On Saturday, December 11, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) will host the Downtown Albany Hot Chocolate Stroll. Featuring eight participating locations, community members will sample gourmet varieties of the beverage and vote for which business will take home the trophy. For an additional cost, various locations will offer hot chocolate cocktails as well.

Purchase your tickets in advance for a special pre-event discount of $15. Pick up your passport and a map of participating locations at Tricentennial Park (Broadway & Columbia Street) between Noon and 2:00 PM. Online ticket sales will close at Noon on Friday, December 10. Day-of-event tickets will be available for $20 each. Only 300 tickets will be released for this event, so get your tickets early to make sure you get to enjoy all the fun! Purchase your tickets by December 4 and they can be entered into Shop & Savor Albany for a chance to win a $600 grand prize pack.

Participating locations include:

• Dawn's Victory Sports Cafe
• The Enchanted Florist & Gifts
• The Excelsior Pub
• Fairfield Inn & Suites
• Loch & Quay
• The Olde English Pub & Pantry
• The Palace Theatre
• The Yard: Hatchet House & Bar

While you stroll, take in some spectacular holiday shopping with a special Fort Orange General Store outdoor market at Broadway & Beaver Street, and stop by B. Lodge & Co. at 75 N Pearl Street to enjoy a holiday photo op, store coupons and wrapped candy canes to go with your hot chocolate.

FREE parking is available across the street from Tricentennial Park at the Riverfront Garage (2 Columbia Street), as well as in the Quackenbush Garage, Green-Hudson Garage, and on-street spaces. Visit parkalbany.com for more information.

Participating locations are subject to change. This event is rain or shine, and refunds will not be issued unless event is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances or dangerous weather. Please do not attend the event if you have tested positive or display any symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been in close contact with anyone that has tested positive in the past 14 days. Please wear a mask at all times If unvaccinated, when inside businesses, or whenever social distancing is not possible. COVID-19 is still a risk and attendees acknowledge that they are responsible for their own safety at the event. All attendees must complete and agree to a safety waiver during checkout.