Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Kick off the weekend with Shake it Off's Grinchmas celebration, where kids can meet and take photos with the Grinch and enjoy a dance party, crafts, pizza, and a hot cocoa station. 

Other festive holiday fun this weekend includes Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow's Winter Stroll, Skate with Santa at Hommocks Park Ice Rink, and Westchester's own Jessica Lynn in A Very Merry Classic Christmas at the Paramount Hudson Valley benefiting Toys for Tots. 

Read on for lots more standout events happening this weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

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 absolutely sparkle during the holiday season, with light displays and fun celebrations for the whole family. We are kicking off the month with Frosty Day in Armonk, the birthplace of the song "Frosty the Snowman," featuring a parade, tree lighting, entertainers, and kids' activities.

Other festive celebrations this month include Tuckahoe's Winterfest, the Kingston Snowflake Festival, and plenty of opportunities to meet Santa, including at Brunch with Santa at the Bear Mountain Inn.  

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

Holiday craft fairs and Christmas markets in Westchester and the Hudson Valley are a fun way to shop for seasonal gifts, offering handmade and one-of-a-kind items not found in most stores. Booths are often staffed by the maker, allowing insight into the creative process, and many benefit a charitable cause.

We've rounded up some of the wonderful holiday fairs in the region that are well worth visiting this November and December. Enjoy festivities for the entire family at the White Plains Winter Village and Holiday Market, which also features outdoor fire pits, ice sculpting demonstrations, and visits from Santa and other holiday characters. Or indulge in apple strudel and other authentic German food and baked goods at Germania of Poughkeepsie's Christkindlmarkt, a German-style Christmas market featuring vendors, caroling, and holiday activities.

Looking for more ways to enjoy the holiday season? You can find plenty more holiday happenings in our Holiday Guide and constantly updated activities calendar.