes Santa, Parade and Tree Lighting!, Holiday shopping village from 12-6pm. Children Activities & Entertainment (Fire pits to roast marshmallows, Mrs. Claus-face painting and balloons, darkside records and gallery holiday DJ) from 12-4pm. Ticket for Egg Nog Crawl is $5 (try out egg nog and vote for your favorite) and open from 12-6pm. Holiday parade with Santa Claus at 4pm. Tree Lighting at 5pm. In the Arlington Business District. Parade: 845-518-4801. Egg Nog Crawl: 914-489-7697

Dec. 2

Tree Lighting, Come help us kick off the holiday season as we light the Christmas tree and say hello to Santa when he arrives to hand out goodies to the kids. Schlathaus Park. Myers Corners Rd. and All Angels Hill Rd., Wappingers Fall. Event is 5-7pm.

Dec. 2

Dinner with Santa, Registration opens Oct. 6-Nov. 10, space is limited. Register at www.unionvalerec.com. Receive a gift from Santa, enjoy a delicious buffet, and celebrate the season. Begins at 3:30. Tymor Park Town of Union Vale. 249 Duncan Rd., LaGrangeville.

Dec. 3

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Join us at the town hall for caroling, refreshments and a visit from Santa free of charge! Santa arrives by Police car for an early visit with the kids. 4:45-6pm. Hyde Park Town Hall. 4383 Albany Post Rd., Hyde Park, NY 12538.

Dec. 3
Holiday Lighting at Tymor Park, Tymor Park is lit with over 150,000 colorful lights to celebrate the holiday season. Spend time with family and friends and come to Tymor Park to see this spectacular display. New features are added yearly so make sure to add a visit to Tymor Park to your holiday traditions list. The lights will be on daily from 4:00pm – 10:00pm during the season. Official Lighting 6:30pm. 6:30pm lighting ceremony and daily 4-10pm. Tymor Park. 8 Tymor Park Rd., LaGrangeville. 845.724.5691.

Dec. 3
Sinterklaas Rhinebeck, A day long, colorful celebration of dance, theatre and music. Children’s Starlight Parade at dusk. Various locations, Rhinebeck.  11am; parade at dusk. Village of Rhinebeck. various locations, Rhinebeck. 845-463-4000.

Dec. 3
Holiday Party and Tree Lighting, Petting zoo, refreshments, children’s crafts, Santa and more. 2:30-4:30 PM. VanWyck Hall. 1095 Main Street, Village of Fishkill. 845-897-4430.

Dec. 3
Holiday Scavenger Hunt at Locust Grove, Enjoy the mansion's glittering holiday decorations and search for antique toys hidden throughout the historic house. 12-4pm. Locust Grove. 2683 South Rd, Poughkeepsie. 845-454-4500.

Dec. 9

A Christmas Carol in Trivoli, Produced by Red Hook’s Theatre on the Road, this free family show is performed in the church hall above Murray’s Restaurant 73 Broadway) in Tivoli. Victorian carolers will meet you at the 4:30 pm tree-lighting ceremony across the street and lead you to the performance. Tree Lighting at 4:30pm, Performance at Murray's begins at 5:00pm-7pm. 845-758-1920. Upstairs @ Murrays Restaurant. 73 Broadway, Tivoli.

Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17

4^th Annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa, We must be on the nice list, because Santa is visiting us 4 days this year! Seating times for 10am, 12pm and 2pm. Tickets: Adults $18, Child $13 (12 and under), Child (3 and under) free. Crown Maple Estate. 47 McCourt Rd., Dover Plains. 845-877-0640.

Dec. 9 & 10
Milk and Cookies with Santa, Santa Claus will be dropping by Soukup Farms on December 10th, from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. Parents can bring children of all ages to meet, talk, and take pictures with Santa. Craft area, reading corner, outdoor Smores' pit and food provided by JSK Cattle Company. Milk and Cookies will also be for sale! Stop by and have some family fun!! 10 am to 5 pm. Soukup Farms. 271 Halls Corners Rd, Dover Plains. 845-264-3137.

Dec. 9
Santa Party with Jingle the Elf, Join Poughkeepsie Galleria for the Santa Celebration at Center Court. Visit with Santa! Performances by The Merry Minstrals.  Q92's Joe Daily, Fidelis Care and crafts for the kids!  12pm. Poughkeepsie Galleria. 2001 South Rd, Poughkeepsie. 845-297-7600.

Dec. 10

Kids Holiday Workshop, Students ages 5-12 are invited to a festive holiday gathering with The Artist's Corner! Projects include a personalized Christmas ornament and drawing of a winter wonderland snow globe. Additional festive crafts, holiday cheer and music will be provided! 12-3pm. Fishkill Recreation Center. 793 Route 52, Fishkill. (845) 831-3371.