What’s on and what to enjoy in our Hudson Valley city this weekend
This week’s tantalizing taste of summer is an invitation to finally pack away those heavy winter layers after months of cold days and gray skies. The seasonal shift has finally arrived right on cue for Memorial Day weekend.
Beacon offers plenty of reasons to get out and about from Friday through Monday. There’s live music, performances, dining, shopping, and outdoor adventures. Here’s where to go and what to enjoy.
Join Broadway in Beacon for a 90s Live Band Karaoke Party
- Where: Industrial Arts Brewing Company (511 Fishkill Avenue)
- When: Friday, May 22nd, doors open at 7:00 PM
Hudsy Award-winning Broadway in Beacon invites you to belt out the hits of the 90s all night long with the help of a live band. Join this upbeat ensemble for another night of magic and mayhem at this special live band karaoke event in partnership with Broadway’s massively popular & JULIET.
If you don’t know the show, it imagines what would happen if Juliet had survived her fate in Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. A playlist of 90s pop anthems provides the backdrop of her joyful journey of self-discovery.
Get ready for sing-alongs, live music, Broadway Mad Libs, special guests, and unrehearsed surprises.
Get tickets here.
Lucky Dog Presents Allen Bros Band
- Where: Lucky Dog (333 Fishkill Avenue)
- When: Friday, May 22nd, 7:30 PM
Blending jazz fusion, fun, and rock, the Allen Bros Band—Pierce Allen, Nate Allen, and Jeremy Truitt— are playing originals plus variations on Herbie Hancock, David Bowie, Prince, and Wayne Shorter for this weekend’s show at Lucky Dog. Get tickets here.
Glenn Jones At The Yard
- Where: The Yard (4 Hanna Lane)
- When: Friday, May 22nd, 7:00 PM
Glenn Jones is described as a master of American Primitive Guitar, a style invented in the late 1950s by John Fahey.
Jones, who led the post-rock ensemble Cul de Sac, brings his own made-up tunings, the use of custom-crafted partial capos, and a highly skilled picking style on both banjo and guitar to create personal compositions that are lyrical, emotive, and elegant. Get tickets here.
Deep Chemistry At Barking Frog
- Where: Barking Frog (435 Fishkill Avenue)
- When: Friday, May 22nd, 8 PM
Join Hudson Valley jam-rock and groove-fusion trio Deep Chemistry for two sets at Barking Frog pub and restaurant. No cover.
Spoils System & Splitting Hares
- Where: Happy Valley Arcade Bar (296 Main Street)
- When: Friday, May 22nd, 8:00 PM
Kick off the Memorial Day weekend with Hudson Valley Indie rockers Spoils System and Splitting Hares at Happy Valley Arcade Bar. No cover.
Savage Wonder Presents Improv Jam
- Where: Savage Wonder Arts Center (139 Main Street)
- When: Friday, May 22nd, 7:00 PM
Join Savage Wonder and host Don Romaniello for a fresh, joyful, and welcoming improv experience in the Hudson Valley. Improvisers of all levels can come together to play, connect, and grow in a drama-free environment in this supportive space.
Signups are between 6:30 PM and 6:45 PM. Doors at 6:45 PM. Get tickets here.
Howland Cultural Center’s Open Mic Night
- Where: Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street)
- When: Friday, May 22nd, 7:00 PM
This Fourth Friday open mic series for music, poetry, and spoken word is hosted by Dan Rayner and Jay Strauss. There’s a lottery signup from 6:15 PM to 6:45 PM. Performance begins at 7:00 PM. There’s a $5 cover at the door.
Old Pawn Night Market
- Where: Industrial Arts Brewing Company (511 Fishkill Avenue)
- When: Saturday, May 22nd, 6:00 PM
You’ll find live music with an opening set from Paul Beladino and live video art from Rooster at the Old Pawn Night Market. Also featured is an array of local artists, vendors, and artisans including pottery wheels and ceramics from Silica Studio, bolo ties, jewelry, and more. No cover.
Velvet Confessional: An Intimate Vaudeville
- Where: Savage Wonder Arts Center (139 Main Street)
- When: Saturday, May 23rd, 6:00 PM
There are only two more chances to see the latest presentation from the Savage Wonder crew—this Saturday and next weekend. Velvet Confessional: An Intimate Vaudeville consists of a music comedy circus with a series of 10-minute plays. Imagine an atmospheric midnight cabaret with five veteran-authored comedies emerging from the shadows and dissolving back into them while sharing the space, performers, and confession.
And in true Savage Wonder style, there will be late night bites and craft cocktails created by The Grape Rebellion included. Get tickets here.
Live Jazz At Lyonshare
- Where: Lyonshare (246 Main Street)
- When: Saturday, May 23rd, 7:30 PM
Enjoy dinner and cocktails (or cocktails at the bar) along with a night of exemplary live music from Owen Dudley (guitar), Jeff Koch (bass), and Maria Kolesnik (drums) at Lyonshare public house.
