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If you are staying in town during Christmas vacation, you may find yourself wondering what to do to get out of the house while school's out.
Fortunately, there are tons of fun events and activities in Westchester and the Hudson Valley to keep your family entertained well into the New Year, from holiday light shows to kid-friendly New Year's Eve countdowns.
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Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are our editors' picks for the best family-friendly events and activities!
Add a little Cirque to your holidays this weekend with the dazzling holiday-themed acrobatics performance Cirque Dreams Holidaze at West Point. Alternatively, celebrate the start of Hannukkah at Fire on Ice: A Hannukkah Spectacular in Irvington, featuring a giant ice menorah carving, a glow hoop show, and a balloon gelt drop!
Other fun holiday events this weekend include the Tarrytown & Sleepy Hollow Winter Stroll, Nutcracker Dream at Emelin Theatre, and Disney's Frozen Jr. at Iona Prep.
Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on
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.
Fun family festivities this month include the newly revamped Holidays on the Hill Train Show at Lasdon Park. We visited this spectacular display last year and got beautiful photos with Santa. This year, they have added even more trains as well as a scavenger hunt with elves and a pop-up holiday shop.
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 Royal Regency Hotel.
Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on
Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this Thanksgiving Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.
Families are invited to get a pre-turkey workout at one of the many turkey trots held on Thanksgiving Day throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley, including the Westchester Turkey Trot in Valhalla, which also includes a kids' dash and free donuts at the finish line.
Other awesome things to do this Thanksgiving weekend include the opening weekend of the Legoland New York Holiday Bricktacular as well as local favorites like Frosty Day in Armonk and Rye's Mistletoe Magic.
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Looking for FREE Christmas events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley? Read on for dozens of options.
From holiday lights and parades to visits with Santa, we've got the goods on free holiday events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Explore a 12,000-square-foot winter wonderland at the Holiday Experience at Christmas in America in Mt Vernon, or enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, flame throwers, ice sculpture carvings, a tree lighting by Santa, and more at Kingston's Snowflake Festival.
Read on for more free family-friendly holiday events, and bookmark our Holiday Guide for more ways to savor this holiday season. Explore the winter wonderland and visit with Santa on select dates.
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This year's must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in the Hudson Valley include a wintry mix of spectacles, tree lighting ceremonies, Santa sightings, and other fun.
Whether you’re looking for a drive-thru holiday lights display or a Christmas event outside in frosty air, we’re highlighting can't-miss holiday activities in the Hudson Valley below. Enjoy Lego-themed holiday festivities at Legoland New York's Holiday Bricktacular or dance and sing with the holiday characters at A Frosty Fest.
Find even more ways to celebrate the season in our curated Christmas and Holiday Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Families. We also populate our Family Activity Calendar with loads of fun throughout the holidays, so keep close tabs to stay informed.
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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 features a winter wonderland atmosphere with visits from Santa and live entertainment, including stilt walkers, carolers, and more. 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 our constantly updated activities calendar.
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Tchaikovsky’s timeless Nutcracker ballet is a beloved family holiday tradition, and multiple Westchester and Hudson Valley venues present stunning performances of this classic.
Performances of The Nutcracker this year include Dance For Joy's Nutcracker for Kids, a condensed, narrated version of the classic ballet geared toward the younger set, and The Nutcracker at Irvington Theater, with a twist that features a variety of dance styles and modern hits sprinkled throughout the classic.
Other holiday shows on our list include The Laurie Berkner Band Holiday Celebration at the Tarrytown Music Hall and Jessica Lynn: A Very Merry Classic Christmas at the Paramount Hudson Valley, which benefits Toys for Tots.
