Though September signals the closing of beaches and pools and the end of summer, there are so many scheduled events this month in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, it's hard to feel down about it! With fall festivals, film festivals, and non-festivals, the events this month are plentiful.

Though Halloween might seem a ways off, trust us: You don’t want to delay snagging your tickets to The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, which go on sale to the general public September 3 (a moment’s delay, and you’ll wind up with a date closer to Thanksgiving). And the New York Renaissance Faire, which runs through early October, is worthy of a reminder after being featured in our August GoList, as is CORNucopia, which bridges August and September.

Beyond these, there are many reasons to keep tabs on our Event Calendar this month, where you’ll find activities that celebrate Labor Day, the return to school, Grandparents Day, and the start of autumn, among other occasions. Stay in the know with our newsletters and check back frequently for updates.

The start of August sets me in a panic every year: Have I made summer fun enough? How will we squeeze in all the great outings I had hoped to take my kids on? Below are some ideas to help you check more items off your summer bucket list before school starts again.

Be sure to check out our Summer Activity Guide for more ideas, along with our August GoList for our top picks for the month. As always, our Event Calendar is full of many more ideas, and you can sign up for our newsletters to keep on top of our top picks and new finds.

A mainstay of Westchester summers is Rye Playland, whose rides, boardwalk, and other attractions have been drawing people from in and around the county for 91 years. Features have evolved over the decades, and this year brings new entertainment, new discount opportunities, a “floating” art installation, and the first new ride in a decade. Read on for the scoop!