Put on your best costume and enjoy trick-or-treating in Westchester. Photo by the author
Best Neighborhoods to Trick or Treat on Halloween in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Enjoy an evening at Blue Arrow Farm with trunk-or-treating for kids and live music and entertainment for parents. Photo courtesy of the farm
Best Trunk or Treats in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for Kids
Marvel at thousands of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns at Bethel's Peace, Love and Pumpkins. Photo courtesy of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Best Halloween Events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for Kids and Families
Score treats from participating stores at Ridge Hill Mall's trick-or-treating event. Photo courtesy of Ridge Hill
32 Not-So-Scary Halloween Events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for Toddlers
Find spooky Halloween fun around the Hudson Valley with our guide
GUIDE
Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids
Head to Ulster Park to catch the spooky Headless Horseman Haunted Houses. Photo courtesy of event
Scary Haunted Houses in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Enjoy bouncy houses, a petting zoo, and plenty of kid-friendly activities at the Town of Walden's annual Harvest Festival. Photo courtesy of the event
Best Harvest Fairs and Pumpkin Festivals in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for Fall 2024
Pierson's Farm in Middletown offers a pumpkin patch and plenty more fall fun.
Best Pumpkin Patches in the Hudson Valley for Families
Pick from a number of apple varieties at Hudson Valley orchards. Photo by Leslie Seaton via Flickr
Apple Picking in the Hudson Valley: Best Apple Farms and Apple Festivals
Enjoy live music and traditional German food and beer at Oktoberfest celebrations throughout the Hudson Valley. Photo via Canva
Family-Friendly Fun for Oktoberfest in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
The Great Jack-o'-Lantern Blaze returns to Van Cortlandt Manor for its 20th anniversary season.
Get Your Tickets Now for The Great Jack-o'-Lantern Blaze Hudson Valley
Take in the splendor of the season with a fall getaway to Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz. Photo courtesy of Mononk Mountain House
22 Fall Weekend Getaways near NYC for Families
Outhouse Orchards Corn Maze. Photo by Matt Nighswander
GUIDE
Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids Fall Guide: Best Things to Do in 2024
Take in the Legend of Sleepy Hollow on a spooky fall day trip in the Hudson Valley. Photo by Darren McGee/NYS Dept. of Economic Development
Haunt the Hudson: Spooky Day Trips near NYC for Ghostly Adventures and Paranormal Thrills
Castle Fun Center in Chester has a giant inflatable park, a rock wall, laser tag, and more. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar
15 Family Fun Centers in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Grab a colorful treat at Harley's Sweet Shop in Woodstock. Photo courtesy of the shop
25 Best Things To Do in Woodstock, NY, with Kids
Kids can climb the walls at the Cliffs in Valhalla. Photo courtesy of the Cliffs
29 Things To Do on a Rainy Day Indoors in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Fun for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids
Romp through the woods in the beautiful Catskills. Photo by Deborah Dadlani
40 Best Things To Do in the Catskills with Kids
Touch the soft rabbits at the Greenburgh Nature Center's petting zoo in Scarsdale. Photo courtesy of the center
Best Animal Petting Zoos near Westchester and the Hudson Valley Where Kids Can Meet Animals
Explore what makes things fly with the Westchester Children's Museum's Wind Tunnel Design Challenge. Photo courtesy of the museum
Visiting the Westchester Children's Museum in Rye: New and Ongoing Exhibits
Friends young and old enjoy the attractions and Legoland New York, the first major theme park in the Northeast in 40 years.
  VIDEO
Legoland New York: A Guide to Visiting the Hudson Valley Theme Park with Kids
GUIDE
Classes Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids
The Play Place in Elmsford is one of Westchester's top indoor play spaces.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Westchester
Tig & Peach offers drop-in, no reservations required, open play 7 days a week.
7 Indoor Playgrounds in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for a Wild Romp
Aspiring artists love the 3-hour workshops at MADE Art Studio in Mamaroneck,
Free and Affordable Summer Camps in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Tour the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, an annual rite of fall. Courtesy Historic Hudson Valley
100 Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley Before Kids Grow Up
Summer camps are a great way to make new friends and develop new skills
GUIDE
Summer Camps Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
Kids love a birthday party filled with games and pizza at Chuck E. Cheese. Photo courtesy of Chuck E. Cheese
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in Westchester
Head to the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum from 5-8 pm on the third Saturday of the month to explore the museum for free, Photo by the author
Free Museums and Museum Days in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Kids can run, swing, slide, and even make music at Sally’s Dream Playground in Montgomery. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar
Top Playgrounds in Westchester and the Hudson Valley Worth Driving To
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
100 Things To Do in New York State with Kids Before They Grow Up
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
These kids' movies are classic hits!
75 Best Movies for Kids: Top Family Movie Night Ideas
Westchester kids will love a visit during FREE hours at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum. Photo by KD
GUIDE
Guide to Free Fun Things to Do with Westchester Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in Westchester & the Hudson Valley
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Boredom Busters for Kids

