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12/17/23 - By Katherine Dhurandhar

With Christmas vacation on the horizon, we've got you covered with family-friendly things to do throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley to keep your family entertained all week. Some of these are long-running holiday attractions that continue into Christmas vacation, while others are specially planned events to keep kids busy while school is out.

These Christmas vacation activities include everything from the One World Concert, to art workshops at the Katonah Museum of Art, encounters with live animals at the Pound Ridge Library, and multiple daytime New Year's celebrations for kids. We've even made a special section for FREE things to do this Christmas vacation.

So, read on for dozens of ways to get the most out of the Christmas vacation school break. In the meantime, make sure to get some inspiration from our Holiday Fun Guide for families.

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Free Things To Do Over Christmas Break in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Snow Buddies Puppet Fun

New Rochelle
Wednesday, December 26, 2023
Enjoy a snow-themed puppet performance followed by craft time where kids can make their own puppets.  READ MORE

Slime Workshops

Rye
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Kids can join the slime experts from Larchmont's D.I.Y. Slime at the Rye Free Reading Room for a slime-making workshop! Kids make clay-based butter slime, which does not use glue or an activator, making it less sticky for little hands. READ MORE

Bubble Dance Party

Larchmont
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Kids can dance and party with music and bubbles in the Village Center.  READ MORE

Live Animal Program with the Stamford Museum & Nature Center

Pound Ridge
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
The Stamford Nature Center visits the Pound Ridge Library to present this program dedicated to animals with two, four, six, and eight legs, including an eight-legged tarantula, a four-legged chinchilla, and more! READ MORE

Nutcracker Everywhere

New Rochelle
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Families are invited to hear the story of the timeless classic The Nutcracker told through narration and dance. Everyone gets a chance to learn sections of choreography with the performers! READ MORE

The Sound of Kwanzaa

White Plains
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
The White Plains Library invites families to learn about celebrating Kwanzaa with a story, songs, and crafts. READ MORE

The Metaverse Explained in an Igloo

White Plains
Thursday, December 28, 2023
Families are invited to learn about the metaverse in the library's panoramic video room that features Igloo Vision technology. READ MORE

One World Concert

White Plains
Thursday, December 28, 2023
Kids can learn about different musical instruments from around the globe at Chris Merwin's One World concert, including steel drums, the Japanese shakuhachi flute, and a 10-foot Tibetan trumpet. READ MORE

Gingerbread House Workshop

New Rochelle
Friday, December 29, 2023
Kids can make their own edible candy houses with lots of sweets and treats to decorate them. READ MORE

Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt

Rye
Friday, December 29, 2023
There are gingerbread men hiding in the Children's Room at the Rye Free Reading Room. Complete the scavenger hunt to find all of them! READ MORE

STEM Sparks - Gingerbread STEM

Rye
Saturday, December 30, 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

Dia Beacon Hudson Valley Free Day

Beacon
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Dia Beacon offers FREE admission to its gallery for Hudson Valley residents on the last Sunday of the month. READ MORE
Take advantage of the School's Out/Art’s In program at the Katonah Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the museum
Take advantage of the School's Out/Art’s In program at the Katonah Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the museum

Fun Things To Do Over Christmas Break in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Salt Art Workshop - Snow Art

Poughkeepsie
Select dates from Tuesday, December 26-Saturday, December 30, 2023
During this workshop at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, kids learn to create a snowflake or snowman using glue, salt, and watercolors.  READ MORE

School's Out/Art's In

Katonah
Tuesday, December 26-Friday, December 29, 2023
Participate in creative arts workshops inspired by the current exhibitions at the Katonah Museum of Arts during the winter break. Each day brings new and exciting projects facilitated by teaching artists. READ MORE

Winter Wonderland

Middletown
Tuesday, December 26-Saturday, December 30, 2023
Celebrate winter at Dogwood Acres Family Farm with wagon rides through holiday lights, holiday movies, games, visits with farm animals, s'mores, and more.  READ MORE

Children's Holiday Tea at Mount Gulian

Beacon
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Mount Gulian Historic Site hosts its Children’s Holiday Tea. The popular annual holiday event welcomes children and adults for fun, good manners, and education about a bygone era in an authentic location where social teas were once standard fare. READ MORE

Emelin Theatre Presents Nutcracker Dream

White Plains
Select dates through December 29, 2023
This 90-minute family-friendly adaptation is an exquisite interpretation of the beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker. Professional dancers from Ballet des Amériques perform the featured roles of the ballet, with additional roles performed by young dancers from the Westchester area. READ MORE

