What’s On In Beacon: A Spring Preview
From Theatre, Live Music, And Fairs To A New Spa Resort Opening And Community Events
Spring 2025 in Beacon. A return to the outdoor life is coming.
Last week’s “fool’s spring” may have had us ditching boots and wool hats a bit too soon. But the real thing is finally on its way. Friday’s spring equinox marks the official start of the season, and we’ll soon be greeting dogwood blossoms, raucous robins, and the welcome return of outdoor life.
From theater, live music, and fairs to the opening of a major new spa resort, here’s some spring highlights to enjoy in Beacon.
Theater, Storytelling, Improv, & Immersive Performances
Savage Wonder Arts Center (139 Main Street) continues its popular run of immersive, all-inclusive performance readings with The Big Funk: A Casual Play by John Patrick Shanley every Saturday evening in April. Described as a “sharp, darkly comic portrait of dreamers trying to find their footing at the end of the millennium,” the performance features Jose-Maria Aguila, Carolyn Holding, Zion Jang, and Whitney McIntosh-Joseph.
This latest Savage Wonder experience begins with live music from Hudson Valley’s Petty Larceny, plus there’s delicious chef-driven, show-inspired fare by The Grape Rebellion, along with themed cocktails crafted for the night.
The ticket price is all-inclusive and includes themed food and cocktails. This year’s Saturday night performances have been selling out quickly, so don’t delay if this performance has piqued your interest. Tickets are available here.
Woman(ish) will perform at Lucky Dog in April. Photo credit: Sandy Santra.
Join the Woman(ish) improv team for their first show at Lucky Dog (333 Fishkill Avenue) on Thursday, April 9th when they take on family dynamics with All In The Family.
Woman(ish)—who debuted in Beacon with a Women’s History Month show in March 2025— is a generation-spanning improv troupe of women and non-binary individuals blending unrehearsed true stories and made-up scenes into an unpredictable, occasionally unhinged night of entertainment. Get tickets here.
Broadway In Beacon and the Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street) present Daddy Long Legs In Concert on Saturday evening, April 18th and Sunday afternoon, April 19th. This stage musical is based on the 1912 novel of the same name by Jean Webster. Set in turn-of-the-century New England, it’s the story of orphan Jerusha Abbott whose mysterious benefactor who agrees to send her to college. She dubs him "Daddy Long Legs" after seeing his elongated shadow. Under the conditions of her benefactor, Jerusha sends him a letter once a month, describing her new-found experiences with life outside the orphanage.
Starring Erin Mendez Stapleton and Andrew Oppmann and directed by Will Reynolds. Get tickets here.
Twice Told returns with its second confessional storytelling show of the year on Saturday, April 25th at Dennings Point Distillery (10 N. Chestnut Street). The focus this time is on Family Secrets. So, if you have an entertaining skeleton in your family closet, there’s still time to hit the keys and submit an anonymous story which will be read by community members to the audience on the night of the event.
Actress Natasha Brown will play MC for the night. See @twicetoldbeacon and @denningspointdistillery on Instagram for submission guidelines.
The Beacon Players presents Jekyll & Hyde the Musical at the Pete & Toshi Seeger Theater (101 Matteawan Road) from Friday, April 24th to Sunday, April 26th. This epic struggle between good and evil comes to life on stage in musical form. Based on the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson and featuring a dramatic score of pop rock hits, Jekyll & Hyde has captivated international audiences across the globe. And now it’s Beacon’s turn courtesy of this young group of performers.
See The Beacon Players for more information and tickets.
Festivals, Fairs, and A Food Crawl
Cirque Du Creep returns for its first market of 2026 with a Renaissance Fair theme with a twist on Saturday, April 18th (The Yard, 4 Hanna Lane). Break out your Ren Faire attire and join the Cirque Du Creep team for a wicked night filled with more than 60 alternative vendors selling medieval and horror wares, oddities, mystics, food, and mead. There’ll be live tattoos, body piercings, tooth gems, blacksmithing, thrilling performances, photo opportunities, and more. Dressing to theme is encouraged. $12 pre-sale and $15 entry on the day. Free admission for ages 15 and under. Tickets are available here.
The Beacon Art Book Fair returns on Saturday, May 16th at the VFW Hall (413 Main Street), following its successful inaugural event last year. Celebrating the spirit of self-publishing, this event welcomes zine creators, book makers, and self-publishers of all kinds. Vendor applications are now open until Tuesday, March 31st.
The fifth annual Eat Drink Beacon food crawl also returns on Saturday, June 6th. Foodies will have the opportunity to wend their way along Main Street sampling small bites and sips from some of Beacon’s small businesses including eateries and shops. Eat Drink Beacon is a rain or shine event taking place between 3 PM and 7 PM. Tickets.
