When Saratoga First Night was canceled in 2020, it was a blow to Saratoga’s morale but, given the pandemic, was to be expected. When it was canceled again in 2021, the future of the beloved annual New Year’s Eve arts event began to look bleak. Until Robert Millis stepped in.
A born-and-raised Saratogian, Millis spent most of his business life in the tech world in New York City, Boston and Silicon Valley, before returning to the Spa City in the early 2000s. “They always say that your last job before retirement should be a passion business,” he says. “My passion is music.” So, about 10 years ago, Millis founded 398 Group, a consulting business that advises music venues and festivals from coast to coast. “My niche became fixing broken festivals,” he says. And, though the public may not have known it, Saratoga First Night was broken.
Millis got together with Commissioner of Accounts Dillon Moran, Discover Saratoga, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and the Saratoga City Center to propose a new plan: Drop the name First Night and reinvent Saratoga’s annual celebration as New Year’s Fest. “A lot of people don’t realize First Night is a franchise and you have to actually rent it each year,” Millis says. “There are also rules and regulations you’ve got to follow. And what we were trying to do didn’t comply with those regulations.”
For one, the team wanted to turn the festival into a two-day celebration (the annual 5K will now run on New Year’s Day). Millis also wanted to shift the music programming from local cover bands to original, national acts (Toronto-based alt-country band Cowboy Junkies will headline this year’s festival). Finally—and this is a big one—they wanted to serve alcohol (it is New Year’s Eve, after all!) at the music venues, something that wasn’t possible under the First Night franchise. Now, downtown bars including Putnam Place and Ice House will be able to host New Year’s Fest performances, making the festival more walkable than ever before.
But while there will definitely be some changes come December 31, one tradition will remain the same. “We had sponsors tell us, ‘We’ll come on board, but only if the fireworks are back in the mix,’” Millis says. “It surprised me just how important fireworks are in this community.”
For a full lineup of New Year’s Fest acts, a programming schedule, and to purchase tickets, visit eventcreate.com/e/saratoga-new-year-fest.
There are always a few people we end up scrambling to find a holiday gift for. Bring the nostalgic, invigorating smell of pine to your friends or family with a wreath for their door or to use as a centerpiece. I’ll be taking a limited number of orders this holiday season (email 
When it comes to design, especially for the home, there is nothing more important than making the space your own. Whether it’s surrounding a textile, old print or family photo, a custom frame is sure to be a successful gift. Kettlewell and Edwards is located right on
Few gifts can be more beautiful, touching and appropriate across a wide audience than books. Surrounding a home with books provides warmth and places value on edification. Anything you choose from Taschen Books is a win. Expanding Universe is a moving, artistic look into space that’s certainly a pleasing addition to any coffee table or book shelf.
A little birdie told me that there are a few pairs of these candlesticks still available at Waverly Square Antiques in Ballston Spa. Candles and candlesticks instantly add holiday charm to any home and, who knows—maybe you’ll find a special gift for yourself while exploring Waverly Square’s maze of antique treasures!
This would not be a Saratoga gift guide without something equestrian included! I love to give gifts that meld home with food and wine, like this gorgeous, hand-painted, cast iron horse bottle opener. Pair it with a bottle of Old Tavern Farm’s Cabernet Sauvignon for the perfect hostess gift for any party.
I started commissioning custom pet paintings for the people in my life with animals, and they have never failed to bring a big smile. All it takes is one picture of a pet, and Feathered Antler’s Gretchen Tisch will create an incredible painting that will live forever in your loved one’s gallery.
Dinner and a show is a classic gift that often gets overlooked, but it’s hands down one of the best gifts you can give. Not only is it a great gift in the moment, but it also gives you and the recipient something to look forward to for the weeks or months leading up to the event. Some of my most memorable shows have been at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, the Palace Theatre, The Egg and Proctors Theatre, all of which have tons of great restaurants nearby.
I was sold on Buffalo-based Oxford Pennant after a visit to their HQ last winter. They produce everything in house and offer a wide range of inspirational, quirky and decorative pennants to hang in your home, office or at an event. I have a large “You’ll Think of Something” pennant that hangs in my living room…it was helpful to channel that message while making this list.
