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Free in May: 32 Free Things To Do with Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Katonah Museum of Art is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Pollack Family Learning Center with a free event. Photo courtesy of the center
Katonah Museum of Art is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Pollack Family Learning Center with a free event. Photo courtesy of the center
5/3/23 - By Susan Miele

May is always packed with festivals, performances, and other family fun, but this year is particularly loaded with amazing, FREE things to do. We've rounded up dozens of great events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley that don't cost a single dime. From Cinco de Mayo parties to comics fests to sheep shearing, there's something for every age and taste.

Check out loads more fun things to do in our Best of May post. And be sure to take a look at our Free Guide for Westchester and Hudson Valley Families for even more ideas.

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Celebrate Earth Day a couple weeks late at the Bedford 2030 Earth Day Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
Celebrate Earth Day a couple weeks late at the Bedford 2030 Earth Day Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival

Free Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: May 1-7, 2023

Fiesta Musical for Cinco de Mayo at the New Rochelle Public Library

New Rochelle
Friday, May 5, 2023
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the New Rochelle Public Library. This hour-long program for families brings together dazzling music by US and Mexican composers -- including Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Arturo Marquez, Juan Pablo Contreras, Carlos Chavez, and more. READ MORE

White Plains Comic Fest

White Plains
Saturday, May 6, 2023
This annual event organized by the White Plains Cares Coalition returns to a new location at the White Plains City Center, offering cosplay, video-game tournaments, face painting, superhero button-making, comic-strip design, panel discussions, digital-animation workshops, photo-ops, and a raffle. READ MORE

Children's Book Week Party at the New Rochelle Public Library

New Rochelle
Saturday, May 6, 2023
Celebrate Children’s Book Week at the New Rochelle Public Library with a slew of special guests and treats that will inspire a love of literacy and libraries. The afternoon includes award-winning author and illustrator James Yang, creator of such celebrated picture books as A Boy Named Isamu & Stop! Bot!, a meet-and-greet with Mo Willems’ superstar Pigeon, and cookie decorating. READ MORE

FerryCon Comics Convention at the Dobbs Ferry Library

Dobbs Ferry
Saturday, May 6, 2023
FerryCon is an all-day yearly “Comic-Con”-style event for all ages. Fun-filled events include classes, panels, and contests that revolve around comic books, graphic novels, superheroes, and more. Enjoy a fun day of geek and pop culture, with fun events for all ages, artist alley and local vendors. There will be a cosplay contest for all ages and pets! READ MORE

Monarch Magic: Bilingual Art & Science Project

Tarrytown
Saturday, May 6, 2023
Kids will learn about the monarch butterfly, its life cycle and migration patterns, and how to help save them while making a monarch craft.  READ MORE

Peekskill Cherry Blossom Festival at Riverfront Green Park

Peekskill
Saturday, May 6, 2023
Celebrate the annual cherry blossom season at Riverfront Green Park in Peekskill, with guided tours of the blossoming trees, food vendors, live music, children's activities, a plant sale, and more.  READ MORE

Star Wars Celebration: Revenge of the Sixth

Yonkers
Saturday, May 6, 2023
Join the Revenge of the Sixth Star Wars Celebration at the library. Make a light saber and get your face painted. Light refreshments will be served.  READ MORE

Library Lion Storytime & Storywalk Event

Yorktown
Saturday, May 6, 2023
Celebrate Children's Book Week as you listen to stories, take part in the library's new outdoor StoryWalk: Library Lion, and complete a Seek and Find in the Children's Room to win a free book! READ MORE

I Love My Park Day

Various locations
Saturday, May 6, 2023
The first weekend in May is the statewide "I Love My Park Day," when volunteers throughout New York step up to help clean and beautify state parks, beaches, and historic sites. Tasks could include gardening, removal of invasive vines or weeds, general cleanup, and more.  READ MORE

STEM Sparks - Gingerbread STEM

Rye
Every Saturday starting May 6, 2023
Drop by the Children's Room at the Rye Free Reading Room every Saturday for an introduction to STEM designed just for preschoolers. Sensory boxes are filled with open-ended activities and materials to boost fine- and gross-motor skills, and games to enhance problem-solving and decision-making skills through experimentation with different objects.  READ MORE

KMA Family Day: Symbols, Stories, and Self

Katonah
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Join artist Damien Davis, whose work is featured in The Pollack Family Learning Center, for a collaborative kinetic sculpture project bursting with vibrant colors and magical moving parts. Creative activities will be happening all around the Katonah Museum of Art, including decorating rocket ships, astronaut buttons, a cozy story corner, and more.  READ MORE

Bedford 2030 Earth Day Festival

Bedford
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Celebrate Earth Day at this spring festival that features children's activities, food, live music, composting tutorials, a native plant sale, and more at the Bedford Hills Train Station. Join in a plant and seed swap, learn how to maintain a healthy yard, and more. READ MORE

Westchester Bicycle Sundays

Various locations
Sundays starting May 7, 2023
Cyclists, joggers, walkers, in-line skaters, and scooters can take to the open road on Sundays when the Bronx River Parkway is closed to motorized vehicles for a 13.1-mile stretch from Main Street in White Plains to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers.  READ MORE

Free Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: May 8-14, 2023

Jr. Garden Club - Pollinators

Chappaqua
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Join the Junior Garden club and learn about different pollinators and the plants they need to thrive. Kids will learn the differences between moths and butterflies, bees and wasps. Through stories and games children will have fun learning how to care for these gentle creatures. Each child will take home a plant to start their own pollinator garden.  READ MORE

