Victorian Streetwalk Saratoga

‘tis the season for the most wonderful holiday event of the year—Saratoga Springs annual Victorian Streetwalk. 

Need Parking? Parking won’t be a problem for anyone. CDTA, a festival Gold Sponsor, is running free shuttle buses every 20 minutes from the Saratoga Springs Railroad Station on the west side and the Oklahoma track (just off Exit 14 of I-87) and the Weibel Avenue Skating Rink parking lots on the east side of Saratoga Springs to downtown, bringing carloads of people to and from the Victorian Streetwalk from 4:30 until 10:30. Click here for a Parking Map

The Victorian Streetwalk is a holiday celebration like no other.   Downtown Saratoga is closed to motorized traffic making Broadway, Caroline Street , and Division Street pedestrian only walkways—except of course for Santa and his reindeer.

The streets are filled with carolers and revelers dressed in Victorian Holiday attire.  Singing groups, artists, entertainers line the street performing for the public.  

Free festivities during this event are extensive, and include something for everyone. There are over 50 sites with entertainment, including strolling and non-strolling musicians.

New this year are Rob Adkins on Acoustic Guitar at Props-Home Furnishings & Accessories, 514 Broadway; Saratoga Strings at Saratoga Mystique Pianos, 516 Broadway; Karlinda Caldicott on harp at Nikita Indoor Outdoor Convertible Furnishings, 508 Broadway and Kat Spina is at downstairs at the Wine Bar, 417 Broadway. The Ice Man will have sculptures in the street by the Collamer Parking Lot, 480 Broadway, and these will be photo ops for festival goers. The Saratoga Downtowner Motel hosts Storytelling for kids of all ages with two readings from professional storyteller Siri Alison; Tequila Mockingbirds perform at The Gap, 341 Broadway; Lyl Harper plays Reggae Christmas music at Impressions, 368 Broadway; there will be free Aveda Rituals at Classical Concepts, 323 Broadway, including hand, scalp and mini chair massages.

Also new, the First Baptist Church, 45 Washington Street, presents a Greener Days Holiday Extravaganza, a craft/bake/white elephant sale featuring donated, homemade, new and gently used items for sale as holiday gifts. Judy and Azzaam perform at the Visitor Center for the first time at the corner of Congress & Broadway and the Batcheller Mansion, 20 Circular Street, is giving House Tours hosted by actors playing Mr. and Mrs. Batcheller from 4:30-7 with free hot cider & cookies.

Returning favorites include The Abundant Life Church outside the City Center on Ellsworth Jones Place; Sirsy in the Downstreet Marketplace, 454 Broadway; The Whippersnappers at the Post Office; Tim Wechgelaer at Circus Café, 392 Broadway; Rich Ortiz at the Olde Bryan Inn, 123 Maple Ave; Skidmore A Cappella singing groups The Bandersnatchers, Drastic Measures, The Sonneteers, Dynamics and Accents; Father Christmas; Santa Sax; John & Orion Kribs with Gwen Tracy throughout downtown (see schedule for details);Rick Bolton & the Dwyer Sisters will play inside the Arcade Building, 2nd floor outside Kelly Garvey Unique Boutique & Nail Salon, 376 Broadway;. Daryl Baldwin is making balloon sculptures at Just Plain Good, 490 Broadway, and Mr. And Mrs. Bill are making balloon sculptures at G. Willikers, 461 Broadway; PJ The Face Painter will be painting faces, also at G. Willikers, face painting by Barbara Garro is at The Children’s Shoe Depot, 385 Broadway; JT Maple is at Hattie’s, 45 Phila Street;, just to name a few. You will also find carolers, Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Santa cottage, live reindeer, saxophone solos, Irish whistles, Christmas carols, gospel and more. There are free trolley rides beginning on Putnam Street and they will swing up to North Broadway and back for visitors to see the mansions. The History Museum in the Canfield Casino in Congress Park is open during the Festival.

The "Festival of Trees" sponsored by Catholic Charities is at the City Center, 522 Broadway. The Festival features trees, wreaths & swags, all sponsored and decorated by local businesses. All proceeds go to Catholic Charities.

The Toyota Toys for Tots truck will be in the Lillian’s/Cantina parking lot accepting toys for children that would otherwise not have presents.

Santa & Mrs. Claus visit with children in the beautiful, hand made and detailed Santa Cottage that is set up in front of Putnam Market, just across from Caroline Street, for the Christmas Holidays. They hand out candy canes while making each visit a very special time for each child. Children can also visit Santa's live reindeer located next to the Santa cottage. Other animals include the Northland Newfoundland Dog Club at the Visitor Center.

Special Victorian Streetwalk postal cancellations are available at the Broadway Post Office from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Limited edition commemorative posters may be purchased ($5 each). Bring your stamped Christmas card envelopes, get them canceled with the special Victorian Streetwalk cancellation (free) and you have a month to mail them.

There is a special promotion by the Downtown Business Association called Bag Day, Saturday, December 12, 2009. But wait, there’s more! You can also use them Saturday, January 16, 2010 and Saturday, February 13, 2010! You may pick up your bags at participating businesses the night of Victorian Streetwalk to be used at 28 different downtown businesses on Saturday, December 12. When you bring the bag back downtown those days, you will receive 20% one item from each participating business that fits in the bag. Look for details as the promotion nears, but be sure to pick up you bag while enjoying the fun at the Victorian Streetwalk and hold on to them!

The Canfield Casino will have the Historical Society gift shop open. Most businesses will be open until 10 p.m. and will hold open houses and serve delicious, free refreshments to their guests, friends and customers.The Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association brings this event to you. Generous support for the Victorian Streetwalk was received from the Saratoga Springs Special Assessment District, Gold Transportation Sponsor CDTA, Gold Media Sponsors CBS 6 and Glens Falls Hospital; our Silver Sponsors Saratoga Chrysler Jeep Dodge & The Ayco Company, L.P., and Silver Media Sponsor the Times Union. Supporting sponsors are The City Center, Circus Café, Gaffney’s, Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau and Saratoga Federal Credit Union.

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees at the Victorian Streetwalk are encouraged to look for maps with entertainment locations and times in downtown member businesses. For more information or a map and listing of the entertainment, visit our web site at www.saratogadowntown.com, click on events, then on Victorian Streetwalk. You may call the Downtown Business Association at (518) 587-8635.

Many of Saratoga’s great shops are open late on the evening of the streetwalk.   Some of our favorites are Impressions, Violets, The Pink Paddock, Dawgdom, Lucia, Aggie and Flores Fine Art.  Excellent places for holiday shopping.

While enjoying the Victorian Stroll you may want to check out some of Saratogas wide variety of restaurants, pubs or coffee shops. 

Later on the bars and nightlife on Caroline Street will be going strong.   

Enjoy all that the Spa City has to offer on this wonderful holiday evening.