While this year’s holiday festivities are certainly going to be different from years’ past, there are still plenty of socially distanced activities in the Hudson Valley and Catskills to fill the calendar. If you’re looking for a new tradition to add to yours, then head out to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock festival in Sullivan County, for the debut of their holiday light show, “Peace, Love & Lights.”
From 5 to 10pm every evening (except Wednesdays, which start at 6pm—more on that below!) from now until January 3, you can hop in your car and take in the splendor of Bethel Woods’s magical holiday lighting and animated displays. The show, at just over one mile, features a 120-foot “Twinkle Tunnel” and other themed areas like an “Enchanted Forest,” “Snowflake Alley,” and “Santa’s Workshop,” as well as quintessential Woodstock imagery like guitars, peace signs, and a Volkswagen Beetle decked out in strands of twinkly lights.
Plus, you can add some extra jingle to your journey with a holiday treats box or Santa hats for the whole group when you purchase your tickets. And if you opt for a “Dasher Pass,” you can even skip the lines when you arrive. After your drive, you can extend the merriment by heading over to Bethel Woods’s Holiday Hub, where you can shop for holiday gifts and enjoy cold weather classics like s’mores, peppermint bark, and cozy holiday drinks, all by a warm fire.
If you’re looking to visit Bethel Woods this weekend, December 5 and 6, you can even start your morning off with the Center’s Holiday Market, which is open 11am to 4pm, then catch a tour of “Peace, Love & Lights” in the evening.
On both Saturday and Sunday, the Holiday Market will host favorite Hudson Valley and Catskills vendors like Hetta Glogg, 1857 Spirits, Cooperstown Cheese Company, Hudson Valley Chocolate, and more, as well as festive live caroling from Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop, and a special appearance from Santa on Saturday afternoon.
With all these events and more, Bethel Woods’s seasonal offerings are sure to help you get into the holiday groove.
For more information or to purchase tickets for “Peace, Love & Lights” head to bethelwoodscenter.org.