Weekend Fun: County Fairs, Insane Inflatable, Lighted Boat Parade

Catch the final weekend of the Orange County Fair in Middletown. Photo courtesy of the fair
Catch the final weekend of the Orange County Fair in Middletown. Photo courtesy of the fair
7/24/19 - By Susan Miele

A bounty of festivals and other summer fun continues this weekend for Westchester and Hudson Valley families.

Held in a rural setting, the second annual Hudson Valley Brassroots Festival offers two days of brass-band music, plus food, farm tours, and a kids’ processional.

The Putnam County Fair has all the trappings of carnival amusement, live animals, and other fun stuff. If your family likes action, you won’t want to miss the Insane Inflatable 5K—not your toddler’s bouncy house, for sure, though there are kid-directed options.

Other top picks: For daytime fun, the Stony Kill Butterfly Festival; for evening fun, watch the nautical procession along the harbor at the festive Lighted Boat Parade.

Read on for more details and more great options—then consult our Event Calendar for our daily selection of activities. Also check out our Summer Fun Guide, with ideas for every aspect of the season!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Meet some friendly animals at the Putnam County Fair in Carmel. Photo courtesy of the fair
Meet some friendly animals at the Putnam County Fair in Carmel. Photo courtesy of the fair

Things To Do All Weekend

Putnam Country Fest and 4H Showcase

Carmel
This free outdoor festival features 4H horse and dog shows and demonstrations as well as live music, inflatables and games, activities and a magician, a car show, food trucks, and much more. READ MORE

Euphonia: Brassroots Festival at Opus 40

Kingston
Enjoy brass bands all day with food and drink vendors in an amazing location. The festival also features hands-on crafts and music-focused kids programming by Jason Vance and Laura Ward in the Kids Activity Tent from 3 to 6pm (think drum circles, musical Simon Says,  and interactive instrument crafting). READ MORE

Orange County Fair

Middletown
The annual Orange County Fair returns, featuring new carnival rides, a performance by the Anastasini Circus, monster truck shows, a petting zoo, fireworks, and more. READ MORE
Boats will light up New Rochelle Harbor on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the Lighted Boat Parade
Boats will light up New Rochelle Harbor on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the Lighted Boat Parade

Things To Do on Saturday, July 27

Lighted Boat Parade

New Rochelle – FREE
The annual Lighted Boat Parade returns to the New Rochelle coastline this Labor Day weekend. This event draws dozens of area boaters from skiffs to cruisers, decked out in their best illumination. The best viewing points are Hudson Park and Neptune Park.  READ MORE

Insane Inflatable 5K

Rhinebeck
This 5K features approximately three miles of a giant inflatable obstacle course that tours the country, stopping at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. Form a team and wear costumes or just go solo. Kids aged 4-9 get their own course, a discounted rate, and a midway. READ MORE

Stony Kill Butterfly Festival

Wappingers Falls
More than 2000 visitors are expected at this year's festival, which features butterfly tents, expert Q&A, face painting, henna art, hula hooping, vendors, storytelling, food, music, and crafts. READ MORE
Kids can draw with illustrators at Katonah Museum of Art's Family Day on Sunday. Photo by Margaret Fox
Kids can draw with illustrators at Katonah Museum of Art's Family Day on Sunday. Photo by Margaret Fox

Things To Do on Sunday, July 28

KMA Family Day: Symbols, Stories, and Self

Katonah
Join artist Damien Davis, whose work is featured in The Pollack Family Learning Center, for a collaborative kinetic sculpture project bursting with vibrant colors and magical moving parts. Creative activities will be happening all around the Katonah Museum of Art, including decorating rocket ships, astronaut buttons, a cozy story corner, and more.  READ MORE

Ice Cream Social

Garrison
The construction of Boscobel House and Gardens coincided with the introduction of ice cream to the White House menu. Enjoy this frozen treat--both contemporary flavors and those popular in the 1800s--along with live music, colonial lawn games, and self-guided tours. READ MORE
Big Bounce America comes to Brooklyn this weekend! Photo courtesy of Big Bounce America
Big Bounce America comes to Brooklyn this weekend! Photo courtesy of Big Bounce America

Things To Do Beyond Westchester

The World's Biggest Bounce House

Brooklyn
The Big Bounce America–the world's largest touring inflatable event–is returning to Brooklyn. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: