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The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck - 11:00 AM Pick
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Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: Children's Book Festival, Arts Fest, Free Museum Day and More, Sept. 27-28
This weekend, skip the NYC museums and theaters in favor of all the great opportunities there are to enjoy the arts in Westchester and the Hudson Valley--many of which are FREE. Choose from the New Rochelle Arts Fest, the Rhinebeck Arts Festival and Smithsonian Museum Day Live!. A bilingual production of The Brave Calf also takes place on Saturday, as part of Hispanic Day Celebration.
Looking for more festivals? The Chappaqua Children's Book Festival returns with a huge selection of titles, a host of author and illustrator appearances and a surprising assortment of fun activities for families. There’s also the Fall Harvest Festival, which includes a Bungee Trampoline, and Bear Mountain Oktoberfest continues, with a different live band each day. For festivals beyond this coming weekend, check out our roundup of fall fests so you can plan ahead!
Enjoy the remaining warm days with some nature-focused events--bring a camera to Nature Photoscavenger Hunt or bring your fairy-lover to the Legends & Lore of the Little People, which should get an A for utter cuteness. If you’re up for apple picking, we’ve compiled a list of area orchards to visit.
Read on for more info and click through for additional details. Be sure to browse our Event Calendar for more events happening this weekend and beyond.
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ALL WEEKEND
New Rochelle Arts Fest - New Rochelle, Pelham
Across two towns, you’ll find workshops, film, performances, open artist studio tours, kids' activities, exhibits and more—and you can bop among them via the FREE “Culture Trolley”! FREE
Rhinebeck Arts Festival - Rhinebeck
Enjoy both crafts and visual art at this festival that offers not only exhibits and performances but also hands-on projects, live artist demos, kid stuff like stilt walking and more. $10 for adults, $4 for ages 6-16.
Bear Mountain Oktoberfest - Bear Mountain
The annual fall festival of German music, food, beer and vendors galore also offers an easy hike around Hessian Lake. This weekend’s musical lineup: Spitze (Saturday) and John Konig Band (Sunday). FREE admission; $8 parking fee.
SATURDAY
Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival - Chappaqua
More than 75 popular authors are expected to participate. Most will be signing their books and reading excerpts. Bring your whole family for tons of fun, food, kid-friendly activities, entertainment, llamas and, of course, books! FREE
The Brave Calf - Yonkers
Take in a bilingual theatrical fable in honor of the Hispanic Heritage Celebration—plus refreshments and free books! FREE
Smithsonian Museum Day Live! - Katonah, Cornwall, Yonkers, Peekskill
Take advantage of FREE admission for two at participating museums in honor of the annual Smithsonian Museum Day Live! event.
Fall Harvest Festival - Brewster
At the 8th annual Fall Harvest Festival at Green Chimneys, kids can enjoy pumpkin decorating, animal shows, pony rides, hay mazes, Bungee Trampoline and Make-Your-Own Scarecrow and a Fun Run with prizes. $5 for adults, $10 for ages 1-16. Children's Fun Run is $15 and includes admission.
Nature Photoscavenger Hunt - Cornwall
Prove you found the items on your search list by capturing them on camera in this combination of scavenger hunt and nature photography. You might even win a prize! $7 for adults, $5 for children.
SUNDAY
Legends & Lore of the Little People - Cross River
Frolic with fairies, search for the items taken by the elves, cross a troll bridge and more on this mile-long walk in the woods, accompanied by a master storyteller weaving enchanting tales. FREE
BEYOND WESTCHESTER
The Whitney Museum of Art is opening their doors a little early specifically for families for Jeff Koons Family Day. Even kids who don’t “get” fine art could appreciate an exhibit of a giant sculpture of a balloon dog, a larger-than-life sculpture of Play-Doh and the like. To help the exhibition resonate even more, the event features art projects, interactive stations and other fun.
The Haunted Pumpkin Garden has returned to the New York Botanical Garden to scare up some pre-Halloween fun. Running through October 31, the event features pumpkins, creatures, a play-inside Pumpkin House, Halloween activities and more, with the fun stepped up a notch on weekends.
Remember to check our Event Calendar for even more happening this weekend and beyond in Westchester.
Photo credit: Lauren Sabol
