10 Things To Do In Beacon This Second Saturday Weekend
Choose from Opening Receptions, Live Performances, Music, and More
Bannerman Island & The Mighty Hudson River exhibition opens this weekend. Oil painting by Keith Gunderson.
And just like that, Beacon ushers in its first Second Saturday weekend of 2026. Over the course of 48 hours (and then some), the city turns its attention to opening receptions, live performances, and music happening across local galleries and venues. What began years ago as a coordinated effort by BeaconArts has evolved into something looser, more organic, and often unexpected. Lucky for us, January 2026 is no exception.
So, read on and see where you might be headed this weekend. Be warned, at least one of these events is already sold out. See TBB Events Guide for a full rundown of what’s on in Beacon in the days and weeks ahead, and make sure to check back often as the guide’s updated daily.
All About The Art
Head to BAU Gallery (506 Main Street) on Saturday, January 10th between 6 PM and 8 PM for the opening reception for CRAZY, its extensive first show of 2026 which features 55 thought-provoking works. It promises to be a vibrant celebration of creativity across media including painting, photography, installation, light art, video, performance, and sculpture. The gallery’s notes describe the exhibition as confronting “the centuries-old stereotype that expressive, opinionated, intelligent women are “crazy” by making space for authentic responses to the contemporary world and presenting those emotions as fine art.” CRAZY showcases art inspired by the Afropunk art movement and feminist punk music that embraces maximalist self-expression as a method of personal and political advocacy. The exhibition runs until Sunday, February 8th. During the show’s run, there’s a zine-making workshop and music exchange on Saturday, January 24th and an open mic night on Saturday, January 31st.
Karen Allen, president of BAU Gallery, said, "The gallery invited Jaime to imagine and curate an exhibition specifically for our first show of the new year, and she delivered a powerful exhibition that is both inspiring and incredibly timely. As an alternative artist-run space, BAU has always been dedicated to experimentation, inclusiveness, and out-of-the-box creative production, and CRAZY does all that. We're thrilled to help realize Jaime's vision and offer the community a place for new art, critical dialogue, and deep connection."
For a complete list of the artists featured in CRAZY and more details visit BAU Gallery.
The Bannerman Island and the Mighty Hudson River fine art exhibition opens at The Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street) and runs from Saturday, January 10th to Sunday, April 12th. An opening reception will take place January 10th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. This collaboration between the Howland Cultural Center and the Bannerman Island Trust features unique paintings, watercolors, prints, photography, and mixed media works in a variety of genres from traditional and representational works to abstract pieces.
Expect picturesque Hudson River Valley views from the lower to upper Hudson Valley, mainly focused on the Hudson Highlands and Bannerman Island and Castle—the iconic historic site that’s located in the Hudson River between Beacon and Cold Spring and has long been a favorite of artists and adventurers. Gallery hours for the duration of the show will be Saturdays & Sundays from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM and weekdays by chance and appointment.
The Beacon Photo Club presents a photography exhibition called The Process at Super Secret Projects (484 Main Street), starting Saturday, January 10th with an opening reception between 4 PM and 7 PM. The exhibition presents selected works from Beacon Photo Club’s first photo book, BPC Volume #1 – The Process, highlighting the many ways artists create—not only how images are made, but why. The featured photographers explore creativity as ritual, coping, resistance, and a way of making meaning in difficult times. Their work spans grief, memory, experimentation, and personal storytelling, in turn revealing process as something imperfect, layered, and deeply human. Together, these pieces honor the stubborn impulse to keep making—to reflect, to question, and to push back—even when the world feels impossible to understand. Books will be sold for $22.00. There will also be a book launch and artist talk on Saturday, January 31st starting at 4:00 PM. The show runs until Friday, February 6th.
Enjoy Some Mesmerizing Storytelling
Get ready to squirm, cringe, and undoubtedly learn something new at what is being described as Nerd Nite Hudson Valley’s most stomach-churning evening yet at the Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street). On Friday, January 9th, Dr. Hannah Brooks—who’s also the founder of Beacon LitFest—a board-certified General Surgeon and proud recipient of the American Cancer Society’s Lane Adams award for compassionate care, presents “When Food Fights back: Gut Wrenching Tales of General Surgery.” The squeamish should note that this talk will include depictions of the surgery process.
