Friends of the Walkway will celebrate the people, organizations, and community connections that make the Hudson Valley special at Starry Starry Night 2026 on Friday, October 2 at 6 p.m. Hosted at Upper Landing Park in Poughkeepsie, the annual benefit marks the anniversary of Walkway Over the Hudson’s 2009 grand opening while raising support for the continued care, programming, and enhancement of one of the region’s most iconic public spaces.

This year, Friends of the Walkway honors Northwell Health for its commitment to community wellness and longstanding support of the role free-to-access open space plays in creating positive health outcomes. The organization will also recognize Stephan Hengst and Patrick Decker of Big Gay Hudson Valley for fostering inclusivity, connection, and belonging through their iconic annual Pride in the Sky event and countless others throughout the Hudson Valley. Together, the honorees reflect the spirit of Starry Starry Night and Friends of the Walkway’s belief in building healthier, more connected, and welcoming communities.

Honorary chairs Kip Bleakley O’Neill, Elizabeth Waldstein, and Sarah Johnstone Levine, along with event chairs Shirley Rinaldi and Anita Jones, invite guests to enjoy this open-air culinary celebration featuring chef-crafted dishes from Main Course Catering paired with regional wines, brews, and spirits. Live music, art, and surprise performances will create a festival-like atmosphere throughout Upper Landing Park.

As twilight falls, guests will have the opportunity to ascend the Walkway’s glass elevator for exclusive after-hours access to the bridge and sweeping views of the Hudson River before a fireworks display brings the evening to a memorable close. The cocktail-style event encourages guests to mingle, explore, and enjoy the waterfront setting throughout the night.

Starry Starry Night will also take an important step toward greater sustainability this year with the launch of a new Zero Waste Initiative, presented in partnership with Royal Carting/Casella. Working with Greenway Environmental Services, the initiative will increase recycling and divert food waste from landfills through composting.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for Starry Starry Night 2026 are available now at walkway.org/starrystarrynight.

Join Friends of the Walkway on October 2 for an unforgettable evening celebrating community champions, the beauty of the Hudson River, and the people and partnerships helping ensure the Walkway continues to bring people together for generations to come.