The Beat

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens has endless opportunities for magical holiday fun now through December. From Western New York traditions like the popular Poinsettia Exhibit to new Mini-Golf nights, there is something fun for everyone!

Buffalo, NY - The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens has filled their calendar with magical holiday experiences that will create unforgettable memories and bring holiday joy to all. Whether it’s a family activity or a date night, the seasonal plants and lights are a perfect way to make the most of this holiday season in the warmth of the conservatory.

Wappingers Falls, N.Y. - Winter Glow, the magical drive-thru holiday light show experience, has arrived at Heritage Financial Park in Wappingers Falls. The enchanting, mile-long spectacle features over a hundred festive light displays, experienced alongside a curated holiday soundtrack which guests can enjoy from the comfort and warmth of their car. Tickets are now on sale via https://winterglowexperience.com/ and the Fever app.

Exclusive immersive ultimate fan experience exhibit opening November 28^th will feature the set and items from the iconic Long Island family sitcom

Stony Brook, NY — Actor Ray Romano, the star of the hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, was the guest of honor at a VIP preview party at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) to preview its new exclusive exhibit Everybody Loves Raymond: Celebrating 30 Years. The exhibition opens to the public on November 28^th at 11am at its Stony Brook location at 97 Main Street.

Norwich, N.Y. – Experience the wonder of the season during the annual Holiday Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 7 at the Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS), located at 45 Rexford St., Norwich. This beloved community tradition features family activities, live music, seasonal treats, and unique local holiday experiences.

Empire State Plaza Ice Rink Opens for the Season on December 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday

NYS Tree Lighting & Fireworks Festival at the Empire State Plaza, Presented by Highmark Blue Shield on December 7

Harlem Tree Lighting Celebration at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building Plaza in Harlem on December 11

New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner Jeanette Moy today announced the official schedule for the 2025-26 Winter at the Plaza season, including the opening of the ice rink at the Empire State Plaza in Albany and the annual tree lighting at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building in Harlem. The Winter at the Plaza series of events are presented with support from I LOVE NY and Coca-Cola.

Revolutionary Classics, Censored Cinema, and Trailblazing Filmmakers Lead NYC Festival

New York, N.Y. (November 18, 2025) – The Harlem-based 33rd Annual African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF) returns to New York City from November 29 to December 14, 2025 , with a powerful and essential lineup of over 70 films from more than 30 countries . Founded in 1993, the festival’s mission is to expand traditional views by showcasing socially relevant, award-winning films about people of color from Peru to Zimbabwe, from the USA to Belgium, and from New Zealand to Jamaica , creating a vital dialogue between groundbreaking new voices and classic films.

Holiday Whodunit, A “History Mystery” For Children at Staatsburgh State Historic Site

Sundays, December 7,14 & 21

Staatsburg, N.Y. (11/20/25) — Staatsburgh State Historic Site will present the Holiday Whodunit, a mystery for children to solve on the first three Sundays in December. Children ages 6 to 11, and their family members, become detectives and solve a mystery by interviewing costumed interpreters, who portray Gilded Age houseguests of the Mills family, and their servants.

Farmingdale, NY (November 22, 2025) - On December 7, 2025, American Airpower Museum hosts the annual “Dropping of the Roses” Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony conducted by the Long Island Air & Space Forces Association (LIAFA).  The American Airpower Museum (AAM) has provided space for this event each year ever since the museum opened its doors in 2000. December 7, 2025 is the 84th Anniversary of the Japanese attack on the U.S. Navy Fleet based at Pearl Harbor.

Saratoga Springs N.Y. (Nov. 19) - Universal Preservation Hall and WEXT are proud to announce the eighth class of inductees into the prestigious Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame. This year’s honorees reflect the deep and lasting influence of the Capital Region’s musicians, visionaries, and cultural pioneers whose artistry continues to shape the area’s vibrant music scene.

25 Performances Planned January 22 – March 1

“Ed Schmidt’s new play, Edward, is a singular experience…eloquent prose…fantastic writing…If given the chance, I would see this show as many times as I could.” – LA Theatrix, Anthony Gutierrez (Edward)

New York, N.Y. - In EDWARD, a box filled with twenty-seven ordinary objects becomes a profound reconstruction of one man’s life. The acclaimed solo show by Ed Schmidt will present twenty-five performances in independent bookstores throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan from January 22 through March 1. The title character, Edward O’Connell, a former high school English teacher who believed in “the vital role that literature plays in the development of a well-rounded life,” makes bookstores an ideal backdrop for his story to unfold.