Enjoy a drive-thru experience and visit Santa at A Frosty Fest in Ulster Park. Photo courtesy of A Frosty Fest
Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2024 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do
Celebrate with family and friends at Crabtree's Kittle House in Chappaqua. Photo courtesy of the restaurant
Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Journey through illuminated tunnels at Lumina - A Magical Lights Experience at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard. Photo by the author
Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Westchester
This December, Westchester Ballet Company returns to Lehman Center for the Performing Arts.
Westchester Ballet Company’s World-Class “The Nutcracker” Coming to Lehman Center
Outhouse Orchards Corn Maze. Photo by Matt Nighswander
GUIDE
Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids Fall Guide: Best Things to Do in 2024
Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in the Hudson Valley
All aboard a festively decorated Polar Express train ride for some holiday magic and memories. Photo by Gwendolyn Tundermann
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains near NYC
Strike a pose with the stunning decorations in Santa's Village at American Christmas in Mount Vernon. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley November 2024 with Kids
Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in the Hudson Valley
Castle Fun Center in Chester has a giant inflatable park, a rock wall, laser tag, and more. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar
15 Family Fun Centers in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Peekskill, NY, is a lovely riverfront community that acts an the unofficial gateway to the Hudson Valley.
25 Best Things To Do in Peekskill, NY, with Kids
Take in the splendor of the season with a fall getaway to Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz. Photo courtesy of Mononk Mountain House
22 Fall Weekend Getaways near NYC for Families
Grab a colorful treat at Harley's Sweet Shop in Woodstock. Photo courtesy of the shop
25 Best Things To Do in Woodstock, NY, with Kids
Kids can climb the walls at the Cliffs in Valhalla. Photo courtesy of the Cliffs
29 Things To Do on a Rainy Day Indoors in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Fun for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids
Romp through the woods in the beautiful Catskills. Photo by Deborah Dadlani
40 Best Things To Do in the Catskills with Kids
Touch the soft rabbits at the Greenburgh Nature Center's petting zoo in Scarsdale. Photo courtesy of the center
Best Animal Petting Zoos near Westchester and the Hudson Valley Where Kids Can Meet Animals
Explore what makes things fly with the Westchester Children's Museum's Wind Tunnel Design Challenge. Photo courtesy of the museum
Visiting the Westchester Children's Museum in Rye: New and Ongoing Exhibits
Friends young and old enjoy the attractions and Legoland New York, the first major theme park in the Northeast in 40 years.
  VIDEO
Legoland New York: A Guide to Visiting the Hudson Valley Theme Park with Kids
GUIDE
Classes Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids
The Play Place in Elmsford is one of Westchester's top indoor play spaces.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Westchester
Tig & Peach offers drop-in, no reservations required, open play 7 days a week.
7 Indoor Playgrounds in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for a Wild Romp
Aspiring artists love the 3-hour workshops at MADE Art Studio in Mamaroneck,
Free and Affordable Summer Camps in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Tour the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, an annual rite of fall. Courtesy Historic Hudson Valley
100 Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley Before Kids Grow Up
Summer camps are a great way to make new friends and develop new skills
GUIDE
Summer Camps Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
Kids love a birthday party filled with games and pizza at Chuck E. Cheese. Photo courtesy of Chuck E. Cheese
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in Westchester
Head to the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum from 5-8 pm on the third Saturday of the month to explore the museum for free, Photo by the author
Free Museums and Museum Days in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Kids can run, swing, slide, and even make music at Sally’s Dream Playground in Montgomery. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar
Top Playgrounds in Westchester and the Hudson Valley Worth Driving To
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
100 Things To Do in New York State with Kids Before They Grow Up
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
These kids' movies are classic hits!
75 Best Movies for Kids: Top Family Movie Night Ideas
Westchester kids will love a visit during FREE hours at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum. Photo by KD
GUIDE
Guide to Free Fun Things to Do with Westchester Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in Westchester & the Hudson Valley
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Boredom Busters for Kids

Holiday Events in Westchester for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Lumagica oozes with classic holiday cheer for little ones. Photo by the author
Lumagica oozes with classic holiday cheer for little ones. Photo by the author
12/10/21 - By Susan Miele

If you’ve recently moved on from “baby’s first Christmas” and are ready for more interactive holiday fun, look no further than our roundup of holiday attractions for toddlers and preschoolers in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. We’ve found loads of pint-size events to help fill your family scrapbook.

From Santa encounters to holiday crafting, stage performances to train shows, we’ve got two dozen memories in the making. Many holiday events are even FREE! Amidst all this action, be sure to find time to take pictures with Santa and pile into the car to cruise the neighborhood lights.

When you’ve had your fill of running around, refer to our stay-at-home resources, like 101 Christmas activities and cookie recipes to bake with your kids. Still more fun can be found through our Family Activity Calendar and by signing up for our newsletters. And don't forget to visit our holiday fun guide for Westchester families. 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

A Charlie Brown Christmas comes to the stage in Chappaqua. Photo courtesy of the theater
A Charlie Brown Christmas comes to the stage in Chappaqua. Photo courtesy of the theater

Holiday Events for Toddlers and Preschoolers in Westchester

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage

Chappaqua
Fridays-Sundays through December 19
Adapted from the classic holiday cartoon, the beloved Peanuts gang performs the sentimental tale of Charlie Brown's unusual choice of Christmas tree as it reflects the true meaning of Christmas. Following the performance, the audience is invited to join the cast in a group sing of holiday carols. READ MORE

