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22 Best Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley December 2023 with Kids

Untermyer Garden's Grand Holiday Illumination runs nightly from Friday, December 8, 2023-Monday, January 1, 2024. Photo courtesy of Untermyer Gardens
Untermyer Garden's Grand Holiday Illumination runs nightly from Friday, December 8, 2023-Monday, January 1, 2024. Photo courtesy of Untermyer Gardens
12/1/23 - By Katherine Dhurandhar

Christmas lights and holiday activities are back this December, and that's just the beginning of all there is to see and do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this month.

Westchester and the Hudson Valley are going all out for the holidays with the return of festive annual traditions like Santa's sensational helicopter arrival at Museum Village in Monroe. Meanwhile, all are invited to celebrate Hanukkah at the Fire on Ice Menorah Lighting and Gelt Drop on the Dobbs Ferry waterfront. 

Be sure to bookmark our Holiday Activity Guide, which features tons of articles on things like our favorite Christmas and holiday events.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.  

Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

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See Santa and Mrs. Claus at Monroe's Christmas in the Village. Photo courtesy of the event
See Santa and Mrs. Claus at Monroe's Christmas in the Village. Photo courtesy of the event

Top Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with Kids in December 2023

Snowflake Festival

Kingston–FREE
Friday, December 1, 2023
Enjoy carolers, s'mores, horse-drawn carriage rides, a fire torch juggler, magic, ice sculpture carvings, and more at Kingston's Snowflake Festival. Don't miss the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on an antique fire truck to light the holiday tree. Open stores offer treats and hot beverages.  READ MORE

Snowflake Ball

Pleasantville
Friday, December 1, 2023
Hear ye, hear ye! All loyal subjects of the magic kingdom are cordially invited to attend the Snowflake Ball. Put on your princess or prince outfit for this whimsical event with dancing, crafting, and pizza! READ MORE

The Laurie Berkner Band Holiday Celebration

Tarrytown
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Enjoy both original and classic holiday songs as performed by beloved children's artist Laurie Berkner and friends.  READ MORE

Sinterklaas Festival Day

Rhinebeck–FREE
Saturday, December 2, 2023
This multivenue tradition celebrating Dutch holiday heritage bursts with delights. Sinterklaas is a day-long, colorful celebration that includes children’s workshops, dance, theater, and music all over the village of Rhinebeck. Don't miss the stunning Children's Starlight Parade, featuring 2-story animated puppets carried by hundreds of volunteers. READ MORE

Santa Helicopter Landing

Monroe–FREE
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Santa and Mrs. Claus make a dramatic helicopter entrance at the front gates of Museum Village. They travel by horse-drawn carriage to Rest Haven, where kids can meet Santa and enjoy holiday music by local musicians.  READ MORE

Peppermint Parade

Katonah–FREE
Saturday, December 2, 2023
See the arrival of Santa in the Peppermint Parade through downtown Katonah. Enjoy live holiday music in the gazebo.  READ MORE

Santa Needs Your Help

Pelham
Saturday, December 2, 2023
The Picture House Regional Film Center kicks off the holiday season with the return of Santa Needs Your Help, a family-friendly, interactive event with award-winning writer, producer, and author Kevin Maher and Santa. Children in the audience help Santa get ready for Christmas through a delightful combination of games, songs, and an exclusive glimpse into Santa’s video library. READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at Bear Mountain Inn

Tomkins Cove
Weekends from Saturday, December 2-Sunday, December 17, 2023
Restaurant 1915 hosts Santa—and you—for a special holiday meal at the Bear Mountain Inn. Start the day with a hearty breakfast, then take a hike to see real black bears! READ MORE

Grand Holiday Illumination at Untermyer Gardens

Yonkers–FREE
Friday, December 8, 2023-Monday, January 1, 2024
Visitors are invited to the holiday illumination of Untermyer Gardens, as 100,000 lights gloriously illuminate the Walled Garden, with music playing from Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Zoroastrian traditions.  READ MORE

Christmas in the Village

Monroe
Saturdays and Sundays, December 2-10, 2023
Explore Museum Village in its holiday finery and stop in to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Enjoy caroling and check off your shopping list while perusing local crafts. READ MORE