Polar Express Train Ride in Kingston

Kingston
Select dates through December 29, 2023
Once on board, the conductors walk through the coach to punch your golden ticket as you’re served hot chocolate and a cookie by dancing chefs, while passengers read the classic children’s book. READ MORE

New Year’s Eve Balloon Drop Ball

Hyde Park
Sunday, December 31, 2023
The Hyde Park Roller Magic roller skating rink invites families to a daytime celebration with a giant colorful balloon drop on the rink. READ MORE

New Year's at Noon at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Center

Poughkeepsie
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Celebrate New Year's Eve in daylight hours at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum with music provided by Lutz Entertainment, special activities for kids of all ages, refreshments, and of course, noisemakers, as everyone counts down to Noon. READ MORE

New Year's Eve at the Westchester Children's Museum

Rye
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Ring in the new year at this all-day celebration at the Westchester Children's Museum with a variety of music programs and a special New Year's Eve countdown after each program.  READ MORE

Holiday on the Hill Train Show at Lasdon Park & Arboretum

Somers
Select dates through Sunday, December 31, 2023
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

Legoland New York Holiday Bricktacular

Goshen
Select dates through Sunday, December 31, 2023
Experience the holidays at Legoland New York, where the entire resort is bursting with holiday cheer. Visit the new Lego City Elf Extravaganza, sing and dance at one of the seasonal shows, take “elfies” with your favorite holiday LEGO characters, and more. READ MORE

Legoland Discovery Center Westchester | Holiday Bricktacular

Yonkers
Daily through Monday, January 1, 2024
Come explore an indoor winter wonderland filled with Lego holiday-themed creations made up of thousands of Lego bricks. Festivities include cookie decorating with the Lego gingerbread man, Lego ornament building, giant holiday Lego builds, and more! READ MORE

The Great Holiday Train Show

Chappaqua
Select dates through Sunday, January 7, 2024
The New Castle Historical Society brings community together with the return of a cherished holiday tradition: The Great Holiday Train Show. Back for its third year, The Great Holiday Train Show welcomes the young and the young at heart into the enchanting world of model trains amidst an intimate, historical setting. READ MORE

Anastasia: The Broadway Musical

White Plains
Select dates through Sunday, January 7, 2024
From the Tony Award-winning creators of the Broadway classic Ragtime, comes this dazzling musical based on the beloved 1997 animated movie. From the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. READ MORE
Visit the spectacular Wonderland of Lights in Rhinebeck. Photo courtesy of the event
Visit the spectacular Wonderland of Lights in Rhinebeck. Photo courtesy of the event

Holiday Lights Shows to Enjoy Over Christmas Break

Westchester’s Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza

White Plains
Daily through Sunday, December 31, 2023
(Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
This holiday lights extravaganza returns to Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla for its 11th season. This interactive holiday event will be bigger and better than ever, with two 100-foot light tunnels, a live Santa Claus, and thousands of electrifying lights that create magical vignettes.  READ MORE

The Wonderland of Lights in Rhinebeck

Rhinebeck
Select dates through Saturday, December 30, 2023
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

Watt Christmas Wonderland

Goshen
Daily through Saturday, December 30, 2023
Pile in the car for a visit to this holiday staple. This drive-thru exhibit features an assortment of inflatables, hundreds of lights, and other seasonal displays to enjoy. READ MORE

Lumina - A Magical Lights Experience at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard

North Salem
Multiple dates through Sunday, December 31, 2023
Journey through illuminated tunnels, enjoy music-synced light shows and capture moments at new photo ops. Grab a warm drink and a light-up wand, and immerse yourself in the festive holiday spirit.  READ MORE

Peace, Love & Lights at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Bethel
Select dates through Sunday, December 31, 2023
This drive-thru light experience on the site of the Woodstock Festival returns with even more lights, with themed displays depicting New York and holidays around the world plus special rock-n'-roll-themed displays honoring the site's history.  READ MORE

Grand Holiday Illumination

Yonkers–FREE
Select dates through Monday, January 1, 2024
Untermyer Gardens sparkles with bold illuminations from many thousands of lights as multicultural holiday music sets the mood. Warm up with a complimentary cup of hot cocoa. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Westbrook Lane Station (at the Kingston Plaza shopping center)
Lasdon Park Arboretum and Veterans Memorial
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester
White Plains Performing Arts Center
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Untermyer Park & Garden