Celebration of Lights
Parade & Fireworks

The City of Poughkeepsie, in conjunction with the Bardavon, First Niagara Bank Foundation, the Poughkeepsie River District Business Association, and the Walkway over the Hudson will present the 19th annual Celebration of Lights Parade and Fireworks. With help from the Friends of Little Italy this event will help kick off the holiday season in Poughkeepsie. Each year thousands of people attend this event, voted by Dutchess County Tourism as the "Best Event" of the holiday season.

The parade will commence at 6:30pm on Main Street and Garden Street and proceed to the evening’s first Christmas tree lighting on Main, near Market Street. The Celebration of Lights Parade is led by Mayor John Tkazyik and members of the Common Council and will be joined by the Amerscott Highland Pipers, Poughkeepsie High School Jazz Ensemble, Poughkeepsie Exempt Fireman’s Association Color Guard, DARE, Arlington Rotary Club, Hudson Health Plan, Morse Elementary PTO, Miss Hudson Valley, Miss Hudson Valley Teen, Dutchess Jeep & Dodge, Red Knights Motorcycle Club, Roaring Thunder, Isis Vermouth, Dutchess County Girl & Boy Scouts and several Hudson Valley Philharmonic brass ensembles. Also joining in the parade will be performances by Arm of the Sea Theatre and IABAS Traditional Brazilian Band with 200 children from Warring, Morse, Clinton and Kreiger elementary schools. Al’s Garage will also supply a float and hay ride. Finally Santa Claus will arrive on a City of Poughkeepsie Fire Engine.

The parade will proceed down Main Street to Clover Street where the parade will convene at Dongan Square Park for the second Christmas tree lighting. Then at 7:15, Poughkeepsie River District Business Association and Legion Fireworks will present the area's only winter fireworks display along Poughkeepsie's waterfront. At this time the third tree will be lit at the center of the Walkway over the Hudson. Walkway Over the Hudson will open its eastern gate to those interested in viewing the fireworks from high above the Hudson River. Walkway members can watch the fireworks display for free while nonmembers will be asked to pay a donation of $5 per person. Check at www.walkway.org for more information.

Then on Saturday, December 1st, the Poughkeepsie River District Business Association together with Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union will present the 2nd Annual Family Holiday Scavenger Hunt. Participation is free, and registration begins at 1:30 pm at Caffe Aurora, where registrants will pick up their item card and area map for a Holiday Scavenger Hunt within Poughkeepsie's River District and Poughkeepsie's Little Italy. Prizes will then be awarded to all who complete their cards, with drawings held at 4pm at The Derby. There will also be complimentary refreshments available to all participants.

Sponsors include: First Niagara Bank Foundation, Rhinebeck Bank, Dutchess Dodge, Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, The Poughkeepsie Journal, WPDH/WRRV/, WDST, WKZE, WKIP, The City of Poughkeepsie PBA, Fallkill Properties, Dutchess Beer Distributors, McCabe & Mack, Hogkins Agency, Prime Retirement Asset Management, Riverside Bank, Dorsey Metrology, Torsone's Funeral Home, Fallkill Properties and Central Hudson Gas and Electric.

 View Celebration of Lights parade video clip click here