A Night of Entertainment And Fundraising
Join the Beacon Historical Society for its Third Annual Movie Night Fundraiser on Tuesday, May 12th, featuring Nobody’s Fool—Robert Benton’s 1994 comedy drama starring Paul Newman, Bruce Willis, and Melanie Griffith.
Shot in and around Beacon—complete with a markedly different looking Main Street in the depths of winter—the film doubles as a big screen time capsule of the city’s past, wrapped in a quietly touching small-town story.
There’s a reception at 6:30 PM and the movie starts at 7:30 PM at the University Settlement Camp Theater (Camp Loop Road). $50 per person, including cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Email BeaconHistorical@gmail.com for more information and to make reservations.
The Howland Cultural Center Gala takes place at the Roundhouse Waterfall Room in May.
On Thursday, May 14th, the Howland Cultural Center celebrates its 47th Anniversary Gala at the stunning Roundhouse Waterfall Room (2 East Main Street). Known fondly as the “Jewel of Beacon,” the Howland Cultural Center was visited by around 20,000 people for more than 500 events in 2025. Its popular programming includes the Howland Chamber Music Circle, Artichoke Storytelling Series, Beacon Litfest, Nerd Nite Hudson Valley, Howland’s Open Mic Night, LIT LIT Open Mic for Writers, and the annual Holiday Gift Show.
At the Gala, the creative team behind Hudson Beacon Glass (162 Main Street) will be honored for their support of the arts and historic preservation.
John and Wendy Gilvey, Michael Benzer and Jennifer Smith founded Hudson Beach Glass in 1987 and were later joined by Janet Griffin. In 2003, they opened their gallery and glass blowing demonstration studio on Beacon’s Main Street in a restored 1893 firehouse originally built for the Lewis Tompkins Hose Company, which had been decommissioned two decades earlier.
Hudson Beach Glass opened on Beacon’s first Second Saturday in January 2003, at a time when Main Street was almost entirely boarded up with only a few businesses operating. Over the years, Hudson Beach Glass has come to be known as a cornerstone of the glass art world.
Plus, there will be an evening of cocktails, buffet, and entertainment by genre-bending Zohar & Adam and The Cabo Project. The night will be emceed by Lena Rizkallah and Brandy Burre. Tickets are available here.
Beacon’s Thriving Music Scene
Expect the unexpected at Lucky Dog (333 Fishkill Avenue) this spring. April kicks off with Van Hayride—a countrified version of Van Halen— on Saturday, April 4th. Tickets. Later in the season, the venue welcomes Stefan Zeniuk’s The Green Mambo on Saturday, May 2nd. Led by saxophonist Zeniuk—formerly of Gato Loco who raised the roof at the Howland Cultural Center some years ago—the band specializes in old-school Perez Prado-era Latin jams. Follow Lucky Dog on Instagram for ticket information.
Glenn Jones—a master of American Primitive Guitar, a style invented in the late 1950s by John Fahey—comes to The Yard (4 Hanna Lane) on Friday, May 22nd. Jones, who led the post-rock ensemble Cul de Sac, brings the use of custom-crafted partial capos, and a highly skilled picking style on both banjo and guitar, to create personal compositions that are lyrical, emotive, and elegant. Get tickets here.
Also at The Yard is Eliza Edens: The Comeback Tour on Thursday April 2nd. Edens is a Brooklyn-based songwriter who studies love, grief, and geologic time through guitar-based music. Tickets are available here. Plus, singer-songwriter, guitarist, and visual artist, Liz Cooper, performs at The Yard on Friday, April 24th with her blend of psychedelic and indie rock. Liz first gained recognition as the front woman of the band Liz Cooper & The Stampede before launching her solo career in 2021. Tickets.
Grammy Award-Winning Quartet Comes To The Howland
The Howland Chamber Music Circle brings the GRAMMY® Award-winning Parker Quartet to the Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street) on Sunday, April 26th. Internationally recognized for their “fearless, yet probingly beautiful” performances, the quartet will perform Philip Glass’s Quartet Satz and excerpts from Franz Schubert and Anthony Cheung, with Singaporean-British mezzo soprano Fleur Barron. Tickets.
A Chance To Dance Like Nobody’s Watching
Support Beacon LitFest and dance your socks off at their fundraising 70s’ Dance Party on Friday, April 24th at Dennings Point Distillery (10 North Chestnut Street). Felix Hernandez—radio personality and executive producer of live music series for NPR on WBGO and the legendary Rhythm Revue dance parties at NYC’s Roseland Ballroom—will be rocking the house with upbeat dance hits from the 1960s and 1970s. Expect costume contests, raffles, and more. All funds raised will help cover the costs of June’s Beacon LitFest. Tickets.
