DSC_0332 Cutline: The Williamson family, including parents Samantha and Devon and siblings Gracie and Brantley, smiles with Santa at Mid’s Park during the Holiday Village Stroll in Lake Placid on Dec. 10, 2022. Credit Type: Staff photo Credit: Lauren Yates

LAKE PLACID — Whether it’s the lights, music or decoration, anyone who’s taken a trip down Main Street lately knows holiday cheer is in the air.

The festivities will kick into high gear on Friday, Dec. 13 as Lake Placid’s annual Holiday Village Stroll commences for its 15th year. The three-day event features over 20 different activities catering to residents and visitors of all ages.

Holiday Village Stroll Committee member Catherine Ericson noted that months of planning went into the weekend, and it is a cherished time of the year for the community.

“This is one of Lake Placid’s most beloved traditions and we’re excited to bring the community together for another magical Holiday Village Stroll,” she said in a statement announcing some of this year’s features.

While balmy weather and rain pushed through the Olympic Region earlier in the week leading up to the event, conditions for the Holiday Village Stroll will be apropos, with scattered snow showers throughout Friday, Dec. 13 and sunny, but chilly conditions for the stroll’s weekend. Strollers should be mindful of cold temperatures, especially at night, and dress appropriately.

DSC_0306 Cutline: Ryan Hill, of Akwesasne, carves the Grinch out of a block of ice outside Adirondack Decorative Arts & Crafts during the Holiday Village Stroll in Lake Placid on Dec. 10, 2022. Credit Type: Staff photo Credit: Lauren Yates

The stroll features several new events this year, including Christmas Cocktails at the Bluebird Hotel — located at 2375 Saranac Ave. — on Friday, Dec. 13 beginning at 6 p.m. and following the Jim Breuer comedy event at the Conference Center at Lake Placid, cookies and cocoa with Santa, free to attend, at the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa — located at 77 Mirror Lake Dr. — from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 and a paint and sip event at Big Z’s — located at 2750 Main St. — at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15.

Friday, Dec. 13

The weekend gets under way with a wine tasting event at Terry Robards Wines and Spirits, located at 2047 Saranac Ave., from 3 to 6 p.m. The Olympic Museum, located at 2634 Main St., will host a ‘Make a Medal’ arts and craft event from 4:30 to 7 p.m., with supplies provided.

There will be a skating party at the nearby 1932 Jack Shea Arena from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The event is free to attend with skate rentals free during the party as well. Despite his extremely busy schedule, Santa is rumored to be making an appearance.

The Generations Tap and Grill restaurant, located at 2543 Main St., will host live music by Andy Walkow from 6 to 9 p.m. The Cottage, located at 77 Mirror Lake Dr., will host an ugly sweater party and contest from 6 to 9 p.m., with a prize available for the winner.

Saturday, Dec. 14

Saturday features over a dozen events throughout the day for people to mix and match. The action kicks off with the Adirondack Health Jingle Bell Run/Walk. The 2.5-mile run/walk around Mirror Lake supports the Fit for Life Scholarship Program. Festive flair is encouraged, with a prize awarded to the participant in the best costume. Learn more and sign up at tinyurl.com/bdetnesm.

The Lake Placid Public Library, located at 2471 Main St., will host a holiday card making event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Just Bead It will host a free beaded snowflake ornament making event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Advanced registration is required and limited to three people per hour. Inquiries can be made by calling 518-523-0064 or by stopping in at the shop — located at 2413 Main St. — during regular business hours.

Pure Placid, located at 2470 Main St., will be hosting a Candles, Cookies and Candy Canes party from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids 16 and under are invited to make a candle and decorate it with various holiday decals. The cost is $20 per kid, cookies and candy canes included.

St. Eustace Church, located at 2450 Main St., will host a singing and story time event beginning at 11 a.m. The event is free and open to all. Julie Jingles will get the party started with some Christmas tunes and the reading of The Grinch will follow.

Olaf will be on site for meetings and photos at the Little Blue House, located at 2501 Main St., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A free ornament and complimentary chocolate chip cookies await those who stop by during that time.

At noon, Santa will arrive by way of fire engine at Mid’s Park, located at 2445 Main St. Some of his elves will be joining in, and they will all be in the park for some time to take photos. Organizers remind participants to bring their own cameras, as there will not be an official event photographer on site. Letters to Santa will be welcomed and there will be free hot chocolate, along with ornaments and hats for sale.

The Boat Tasting Room, located at 2617 Main St., will host a wine tasting event from 2 to 5 p.m., with free sampling courtesy of the Coyote Moon Winery.

The village’s tree lighting ceremony will commence at 5 p.m. back at Mid’s Park, complete with carols.

The Lake House, located at 1 Mirror Lake Drive, will host live music, featuring classic and holiday rock tunes by storied local band Double Axel, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 15

The Whiteface Mountain ski resort, located at 5021 state Route 86, Wilmington, will host its annual beloved Santa Ski. Anyone who shows up in a full Santa costume will receive a free lift ticket for the day. Organizers ask all Santa’s present to meet at the top of the Cloudsplitter Gondola at 10 a.m. for a group photo.

Back in the village, Just Bead It will host another free beaded snowflake ornament making event, this time from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Like Saturday’s event, advanced registration is required and limited to three people per hour. Inquiries can be made by calling 518-523-0064 or by stopping in at the shop — located at 2413 Main St. — during regular business hours.

The Palace Theatre, located at 2430 Main St., will host its annual matinee of the 2004 holiday favorite The Polar Express. Pajamas are welcome and the first 100 kids ages under the age of 12 will receive a special gift.

The new cookies and cocoa with Santa and Sip and Paint and Sip events noted earlier in the article will be running throughout the afternoon.

The Adirondack Community Church, located at 2583 Main St., will host its annual Christmas Concert beginning at 3 p.m., featuring the High Peaks Ringers.

The weekend will cap off with the Chris Kringle Caravan, as Santa makes one more trip through town with the help of the Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department before heading back to the North Pole for final preparations ahead of his big night.

The caravan begins at 4 p.m. and Santa will be joined by his friends in the fire department, Lake Placid Police Department, Casella, USA Luge and the Lake Placid Highway Department. A detailed route can be found at tinyurl.com/2bzwbck8

For more information, including a detailed schedule of events and various promotions offered over the weekend, visit holidayvillagestroll.com. Organizers note that events are subject to change, at the latest information can be found on their Facebook and Instagram pages, both of which are accessible from the website.