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32 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for Kids

Enjoy the free holiday parade and drone show at the Galleria at Crystal Run in Middletown. Photo courtesy of the event
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12/3/23 - By Katherine Dhurandhar

Looking for FREE Christmas events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley? Read on for dozens of options. 

From holiday lights and parades to visits with Santa, we've got the goods on free holiday events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Grab a free hot chocolate and marvel at the spectacular holiday light display at the Grand Holiday Illumination at Untermyer Gardens or enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, flame throwers, ice sculpture carvings, a tree lighting by Santa, and more at Kingston's Snowflake Festival.

Read on for more free family-friendly holiday events, and bookmark our Holiday Guide for more ways to savor this holiday season.

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Free Holiday Events for Families in Westchester

New Rochelle Holiday Market

New Rochelle
Daily from November 29-December 22, 2024
The City of New Rochelle presents the 4th Annual Holiday Market at the New Rochelle Train Station. New Rochelle is getting in the holiday spirit with entertainment for all ages in a charming winter village setting at the bustling transit hub. READ MORE

Mistletoe Magic in Rye

Rye
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Rye comes alive the Sunday after Thanksgiving at this annual kickoff to the holiday season. Activity stations, sales, entertainment, and refreshments are all on the agenda. Expect pony rides, horse-and-carriage rides, an obstacle course, rock-climbing wall, Santa in his sleigh, and a chili cook-off.  READ MORE

Frosty Day in Armonk

Armonk
Sunday, December 1, 2024
The holiday song "Frosty the Snowman" is reportedly based on Armonk, and the town celebrates its claim to fame in a big way. This year's event features a rousing parade "down to the village," a tree-lighting ceremony, entertainers, train rides, a magician, clowns, crafts, cartoons, and more.  READ MORE

Rye Brook Winterfest

Rye Brook
Friday, December 6, 2024
Celebrate winter in Pine Ridge Park with train rides, a tabagon slide, vendor market, food for purchase, and more.  READ MORE

Katonah Peppermint Parade

Katonah
Saturday, December 7, 2024
See the arrival of Santa in the Peppermint Parade through downtown Katonah. Enjoy live holiday music in the gazebo.  READ MORE

Grand Holiday Illumination at Untermyer Gardens

Yonkers
Saturday, December 7, 2024 through Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Inaugurated in 2015, the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy's Grand Holiday Illumination has quickly become a Yonkers tradition, and thousands of visitors come to enjoy the spectacle. Come for FREE and see the Walled Garden lit with more than 100,000 lights and listen to holiday music from many traditions.  READ MORE

Yorktown Holiday Electric Lights Parade & Tree Lighting

Yorktown
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Yorktown sparkles during its annual Holiday Electric Lights Parade Spectacular, when parading vehicles are illuminated with strands of festive lights.  READ MORE

Tuckahoe's Winterfest

Tuckahoe
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Tuckahoe's Winterfest returns with a day-long lineup of seasonal fun. Enjoy Santa encounters, Dawny Dew puppet play, train rides, face painting, food vendors, caroling, and other holiday entertainment.  READ MORE

Light Up Larchmont

Larchmont
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Join the 10th annual Light Up Larchmont holiday celebration held at multiple venues in downtown Larchmont. Enjoy pictures with Santa inside the firehouse along with plenty of other activities and entertainment including music throughout the night provided by Noo Moves Entertainment and of course the annual tree lighting at 5:15pm. READ MORE

White Plains Winter Village & Holiday Market

White Plains
Wednesday, December 11-Sunday, December 22, 2024
This outdoor holiday market in Downtown White Plains features more than 40 vendors, outdoor firepits, and cozy igloos to relax in. Entertainment includes ice sculpting demonstrations, daily children's crafts, and visits from Santa and other characters, including Pip the Penguin, The Gingerbread Man, and The Grinch. READ MORE

Katonah Holiday Stroll

Katonah
Friday, December 13, 2024
Kick off the holiday season with festive music, pop-ups and trunk shows, and assorted treats, as the shops in Katonah stay open late for gift-giving. READ MORE

Winter Stroll - Tarrytown & Sleepy Hollow

Tarrytown & Sleepy Hollow
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Experience the charm of the season as the towns of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown come alive with festive lights, warm treats, and joyful celebrations. Enjoy extended shopping hours, outdoor dining, storytelling, a holly jolly trolley, holiday treats, carolers, an ugly sweater contest, live entertainment, and other special events! READ MORE

Christmas Handbell Concert

Bronxville
Sunday, December 15, 2024
The Reformed Church of Bronxville presents its annual Holiday Handbell Concert. The performance typically features three handbell choirs comprising some 40 ringers aged 11 and up, along with organ and congregational singing. Traditional and contemporary carols are performed. READ MORE

Holiday Puppet Show at the Pound Ridge Library

Pound Ridge
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Kids and families are invited to a special puppet show by Lucky Duck Puppets, an original story about Greg, a North Pole penguin trying to find his place in the world and how he can help spread holiday cheer. Holiday refreshments follow this show at the Pound Ridge Library.  READ MORE

