November brings loads of things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley as the area gears up for holidays from Veterans Day to Thanksgiving—and then it's full steam ahead to the holiday season!

November kicks off the season of holiday celebrations with the opening of Christmas exhibitions and light shows, including Holiday Lane at Christmas in America, the Westchester Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru, and a Polar Express-themed train ride through the Catskills. This year's opening weekend of the Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru will be a walkthrough experience featuring a holiday market, Santa fun run, and an all-new mascot dash. 

Other kid favorites this season include the Holiday Train Show at Greenburgh Nature Center as well as the return of Legoland New York's Holiday Bricktacular, featuring festive holiday performances, meet-and-greets with Lego Santa and other characters, an ice skating rink, and more. 

The holiday season is a magical time in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, and it is fast approaching. From spectacular illuminated walk-throughs to train rides with Santa, there are tons of events in the area for families to make lasting memories. While it may seem early, tickets are already on sale for many of the big events, and they tend to sell out.

Read on for the scoop on the top local holiday events that are already selling tickets or will start very soon, and get out your calendars to start planning. Bookmark our Events Calendar for updates and grab your tickets early!

For more holiday fun, check out our Holiday and Christmas Activity Guide.

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley over the long Indigenous Peoples Day weekend? We've got tons of family-friendly events to add to your list.

Families can enjoy carnival rides throughout the holiday weekend at the annual Eastchester Columbus Day Carnival, which also features a parade, fireworks, and live music. Alternatively, enjoy fall farm festivities all weekend long, including hayrides, live music, kids' activities, and cider and donuts, at Muscoot Farms' Pumpkin Picking Weekend.

For some early Halloween fun, check out the Sleepy Hollow Paddleboarding Witches Festival, which also includes vendors, food trucks, and a live telling of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow with a visit from the headless horseman. In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, learn about some of the original inhabitants of the Westchester area at a Lenape Indigenous Peoples Day presentation at the historic St. Paul's Church.  

Westchester and the Hudson Valley are teeming with top-of-the-line haunted houses and scream parks, many boasting Hollywood-quality makeup and special effects. If you have teens keen on a thrilling screamfest this Halloween, look no further. 

Read on for our list of the top haunted houses and scream parks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Some of these are returning favorites that have been recognized as the top haunted houses in the country, such as Pure Terror Scream Park in Monroe. Others can even boast of being held in historic haunted locations, like the Dark Forest at Burn Brae Mansion in Glen Spey.  

Find more great Halloween activities in our Westchester and Hudson Valley Halloween Guide.