Nyack shimmers with the sights and sounds of the season, with glittering lights and festive shop windows, plus our eclectic selection of stores and restaurants.

Nyack’s Winter Wanderland showcases the best of what Nyack has to offer every Saturday and Sunday through February 28, 2021.

What’s a great way to navigate the chilly months of a winter-plus-pandemic? Answer: Nyack’s Winter Wanderland. Undaunted by COVID or the frosty weather, Nyack welcomes friends and families to stroll the village and enjoy Nyack’s many delights in a warm – and safe – Wanderland.

Winter Wanderland is a continuation of Nyack’s Safe Haven activities that began last spring with street closures for outdoor shopping and dining during the warm Hudson Valley nights.  

Wanderland now invites visitors to “wander” through town to enjoy seasonal pleasures — sidewalk shopping and winter markets, hearty food and hot drinks, festive lights, the warmth of fire pits, and the joy of beautiful music – all with a backdrop of breathtaking views and access to the Hudson River.

Parking is free in Nyack’s municipal lots every Saturday through December 19, and every Sunday year-round throughout the village. Masks and social distancing are required at all times.

“Nyack is a special place to spend time during the holidays and winter months,” said Nyack Mayor Don Hammond. “The village offers so much to see and do in a comfortable, walkable space – safely. So we’re doing both – offering a Safe Haven for great experiences, and keeping protection for the public as the bottom line.”

Nyack and its businesses have built strong protections for residents and visitors against Corona virus spread, with strict enforcement of mask and social distancing requirements for indoor and outdoor shopping, dining and service establishments.

“As we move into the colder months, Nyack’s Winter Wanderland offers a festive outdoor experience, coupled with an invitation to sample and enjoy indoor activities, all as permitted by state guidelines,” added Visit Nyack Board Member, Thomas Schneck.  

Nyack’s shops, restaurants and service establishments are delivering the magic every day. Visitors can view Visit Nyack’s directory of retail shops here. Find a list of restaurants here: Restaurants! And find an updated list of events here: Holiday Fun events here!

There will be special activities, too. Here’s a sampling:
 
Winter Delights Market — Strollers looking for unique shopping experiences (maybe even a partridge in a pear tree) can do their “12 days of Christmas” and Hanukkah nights shopping at Hickory Dickory Dock’s Winter Delights market at 43 South Broadway. This outdoor garden market is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm through December 20. Go to Hickory Dickory Dock’s Winter Delights for more info, and the Nyack Sketch Log essay on Nyack News and Views.  

Breakfast With Santa — Families can join Santa and his helpers for a pancake and waffles breakfast at the Hudson Market on Main at 5 North Broadway on Saturday, December 20. Kids pay $10, Adults $15, kids under 2 are free. Enjoy photos with Santa, holiday music and fun-filled activities including letter-writing to Santa. Seating times are 10:30 am and 12:00 am. Reservations and pre-payment are required by calling 845-875-7559. Masks and social distancing are required. 
Fire pits and warm refreshments — For shoppers and diners who want to pause, warm up and enjoy the holiday vibe, fire pits located at the Veteran’s Park Gazebo on Main Street and in front of the Nyack Library at 59 South Broadway will add a special glow to the village atmosphere every Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Hot beverages and refreshments will be offered at the Gazebo.

Storefront decoration contest – Nyack businesses are lighting up the holidays, going all out on festive decorations this season. Decoration aficiondos can vote for their favorite storefront displays on Facebook at Nyack Wanderland Decorating Contest Facebook Group. It’s fun – and a great way to support small local shops. The businesses who win get valuable prizes to help sustain them – such as free advertising, promotional photography and membership in the Nyack Chamber of Commerce.

Holiday tree and menorah – Visitors, and especially the kids, won’t want to miss the Nyack holiday tree, menorah and light display at the Veterans’ Park Gazebo on Main Street. Generously sponsored by Nyack’s Pickwick Book Shop.

Live music – Live entertainment outdoors will be an ongoing Wanderland feature. As an example, on Tuesday, December 22, youth band Bus 11 will kick off the music at 5:00 pm on South Broadway with modern and classic rock. Bus 11 is a powerhouse rock quartet of 7th graders that initially got together in second grade. The band name comes from the bus they take to middle school.
 
Hudson Valley troubadour Tom Chapin, along with Michael Mark and the Chapin sisters, will pick up the gig at 6:00 pm. Three-time Grammy winner Chapin maintains multiple careers as a respected contemporary folk artist, pioneer in the field of children’s music and advocate for environmental causes. Michael Mark is a Drama Desk award-winning singer and actor, composer, and long-time collaborator with Tom Chapin. Michael is also President of the Nyack School Board.
 
Note also that South Broadway will be closed to vehicular traffic from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm for this event, so pedestrians can safely enjoy the music and holiday cheer offered by local merchants.  See links below for photos, graphics and more information about performances.

 

Nyack Fan Card – Shoppers and diners should be on the lookout for the Nyack Fan Card, a $20 card that gives residents and visitors access to special deals offered by more than 15 participating businesses. A great stocking stuffer, the Fan Card is now available at local establishments and on the Visit Nyack website.

Nyack Farmers Market — Although not part of weekend activities, visitors and residents can “wander” through the Nyack Farmers Market, outdoors every Thursday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Main Street parking lot through December 24. The Market offers a cornucopia of the best local produce and handcrafted goods ready to fill holiday tables, stockings and gift baskets. After a brief hiatus in late December, the Market will reopen in January with shorter winter hours from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. See Nyack Farmer’s Market.

 
Looking ahead. Nyack’s Winter Wanderland extends past the traditional December holiday weeks to offer a rich variety of special events through the end of February as the season unfolds.
 
“Nyack’s Safe Haven is ready for Winter 2020-21,” said Maria Luisa Whittingham, President of Nyack Merchants United. “We’re banding together to offer our residents, visitors, customers and businesses safe, enjoyable opportunities to weather the storm. There’s so much more to come.”  
 
Winter Wanderland is sponsored by the Village of Nyack; the Nyack Chamber of Commerce; the Art, Crafts and Antiques Dealers Association (ACADA), Nyack Merchants United; Visit Nyack, Inc. and the more than one hundred business establishments that make up Nyack’s special village.