Skate with Santa

Larchmont
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Heighten the Christmas spirit by enjoying an afternoon on the rink ice skating with Santa Claus at the Hommocks Park Ice Rink.  READ MORE

Hanukkah Family Extravaganza in Dobbs Ferry

Dobbs Ferry–FREE
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Enjoy an epic Hanukkah family event at Dobbs Ferry's waterfront park. Witness the Guinness world record holder create a massive Ice Menorah! Enjoy a thrilling Drone light show and Gelt drop, a spectacular fire performance, arts and crafts, plus delicious latkes and donuts. READ MORE

The Nutcracker Performed by New York Theatre Ballet

Tarrytown
Sunday, December 10, 2023
This abbreviated production of The Nutcracker, an annual staple at the Tarrytown Music Hall, is best suited for young audiences with short attention spans. The production is presented by New York Theatre Ballet. Two productions are scheduled at 3pm and 6pm.  READ MORE

Menorah Lighting at Cross County Center

Yonkers–FREE
Monday, December 11, 2023
Join Cross County Shopping Center for a special Hanukkah Menorah Lighting with the Chabad of Yonkers. Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz will light the menorah in celebration of the festival of lights, and guests can enjoy live music, cultural dancing, and delicious treats. READ MORE

Snow Ball with the Snow Sisters

Hudson–FREE
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Appearing for this special event are the Snow Sisters, Elsa and Anna. First, the Snow Sisters lead a festive sing-a-long and teach a dance. Then, kids play some winter-themed games with prizes for all and do a holiday craft. All attendees can pose for pictures with the Snow Sisters in front of a magical winter background. READ MORE

Emelin Theatre Presents Nutcracker Dream

Mamaroneck
Select dates from Saturday, December 16-Friday, December 29, 2023
This 90-minute family-friendly adaptation is an exquisite interpretation of the beloved holiday classic "The Nutcracker." Professional dancers from Ballet des Amériques perform the featured roles of the ballet, with additional roles performed by young dancers from the Westchester area. READ MORE

Holiday Spirit Festival Winter Wonderland Walk

Wappingers Falls
Fridays-Sundays through Saturday, December 23, 2023
also on Thursday, December 21, 2023
This outdoor extravaganza features an enchanting assortment of holiday scenes to walk through. See the western-themed Christmas Canyon, the Legend of the Frost Fairies and Trolls, and more. Hop aboard the holiday train, join a misfit-toy scavenger hunt, and bring your wish list for Santa's magic mailbox! READ MORE

Holiday Lights in Bloom

Montgomery–FREE
Select dates through Saturday, December 30, 2023
This charming outdoor light display at the Orange County Arboretum features illuminated flora and fauna for a garden-themed holiday light show. The event is offered on weekends between Thanksgiving and the end of December; daily the week before Christmas. READ MORE

Watt Christmas Wonderland

Goshen
Daily through Saturday, December 30, 2023
Pile in the car for a visit to this holiday staple. This drive-thru exhibit features an assortment of inflatables, hundreds of lights, and other seasonal displays to enjoy. READ MORE

New Year’s Eve Balloon Drop Ball

Hyde Park
Sunday, December 31, 2023
An uncommon destination for a New Year's bash, this roller rink invites kids for a daytime celebration with a giant colorful balloon drop on the rink.   READ MORE

Legoland New York Holiday Bricktacular

Goshen
Select dates through Sunday, December 31, 2023
Legoland New York Resort’s Holiday Bricktacular's festive décor includes an 8-foot-tall Lego wreath, Christmas trees adorned with Lego ornaments, hundreds of sparkling lights, garlands, light tunnels, and Duplo wreaths. Activities include daily tree lightings, live carolers, and meet-and-greets with Lego Santa.  READ MORE

The Great Holiday Train Show

Chappaqua
Select dates through Sunday, January 7, 2024
Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day
Discover the historic 19th-century summer residence of Horace Greeley, festively decorated for the holidays with running train displays in each of the period rooms. Visit the gift shop on-site to find the perfect item for your favorite trainiac. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Kingston Historic Stockade District
Bear Mountain Inn and Overlook Lodge
Kevin McCurdy's Holiday Spirit Festival
Orange County Arboretum, Thomas Bull Memorial Park (Grove St. entrance)