Katherine Dhurandhar

Katherine Dhurandhar is a Community Publisher for Mommy Poppins, representing the Westchester and Hudson Valley region of New York, and a freelance copyeditor for Westchester Publishing Company. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling with her husband and son.

Latest posts by Katherine

15 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Westchester for Kids 2025

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Sun, 11/09/2025 - 9:00am

Untermyer Gardens Conservancy's Grand Holiday Illumination has become a Yonkers tradition. Photo courtesy of the conservancy

This year's must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in Westchester include a wintry mix of spectacles, tree-lighting ceremonies, Santa sightings, and other fun. We’ve got the lowdown on top holiday attractions to keep your family’s spirits high.

Westchester's many festive holiday displays include Holiday Lane at American Christmas, a walk-through Christmas wonderland featuring more than 100,000 twinkling lights, friendly animatronic characters, and nine enchanting themed areas.

Families can also drive through 100-foot light tunnels and meet Santa and other characters at the Westchester Winter Wonderland's Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza.

Find even more ways to celebrate the season in our curated Christmas and Holiday Guide for Westchester Families. We're busy populating our Family Activity Calendar with loads of fun throughout the holidays, so keep close tabs to stay informed.

Veterans Day Weekend 2025 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 11/07/2025 - 9:58am

The Yorktown Veterans Day Parade offers plenty of pageantry and community spirit on Sunday, November 9. Photo courtesy of Troop 173 via Facebook

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

Families can get a head start on holiday festivities this Veterans Day weekend when the Holiday Experience at Christmas in America opens for the season, and it's now completely free! Santa visits during Saturday's opening festivities. For outdoor fun, families can head to the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum's Hawk Walk, where kids can even hold a hawk.

Veterans Day 2025 also means the return of many tributes in local towns, including the Yorktown Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, and a Veterans Day Commemoration at St. Paul's Church in Mount Vernon on Tuesday's holiday. Kids can also listen to stories from local veterans at the Westchester Children's Museum's special Veterans Day Celebration.

20 Best Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with Kids November 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 10/31/2025 - 10:17am

Ridge Hill's tree lighting ceremony will include live music and entertainment. Photo courtesy of Ridge Hill

November brings loads of things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley as the area gears up for holidays from Veterans Day to Thanksgiving—and then it's full steam ahead to the holiday season!

November kicks off the season of holiday celebrations with the opening of Christmas exhibitions and light shows, including Holiday Lane at Christmas in America, the Westchester Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru, and a Polar Express-themed train ride through the Catskills. This year's opening weekend of the Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru will be a walkthrough experience featuring a holiday market, Santa fun run, and an all-new mascot dash.

Other kid favorites this season include the Holiday Train Show at Greenburgh Nature Center as well as the return of Legoland New York's Holiday Bricktacular, featuring festive holiday performances, meet-and-greets with Lego Santa and other characters, an ice skating rink, and more.

Halloween Weekend 2025 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 10/31/2025 - 10:12am

New Paltz's Huguenot Street hosts trick-or-treating and a Halloween parade on Friday. Photo by Tobey Sanford courtesy of Historic Huguenot Street

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

This Halloween weekend includes trick-or-treating and other Halloween festivities on Friday, October 31, like Halloween at the Westchester Children's Museum, where kids can make their own Halloween masks, enjoy pop-up spooky storytimes, and parade around in their costumes throughout the day.

Other great weekend events include a Day of the Dead Celebration at New Rochelle Public Library, a post-Halloween Truck or Treat at Clover Stadium in Pomona, and Teatown Lake Reservation's Enchanted Forest.

Beyond our top picks below, we've profiled tons more things to do this holiday weekend in our Halloween Fun Guide for Westchester Kids.

Westchester and Hudson Valley Top 2025 Christmas Events to Book Before They Sell Out

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 10/24/2025 - 9:48am

Legoland New York bursts with holiday cheer during its "Holiday Bricktacular" event. Photo courtesy of Legoland New York

The holiday season is a magical time in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, and it is fast approaching. From spectacular illuminated walk-throughs to train rides with Santa, there are tons of events in the area for families to make lasting memories. While it may seem early, tickets are already on sale for many of the big events, and they tend to sell out.

Read on for the scoop on the top local holiday events that are already selling tickets or will start very soon, and get out your calendars to start planning. Bookmark our Events Calendar for updates and grab your tickets early!

For more holiday fun, check out our Holiday and Christmas Activity Guide.

33 Things To Do in Lake Placid with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 10/17/2025 - 9:31am

You don't have to be a skier to take in the views from the Cloudsplitter Gondola at Little Whiteface Mountain. Photo by author

Lake Placid, New York is the perfect destination for winter adventurers. Ski at Whiteface Mountain; ice skate at the Olympic rink; snowshoe, bobsled, or even lead a pack of dogs on a sledding adventure. It’s all there for families in this Adirondacks community five hours or so by car from New York City.

More than four decades after the infamous Miracle on Ice took place in this Olympic sports town, Lake Placid is as endearing as ever, offering its gorgeous backdrop to vacationers. Whether you're looking to live out your Olympic fantasy, hit the slopes, or enjoy a less action-packed getaway, our list of the best things to do on a winter vacation to Lake Placid has picks for all ages and interests. Find more nearby getaways on our Guide to Family Fun in the Adirondacks and Catskills.

Harvest Moon Orchard's New Halloween Walk-Thru, Mystic Moon, Delivers Spooky Thrills

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 10/10/2025 - 7:42am

Mystic Moon has beautifully lit trails and whimsical forest characters. Photo by the author

Known for its spectacular Holiday lights walk-through experience in the apple orchard, North Salem's Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard has introduced a new walk-through experience this Halloween season called Mystic Moon. Set in the forest area on the outskirts of the farm, amid majestic 80-year-old oak trees, Mystic Moon's synchronized music and lighting transform the forest into an enchanted wonderland featuring whimsical characters and numerous fun photo-ops.

I recently visited with my 10-year-old son, and Mystic Moon did not disappoint. Read on for our review and some tips to make the most of your experience.

For more spooky fun, check out our Halloween Guide for Westchester and Hudson Valley kids.

Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 10/10/2025 - 7:36am

Decorate a pumpkin at the Pine Island Pumpkinfest, a holiday weekend tradition. Photo courtesy of the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley over the long Indigenous Peoples Day weekend? We've got tons of family-friendly events to add to your list.

Families can enjoy carnival rides throughout the holiday weekend at the annual Eastchester Columbus Day Carnival, which also features a parade, fireworks, and live music. Alternatively, enjoy fall farm festivities all weekend long, including hayrides, live music, kids' activities, and cider and donuts, at Muscoot Farms' Pumpkin Picking Weekend.

For some early Halloween fun, check out the Sleepy Hollow Paddleboarding Witches Festival, which also includes vendors, food trucks, and a live telling of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow with a visit from the headless horseman. In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, learn about some of the original inhabitants of the Westchester area at a Lenape Indigenous Peoples Day presentation at the historic St. Paul's Church.

Katherine Dhurandhar

Latest posts by Katherine

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