A Spring Guide to Beacon | Part 2
The east end of Main Street, Beacon.
An avalanche of new events and activities has been announced since we published our Guide to Spring Happenings in Beacon two weeks ago. That’s why we’ve decided to create a “Part 2,” especially since today—March 20th—marks the official start to spring. It’s finally time to say farewell to puffer coats and snow boots for a while (we hope!).
Here’s just some of what’s happening in Beacon this spring.
A Chance to Learn Something New
Take a glassblowing class at Hudson Beach Glass.
Consider a flower arranging workshop if flowers bring sunshine to your heart. Flora Good Times is offering two sessions focused on seasonal flowers at the end of March. The workshop, called Vivid Seasonal Blooms, is for anyone whether you have experience or not. You’ll learn floral care basics and tips and tools of the trade during the hour and a half long sessions, and you’ll design a beautiful arrangement. See our Events Listings on this and other events mentioned here for more details. It’s possible there may be one or two more workshops before the wedding season kicks in, so keep an eye on their Instagram account.
On Sunday, May 18th, there’s a unique opportunity to attend The Craft of Gin Workshop hosted by Dennings Point Distillery (10 North Chestnut Street). Learn how to make gin and leave with your very own bespoke bottle. This will be a deep dive into the history and craft of gin. Attendees will learn about the spirit’s curious past and compose their own formula with more than 18 botanicals to choose from. Participants must be 21 and over.
If you fancy yourself an artisanal glassblower, you can do that on Main Street, too. Hudson Beach Glass (162 Main Street) offers a series of workshops throughout the year. See their website for the next available dates. We recommend booking early as sessions sell out quickly. You can currently choose from Make Your Own Ornament, Make Your Own Bowl, A Paperweight Class, and Make Your Own Pumpkin workshops. Note, the first pumpkin weekend of 2025 will be April 25th through to April 27th. We can’t say this enough, book soon to avoid disappointment.
This weekend on Sunday, March 23rd, new kids on the block, Lily & Marigold (163 Main Street) will kick off their first class in the new Beacon space with a candle-making event in-store. You’ll get to blend fresh, seasonal scents and pour a custom 10oz candle in your choice of nature-inspired vessels. You’ll be guided through every step from fragrance-blending, wicking, measuring, mixing, and pouring. Drop-in between 1 PM to 5 PM to take part. Follow them on Instagram for news of future classes.
Look forward to outdoor drinking and dining
Outdoor dining (and some rosé) at Wonderbar, 449 Main Street.
One of the things we anticipate most in Beacon is dining outdoors in the warmer months. Everything tastes even better al fresco. Plus, watching the world go by is an essential pastime. And you’ll witness some of the most spectacular sunsets in the Hudson Valley if you’re in the right spot at the right time.
Some of our favorite destinations include The Roundhouse (2 East Main Street) patio, where you can enjoy fine dining and an inflation-busting $10 glass of delicious champagne against the backdrop of the stunning Fishkill Creek Overlook Falls, and Hudson Valley Brewery (7 East Main Street), where a pint and a pie from Get Lost Pizza make the perfect pair. The outdoor dining at Wonderbar (449 Main Street) allows for some excellent people-watching, and their cocktails are always worth stopping by for.
And More Events…
A one-man show
On Saturday, April 5th, The Artichoke Presents: Martin Dockery’s Every Good Story Ends With One, at the Howland Cultural Center. Martin Dockery’s one-man shows have earned him no less than fifty awards at festivals around the world. Now, thanks to The Artichoke, he’s coming to Beacon for one night only. The Artichoke Presents is an offshoot of The Artichoke Storytelling Series in which an artist takes the stage solo for a full hour. The show’s producer, Jamie Mulligan, explained it was created as a platform to showcase work that was part comedy, part theater while giving The Artichoke’s creator, Drew Prochaska, the chance to offer more opportunities to the talented artists he works with. Mulligan says the audience can expect from Martin Dockery’s show “A funny, intriguing story, full of surprising twists and turns, with a little bit of romance. And the best part is it’s all true!” Tickets are available from The Artichoke.
Look Out for Second Saturdays
There’s opening receptions in art galleries on (and sometimes off) Main Street every Second Saturday of the month. These are typically announced closer to the date, so check our Event Listings a few days ahead for the latest information. As the temperatures rise, it’s always a joy to walk between shows and appreciate the breadth of artistic talent in Beacon. Remember to stop off for a bite on Main Street along the way or afterwards.
