January in Dutchess County brings in a fresh agenda filled with new activities and community events!
From Hudson’s New Years Day walk and Poughkeepsie’s kids museum activities, to art exhibitions in Amenia and creative classes throughout Dutchess County, here is your guide to the month’s most revitalized events that are sure to bring a fresh start to the new year.
First-Day Hike at Staatsburgh State Historic Site
Thursday, January 1
Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Staatsburgh
Start the new year off by joining Staatsburgh staff for a guided hike on the woodland trails within Mills State Park! Afterwards, enjoy hot cocoa near the mansion courtesy of the Friends of Mills at Staatsburgh.
parks.ny.gov
New Years Day Hike at Walkway Over the Hudson
Thursday, January 1
Walkway Over the Hudson, starting at both Highland and Poughkeepsie entrances
Kick off 2026 with a beautiful walk on the Walkway Over the Hudson. Take in the stunning wintery views of the Hudson Valley from 200+ feet above the river! You can take a short walk or an extended loop, starting at either the Highland or Poughkeepsie entrance.
walkway.org
All Day Buffet
Thursday, January 1
The Grove Restaurant & Bar, Redhook
Swing by The Grove for a relaxed and cozy meal this New Year’s Day…reserve anytime 11:00 am – 5:00 pm and enjoy a variety of comfort food favorites. They’ll be serving up eggs, bacon, home fries, french toast, bagels and pastries….later in the day they’ll transition to more lunch and dinner items like bar snacks, lasagna, pot roast, potatoes & veggies. The bar will be open all day and there will be sweets offered to finish off your meal.
thegroveatredhook.com
Winter Glow Drive-Thru Experience
January 1-4
Heritage Financial Park, Wappingers Falls
Take advantage of the last of the holiday season magic at Heritage Park’s Winter Glow experience. Cruise through a glowing wonderland of Christmas lights, before we have to wait another year for the next one!
winterglowexperience.com
Dig Into Gemstones at MHDM
Friday, January 2
Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, Poughkeepsie
Dive into geology – dig, discover, and take home your own colorful gemstone, while learning about how it was formed! Perfect activity for children ages 5 and up!
mhdm.org
Labyrinth – 40th Anniversary
January 8-11
The Moviehouse, Millerton
Perfect for all the movie-musical lovers, The Moviehouse presents special screenings of Labyrinth, starring David Bowie, in celebration of the classic’s 40th anniversary.
themoviehouse.net
Static Electricity Day at MHDM
Friday, January 9
Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, Poughkeepsie
Investigate the ‘shockingly fun’ world of electric charges at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum! See how balloons and other everyday objects can make paper jump, water bend, and hair stand on end.
mhdm.org
Savage Wonder Improv Jam
Friday, January 9
Savage Wonder, Beacon
Join Savage Wonder and host Don Romaniello for a joyful, pressure-free improv jam fostering collaboration, inclusion, laughter, and community for everyone.
savagewonder.org
Opening Reception: Conversant by E.E. Kono
Friday, January 16
Troutbeck, Amenia
Browse E.E. Kono’s egg tempera paintings, inspired by the very nature of Troutbeck itself. The former Wassaic Project artist-in-residence will be showcasing her new works featuring beautiful clematis blossoms.
troutbeck.com
Natural Soap & Loofah Making at the Farm
Saturday, January 17
Clover Brook Farm, Hyde Park
Kick off the new year with a new hobby. Learn how to make all-natural soap through a traditional, step-by-step, cold process method. Stick around after to learn how to make your own loofah! Both are perfect for gift giving, or for keeping for yourself!
cloverbrookefarm.com
NT Live: Hamlet at The Moviehouse
Thursday, January 22nd & Sunday, January 25
The Moviehouse, Millerton
Watch Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) as Hamlet in this fearless, contemporary take on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. Grab a drink and some popcorn and settle in for this sharp and darkly funny reimagining of the Shakespeare classic.
