Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: Renaissance Faire, Hip-Hop Shakespeare, Pow-Wow and More, August 2-3

7/31/14 - By Susan Miele

You'll feel like you've traveled the globe (and back in time) after attending the events on tap this weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley! For starters, the beloved New York Renaissance Faire returns this weekend and if that's not enough Renaissance fun for you, indulge further at Hip-Hop Shakespeare. Also on the global itinerary are the Native American Heritage Celebration of the Hudson Valley and the Indian Heritage FestivalAnother throwback this weekend is a showing of the Marx Brothers’ Duck Soup

For an entirely different excursion, the Lighted Boat Parade lights up the night in New Rochelle this weekend and Rye Playland is celebrating International Friendship Day with discounted admission, fireworks and more.

Read on for more details on our top weekend picks--many of which are FREE. Be sure to click through to the event listing for full details. Making plans weeks in advance? Check out our August Go List for our best bets for fun outings happening throughout the month. And remember to check out the myriad of weekday and weekend events we've captured in our event calendar--you'll find there's no shortage of fun things to do this summer in Westchester! 

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ALL WEEKEND

New York Renaissance Faire - Tuxedo Park
Travel back in time to Elizabethan England and enjoy 30 acres of games, rides, arts, crafts, food music and dance. Check out jousting tournaments, meet Robin Hood and marvel at the jugglers, musicians, pirates, parades and more. How about watching a game of human chess? Send your kids to pirate school? All this and lots more! Do your best to dress in period attire--or be prepared to purchase some onsite. Single day tickets: $24 for adults, $11 for children; under 4 FREE. Early Bird tickets online at a discount.

Native American Heritage Celebration of the Hudson Valley - Stony Point
Immerse your family in Native American culture at this celebration that features teepees, music, dance, food and more! $14 for adults; $8 seniors; $8 children ages 6-12; free for children younger than 6; parking $6

SATURDAY

Hip-Hop Shakespeare - Yonkers
Let your kids see that Shakespeare is far from dull and boring with this comedic Shakespearean rap. FREE

Lighted Boat Parade - New Rochelle
The annual parade of lighted boats returns to New Rochelle for a dazzling display in the dark. FREE

Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival - Yonkers
Calling all artists! Participate or simply watch professional and amateur artists create works of art throughout Cross County Shopping Center. This year's theme is the 1950s, in celebration of Cross County's 60th anniversary. Kids can head to Kid's Zone on The Green in the center of the shopping plaza from 1-3pm for games, face painting and chalk art activities. $25 to participate (proceeds go to support the Food Bank for Westchester); FREE for spectators

SUNDAY

International Friendship Day at Rye Playland - Rye
Enjoy discounted admission, giveaways and fireworks at this day designed to celebrate International Friendship Day. $15

Duck Soup - Yonkers
Introduce your kids to classic films at this showing of the Marx Brothers film Duck Soup--which is still as funny today as it was when it was released in 1933. The antics of Groucho, Harpo and Chico are still a hoot! The Alamo Drafthouse combines cinema and dining, so plan to grab a meal. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. FREE

Indian Heritage Festival - Valhalla
Enjoy music, food and more at this outdoor celebration of Indian culture. FREE

Art & Science Workshops - Yonkers
Combine science and crafting at the Science Barge--this week’s workshop is titled, “Grow & Go Take-Home Garden & Crabby Creatures Art.” $5 suggested donation

Puppet Shows in the Amphitheater - Yonkers
The finale of this summer series is “Hiawatha,” presented by Catskill Puppets. FREE

BEYOND WESTCHESTER

For the first of three consecutive Saturdays, Summer Streets offers a long lineup of fun activities over the course of almost 7 miles along the city's streets! Activities include art installations; live performances; mini-golf; bike repairs, lessons and helmet fittings; food vendors and picnicking; an REI Adventure Zone; interactive demos and lots more. Plus—it's all FREE!

Kids will love the name of the event called, “The Kids Rule Weekend 2014,” taking place just over the border on the campus of Lehman College. As the name implies, everything on the agenda is geared toward kid fun, including games, magic shows, children’s theatre, water-slides and pony rides—and it’s FREE!

Don't forget--there are more ideas for fun family outings in our Events Calendar.