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22 Best Free and Fun Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley July 2024 with Kids

Celebrate indigenous culture at the Bear Mountain Native American Heritage Celebration and Pow Wow. Photo courtesy of the event
Celebrate indigenous culture at the Bear Mountain Native American Heritage Celebration and Pow Wow. Photo courtesy of the event
6/30/24 - By Katherine Dhurandhar

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this July? Here are all the family-friendly events and activities you should add to your list–from 4th of July fireworks to fun summer festivals.

It's July and that means fireworks. We have highlighted just a few of the best places in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for viewing these amazing light shows, like Red, White, and Boom 4th of July at Legoland, 

To keep kids entertained on those long summer days, many towns in Westchester are offering free children's activities and family-friendly performances throughout the summer, some on weekday evenings, including Nights in the Park in White Plains. July fairs and festivals include the new Sleepy Hollow Mermaid Festival and Parade and the annual Orange County Fair. 

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently. 

Get our picks in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters. 

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Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with Kids this July

Tykes Tuesdays at the Palisades Center

Nyack – FREE
Tuesdays, July 2-August 27, 2024
Kids 12 and under can enjoy free activities at various businesses in the Palisades Center on Tuesdays in the summer, including ice skating, cookie decorating, and climbing the adventure course.  READ MORE

Ossining Riverjam

Ossining – FREE
Debuts Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Enjoy live performances on the riverfront with food trucks and craft beer vendors. The July 3 concert also features fireworks over the Hudson River.  READ MORE

Red, White, and Boom 4th of July at Legoland

Goshen
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Legoland New York is open for extended hours and celebrating Independence Day with a special late-night fireworks show, plus live music from local bands.  READ MORE

Food, Fire, and Fun Festival in L. Vern Allen Park

Washingtonville – FREE
Friday, July 5, 2024
Join the festivities at the Washingtonville Food, Fire, and Fun Festival, featuring live music, children's activities, food and craft vendors, and of course fireworks! READ MORE

Mamaroneck Fireworks Spectacular and Fireman's Carnival

Mamaroneck – FREE
Saturday, July 6, 2024
Claim your spot on the open fields of Harbor Island Park and enjoy the dazzling fireworks show. Arrive early and go on rides and grab a bite to eat at the annual Firemen's Carnival located on the park grounds. Fireworks begin at dusk. The St. Thomas Orchestra plays a free concert to accompany the fireworks display.  READ MORE

Goshen Annual Great American Weekend

Goshen – FREE
Saturday, July 6-Sunday, July 7, 2024
This two-day annual tradition, organized by the Goshen Chamber of Commerce, features some 150 craft booths, live entertainment, children's activities, and extensive food choices.  READ MORE

Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Kensico Dam

Valhalla – FREE
Sunday, July 7, 2024
Celebrate Hispanic culture at Kensico Dam Plaza. Bring your blankets and chairs and enjoy a day of live music, food, vendors, and more. READ MORE

Peekskill Riverfront Children's Entertainment

Peekskill – FREE
Mondays from July 8-29, 2024
In addition to offering free outdoor concerts and family films, Peekskill Recreation has also lined up entertainers to get the giggles out. Enjoy bubbles, magic tricks, and storytelling.  READ MORE

International Music and Dance Festival at New Rochelle Public Library

New Rochelle – FREE
Tuesdays, July 9-August 13, 2024
Enjoy professional music and dance performances from a variety of cultures, featuring a different culture each week.   READ MORE

Wild Wednesdays: Animal Introductions at the New Rochelle Library

New Rochelle – FREE
Wednesdays, July 10-August 7, 2024
Meet different animals every week at the library, presented by the Stamford Museum and Nature Center and the Weinburg Nature Center. Kids are invited on this one-hour journey featuring mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds presented by a naturalist.  READ MORE

Dobbs Ferry Summer Music Series & Jitterbug Jams

Dobbs Ferry – FREE
Wednesdays, July 10-August 28, 2024
Enjoy free live jazz concerts on eight Wednesdays in summer at Waterfront Park on the Hudson River in Dobbs Ferry. Begun in 2000, Jazz Forum Arts’ longest-running series features an eclectic array of artists and groups. Bring the kids early for the Jitterbug Jams jazz for kids program.  READ MORE

Pleasantville Music Festival

Pleasantville
Saturday, July 13, 2024
This festival combines the feel of a small-town, outdoor concert with nationally recognized musicians. Vendors, food, kid activities, like bouncy houses and a rock wall, plus nine hours of music on three stages round out the festivities. Headlining acts include Better than Ezra, The Wailers, and more. READ MORE

Ladybug Release at Hudson Highlands Nature Center

Cornwall
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Join nature educators to learn all about ladybugs, their awesome adaptations, and how helpful they really are. Then head out to help hand-release native ladybugs into the fields and gardens. READ MORE

Bear Mountain Native American Heritage Celebration and Pow Wow

Bear Mountain
Saturday & Sunday, July 13 & 14, 2024
Check out a real teepee, play with Native American instruments, try some foods popular in Native American cultures, and take in a dance performance by Native American groups from throughout the Americas. Dancers make their grand entrance for shows at 1pm and 5pm.  READ MORE

Antique Car Show at Locust Grove

Poughkeepsie
Sunday, July 14, 2024
View more than 300 vintage and classic cars at this exhibit at Locust Grove. Breakfast and lunch are available in the museum pavilion. There is music throughout the day. Round out the experience with a tour of the mansion or explore the garden and grounds.  READ MORE

Irish Heritage Celebration at Ridge Road Park

Hartsdale – FREE
Sunday, July 14, 2024
Celebrate Irish culture with live music, Irish traditional dance performances, food, and vendors at Ridge Road Park in Hartsdale.  READ MORE

Orange County Fair

Middletown
Thursday, July 18–Sunday, July 28, 2024
The annual Orange County Fair returns, featuring new carnival rides, a performance by the Anastasini Circus, monster truck shows, a petting zoo, fireworks, and more. READ MORE

Sleepy Hollow Mermaid Festival & Parade

Sleepy Hollow – FREE
Saturday, July 20, 2024
Have you heard the legend of the Hudson River mermaids? You will at the inaugural Sleepy Hollow Mermaid Festival! The fun begins with a parade on land and water, followed by a post-parade party in the park for all ages, with music, community art-making, face painting, food trucks, and bounce houses. READ MORE

Italian Heritage Celebration at Kensico Dam

Valhalla – FREE
Sunday, July 21, 2024
Celebrate Italian heritage at Kensico Dam Plaza. Enjoy live music, food, lots of family activities, and a wide array of vendors. READ MORE

August Sangria Festival at Benmarl Winery

Marlboro
Saturday & Sunday, July 20 & 21, 2024
Enjoy live music, sangria tasting, food, and dancing all day at Benmarl Winery's Sangria Festival. There will be live music by Ola Flamenca and flamenco dancing lessons for the whole family. READ MORE

Caramoor Jazz Festival

Katonah
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Caramoor joins forces with Jazz at Lincoln Center to provide a day full of live music on its bucolic grounds. Pack a picnic or purchase food on-site, and stroll the lovely gardens.  READ MORE

Putnam Country Fest and 4H Showcase

Carmel – FREE
Saturday, July 27-Sunday, July 28, 2024
This free outdoor festival features 4H horse and dog shows and demonstrations as well as live music, inflatables and games, activities and a magician, a car show, food trucks, and much more. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

First Presbyterian Church Park
Dobbs Ferry Waterfront Park
Anthony Wayne Recreation Area at Harriman State Park
Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts
Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park