Get your Cajun dance groove on with ZydeGroove, shop ’till you drop at a Holiday Craft Fair and feast your eyes on a Tree Lighting with a visit from Santa. The Nyack Weekender is sponsored by The Arts Council of Rockland.

Friday

• Dance to some authentic creole music this Friday night when Zydegroove, a New York based zydeco band, leads a Cajun Dance Party at 7p at the West Gate Lounge, 26 Rt 59, Nyack.

• It’s the First Friday of December and Nyack’s monthly one-night downtown arts festival begins at Casa del Sol at 8p, 104 Main St, with a group exhibit, a holiday silent auction and live music. Presented by the Nyack Art Collective at various venues throughout downtown from 6-8p.

• Put a local spin on holiday shopping at the Fellowship Community Christmas Festival and Holiday Sale. Hand made gifts, toys, books, candles and crystals. Plus children’s activities, puppet shows, live music, silent auction and cafe. Fri from 2- 7p, Sat from 10a – 7p, Sun from 10a – 3p at 241 Hungry Hollow Rd, Chestnut Ridge.

•  Celebrate the holiday season at Tree Lighting in the Plaza with live entertainment and a visit from Santa. 6:30 – 8:30p at Shops at Nanuet, Fashion Drive, Nanuet.

•  The Rockland Youth Dance Ensemble presents The Nutcracker. Fri and Sat at 7p, Sun at 1 & 4p at North Rockland High School, 106 Hammond Rd, Thiells.

• Elmwood Community Playhouse stages the timely comedy-drama, An American Daughter. The play centers on Dr. Hughes, the perfect Presidential nominee for U.S. Surgeon General, who must face the cost of one woman who dares to have it all. Fri & Sat at 8p, Sun at 2p at Elmwood Community Playhouse, 10 Park St, Nyack.

Saturday

• Learning, Healing, and Acting for Racial Justice Workshop invites participants to explore what it means to be white and engaged in efforts for racial equity. In a supportive, non-judgmental environment, the workshop
  includes videos, personal reflections, small and large group discussions, activities and presentations. 9a – 4:30p at Grace Church, 130 First Ave, Nyack.

• Palisades Holiday Craft Bazaar features fine crafts by artisans of the Hudson Valley. 10a – 4p at Palisades Community Center, 675 Oak Tree Rd.

• St. Nicholas Day Celebration, a Historical Society tradition since 1961. Children of all ages can visit with St. Nicholas and his horse. Gifts for kids, joyful storytelling and holiday refreshments. Make reservations at RocklandHisory.org. Sat & Sun at 10:30a, 12p, 1:30p, and 3p. The Historical Society of Rockland County, 20 Zukor Road, New City.

• Visit the Village of Haverstraw for a day of family-fun holiday events including candy cane making demos at Lucas Candy, Victorian tea at Bricktown B&B, holiday concert, Santa’s Cookie Workshop, tree lighting and carolers, supper with Santa and dinner specials at participating restaurants. Noon – 8p throughout the Village.

• Bottles, Jugs, and Crocks, an exhibit by the Historical Society of the Nyacks, features traditional stoneware crocks and jugs as well as glass bottles, all from local collections. 1 – 4p weekly on Sat until Feb 25. 50 Piermont Ave, Nyack.

• Get into the spirit of the holidays at the Rockland County Concert Band Holiday Concert from 2-3p at Central Presbyterian Church, 89 Hudson Ave, Haverstraw.

• The annual Holiday Lights of Nyack event features caroling, a tree lighting, holiday story reading, free cocoa and cider and a visit by Santa. 4 – 5:30p at Veteran’s Park Gazebo, Main St, Nyack.

• Small Matters of Great Importance: Paper + Art is a juried exhibition celebrating small works that make big statements. The exhibit runs through Jan 3. Edward Hopper House, 82 N Broadway, Nyack. 

• ZaniaDollz puts on a Holiday Barbie Doll Exhibit at the Suffern Free Library, 210 Lafayette Ave, Suffern. Exhibit open during regular library hours through Dec 30.

Sunday

• Local artisans and Nyack’s favorite merchants sell one-of-a-kind gifts, jewelry, art, clothing, home decor, chocolate and sweets at the Nyack Indoor Street Fair. Don’t miss the chance for unique, handcrafted gifts for the holidays. 10a – 4p at Nyack Center, 58 Depew Ave.

• Soak up the seasonal fun at Piermont Holiday Festival. The day includes a tree lighting with snacks, hot chocolate, ice sculptures, live entertainment with Tom Chapin, visit with Santa, gingerbread making and art exhibition. Noon – 7p at Downtown Piermont, Piermont Ave.

• Enjoy a family-friendly Victorian Holiday Celebration at the historic Jacob Sloat House with music, refreshments and holiday shopping, plus games, crafts and entertainment for kids. 1 – 5p at Harmony Hall, 15 Liberty Rock Rd, Sloatsburg.

• GraceMusic presents their annual Messiah Sing with professional soloists. Scores to borrow provided, listeners and singers welcome. 4p at Grace Church, 130 First Ave.

Next Week

Wednesday

• Enjoy Poetic Images with Pianist Nuno Marques as he plays a selection of poetic piano music, featuring works by Schubert, Debussy, Rachmaninoff and Granados. 8p at Union Arts Center, 2 Union St, Sparkill.

Thursday

The Nyack Farmers’ Market has gone undercover! From Thanksgiving until the end of March, you can still shop for fresh produce and meats, fish, honey, a variety of farm products inside The Nyack Center each Thurs from 8a-2p. There are arts and crafts on sale too, all while enjoying live music from local musicians.  The Nyack Center is located at 58 Depew and S Broadway.

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