Home for the Holidays: Free Thanksgiving Weekend

Come to the Albany Institute this Thanksgiving weekend for fun activities, holiday festivities, and ample pleasantries for you and your out-of-town guests!

Come to the Albany Institute this Thanksgiving weekend for a variety of holiday themed programs and events. We'll be decked out in winter wonder and ready to welcome you and your out-of-town guests!

  • Visit with a live reindeer (Saturday) Sponsored by Capital Wine [Due to a death in the family, there will no longer be a live reindeer at the museum on Friday. We appreciate your understanding.]
  • Take your photograph with Santa (Friday and Saturday)
  • Make handmade cards in the Art Studio
  • Shop for fun, old-fashioned toys, handmade ornaments, crafts and gifts made by area artisans in our Museum Holiday Shop
  • Discover decorated trees and mantlepieces
  • Savor exquisite treats from Crisan Bakery
  • Admire a special exhibition of Pamela Dalton's Scherenschnitte paper-cut designs
  • Hear great holiday lectures and presentations
  • Explore our current exhibitions, including The Capital Region in 50 Objects and Masterworks: 225 Years of Collecting
  • See America's first commercially produced Christmas card, on view in The Capital Region in 50 Objects exhibit!

Special activity schedule (please check often for updates):

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27

  • Crisan's Pop Up Cafe: 10AM—5PM
  • Make Your Own Holiday Cards (Drop-in Art Making Session): 10AM—4:30PM
  • Live Reindeer on lawn near Washington Avenue: 12PM—4PM [Due to a death in the family, there will no longer be a live reindeer at the museum on Friday. We appreciate your understanding.]
  • Photographs with Saint Nicholas: 12PM—4PM
  • Gallery Talk: 1PM

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28

  • Crisan's Pop Up Cafe: 10AM—5PM
  • Make Your Own Holiday Cards (Drop-in Art Making Session): 10AM—4:30PM
  • Live Reindeer on lawn near Washington Avenue: 11:30AM—3:30PM
  • Photographs with Saint Nicholas: 12PM—4PM
  • Gallery Talk: 1PM
  • Book signing & demonstation with guest exhibitor Pamela Dalton: 1—4PM
  • Musical performance in the galleries: 2PM

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29

  • Crisan's Pop Up Cafe: Noon—5PM
  • Make Your Own Holiday Cards (Drop-in Art Making Session): Noon—4:30PM
  • Gallery Talk: 1PM
  • Lecture The World of Richard H. Pease of Albany and the Story of America's First Chrismas Card: 2PM

The schedule is subject to change. Please check back often!

Home for the Holidays: Free Thanksgiving Weekend - Session 1

Albany Institute of History and Art (125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210)

Come to the Albany Institute this Thanksgiving weekend for fun activities, holiday festivities, and ample pleasantries for you and your out-of-town guests!

Home for the Holidays: Free Thanksgiving Weekend - Session 2

Albany Institute of History and Art (125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210)

Come to the Albany Institute this Thanksgiving weekend for fun activities, holiday festivities, and ample pleasantries for you and your out-of-town guests!

Home for the Holidays: Free Thanksgiving Weekend - Session 3

Albany Institute of History and Art (125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210)

Come to the Albany Institute this Thanksgiving weekend for fun activities, holiday festivities, and ample pleasantries for you and your out-of-town guests!

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