What’s On In Beacon This January
This Month’s Highlights
Howland Cultural Center as seen from Hakan Chocolatier.
Just because the holidays are all but over doesn’t mean Beacon is settling into winter hibernation. As the Hudson Valley quiets, the city’s events scene is anything but still—January brings a lineup of live performances, storytelling, and immersive experiences well worth stepping out for.
So, cast aside any lingering cold weather blues and explore some highlights to enjoy during January in Beacon, NY.
Immerse Yourself In (Savage) Wonder
Savage Wonder Arts Center (139 Main Street) returns after a short winter break with all pistons firing. Its new theatrical experience—Tennessee Williams’ rarely performed 1969 play “In the Bar Of A Tokyo Hotel”—is the first of its kind for this creative group.
The story centers around the unraveling marriage of a once celebrated artist and his estranged wife. Set in the charged atmosphere of a hotel bar, this production promises to deliver the unmistakable emotional force of Tennessee Williams’ work.
Under the direction of Savage Wonder founder, Christopher Paul Meyer, the performance is staged in an intimate setting with a fully functioning live bar. Audience members are invited into the environment where they can order drinks and settle into the atmosphere of the play. Once the show begins, the bar transforms into the heart of the action, immersing the audience in the story’s tension and emotion.
Performances will take place each Saturday from January 10th to January 31st. The live bar experience is open from 6 PM to 7 PM with the show running from 7 PM to 8:30 PM.
Learn Something New
If your New Year’s resolutions include learning something new, be sure to save the date for Nerd Nite at the Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street) on Friday, January 9th. This month’s show is not for the faint-hearted, though! The three highly entertaining presentations are described as Nerd Night’s “most stomach-churning evening yet.” Join Dr Hannah Brooks—also founder of Beacon LitFest—a board-certified General Surgeon and proud recipient of the American Cancer Society’s Lane Adams award for compassionate care. The presentation is entitled, “When Food Fights back: Gut Wrenching Tales of General Surgery.”
Trace Dominguez, from PBS’s weekly astronomy show Star Gazers, specializes in translating complex STEM topics for general audiences. His talk focuses on “Invading New Jersey with Squirrels: A Proposal.”
Mike Price—an artist, taxidermist, and storyteller—will talk about what to do with all those squirrels once they enter NJ with “Meddling with Nature: Taxidermy and the beauty of going skin deep.” Intrigued? Well then, be there and be square!
The ARTICHOKE Storytelling Series returns for 2026 with a stellar lineup that the show’s creator, Drew Prochaska, calls, “One of our best ever!”
Kicking off the show’s 2026 run are six performers including David Drake, whose comedy is described by the New York Times as “smart and engaging,” and standup comedian, writer, and host, Ophira Eisenberg. Plus, there’s Brooklyn standup comedian and storyteller, Gastor Almonte, whose 2019 album, Immigrant Made, reached #1 on the iTunes Comedy Chart, #1 on the Amazon Comedy Chart, and #9 on the Billboard Comedy charts. Also performing is Maggie Crane, a standup comedian and writer whose plays have featured at Dixon Place and the Brick Theater, and Mark Pagán, an award-winning filmmaker, audio producer, and writer.
Finally, Natalie Allen, the winner of the ARTICHOKE’s Big Story Showdown in Norma’s, Wappingers Falls, is a comedic improviser, writer, and storyteller who lives in Beacon will be performing in the Main Stage show for the first time. Be sure to catch The ARTICHOKE which takes place at the Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street) on Saturday, January 10th.
Secret Sessions at Dennings Point Distillery, February 2025.
Three times a year, Twice Told’s Secret Sessions—brainchild of Beacon producer Linda Pratt Kimmel and Susan Johnson, owner of Dennings Point Distillery—invites brave souls to share a secret for all to hear. It’s always a laugh out loud, good-hearted, and sometimes poignant experience. On Saturday, January 31st—a precursor to Valentine’s Day—head to Dennings Point Distillery (10 North Chestnut Street) to hear actors present anonymous, true life, light-hearted and likely hilarious Sexy Secrets, with commentary from Lena Rizkallah who returns as your favorite, judgy, single auntie. Read on here for how to submit your story for consideration. Otherwise, save the date for a craft cocktail, a night of revelations, and some belly laughs.