themoviehouse.net
Cooking Class at the CIA
Saturday, January 24 + 31
Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park
Learn how to make fresh, homemade bread from the pros at the Culinary Institute of America. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn the 12 steps of bread making, while covering different types of flours, yeasts, and mixing methods
register.culinary.edu
Floral Collaging
Saturday, January 24
Vitsky Bakery, Wassaic
Join Foxtrot Farm & Flowers for this meet-the-farmer community event, hosted at Vitsky’s Bakery in Wassaic. Hang out, grab a sweet treat, and learn how to craft your own floral dreamscape through the art of collage!
foxtrotfarmflowers.com
Hudson Valley Wingfest
Saturday, January 31
MJN Convention Center, Poughkeepsie
Head over to the Mid Hudson Civic Center for a delicious night of enjoying the best wings that the Hudson Valley has to offer. Featuring a lineup of wing restaurants, food trucks, and caterers offering unique flavors.
midhudsonciviccenter.org
Joke Bomb: Hudson Valley Comedy Showcase
Saturday, January 24
Sloop Brewing, Hopewell Junction
Get ready for a night full of laughs at Sloop Brewing’s Comedy Showcase, highlighting the Hudson Valley’s funniest comedians. Kick back and enjoy the locals-only lineup!
sloopbrewing.com
Epic Movie Scores by the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, January 24
Marriott Pavilion, Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park
Enjoy listening to some of the most iconic blockbuster movie scores, including Back to the Future, Dances with Wolves, La La Land, and more!
ndsorchestra.org
Skyhunters in Flight
Saturday, January 24
Troutbeck, Amenia
Troutbeck hotel guests can enjoy a rare opportunity to enjoy a falconry experience. Encounter beautiful birds of prey like owls, hawks, and falcons with Skyhunters in Flight in the snow-softened nature of Troutbeck.
troutbeck.com
Art Nest Opening
Saturday, January 24
The Wassaic Project, Wassaic
Join the Wassaic Project in celebrating their all-new, accessible ground floor location of the Art Nest, their free family drop-in art workshop. Enjoy art-making activities and refreshments.
wassaicproject.org
7th Annual Wild Game Dinner
Sunday, January 25
Millhouse Brewing Company, Poughkeepsie
Millhouse Brewing is serving up a real treat for all those with more of a carnivorous diet. Their 7th annual wild game dinner features multiple courses of fresh wild-game, served family style. Enjoy craft beers, cocktail specials, raffles, and games.
millhousebrewing.com
Winter Walk with a Naturalist
Saturday, January 31
Troutbeck, Amenia
A beautiful, nature-inspired Winter Walk is available for hotel guests at Troutbeck. Join local writer-photographer Dr. Loren Merrill for a walk through the snow-covered woods of Troutbeck, looking for wildlife.
troutbeck.com
Handmade Pasta & Wine Tasting
Saturday, January 31
The Grove Restaurant & Bar, Redhook
Join The Grove for “Buon Appetito”, a thoughtfully curated evening celebrating handmade pasta, great wine, and good company. This intimate 5-course dinner features house-made pastas, along with a starter and dessert, meant to be savored with good company. Elevate the experience with an optional wine tasting flight, expertly paired with each course, for a relaxed and delicious night.
thegroveatredhook.com
Spark! Season Launch Event feat. Rosanne Cash
Saturday, January 31
Stissing Center for Arts & Culture, Pine Plains
Experience music magic by Roseann Cash and John Leventhal, two experienced and accoladed artists in the music industry. The exhibit explores Cash’s more than 40-year journey as an artist, songwriter and storyteller, and how she has embodied both tradition and innovation across her musical career.
thestissingcenter.org
Open Studio at the Wassaic Project
Saturday, January 31
Maxon Mills, Wassaic Project, Wassaic
Stop by Maxon Mills at the Wassaic Project to see what their January artists-in-residence have been working on! Acquaint yourself with their artwork before it goes on gallery walls; anybody curious (children too!) are encouraged to join!
wassaicproject.org