Trace Dominguez from PBS’s weekly astronomy show Star Gazers, who specializes in translating complex STEM topics for general audiences, will present, “Invading New Jersey with Squirrels: A Proposal.”
Finally, Mike Price, an artist, taxidermist, and storyteller presents, “Meddling With Nature: Taxidermy and the beauty of going skin deep.” As if that isn’t enough, special guest Keith Decent will reveal a Nerd Nite surprise. We have no idea what it is, but we’re pretty sure it’ll be enlightening and fun. Get tickets here.
The lineup for The ARTICHOKE Storytelling Series’ first show of 2026.
It’s also the first show of the year for The ARTICHOKE Storytelling Series at the Howland Cultural Center on Saturday, January 10th at 8 PM. This month’s lineup features some of the best storytellers around with credentials from NPR, Comedy Central, and the Netflix Is A Joke festival. The storytellers will be Ophira Eisenberg, Gastor Almonte, David Drake, Maggie Crane, and Mark Pagan, plus the ARTICHOKE’s recent Big Story Showdown winner, Natalie Allen. Tickets here.
An Immersive, Unique Performance Experience
There’s a truly unique experience awaiting ticketholders at Savage Wonder Arts Center (141 Main Street) on Saturday, January 10th at 6:00 PM. Step into Savage Wonder’s Parlor and you’ll find a glowing, decadent Japanese den where the bar pulses, the cocktails beckon, and a Tokyo-lounge shimmer wraps around you before the lights fall. In this performance reading of Tennessee Williams’s In the Bar of a Tokyo Hotel, desire, genius, and heartbreak collide under neon light as a marriage comes undone and a mind reaches for brilliance. There’s live music by New York–based recording artist SHOWJI who will bring a soulful blend of R&B and soul to the evening. The all-inclusive experience includes themed food, live music, and exclusive access to the private Tokyo bar featuring specialty cocktails. There are only 20 seats available, so booking promptly will avoid disappointment. This immersive performance will also take place on Saturday, January 17th, 24th, and 31st. Visit Savage Wonder’s website to check out every event happening there this month.
Plus, There’s Improv
For the improv-inclined, Duke Comedy Theater is hosting an improv comedy show inspired by the “strangest, weirdest, or most bizarre day of your life.” You’ll find it at Passion Adult Dance Studio (473 Main Street) Saturday, January 10th at 8 PM. Tickets on the door.
And Live Music
Blues music lovers will be happy to know that Dimitri Archip’s Black Coffee Blues Band continues its long-running Second Saturday residency at Dennings Point Distillery (10 North Chestnut Street) starting at 7 PM. Grab a cocktail at the bar, sit back and enjoy.
If you’re in the mood for some of music’s most anthemic classics, head to Towne Crier Cafe’s Main Stage (397 Main Street) on Saturday, January 10th where Hudson Valley favorites Sharkey & The Sparks are back by popular demand.
The band will be performing favorites from the ’60s, ’70s, and beyond, including The Beatles, Beach Boys, early Fleetwood Mac, Dick Dale, U2, The Cure, Santana, Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen. This is the band’s nineth performance at the venue. With The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, Sharkey has headlined major music festivals across the US, Canada, and UK. Tickets are $25 advance, or $30 on the door.
Finally, nurture your spirit by closing out the weekend with a special performance from the award-winning and renowned Chinese American classical pianist Fei-Fei. The show is presented by the Howland Chamber Music Circle at the Howland Cultural Center on Sunday, January 11th. There’ll be a reception following the show. Tickets are available here.
Enjoy a winter-warming refreshment at one of Beacon’s 90+ spots to eat & drink.
And while you’re making plans of what to enjoy this weekend, be sure to take time to stroll Beacon New York’s 90+ one-of-a-kind shops and grab a bite to eat or sip a winter-warming cocktail at one of its 90+ spots to eat and drink. Explore The Beacon Beacon Directories for everywhere to shop, eat, drink, stay, and play. And if you found this feature helpful, sign up to our weekly email for all good things in Beacon.
Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon🧡
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