JOIN US ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 2, 2023, RHINEBECK, NEW YORK
Sinterklaas is a day-long, colorful celebration that features children’s workshops, dance, theatre and music all over the village of Rhinebeck.
Don’t miss the Dancing Bear, the Pocket Lady, and Mother Holly, The Queen’s Court, the Dancing Ants!! The spectacular Children’s Starlight Parade at 6:00 pm, featuring two-story tall, animated puppets carried by hundreds of volunteers, closes the day at twilight.
A non-denominational event, Sinterklaas joins residents and visitors alike, people of all ages and backgrounds, in a memorable celebration of children, art, and the light of the winter season.
Sinterklaas Is Rain or Shine!!!
Parking Info
Read all the parking regulations here. Be aware of Rhinebeck parking regulations as posted on the village streets. More detail about parking and street closings here. FIND parking lots at the Northern Dutchess Hospital, at the Rhinebeck High School, at the Highway Department (W. Market St., 0.3 miles west of the Starr Library), and behind the Starr Library. Disabled Parking is at 47 W. Market Street.
Program Booklet
Be sure to grab a program booklet when you arrive so you know the whole story of Sinterklaas in the Mid-Hudson Valley. It will make for an even richer experience! Visit the ASK ME Ladies’ table in the center of town by the Beekman Arms.
In the meantime get a jump start on your plan for the day!!!
Schedule at a Glance
10am-4pm
CROWNS & BRANCHES Children are at the heart of the Sinterklaas story! They are KINGS & QUEENS of the Day and we honor them in the Parade and the Pageant. Make sure they get a chance to make their crowns and adorn their branches for the evening events!
10:00 AM
SAMUEL’S SWEET SHOP: Bear Beauty Contest
12:00 PM
BEEKMAN ARMS OPENING CEREMONY with Jeanne Fleming, Creator of Sinterklaas! It will be dramatic, even operatic! See the Sinterklaas story come alive when you meet all of its characters in person. Special treats and lots of fanfare!!!
UPSTATE FILMS/BINDLESTIFF FAMILY CIRKUS presents “Paris, the Hip Hop Juggler”
OPEN GATE COFFEE HOUSE: In-Joy
12:30 PM
UPSTATE FILMS/BINDLESTIFF FAMILY CIRKUS presents Rob Lok & Miss Jane
1:00 PM
THE QUEEN’S COURT: See the Ants Dance. Get a Missive and Treat from the Queen
OPEN GATE COFFEE HOUSE: Betty and the Baby Boomers singing Hey Little Ant
1:30 PM
FOSTER’S PARKING LOT PRESENTED BY THE BINDLESTIFF CIRKUS: Homespun Merry Go Round and Michael Rosman Tight Rope
UPSTATE FILMS/BINDLESTIFF FAMILY CIRKUS presents “Paris, the Hip Hop Juggler”
1:30 – 5:30 PM
STARTING AT THE ASK ME LADIES TABLE AND AROUND TOWN The Ant’s Spyglass Scavenger Hunt.
COURTYARD AND AROUND TOWN: DANTCE-A-THON dancing ANTS of all sorts
WINTER SUN AND SUMMER MOON and RHINEBECK MERCANTILE: The Museums of Antiquities & Modern Ant
ALL AROUND TOWN
- Batala NYC
- Bond St. Stilt Band
- Brasskill Brass Band
- Faeries of the Forest
- Funkrust Brass Band
- Giglio Band
- Honk Family Band
- Hungry March Band
- Mortal Beasts & Deities
- Mother Holly
- Ole’ Factory Brass Band
- Our Own Grumpuses
- Pokingbrook Morris Team
- The Ant Eater
- The Chinelos
- The Pocket Lady With Her “Pocket Lady Pal”
- The Polar Bearwith His Trainer & Musical Sidekick
- Uptown Lowdown Night Stars
- Vassar Devils
1:45 PM
UPSTATE FILMS/BINDLESTIFF FAMILY CIRKUS presents Rob Lok & Miss Jane
2:00 PM
REFORMED CHURCH: Into the Light with the Vanaver Caravan and Arm of the Sea Theater
METHODIST CHURCH: Brasskill Brass Band
OPEN GATE COFFEE HOUSE: Vassar Devils
2:30 PM
METHODIST CHURCH: Honk Family Band
WINTER SUN AND SUMMER MOON and RHINEBECK MERCANTILE: The Museums Of Antiquities & Modern Ant Guide Tour
3:00 PM
REFORMED CHURCH: Into the Light with the Vanaver Caravan and Arm of the Sea Theater
METHODIST CHURCH: Funkrust Brass Band
UPSTATE FILMS/BINDLESTIFF FAMILY CIRKUS presents “Paris, the Hip Hop Juggler”
OPEN GATE COFFEE HOUSE: Story Telling for Kids: with Matoaka Little Eagle
3:15 PM
UPSTATE FILMS/BINDLESTIFF FAMILY CIRKUS presents Rob Lok & Miss Jane
3:30 PM
METHODIST CHURCH: Hungry March Band
4:00 PM
REFORMED CHURCH: Into the Light with the Vanaver Caravan and Arm of the Sea Theater
CROWNS & BRANCHES: Peace Dove
METHODIST CHURCH: Bard College Georgian Choir
5:00 PM
REFORMED CHURCH: The Living Nativity is back!
5:30 PM
DAPSON-CHESTNEY PARKING LOT: Havdalah! A Candlelit Tradition
6:00 PM
CHILDREN’S STARLIGHT PARADE & PAGEANT including the Children’s STAR CEREMONY
