Saranac Lake is a charming Adirondack lakeside town, offering plenty of outdoor adventure, arts, culture and community activities throughout the year. For many though, winter is the most magical time to enjoy all this town has to offer. Holidays in Saranac Lake can be some of the most exciting times to visit, with events and festivities for all ages and interests.
From strolling Main Street to take in the festive lights & holiday store fronts to enjoying a snowshoe on a local trail, there’s no shortage of exciting things to do. It’s easy to fall in love with this vibrant and tight knit community while enjoying holiday cheer with your loved ones. To start planning your holiday activity line up, read on for ADKPP staff’s top picks for must do events & activities between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.
Planning Your Holidays in Saranac Lake – 7 Must Do Activities
1. Thanksgiving Turkey Trot
Get ready to burn a few calories and help out the community at the Saranac Lake Turkey Trot. Held on Thanksgiving Day and sponsored by Bitters and Bones, this has been an annual event for 10 years with proceeds supporting the Saranac Lake Interfaith Food Pantry and the Saranac Lake Student Needs Fund. Register at any time throughout the month of November or in person on the day of the event.
2. Visit A Holiday Craft Show
Find a unique gift or view local artisan works at the Sparkle Village Craft Show held annually at the beginning of December! This year’s show will be held Dec. 6-7 at Harrietstown Town Hall hosting a wide variety of artisans & vendors to showcase handmade crafts & local products. Get in the holiday spirit, spend time with friends and neighbors, and check some holiday shopping off your list at this popular local event.
Additionally, the first day of this event is also Light Up Saranac Lake where the community enjoys a parade through Main Street with a lighted fire truck, tree lighting at Berkley Green and an appearance by Santa.
3. Catch a Holiday Concert & Support Local Performers
Northern Lights Choir Winter Concert occurs annually in the middle of the December. Enjoy the harmonies of this 80 member choir as they sing a repertoire that includes a variety of genres to uplift and unify through choral melodies. This year’s concert will be held at St. Bernard’s Church, Dec. 14 at 7:30pm.
4. Hit The Slopes
Mt Pisgah is a classic local ski mountain, offering both skiers or snowboarders a convenient opportunity to hit the slopes on a local hill. With a few trails and a T-bar to carry you to the top, it’s a great place to learn or catch some turns.
For beginners in particular, Pisgah is a great learning spot with the T-Bar making it easier to pop off the lift at different levels to work on skills. If skiing or snowboarding isn’t your thing, 2-lanes of tubing are also available with a convenient lift to bring the tube back uphill.
This mountain is partially dependent on the weather and snowmaking capacity to stay open, so check conditions before you go. Once colder temps come around to stay, snow guns can typically keep a good enough base to open by Christmas vacation week.
5. Explore Nature
Saranac Lake offers so many opportunities to explore outside and take in Adirondack nature. To get out and see the town from a different perspective, enjoy a variety of trails that wind in and out of the woods throughout the village.
Dewey Mountain offers a trail network that is available for walking, snowshoeing or cross country skiing. There are also multi-use trails in Saranac Lake including the Adirondack Rail Trail that allows snowmobiles for those looking to venture farther and faster. If you do not have your own snowmobile, check out Sara-Placid Sled & Spoke, a new local company that offers rentals as well as guided tours.
If you are looking to gain some elevation, check out the Saranac Lake 6er to add a little more challenge to your walk or hike.
6. Find The Perfect Tree
While many places offer pre-cut trees throughout the Adirondacks, it’s worth it to take the extra effort and cut your own for a classic holiday experience. Just a short drive outside of Saranac Lake, explore local tree farms to pick your own holiday evergreen. Enjoy a fun day outside as you walk the rows looking for the perfect tree!
Two local Christmas tree farms to check out during your holidays in Saranac Lake are:
Don Hamm Tree Farm
179 Cold Brook Road
Vermontville, NY 12989
7. Celebrate New Year’s
North Country New Year offers a wonderful way to bring in the new year in Saranac Lake. Last year was the first year of this new event, and it successfully mixed beloved traditions with new flair. A celebration of community, arts and culture, this event provides a fun option for community members to celebrate together. Enjoy live music, family-friendly events and spectacular fireworks!
Attractions and events for this year are still being finalized. A full schedule of events will be posted on the North Country New Year section of the Saranac Lake community website.
BONUS: February Winter Carnival
The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is slightly past the holidays, but is almost a holiday in itself for the community. This 10-day event is a celebration of Winter with a unique theme every year. This year’s theme is Music Legends.
During Winter Carnival locals and visitors brave the cold to enjoy winter sports, one-of-a-kind events. The crown jewel of the carnival is the Ice Palace built by volunteers on the shores of Lake Flower.
While this list is a good place to start planning your holidays in Saranac Lake, it’s not all inclusive. Many new activities continue to pop up throughout the holiday season. Keep an eye on the Saranac Lake Website to stay up to date on new or added events that could push your holiday vacation over the top!
If you are visiting the area and need lodging for your holiday stay, visit Adirondack Premier Properties vacation rental listings or contact one of our forever agents today to get started on finding the perfect rental. We’re ready to serve you at 518-523-3333!