Mother's Day PJ Storytime

Bedford
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Celebrate Mother's Day with a special storytime in your PJs. For children of all ages featuring stories, music, rhymes, movement activities, and a take-home craft! Crafts will be geared toward preschool children.  READ MORE

Mother's Day Seed Cards

Bedford
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Celebrate mom this year by making a plantable seed paper card for Mother's Day. Participants will get the opportunity to make their own seed paper heart inserts and customize their cards. READ MORE

Teen Cooking: Tex Mex

Rye
Friday, May 12, 2023
Teens learn to make walking tacos, salsa, and guacamole from scratch in this cooking workshop.  READ MORE

Muffins with Mom

Rye
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Celebrate Mother's Day at the Rye Free Reading Room with books, songs, and snacks. This event is geared toward preschoolers and their moms, grandmas, aunts, or any person who is motherly. READ MORE

Animal Homes: Chipmunks and Their Cousins

Cross River
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Learn all about chipmunks and squirrels, how they are alike and different, and what foods they eat.  READ MORE

Albany Tulip Festival in Washington Park

Albany
Saturday, May 13 - Sunday, May 14, 2023
Albany's Dutch heritage is celebrated with a craft fair, a fine-art show, food, a KidZone, live entertainment on two stages, and more than 140,000 tulips in 150 different varieties in Washington Park. Time your visit for Dutch street scrubbing, tulip tours, and the tulip-queen coronation. READ MORE

Sheep Shearing Festival at Muscoot Farm

Katonah
Sunday, May 14, 2023
Drop in to watch the annual shearing of Muscoot Farm's resident sheep and learn why it's done. This event also features vendors and activities and is held rain or shine. READ MORE
Join folks from Hilltop Hanover Farm at the John C Hart Memorial Library in Yorktown to learn about seeds, plants, and pollinators. Photo courtesy of the library
Join folks from Hilltop Hanover Farm at the John C Hart Memorial Library in Yorktown to learn about seeds, plants, and pollinators. Photo courtesy of the library

Free Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: May 15-21, 2023

Cooking with Kids

Rye
Monday, May 15, 2023
Learn cooking with the whole family in this kid-friendly cooking program. Participants will use a few simple ingredients to create a tasty snack together with children’s librarian Ms. Lisa. READ MORE

Exploring Seeds & Plants with Hilltop Hanover Farm

Yorktown
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Join Jo from Hilltop Hanover Farm at the library to learn about seeds, plants, and pollinators. Participants will plant some seeds in the library garden and take some to plant at home.  READ MORE

Yonkers Arts Weekend (YAW)

Yonkers
Saturday, May 20, 2023
The 10th annual Yonkers Arts Weekend (YAW) festival is held at multiple locations in Yonkers. The two-day festival is filled with exciting programs, workshops, exhibitions, and much more. Workshops for kids include children's art workshops at Blue Door Art Center, We Art One, and the Hudson River Museum.  READ MORE

Pinkster Festival at Philipse Manor Hall

Yonkers
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Celebrate Pinkster, an Afro-Dutch celebration of a week of temporary freedom for enslaved people, with African music and dance, games, and children’s activities, vendors, and food and drink. Celebrate spring while learning about this cultural history at Philipse Manor Hall.  READ MORE

Mayfest Farmers and Makers Market at Walkway over the Hudson

Highland
Saturday, May 20 - Sunday, May 21, 2023
In addition to browsing food and crafts from more than 180 vendors, families can enjoy a full day of live music and specialty performances, art installations, and games and activities for kids at the Walkway over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie. READ MORE

Polish Heritage Celebration at Kensico Dam Plaza

Valhalla
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Celebrate Polish culture at Kensico Dam Plaza. Bring your blankets and chairs and enjoy a day of live music, food, vendors and more. READ MORE

Nyack Famous Street Fair

Nyack
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Save the date for this exciting shopping and dining day in historic Nyack. More than 300 exhibitors showcase a great selection of arts, crafts, and goods. Local vendors will also offer delicious food, and music will be playing at the gazebo. READ MORE
Enjoy a screening of
Enjoy a screening of "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish" at the Yonkers Public Library. Photo courtesy of DreamWorks Animation

Free Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: May 22-31, 2023

Special Free Play with Imagination Playground

Yonkers
Friday, May 26, 2023
Come in and have free play fun with the Imagination Playground play set. Drop in, no registration required. READ MORE

Movies at the Library - "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish"

Yonkers
Saturday, May 27, 2023
Come in for May movies at the library. Enjoy a screening of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish on the big screen in the auditorium. READ MORE

Seashells by the Shoreline at Read Sanctuary

Rye
Saturday, May 27, 2023
Take a guided walk along the length of the seashore at the sanctuary and learn to identify the shells commonly found there.  READ MORE

Sheep and Wool Festival in Chestnut Ridge

Chestnut Ridge
Sunday, May 28, 2023
Held under leafy shade trees at the Threefold Community Campus in Chestnut Ridge, this family-oriented community event features child-friendly craft activities, a petting zoo & pony rides, live music, local craft vendors, and delicious food. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Yonkers Riverfront Library
Bedford Hills Train Station
Trailside Nature Museum - Ward Pound Reservation
Rye Free Reading Room at Rye Public Library
Yonkers Downtown Waterfront BID
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
Walkway Over the Hudson - Ulster Welcome Center Plaza
Yonkers Public Library (Riverfront)
Edith Read Sanctuary, Playland Park