Our Updated Spring Guide to Beacon, NY
Savage Wonderland Art Gallery opens in the Mechanics Bank space in May.
There are many things to be in Beacon, NY, but bored isn’t one of them. That’s why The Beacon Beacon is presenting its third Spring Guide this year.
More events keep popping up as the weeks go by, and we can’t include everything in this feature, as much as we’d like to. So, here you’ll find highlights of things to do in Beacon, NY as well as a full picture of what’s going on this weekend and in the coming weeks in our Events Guide, which we update regularly.
Here’s also some options on where to stay if you’re contemplating a weekend in Beacon, NY. We suggest staying longer, if you can. You won’t regret it.
Take in some art
The Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street) and the Beacon Historical Society are jointly presenting a stunning exhibition called Work In Decay: The Renaissance of Beacon, Then and Now from April 19th to July 21st. The show features the late Beacon photographer, Patrick Prosser’s 1982 collection of images showing a very different Beacon to what we know now. His stark representation of a gritty city in decline is contrasted with the work of some of Beacon’s contemporary photographers. Check the Howland Cultural Center for opening hours which can vary on certain weekends. The Opening Reception takes place at the Howland this Saturday, April 19th between 1 PM and 3 PM.
The warmer temperatures bring more opportunity to leisurely stroll Main Street. In between shopping and coffee stops, take in some of Beacon’s galleries. Walking west to east, be sure to stop by Distortion Society (155 Main Street), Christopher Stella Gallery (456 Main Street), Super Secret Projects (484 Main Street), Maria Lago Studio (502 Main Street), and BAU Gallery (506 Main Street). Off Main Street, you’ll find the KuBe Art Center and Ethan Cohen Gallery (211 Fishkill Avenue) at the old Beacon High School building.
Savage Wonderground Art Gallery opening
The new Savage Wonderground Art Gallery opens in the iconic Mechanics Bank building at 139 Main Street on Saturday, May 10th. The Gallery will be part of the Savage Wonder Arts Center, a new multi-disciplinary performance and visual arts space that will be constructed in three phases over the next two years. We’re eagerly anticipating this first phase, and its inaugural exhibition will be called Radical Fun. Expect the unexpected with a name like that. On Friday, May 9th, you can be among the first to experience Savage Wonderground Art Gallery’s underground Parlor (139 Main Street) for a “ludicrously staged” reading of Eugene Ionesco’s absurdist classic, The Bald Soprano. Only 35 spots are available for this unique space and performance.
Renée Green’s The Equator Has Moved is at Dia Beacon until August 2026.
Of course, no visit to Beacon would be complete without stopping by Dia Beacon (3 Beekman Street) to take in the permanent and temporary exhibitions and the gorgeous landscaped gardens as spring turns to summer. Turner Prize and Academy Award winner, Steve McQueen’s must-see Bass is in its last few weeks at the space, ending on May 26th. Renée Green’s The Equator has Moved is on until August 31st, 2026, and Felix Gonzalez-Torres’s mesmerizing Untitled (Loverboy) runs until June 30th this year.
Celebrate 4/20
LotusWorks Wellness—which was Beacon’s first cannabis dispensary— is celebrating 4/20 with music, crafts, yoga, sound therapy, pottery, and more (including cannabis products) at their new space, the Lotus Garden (14 North Cedar Street). See their website or our Events Guide for tickets.
Do your bit for Earth Day
Pollinator Pathway plantings will be included in the Earth Day Community Clean-Up
Beacon’s Earth Day Community Clean-Up takes place on Saturday, April 26th. This event is a feelgood, fun way to roll up your sleeves and clean up some of the neighborhoods around the city. This year, it will include the pollinator pathway plantings, too. Choose from Madam Brett’s Homestead, Beacon High School, Pete and Toshi Seeger Park, the east loop of the Fishkill Creek, and more. Visit Green Beacon Coalition to pick the site you’d like to help clean and sign up. The clean-up portion of the day takes place between 9 AM and 12 PM, followed by an environmental fair between 12 PM and 3 PM at Hudson Valley Brewery (7 East Main Street), where you can grab something refreshing to quench your thirst after all that hard work.
Plus, don’t miss Beacon’s Tree Advisory Committee’s annual Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony on Henry Street (behind USPS) on Friday, April 25th at 4:30 PM.
Attend the Beacon Art Book Fair
If you’re a ‘zine fan, save the date for Saturday, April 26th when the Beacon Photo Club hosts the Beacon Art Book Fair at the VFW Hall (413 Main Street). This one-day event will feature ‘zine creators, book makers, and self-publishers of all kinds.
Visit a Night Market
Hudson Valley Cirque Du Creep presents an alternative 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).
Support the Jewel of Beacon’s Annual Gala
On Thursday, May 15th, the Howland Cultural Center will be honoring two Beacon visionaries at its 2025 Fundraising Gala. Neil Caplan, executive director and founder of the Bannerman Castle Trust, and Phil Ciganer of the ever-popular Town Crier Café. Always a fun event that helps raise funds for the Howland Cultural Center—also known as the “Jewel of Beacon”—this year’s entertainment will feature Tom Chapin & Friends, Zohar & Adam Cabo, Jessica Walsh, and more. The evening’s emcee will be Eli Walker, and the event takes place at The Roundhouse’s Waterfall Room (2 East Main Street). Tickets are available here.
Learn Something New
Dennings Point Distillery, 10 North Chestnut Street.
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 because 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. 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.
Attend Beacon’s Literary Festival
Beacon LitFest—which takes place June 12th, 13th, and 14th— celebrates literary arts in the Hudson Valley, and will bring together a diverse group of award-winning poets, playwrights, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers for readings, lively conversation, performances, and connection.
The event kicks off on Thursday, June 12th with a party and performance at Dennings Point Distillery (10 North Chestnut Street) hosted by Drew Prochaska (The Artichoke Storytelling Series). Friday, June 13th is the festival’s signature evening event, Women In Noir, an immersive multimedia program. Featured speakers will be bestselling crime and thriller fiction authors Margot Douaihy, Jode Millman, and Julia Dahl. The Main Events will be in multiple locations across Beacon on Saturday, June 14th, and will end with a book-signing reception and cocktail party. You’ll find tickets for an all-access pass here.
Get back outside
With the ice and snow gone (hopefully), it’s time to get back outside and enjoy the abundance of natural beauty Beacon has to offer. Dig into our feature here for ideas on hikes, trails, and more.
And don’t miss these community events
Ree-Play Sale
Wee Play Tot Park is supported by funds raised from the annual 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). This annual event hosted by the Wee Play Community Project is 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. Read our new feature on the history of the Wee Play Community Project and get some tips on how to score big at the sale.
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. This is the Animal Rescue Foundation’s 10th 5K Run & Walk With the Dogs at Memorial Park on Sunday, May 18th, so 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!
Getting around Beacon by car? You’ll need details regarding free parking and (maybe) EV charging port locations, so see our Guide to Parking in Beacon for every parking lot you need to know about.
Keep tabs on our Events Guide or Calendar for happenings in Beacon and on our blog and social media for news of new store and restaurant openings. If you’re researching where to shop or eat and drink, take a dive into our directories for the complete picture.
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Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon🧡