Photos by Tom Miller
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced the 2026 Albany County Holiday Market today at MVP Arena. He was joined by Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs, MVP Health Care CEO Chris Del Vecchio, MVP Arena General Manager Bob Belber, County Legislator Carolyn McLaughlin, and Downtown Albany BID Special Events Manager Jevan Dollard.
The Holiday Market is a free, family-friendly event taking place at MVP Arena and along Pearl Street in downtown Albany. This year's event will coincide with the five-year anniversary of the Innovation Partnership which brings families, local businesses, and community organizations together for a day of holiday festivities.
The 2026 edition of the Holiday Market will be accompanied by several other festive activities throughout Downtown Albany, including the seventh annual Hot Chocolate Stroll, the Window Decorating Contest, and the City of Albany’s Tree Lighting. The Market will also feature approximately 30 local vendors, live entertainment, amusement rides, interactive attractions, and plenty of opportunities to make holiday memories. Families can enjoy visits with Santa and his elves along with other characters, a holiday train, snow dogs, photo opportunities and complimentary hot cocoa. Local school choirs, community organizations, and outdoor carolers will also help bring the holiday spirit to downtown Albany along with the Christmas Music station B95.5.
“December is a time when we come together as a community, and the Holiday Market is a great opportunity for families to enjoy the season while supporting our local businesses and organizations,” said County Executive McCoy. “We want to make the holidays special for people of all ages, and this event is about more than just the festivities. It’s also about giving back, connecting with our neighbors and celebrating the partnerships that make Albany County a great place to live. We wanted to bring the community together to celebrate everything we have been able to accomplish over the last five years with MVP Health Care and our Innovation Partnership.”
“Over the past five years, MVP Health Care and Albany County have built a partnership grounded in a shared commitment to our community and a belief in what is possible when we invest in its future together,” added Del Vecchio. “Through the Innovation Partnership, we have brought new ideas to life and made meaningful investments in the people and places that make the Capital Region strong. The Holiday Market is a fitting way to celebrate what we have built together while looking ahead to what comes next and the new possibilities we can create for our community together.”
Other Albany County events will coincide with the Holiday Market including the Park Albany’s and Albany BID’s Deck the Hall-bany Holiday Market and the sixth Downtown Albany Hot Chocolate Stroll.
“MVP Arena is proud to host a holiday market that celebrates both the spirit of the season and the five-year partnership between Albany County and MVP Health Care,” said arena General Manager Belber. “The arena is more than a place to gather for events and entertainment; it’s a place for people to come together, make memories, and connect with one another. We hope this event brings a little extra holiday joy while supporting the small businesses and vendors that make our community so special.”
The 2026 Albany County Holiday Market is free and open to the public. The event will take place Saturday, December 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at MVP Arena, located at 51 South Pearl Street.