The 2026 Beacon LitFest—the city’s three-day literary festival—takes place from Friday, June 12th to Sunday, June 14th across the city. You can snag an early bird festival pass until April 1st. The pass gives you access to all events on Friday and Saturday as well as a book signing mixer and a Saturday night VIP experience. Individual event tickets will go on sale after April 1st.
Get An Early Reservation At Mirbeau Beacon
Mirbeau Inn & Spa Beacon (11 Mirbeau Lane)—set on the 64-acre historic estate formerly the Craig House sanitarium—is now accepting room and spa reservations for its new 72-room resort for treatments beginning Wednesday, May 6th.
Mirbeau, which loosely means “reflected beauty” in French, is inspired by Claude Monet’s Giverny in the Loire Valley of France. This stunning new complex includes a 25,000 ft spa, guest rooms, and casual dining at The Bistro & Wine Bar, featuring local and seasonal produce with dishes inspired by classic French bistros.
There’s also a Champagne Terrace and an outdoor Aqua Terrace offering beautiful views, a heated spa whirlpool, and tranquil moments. Mirbeau is also now accepting wellness memberships.
Originally built as the Tioronda Mansion by Civil War General Joseph Howland and his wife, Eliza, in 1859, the original building was once a retreat for celebrities including Zelda Fitzgerald, Truman Capote, and Marilyn Monroe before being abandoned more than 25 years ago.
Mirbeau —a family-owned business—also has locations in Skaneateles, NY (Finger Lakes), Plymouth, PA, Albany, NY, and Rhinebeck, NY. This spring marks its official opening in Beacon, NY.
Get Involved In A Community Event
There’s no doubt that many hands make light work. So, consider joining Beacon’s annual Earth Day celebration and team up with friends and neighbors to do some spring cleaning in Beacon’s parks, along the Fishkill Creek, and the waterfront.
You can help clean for half an hour or a few hours. It’s up to you, but every little bit helps. The event takes place across the city on Saturday, April 18th between 9 AM and 12 PM. Garbage bags and buckets will be provided. Head to Hudson Valley Brewery (7 East Main Street) after all the hard work is done for the annual Earth Day Fair, a well-deserved glass of something chilled and refreshing, and lunch. One free drink ticket will be given to every volunteer. Sign up here.
Plus, on Saturday, April 11th, Beetle And Fred (217 Main Street) is hosting its third annual 12-hour Knit For Food Knit-A-Thon to help raise money for Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, Team No Kid Hungry, and Meals On Wheels. Sign up here to take part.
Bannerman Island Opens For The Season
Bannerman Island opens May 1st.
If you’re one of those people who says, “I’ve always wanted to go to Bannerman Island,” every year, then make 2026 the year it actually happens. Public tours last just over two hours and runfrom May 1st to November 1st, leaving from the Beacon dock across from the Beacon Metro North Train Station. The 25-minute scenic cruise to the island features unbeatable views of the Hudson Highlands.
Once there, you can explore the island's historic trails, gardens, and museum with experienced tour guides. Or hike some trails on your own. Plus, there’s a packed schedule of events on the island including plays, concerts, movie nights, dinner events, and environmental programs. Proceeds from tours and all ticket sales help the Bannerman Castle Trust (BCT) continue its mission to restore and preserve the historic structures and trails on Bannerman Island.
Here are some of the island’s spring highlights.
The Titanic First Class Dinner taking place on Saturday, May 23rd is already sold out because it’s such a unique and intimate experience. This is a recreation of the first-class 11 course dinner menu that was served aboard the Titanic on April 14th, 1912—the fateful day the British ocean liner sank. Call (845) 863-9964 if you’re interested in joining a waitlist.
Third Sunday live music concerts happen every third Sunday of the month on Bannerman Island from May to October for the 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM tours. The first concert of the season is the Lucky Luna Band on Sunday, May 17th.
Friday movie nights on Bannerman Island include Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade on Friday, May 8th and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid on Friday June 5th.
Call (845) 831-1001 for more information on BCT Programs or visit bannermancastle.org to buy tickets.
A New Show Opens At Dia Beacon
Agnes Martin: Painting is not making paintings opens at Dia Beacon (3 Beekman Street) on Saturday, April 4th. This is the first time the influential Canadian-American abstract artist’s work has returned to Dia Beacon’s galleries in nearly a decade. This show draws primarily from Dia’s extensive collection of Martin’s canvases to focus on the breadth of the artist’s output during the 1950s and 1960s, as well as significant works from the latter decades of her practice.
And there’s more. Check our Events Guide and Events Hub on WhatsApp to keep on top of what’s on in the city. Events are added almost daily, so bookmark the page and revisit often.
Voted the best neighborhood in the Hudson Valley by Hudson Valley Magazine readers in 2025, there’s so much to see and do in Beacon. Explore our directories for everywhere to shop, eat and drink, stay, and play. And if you need to know where to park for free, or where to find an EV charging port, we can help with that, too.
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Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon🧡