Special Needs Santa Meet-and-Greet and Holiday Workshops

Yonkers–FREE
Saturday, December 11
Children with special needs are invited to celebrate Christmas with an afternoon of holiday magic. Pose for pictures with Santa, create holiday-themed crafts, and feast on tasty treats like hot cocoa, hot apple cider, and candy canes.  READ MORE

Holiday Crafting from Nature for Families

Larchmont
Saturday, December 11
Join Sheldrake for some cozy wintry fun! Create a birdhouse ornament, learn about our winter birds and animals, share a story, and (weather permitting) take a walk together on the trails. Then, take home a tasty treat. READ MORE

Santa Claus Is Coming To the Library

Mamaroneck–FREE
Saturday, December 11
Line up in your festive holiday best for a meet-and-greet with Santa and a photo-op to cherish. Don't forget your wish list! Pop into the book sale to pick up books for under the tree. READ MORE

Holiday Little Red Hen

Pound Ridge–FREE
Saturday, December 11
Matthew Leonard performs a holiday-themed puppetry version of The Little Red Hen. Holiday refreshments served following the performance.  READ MORE

Illuminations at American Christmas

Mount Vernon
Select dates through Thursday, December 23
Stay warm at this indoor holiday attraction as you take selfies with 15-foot-tall reindeer and walk through a maze of festive lights. Ticket sales in their entirety go to nonprofits to support Westchester communities. READ MORE

Lumina Magical Lights Experience at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard

North Salem
Multiple dates through December 30
Immerse yourself in the warmth and magic of an enchanting, illuminated forest as Harvest Moon's light trail returns. More than half a million brilliant lights create a cozy and inviting glow, filling the air with holiday cheer. READ MORE

Westchester's Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza

Holiday on the Hill Train Show at Lasdon Park & Arboretum

Somers
Select dates through Friday, December 31
Celebrate the season at this festively decorated train show at Lasdon Park. Stroll through the outdoor exhibits, then explore the elaborate train show featuring festive flower displays, waterfalls, characters from Frozen, and more. Afterward, meet with Santa! READ MORE

Holiday Bricktacular

Yonkers
Daily through January 2 (excluding December 24-25)
Legoland Discovery Center is transforming for the holiday season. Attractions continuing from past years include Winter Wonderland MINILAND, ​LEGO character encounters, and festive LEGO builds. New for 2021: arctic animal training, a holiday scavenger hunt, and a hot chocolate bar.   READ MORE

The Great Holiday Train Show

Ringing in the New Year! Stories and Crafts

Yorktown Heights–FREE
Thursday, December 16
Get ready for New Year's Eve with related stories and a craft project. Just for preschoolers! READ MORE

Skate with Frosty the Snowman

White Plains
Sunday, December 19
Make ice skating even more fun by twirling around the rink with your pal Frosty the Snowman. Thumpity-thump-thump! READ MORE

Kwanzaa Celebration in Tuckahoe

Tuckahoe–FREE
Sunday, December 26
This program has been canceled. A festive afternoon is planned to celebrate Kwanzaa in Tuckahoe. The agenda includes storytelling, arts and crafts, music, and vendors. Light refreshments are served. READ MORE

Gingerbread Storytime

Larchmont–FREE
Wednesday, December 29
In addition to stories and games about gingerbread, preschoolers can make gingerbread play dough to take home for keeps! READ MORE

Rye Noon Year's Eve Party

Rye–FREE
Friday, December 31
Celebrate the new year at the Rye Free Reading Room with 2025-themed crafts, snacks, and a countdown to 12 noon. This party is a great option for kids who want to celebrate but are not yet ready to stay up until midnight. READ MORE

Holiday Events for Toddlers and Preschoolers in the Hudson Valley

Holiday Lights in Bloom at Orange County Arboretum

Montgomery–FREE
Fridays-Sundays through December 26 (excluding December 24-25)
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. READ MORE

A Frosty Fest

KM's Holiday Spirit Festival

Wappingers Falls
Select dates through December 26
KM's Holiday Spirit Festival is a joyous outdoor journey, brimming with unique displays, interactive mini-shows, and delightful sights and sounds to celebrate the holiday season. READ MORE

Holiday Hoopla Parade and Winter Carnival

New Paltz
Saturday, December 11
This two-pronged holiday event includes a festive parade that steps off from New Paltz Middle School, featuring Santa, floats, horses, and more. The parade ends at Hasbrouck Park with a winter carnival with games and activities for children, a bounce house, Hula Hoopers for Humanity, karaoke, and Emcee DJ Jay Smooth. Food will be available for purchase, along with a warming station with FREE hot chocolate, coffee, assorted snacks, and arts & crafts for children at the nearby St. Joseph's Church Hall. READ MORE

Sensory Friendly Santa at the Poughkeepsie Galleria

Poughkeepsie–FREE
Sunday, December 12
Children with special needs can have a tailored visit with Santa in a supportive environment that tends to their sensitivities. Lighting is low, and music is turned off. Register early to avoid a sellout. READ MORE

Beary Merry Holiday at Bear Mountain State Park

Bear Mountain–FREE
Saturday, December 18
Kids can make holiday snacks for the zoo's bears and watch them enjoy their tasty gifts. Afterward, enjoy the carousel and ice rink in the park. READ MORE

The Wonderland of Lights in Rhinebeck

Rhinebeck
Select dates through Sunday, December 26
This spectacular drive-thru holiday light experience returns to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. The attraction features dozens of illuminated exhibits along a mile-long route.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Lasdon Park Arboretum and Veterans Memorial
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester
Orange County Arboretum, Thomas Bull Memorial Park (Grove St. entrance)
Kevin McCurdy's Holiday Spirit Festival