I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving with family and friends. We are looking forward to kicking off the holiday season with many events and festivities locally. 

There are so many things to do in the Sullivan Catskills to get you in the holiday spirit. Here are a few events that are coming up:

Peace, Love & Lights is back, better and brighter than ever before at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Beginning just after Thanksgiving and lasting until New Year’s Day, Peace, Love & Lights lets you experience holiday winter lights on the Bethel Woods grounds from the comfort of your car. Simply turn off your headlights and follow the magical glow. There is nothing else quite like this in the area. 

This year, they will be operating on a partial schedule through Sunday, December 11, and then will be open daily from Thursday, December 15 through Sunday, January 1, 2023. Learn more at www.bethelwoodscen
ter.org/events/peace-love-lights

The Tusten Youth Group will showcase holiday magic in Narrowsburg on Sunday, December 4. Follow the group on Facebook at Tusten Youth for more information.

This December, the Farmhouse Project will host two annual Holiday Makers Markets, one in Livingston Manor, NY and one in Kingston, NY. 

A modern interpretation of the traditional craft fair, the market will feature talented artisans from studios and workshops throughout the region.

On Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, the market will be held in the bright and airy greenhouse and barn at the Arnold House, a charmingly rustic venue nestled within the forest of Shandelee Mountain in Livingston Manor.

The eighth annual Murph’s Toy Drive is back and better than ever. It’s happening at the Villa Roma Clubhouse on Saturday, December 3, starting at 6 p.m. The event is hosted by Paul Ciliberto. The price per ticket is $50, plus unwrapped toys; that gets you two hours of open bar, a buffet-style dinner and entertainment all night long. 

Far Beyond Gone will be the headliner for the evening, and Perry and the Partymaster crew will keep the dance floor moving all night long. 

The more toys you bring, the more raffle tickets you receive; you’ll have more chances to win one of the door prizes donated by local businesses in the area. One prize per person.

 This year all the toys donated will be going to Sullivan County families in need through the Sullivan County United Way. The toy drive has also partnered with—and are the official event for—Toys for Tots Hudson Valley. Toys for Tots is a program through the United States Marine Corps, and it is celebrating its 75th anniversary.

 To buy tickets, visit account.venmo.com/u/UnitedWay-OfSullivanCounty.

If you have a local business that you would like to have spotlighted in an upcoming column, get in touch. Email jenn@jennpowelldesigns.com with any news, events and happenings.