DUTCHESS COUNTY — With children off from school and adults busy preparing for the holidays, the local libraries are providing fun activities and events, and — with most events, activities and supplies free of charge — a welcome respite from holiday commercialism.
In addition to their planned activities, libraries loan DVDs of music and movies as well as books and magazines for all reading levels. Some libraries have also created packages that combine activities or props with appropriate books, and most have board games and puzzles.
While library cards are generally not required for these events, they are free for residents. A library card makes a great stocking-stuffer for youngsters and continues to give for a lifetime.
Amenia Library
3309 Route 343, Amenia
845-373-8273
amenialibrary.org
Story Hour with Beth! (0-5 years old) — Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
LEGO club (children and teens) — Thursdays, 2:30-4:45 p.m.
Marimba Trails: A Musical Look at Amenia with Diana Herold and friends — Monday, Dec. 18, 6 p.m.
Winter Paint Night (children 6 and up, teens and adults) — Wednesday, Dec. 20, 5 p.m.
Painting ceramic figurines, Wednesday, Dec. 27. All day.
LEGOs and Perler beads — Thursday, Dec. 28, all day.
Build Your Own Clay Snowman — Friday, Dec. 29, all day.
Millbrook Library
3 Friendly Lane, Millbrook
845-677-3611 ext. 3
millbrooklibrary.org
Holiday silent auction closing party — Saturday, Dec. 16, 3:30-5 p.m.
Art opening for Anne Pomeroy — Sunday, Dec. 17, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Chair yoga with Lyette — Monday, Dec. 18, 9-10 a.m.
Walking club at Bennett Park — Wednesday, Dec. 20, 10-11:30 a.m.
Bake and decorate wreath doughnuts — Wednesday, Dec. 20, 4 p.m.
Let’s Make Snow Slime! — Wednesday, Dec. 27, 4 p.m.
NorthEast-
Millerton Library
Main building: 75 Main St.
The Annex: 28 Century Blvd.
518-789-3340
nemillertonlibrary.org
Welcome Winter Solstice for ages 8-13 — Sat., Dec. 16, 1:30-3 p.m.
Ping pong and board games in the Library Annex — Saturday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m.-noon
Holiday wine pairings in the Library Annex — Friday, Dec. 15, 6-8 p.m. Registration required; $25 per person.
American Mahjong — Library Annex, every Tuesday, 1-3 p.m.
3D printing workshop — Thursday, Dec. 27, 6-7:30 p.m.
Noon-Day Eve party “Ringing in of the New Year” (ages 5-12) — Saturday, Dec. 30, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Story Hour with Ms. Lynn — every Tuesday and Saturday in December, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Pine Plains Free Library
7775 S. Main St.
518-398-1927
pineplainslibrary.org
Kids Maker and Play Hour — Thursdays except Dec. 28, 4:30-6 p.m.
Accessible yoga with Chrissy — Thursdays except Dec. 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Tech time with Annie — Fridays, 2-6 p.m.
Mid-Hudson Youth Writers’ Workshop (for teens) — every Saturday on Zoom. Contact agallagher502@gmail.com for link and time.
Story time with Molly (babies through age 6) — Saturday, Dec. 16, 10-11 a.m.
Tai chi with Curt — Tuesdays, noon-1 p.m.
Gentle yoga with Curt — Tuesdays, 1-2 p.m.
Kids game night or movie night (alternating weeks) — Tuesdays, 4:30-6 p.m.
Story and Create Time with Ms. Samantha — Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m.
Teen nights — Wednesdays, 4-6 p.m.
Cookbook group with Lenny — Wednesday, Dec. 27, 6-7 p.m.
Roeliff Jansen
Community Library
9091 Route 22, Hillsdale
518-325-4101
roejanlibrary.org
For the Birds! — Create treats of cranberry and popcorn garlands and bird seed-covered pinecones. Registration required. Saturday, Dec. 16, 1-2 p.m.
Qigong and tai chi — every Thursday, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
English language tutoring — Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m. by appointment
Cookbook club — Every third Saturday, 2-3:30 p.m.
Tea Time at the Library — Every fourth Thursday, 2:30 p.m.
Octagon club — Every second Thursday, 1-2 p.m.
Book club — Thursday, Dec. 21, 1 p.m.
Diversity teen group — Thursdays, 7 p.m.
LEGOs — Thursdays, 12-8 p.m.
Playtime with Tia — Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
Homeschool Wednesday — 1 p.m.
Storytime with Tia — Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.
Stanford Free Library
6035 Route 82
845-868-1341
stanfordlibrary.org
Yoga with Mia — Saturdays, 10 a.m. Weekly registration required.
Teens create custom buttons, keychains or jewelry using a button maker — Wednesday, Dec. 20, 6-7:30 p.m. Registration required.
Make an ornament (grades pre-K to 1st) — Thursday, Dec. 22, 3:45-4:45 p.m. Registration required.
Babysitting class (ages 10 and up) — Thursday, Dec. 28, 5-8 p.m. Registration required.
Repair café — Saturday, Jan. 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Mad Rose Gallery on Route 44 in the Village of Millerton is decked out with lights and decorations to celebrate the holiday season.
MILLERTON — The Village of Millerton is inviting residents and businesses to enter its annual house decorating contest, with judging now underway through Dec. 28.
Awards will be presented in several categories, including Best Lights, Most Creative, Best Overall and Best Commercial Front.
Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges using established criteria. Creativity will be judged based on originality, variety of materials used and the use of homemade vs. commercially made decorations. Appearance will consider color coordination, balance and overall attractiveness, while effort will reflect the time and energy put into preparation and presentation.
Judging will be conducted by drive-by observation between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., and displays must be clearly visible from the street side of the house at night. People and pets may not be included as part of the design.
Winners in each category will receive a gift basket, gift certificates and recognition in The Millerton News. Awards will be distributed on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026.
The contest is open to residents and businesses in the Village of Millerton and the Town of North East. Entry forms can be obtained from Village Hall or at villageofmillerton-ny.gov.
The Upstate Celtic Allstars perform celtic versions of holiday tunes at Amenia Town Hall on Dec. 15, 2024.
AMENIA — Fast becoming a local holiday tradition, the Amenia Town Recreation Department is presenting a free concert by the Upstate Celtic Allstars on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Amenia Town Hall Auditorium, beginning at 2 p.m.
The five-member Celtic Allstars ensemble will rouse the audience to holiday cheer with a varied program of holiday tunes and rhythmic dance numbers. Appearing in the ensemble are Vermont’s Claudine Langille, vocals and banjo; Dave Paton, hammer dulcimer and concertina, Isa Simon, fiddle and vocals; Joseph Sobol, contemporary cittern (related to guitar); and Ambrose Verdibello, fiddle and guitar.
Refreshments will be served during intermission. Bring the whole family to revel in the lively festivities.