There’s something special about pictures taken on a disposable camera: Maybe it’s the film effect, maybe it’s the nostalgia, or maybe it’s that you forget what’s on the film by the time you remember to develop it. For a unique gift, pick up a disposable camera and capture a special event or trip with a friend of family member. Afterward, get the film developed at McGreevey in downtown Albany and gift the photos (yes, real photographs!) to your loved one.
You really can’t go wrong picking up a Stewart’s gift card for anybody that lives in the great upstate. If someone doesn’t appreciate a Stewart’s gift card, you probably don’t want them in your life.
Kill the stocking stuffer game this Christmas with an exfoliating lip scrub by Poppy & Pout. The product is 100 percent natural and comes in many varieties, such as pomegranate peach, island coconut, marshmallow creme and pink grapefruit. Now to decide which one to buy…
When shopping at Saratoga Tea & Honey, it’s hard not to go home with both tea and honey! Not sure what to get? Go with a tea sampler (there are three varieties—Fruit & Floral, Herbal and World of Tea) paired with 100 percent raw local honey, which was made within 30 miles of Amsterdam right here in the Capital Region.
The silver lining to having bad eyesight? You have one more way to accessorize! Pick up a pair of Caddis reading glasses for your farsighted friend or family member; they come
This sweater is one of Pink Paddock’s most popular items year round, but it’s an especially great purchase heading into the holiday season. The lady in your life will love repping Saratoga Springs in style and comfort all winter long.
Whether you’re buying for a seasoned runner or someone just getting into the sport (like me!) you can’t go wrong with a new pair of Hokas. The Clifton 8 is best for everyday running and walking, and comes in all sorts of eye-catching colors.
Lucky’s Adventure in Saratoga is the first of a three-book series featuring Lucky the dog by local author Elizabeth Macy. Lucky’s adventures take her to some awesome spots around town, including the old Lake Local, a special spot near and dear to my family’s hearts. We absolutely love reading this book to our son.
Nothing screams entertainment in the wintertime like the Children’s Museum at Saratoga. This interactive museum offers yearly membership passes for families, so the kids can enjoy the fun as often as they’d like.
The Loog Mini Guitar is a real guitar for children ages 3 and up. For all the future musicians out there, this is the perfect gift. To say our toddler is obsessed is an absolute understatement: He loves to put on performances for us! Bonus points for this toy being aesthetically pleasing for all the moms who want their kids’ toys to match the rest of the house.
Babiators are an adorable accessory for children that not only dresses up their look but protects their eyes, too. These stylish sunglasses for children ages 0-2, 3-5, and 6+ offer 100 percent UVB & UVA protection, while simultaneously being super cute. And if your kid is anything like mine, he or she will absolutely love wearing them.
I stumbled upon this adorable children’s store in Ballston Spa on a whim, and wanted to purchase something to support a local business. I never dreamed that the few dollars I spent on colorful stacking cups would give me hours of my time back! My baby was mesmerized by these simple stacking cups, and would play with them nonstop for huge stretches of time. An absolute win.
Why not give your favorite foodie the gift that keeps on giving? With a cheese subscription from The Cheese Lover Shop, the charcuterie connoisseur in your life will have endless opportunities to sample cheeses, charcuterie and expertly paired accouterments monthly. What could be better than that?
This cookbook by Tieghan Gerard has it all—delicious comfort foods, creative cocktails and gorgeous photography. Her unique take on classic dishes is sure to inspire any foodie.
Buying a gift for a foodie who loves to entertain? This stoneware serving tray, designed by Jasmine Crowe and available at Beekman 1802 in Sharon Springs, will be the perfect addition to his or her home entertaining collection. Each of these sleek trays has a unique design and is an absolutely stunning piece.
Chilly winter temperatures definitely call for a gift to warm the body and soul, and this box does just that! Filled with local honey, Spa City Earl Tea, Saratoga Chocolate’s Genmai Cha dark chocolate bar, honey candy, a honey dipper and a tea infuser, the Saratoga Basket is winter-gift perfection.
This experience gift is the perfect way to give the foodie in your life a memorable experience and an opportunity to learn about complementary wine and food pairings. The Saratoga Sommelier’s tasting is totally customizable and can be as fancy or as laid back as you’d like.