Speed Dating at Liquid Fables
Participants in this Speed Dating event on Friday, April 18th, presented by Unhinged Dating Upstate will enjoy the company of others by rotating through a series of short one-on-one conversations to see where it may lead them. Liquid Fables (1 East Main Street) will be crafting special cocktails for the event, all inspired by legendary fables.
Night of the Living Creeps
The always-popular Hudson Valley Cirque Du Creep presents a night market called Night of the Living Creeps on Friday, May 2nd. Shop, eat, drink, get some flash tattoos, and enjoy live performances by the bonfire, all taking place at the great indoor/outdoor venue, The Yard (4 Hanna Lane).
Savage Wonderland Art Gallery openings
The new Savage Wonderland Art Gallery opens in the iconic Mechanics Bank building at 139 Main Street on Saturday, May 10th. Its inaugural exhibition will be called Radical Fun. With a name like that, expect the unexpected.
Beacon LitFest
Save the date for Beacon LitFest, a literary festival taking place from Thursday June 12th to Saturday, June 14th at various spots around the city. More news about it will be coming soon, and we’ll update this feature with the details of participating authors and panel information.
Community Events for the Calendar
Love Pollinators? Don’t Miss This
A Pollinator Pathway Garden at the Elks Lodge.
If you’re a local who loves gardening, don’t miss the Pollinator Pathway team’s community meeting planned for Saturday, March 29th from 10 AM to 11:30 AM (Recreation Center, 23 West Center Street). There’ll be insights into how to select native plants to expand the growing season and to help our ecosystem thrive. Plus, the Beacon Pollinators will be offering attendees the opportunity to pre-order 15 different varieties of starter shrubs and trees. The plants have been purchased from the Department of Environmental Conservation and can be bought for a suggested $5 donation each. These native plants have already been successfully tested at the Forrestal Elementary School pathway and will be available for pick up at the end of April or Early May.
From California to Wisconsin, Pollinator Pathway gardens have been envisioned to create a corridor of public and private adjacent spaces that provide safe habitat for birds, bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Wondering why pollinators are so important? Well, they help carry pollen from the male to the female part of the same or another flower. One out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of pollinators according to the National Park Service. Not only are they essential for human food consumption, they support the food and habitat of animals. According to life science multinational, Bayer, pollination from honey bees, native bees, and other insects delivers between $235 and $577 billion worth of annual global food production every season. The Beacon Pollinators team is a volunteer group that sits under Beacon’s Conservation Advisory Committee. You can learn more here.
Plant More Trees
The benefits of planting trees know no bounds. Trees contribute to cooler temperatures, cleaner air, healthier communities, and even higher property values. In 2024, the City of Beacon ran a pilot tree purchasing program for residents that proved so successful it will run it again this year. The goal is to pass along significant savings to homeowners interested in planting trees on their property. The trees offered in the 2025 program are close to 50% off retail and will be delivered directly to residents’ homes. Read here to learn more and order the trees you want.
Ree-Play Sale
The hugely popular 2025 Ree-Play Sale will take place from Friday, April 25th to Sunday, April 27th at the University Settlement Camp Theater (724 Wolcott Avenue). The Ree-Play Sale is Wee-Play’s epic children’s tag sale that benefits children’s programming in Beacon, including the Block Party at the Beacon Recreation Center, Come & Play at the Howland Public Library, and much more. It’s a chance to shop gently used children’s clothing and accessories, baby gear, maternity clothing, books, games, puzzles, and much more at amazing prices. There’s a sliding scale of discounts throughout the weekend. The group is looking for both volunteers and donations in the lead up to the big event. You’ll find all the details here.
ARF 5K Run & Walk with the Dogs
One of last’s years participants in the ARF 5K Run & Walk with the Dogs.
Get your running or walking shoes on and help raise money for one of Beacon’s two awesome animal shelters. The Animal Rescue Foundation’s 10th 5K Run & Walk With the Dogs takes place at Memorial Park on Sunday, May 18th, and it’ll be a big one. More than 220 people and 75 dogs participated last year. We can’t think of anything we’d rather be doing on a Sunday morning!
There’s another opportunity for dog-lovers to support ARF Beacon at a Pet Portrait Fundraiser hosted by Hyperbole (484 Main Street) and photographer Darya Golubina, on Saturday, April 5th. Visit Hyperbole’s Instagram account to book a session.
That’s it for now, but it’s not all. We’ll be adding additional essential information to this feature as more events are announced. Stop back here for updated information.
Visiting Beacon by car? You’ll need details about free parking and (maybe) EV charging port locations, so see our Guide to Parking in Beacon for every parking lot you’ll ever need to know about. And dig into our Directories for Shopping, Eating & Drinking, and Arts & Culture information.
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Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon🧡