Hudson Valley Bechdel Test Presents Hysteria
- Where: Passion—The Adult Dance Studio (473 Main Street)
- When: Saturday, May 23rd, 8:00 PM
Join Duke Comedy Theater at Passion—The Adult Dance Studio for a night of comedy improv featuring Bombshell Improv and The Bechdel Test Players.
Get tickets here.
War Is A Racket
- Where: Savage Wonder Arts Center (139 Main Street)
- When: Sunday, May 24th, 3:00 PM
Lovers of storytelling and history will appreciate this timely presentation of War is a Racket—an exploration into the life and mind of General Smedley Darlington Butler, America’s most decorated Marine. Featuring and presented by Matt Codner, a former marine who is now a journalism teacher, the performance features a reading of Butler’s blistering 1935 speech and a look at the present state of America’s wars and rackets.
Codner is also a veteran of the NYC’s Odd Salon storytelling series. His wide-ranging talks blend history, humor, and sharp insight—from global oddities to overlooked chapters of American conflict. Get tickets here.
Last Minute Soulmates Celebrate Bob Dylan’s Birthday
- Where: Towne Crier Café (379 Main Street)
- When: Sunday, May 24th, 7:00 PM
Live music from Last Minute Soulmates in a Bob Dylan Birthday Show on the Main Stage.
No cover but there is a $20 minimum purchase of food/drink required.
Call (845) 855-1300 to make a table reservation.
Attend The Annual Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 25th marks the 160th commemoration of Memorial Day and a time to honor and remember those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. armed forces. Join Beacon’s Veteran Groups on Monday to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Here’s the schedule:
8:00 AM: Colors to Half Staff
10:00 AM: A wreath-laying ceremony at Churchill Street Bridge will commemorate those who died in the U.S. Naval Forces. There’ll be a wreath laying on the water and a rifle salute.
11: 00 AM: The 160th Commemoration of Memorial Day will take place at the Veterans Memorial Building (413 Main Street) and includes remarks on the Battle of Ticonderoga given by retired Army officer John MacEnroe.
12:00 PM: The ceremony ends with the lowering of the Garrison Flag and a slow march to Veterans Memorial Building
Enjoy Brunch, Lunch, Or Dinner Al Fresco
Now is the time to enjoy eating and drinking al fresco before summer heat seriously kicks in and only an air-conditioned spot inside will do. Weather permitting, why not score an outside table at one of these delicious eateries and bars this weekend? The Roundhouse (2 East Main Street), Mirbeau Beacon (11 Mirbeau Lane), Café Amarcord (276 Main Street), Wild Kitchen & Bar (416 Main Street), Wonderbar (449 Main Street), Brothers Trattoria (465 Main Street), Industrial Arts Brewing Company (511 Fishkill Avenue), Hudson Valley Brewery (7 East Main Street).
If none of these are piquing your interest, check our Eat & Drink Directory for everywhere in Beacon to grab a bite, a cocktail, or craft beer.
Spend time outdoors
A hike up Mount Beacon at this time of year is spectacular. The mountain’s lush greenery provides ample shade on the way to its peak as well as one of the most incredible Hudson Valley views of the Manhattan skyline. A perfect Instagrammable moment to cap a moderately tough hike.
There are also gentler ways to enjoy the great outdoors. Beacon’s multiple walking trails include the stunning Madam Brett Park, Long Dock Park (on Beacon’s waterfront by the train station), and the Fishkill Creek trail which ends at the breathtaking Fishkill Overlook Falls by The Roundhouse.
Wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy a beauty pageant of migratory birds at this time of year—including Indigo Buntings, Northern Yellow Warblers, American Goldfinches, Baltimore Oreos, and Eastern Warbling Vireos to name just a few. That’s not to mentioned our landbound friends the turtles, beavers, ubiquitous deer, chipmunks, groundhogs, even an elusive bobcat if you’re lucky. We know this because we’ve seen them all.
You can also spend a whole day art walking in Beacon, hopping from gallery to gallery to enjoy a diverse breadth of local and international art. Start at Dia Beacon, then head to Main Street for the galleries as well as 100+ shops and 100+ spots to eat and drink. Explore our Arts & Culture Directory for gallery locations.
We would be remiss not to mention that summer in Beacon isn’t complete without a Hudson River boat ride to Bannerman Island, home to the crumbling yet still majestic Bannerman Castle. A guided tour conveniently leaves from Beacon’s waterfront on weekends from May through October. Not only is the history of the island and castle fascinating, but the island itself serves as a cultural hub for outdoor movies, theater performances, and themed dinners throughout the season. You can also take a tour timed to a spectacular Hudson Valley sunset.
Although you’ll need more than a long weekend to enjoy even a handful of these events and activities, it’s always good to have choices. Dig into our Events Guide and Events Hub on WhatsApp for this weekend and beyond, and make sure to sign up to our weekly email newsletter to stay on top of all good things in Beacon, NY.
Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon🧡