A dancing Polar Bear returns to Rhinebeck for Sinterklaas

Dec 15

Written By HVNY

Sinterklaas, the beloved non-denominational holiday festival that usually lights up the quintessential Village of Rhinebeck with a day of dancing, storytelling, Grumpuses, a Dancing Polar Bear, capped off with the bustling Children’s Starlight Parade filled with towering puppets and an appearance from Nicholas Sinterklaas himself, was cancelled this year due to lack of arts funding and rising costs of Sinter Stars.

The 2024 Sinterklaas festival was also cancelled due to budget deficits and the loss of several key volunteers.

“We tried many different avenues all year long, but were not able to get the final amount of money to make it happen,” founder and event organizer Jeanne Flemming said at the time.

Not only has there been no Sinterklaas to illuminate the village, but there have been no other holiday tree lighting ceremonies planned in the village this year since the committee in charge of those events has disbanded, according to village officials.

“Hundreds of folks wrote to us expressing their sadness and telling us how much they missed Sinterklaas. We drove through town on Sinterklaas evening and it was quiet and dark…” Flemming said. “It was not just sadness but it was folks loudly begging us to shed some light on the season, to bring something to a darkened Rhinebeck for the holidays.”

And what’s the best bet to help re-ignite that Rhinebeck holiday spirit? A dancing polar bear, of course! “The kids loved him, so we called him first. He said YES…and then…and then…so did everyone! Within hours, the crew is assembled! Stage managers, musicians, singers, dancers, grumpy old men, choreographers, bell ringers…”

“For us it has always been the children…even as hope was lost for getting the funding, none of us could give it up-- as we remembered the expressions of wonder and delight on the children’s faces.”

Since rising costs to produce Sinter Stars were a factor in this year’s festival cancellation, organizers are asking attendees to bring Sinter Stars from previous year’s celebrations to help illuminate the dance party.

event info:
Dances with The Polar Bear featuring special appearances by the Grumpuses, The Pocket Lady, and more

Saturday, December 20, 2025 from 2 to 4pm

Foster’s Parking Lot, 6411 Montgomery Street, Rhinebeck
Please note this event is weather permitting. https://sinterklaashudsonvalley.com