2023 Sinterklaas Festival

The holiday spirit will be marching one-by-one into the Village of Rhinebeck this weekend to honor the ANT, and other creatures big and small, during the annual Sinterklaas festival. The free, day-long celebration takes place on Saturday, December 2, 2023 – rain or shine! – beginning at 10am and culminating with the Children's Starlight Parade featuring animated puppets and hundreds of volunteers, trailing the town from the Starr Library down Market Street beginning at 6pm. Scroll below for basic info, the full schedule, parking tips for Grumpuses and a chance to win a parking spot!:

What is Sinterklaas?

The tradition of Sinterklaas was originated in the Netherlands and brought over by the Dutch who settled in the Hudson Valley over 300 years ago.

Over the next few generations, Sinterklaas found his way into American literature. In 1809, writer Washington Irving (a man who lived not far from Rhinebeck) created a jolly Sinterklaas for his popular Knickerbocker Tales. Then in 1822, an Episcopal priest named Clement Moore (who also lived near Rhinebeck) wrote “A Visit from St. Nicholas” which featured a jolly old elf, his descent down a chimney on Christmas Eve, and a sleigh drawn by eight tiny reindeer. The Father Christmas image stuck, but he acquired a new name — Santa Claus — a direct derivation from Sinterklaas.

Sinterklaas, known as the “patron of children and sailors,” is celebrated locally here with a free, day-long, non-denominational holiday festival throughout the Village of Rhinebeck. During the darkest time of the year, children are honored for the day – becoming kings and queens, adorned with creations made by the community during the renowned Crowns and Branches Workshops (taking place November 29 and November 30 from 2:30 - 6pm at the Father Brogan Center in Rhinebeck.)

We move away from the commercial Santa and back to the wonders that began the legend – The Good King, the Noble Soul, the one who brings light out of darkness, befriends children and animals, and inspires our souls. He is accompanied by a merry band of candy men and pranksters –the Grumpus–who love children and are ready to play! Children are not judged good or naughty, but celebrated as the future of our Town and our most beloved treasures.

Honoring …ants?

Yes! “Ants are a group of individuals who work together in community to make their world a better place!”

Follow the ants journey throughout the village with a scavenger hunt and at the Museums of ANTiquities and Modern ANT.

Buy A Star for a neighbor in need

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of every Sinterklaas star is donated to the food pantries in Rhinebeck. Buy your star at various shops in the village or online: https://sinterklaashudsonvalley.com/stars/

No PARKING + Road closures:

Beginning at 2pm, East Market Street will be closed from Center Street to the traffic light.

West Market St from Starr Library to the light, Montgomery St from Livingston St. to the light, and Route 9 from South St to the light will close at 5:30pm. The parade is scheduled to begin at 6pm.

No parking all day :

North side of South Street from Route 9 to Route 308
South side of South Street across from church – approx 60 feet in from Rte 9
South side of Livingston Street from Center Street to Mulberry Street
Both sides of West Market Street from Oak Street to the Town Highway Garage
West side of Center Street from Livingston Street to South Street
West side of Lorraine Drive
Both sides of South Parsonage Street from South Street to North Park
East side of Oak Street
Both sides of West Chestnut Street
South side of Chestnut Street from Route 9 to Mulberry
Both sides of Traver Lane from the entrance to the parking lot

No parking after 12 PM :

Both sides of East and West Market Streets from Center Street to Oak Street

Both sides of Route 9 from Chestnut Street to South Street

The Rhinebeck Bank parking lot will close at 1PM. The drive-thru ATM will remain open until 3PM.

The Municipal Lot will close at 9PM on Friday 12/1-Incoming and outgoing traffic prohibited

The CVS Lot will close at 11PM on Friday 12/1– Incoming and outgoing traffic prohibited

NO EV CHARGING AT VILLAGE HALL

The EV Chargers at the Village Hall will not be accessible from Friday, December 1 from 6pm to Sunday, December 3 at 6am, The EV chargers at the Municipal Lot will not be accessible from Friday, December 1 at 9pm to Saturday, December 2 at 9pm.

Keep in mind that the Wonderland of Lights event will also begin at 5:30pm at the Duchess County Fairgrounds. Expect heavy traffic surrounding the fairgrounds.

OKAY, WHERE CAN I PARK?

Parking Lots (within a few blocks walk of the main festivities):

Rhinebeck High School, 45 North Park Road
Chancellor Livingston Elementary, 48 Knollwood Road
Northern Dutchess Hospital – lots E & F (Montgomery Street entrance)
Rhinebeck Highway Department, 282 Route 308
Behind Starr Library, 68 West Market Street
Handicapped parking is available for free at the Rhinebeck Town Hall parking lot and at the lot at 47 West Market Street

All Vehicles in No Parking Zones will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Win a parking spot!

Organizers are raffling off a parking spot for Saturday’s festival. Park all day and evening, come and go as you please, if you win the raffle. $5 per chance, $20 for five chances. Enter, here: https://sinterklaashudsonvalley.com/sinterklaas-parking-raffle/