Celebrate & Honor MLK’s Birthday
Last year’s MLK Day parade and commemorations were stymied by winter snowstorms, so the organizations are hoping for better luck in 2026. Join Springfield Baptist Church (8 Mattie Cooper Square) on Monday, January 19th for the 47th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday celebration and a day of reflection, unity, and action.
The day starts with breakfast at 8:30 AM at the church before the 11th Annual MLK Parade sets off at 9:30 AM. The Annual SDC Essay Contest starts at 10:30 AM, followed by the Annual Birthday Celebration service by Rev. Barbara Williams. The rain date is February 16th, 2026, just in case.
Soar High With Beacon Rising
Beacon’s beloved and largest choir, Beacon Rising, takes the stage for its fundraising Winter Concert at the Roger Hanson Performance Hall in Hopewell Junction on Saturday, January 17th. It’s rare (almost unheard of, in fact) that we share events taking place outside of Beacon. But this choir represents the best of Beacon, helping to promote healing, connection, and community building each time it performs. Get your tickets here.
Dance, Sing, Perform Yourself Warm
Happy Valley Arcade Bar, 296 Main Street.
If old school R&B is your thing, head to Happy Valley Arcade Bar (296 Main Street) for a 90s’ R&B late Night with DJ TommmyDidIt and DJ Prince on Friday, January 16th, from 9 PM to 2 AM. Tickets available here.
Broadway in Beacon is planning two shows on Saturday, January 24th at Saint Rita’s Music Room (85 Eliza Street). First, its Rising Stars show is open to kids of all ages, and it gives talented young artists the opportunity to take the stage in the afternoon. Sign up is at 1:30 PM. It’ll be followed in the evening by its high energy Broadway musical theater open mic with sign-up starting at 6:15 PM. Find out more here.
Authors and poets can start the year strong at Donna Minkowitz’s Lit Lit—a writers’ open mic—which takes place on the first Friday of each month at the Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street). Arrive by 6:30 PM on Friday, January 2nd to sign up. Readings take place between 7 PM and 9 PM. All genres are welcome.
BAU Gallery (506 Main Street) is stepping into new territory on January 31st with CRAZY, a feminist Open Mic Night. Participants are invited to sign up for a two-to-five minute time slot to rant, sing, perform poetry, do comedy, or whatever else feels cathartic. BAU Gallery describes it as a “night of expression, exploration, and community care.”
Frozen Yogurt Comes To Beacon
Continuing 2025’s healthy run of Main Street newcomers, another bold, brave new business opens this January. Originally from Bloomingdale, NJ, Retro Froyo’s grand opening at 412 Main Street takes place on Sunday, January 4th from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This 70s’ themed self-serve frozen yogurt shop offers a vast variety of flavors and toppings, it and happily includes vegan options. While it might seem counterintuitive to open an icy delights destination in the middle of winter, Retro Froyo looks like it might just be the kind of spot that will thrive all year round.
And we haven’t even touched on the Second Saturday weekend (January 10th and 11th). We’ll update the story here when there’s more to share.
In the meantime, avoid the stress of parallel parking on Main Street by checking out our Where to Park For Free feature which includes a rundown of every parking lot (spoiler alert, there’s 12 of them) plus where to find EV charging ports. Our Events Guide gives you everything you need to know about what’s on with links to buy tickets and to find out more information. Plus, follow TBB Events Hub if you’re on WhatsApp and prefer to explore a snapshot of things to do and to keep up to speed with what’s on. And, of course, TBB Directories make sure you know every shop to explore, every spot to eat and drink, and much more.
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Happy New Year!
Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon🧡