Followers of the Jewish calendar know that our holidays seem to float from year to year. This winter, in an unusual and somewhat convenient twist of fate, the Jewish Festival of Lights runs December 24, 2016, to January 1, 2017, dovetailing with both Christmas and New Year's Day. No matter how you spell it—Chanukah, Chanuka, Hanukka, Hanukkah—this month spells fun with holiday celebrations throughout Westchester.

We’ve collected some of the most family-friendly activities occurring in Westchester and Putnam counties. For more fun outings this month, be sure to check out our Holiday Fun Guide and Event Calendar, and don't forget to follow us on Facebook. 

Diamonds are forever. They're a girl's best friend. But are they interesting to kids? The Natural History Museum makes the case that they are with its new traveling exhibit Diamonds: Rare Brilliance. We like a bit of glitz and glamor, so we decided to attend the exhibit opening and see just how kidalicious it is. Our conclusion? There's a good chance your kids will be captivated by this sparkly display of bling; read on to see if it sounds like an outing for your own little gems.

Check website for 2018 details.

The holidays are a great time for families to do a lot of things together. Sometimes, though, we need a break from the noisy busyness of visits with Santa and holiday parties. It's a relief to find a couple of quiet places to go like the Creche in Bethlehem, Conn. or the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven.

Located in the heart of downtown New Haven, the Knights of Columbus Museum has been attracting visitors since 1982.  The site serves as an archival location for information on the Catholic fraternal organization (KofC) but also as a site for amazing annual exhibits during the Christmas season.

Hoboken will celebrate the opening of a new, pop-up ice skating rink today at 3:30 p.m. The rink, known as Harlow Winter Village, is located under the 14th Street Viaduct, between Grand Street and Adams Street. Admission is free.

Ask the parents of any pre-schooler, and they'll tell you that bigger doesn't always mean better. Take, for example, the plethora of children's museums located throughout Southern California. Although there are obvious benefits to having so many world-renowned museums nearby, chasing a rambunctious toddler through a prehistoric dinosaur hall isn't many people's idea of a good time. Sometimes a museum you can't get lost in is just the ticket.

Christmas Eve often takes a backseat to December 25, but I personally prefer the laid-back day before. Christmas Eve is the perfect time to remember old traditions or to start new ones with your family. After you've done your pictures with Santa, had some free holiday fun, and attended a quirky NJ Christmas event, it's time to settle in and share some special moments with your family. We've put together a list of a dozen fun things to do with your kids, from tracking Santa to baking cookies and making holiday crafts. Merry Christmas!

If you're looking for daytime Christmas and Hanukkah weekend fun, check out our full weekend events roundup, and more family events can always be found in our Event Calendar.

Need to distract the kids Christmas Eve from the big day to come, or while you do a little last-minute wrapping? Luckily, there's plenty open come December 24 on Long Island that's family friendly.

To keep everyone busy and entertained, while they anxiously await Santa's arrival, we've rounded up a dozen family activities. Some are holiday-themed, while others are fun no matter what your affiliation.

Take your pick and enjoy this special time with your family. And for more seasonal fun, be sure to check out our Holiday Guide. Or if you're celebrating the first night of Hanukkah on December 24, check out these local Festival of Lights events and menorah lightings.

December Vacation Week is a wonderful chance to relax with family, but it's also a time when boredom can easily hit kids who are used to daily school and activity routines. To keep everyone happy, a good strategy is to pencil in a variety of events over the time off, making sure to include some free activities in the lineup. There are too many cool events to count this December, with everything from holiday shows to outdoor fun, so peruse our picks below to find some real gems to enjoy with the kids starting before Christmas Day through the New Year. Here's to a holly jolly vacation around town!