Giant Menorah Lego Build at Chabad of the Rivertowns

Dobbs Ferry
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Enjoy traditional Hanukkah treats including fresh, crispy latkes and delicious sufganiyot (donuts) at Chabad of the Rivertowns as you work with master Lego architect Stephen Swissa to construct a giant 12-foot menorah entirely out of Legos. A special lighting ceremony will follow. READ MORE

Gingerbread House Workshop at New Rochelle Library

New Rochelle
Wednesday, December 26, 2024
Kids can make their own edible candy houses with lots of sweets and treats to decorate them. READ MORE

Nutcracker Tapdance Special at the New Rochelle Library

New Rochelle
Friday, December 27, 2024
Musical duo Musiquita brings a fresh, jazzy twist to Tchaikovsky’s beloved holiday masterpiece. This unique show blends tap dance, violin and piano playing. Families are encouraged to sing and dance along to familiar holiday favorites in both English and Spanish, making this an unforgettable celebration of the season! READ MORE

Menorah Lighting at Ridge Hill

Yonkers
Thursday, December 29, 2024
Celebrate the joyous spirit of Hanukkah with Chabad of Yonkers at Ridge Hill! Join us for a traditional menorah lighting ceremony, along with lively family-friendly entertainment, festive activities, and delicious treats.  READ MORE

Rye Noon Year's Eve Party

Rye
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
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

Free Holiday Events for Families in the Hudson Valley

Holiday Parade & Drone Show at the Galleria at Crystal Run

Middletown
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Enjoy a holiday parade, drone show, and tree lighting ceremony at the Galleria at Crystal Run. Entertainment includes dance performances by Artistic Dance Connection and more.  READ MORE

Greenwood Lake Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting

Greenwood Lake
Saturday, November 30, 2024
This outdoor holiday festival features kids' crafts, caroling, hayrides, and a Christmas tree lighting by Santa himself. After the lighting, kids can meet with Santa and pose for pictures.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights in Bloom at Orange County Arboretum

Montgomery
Select dates through December 29, 2024
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

Meet the Grinch at Christmas Tree Lane

Wallkill
Sunday, December 1, 2024
The Grinch will be back at Christmas Tree Lane on December 1 at 10am. Come grab some lunch, look for your tree, relax with some hot cocoa, and say "hi" to the Grinch. Don't forget your camera. READ MORE

Sugar Loaf Holiday Festival

Sugar Loaf
Sunday, December 1, 2024
The holidays are here, and the free Sugar Loaf Holiday Festival, in collaboration with The Town of Chester, has everything you need to make this season unforgettable. Enjoy a full day of festive fun including free hot chocolate, holiday movie screenings, and photo-ops with Santa. READ MORE

Kingston Snowflake Festival

Kingston
Friday, December 6, 2024
Enjoy carolers, s'mores, horse-drawn carriage rides, flame throwers, ice sculpture carvings, and more at Kingston's Snowflake Festival. Don't miss the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on an antique fire truck to light the holiday tree. Open stores offer treats and hot beverages.  READ MORE

Arlington Holiday Festival

Poughkeepsie
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Arlington piles on the festivities for this daytime holiday kickoff. A shopping village takes place from noon to 4pm, where attractions include an egg nog crawl, vendors, Santa Claus, and more! READ MORE

Pleasant Valley Festival of Lights Parade

Pleasant Valley
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Pleasant Valley Recreation presents the Festival of Lights, featuring a parade of floats decorated with lights and music, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa himself! And don't forget to drop off your letter to the North Pole in the mailbox at the Town Hall. READ MORE

Palisades Holiday Craft & Gift Bazaar

Palisades
Friday, December 13-Saturday, December 14, 2024
Enjoy the holiday spirit in the historic school house all decked out for the holidays. Shop inside and out for hand-crafted items and a wide range of vintage offerings, including jewelry, pottery, candles, soaps, knitwear, vintage totes, jewelry, household items, hand-made cards, crystals, and more. READ MORE

Orangeburg Holiday Parade

Orangeburg
Saturday, December 14, 2024
This annual holiday after-dark parade features floats and vehicles with festive decorations and lights. After the parade, kids can meet with the elves, Mrs. Claus, and Santa at the firehouse. READ MORE

Snow Ball with the Snow Sisters at FASNY Museum of Firefighting

Hudson
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Appearing for this special event are the Snow Sisters, Elsa and Anna. First, the Snow Sisters lead a festive sing-a-long and teach a dance. Then, kids play some winter-themed games with prizes for all and do a holiday craft. All attendees can pose for pictures with the Snow Sisters in front of a magical winter background.  READ MORE

Village of Monroe Winterfest

Monroe
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Celebrate winter and the festive season at this outdoor community gathering with Santa & Mrs. Claus, sleigh rides, music, and activities. READ MORE

Beary Merry Holiday at Bear Mountain State Park

Bear Mountain
Saturday, December 21, 2024
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

Places featured in this article:

Reformed Church of Bronxville
Orange County Arboretum, Thomas Bull Memorial Park (Grove St. entrance)
Kingston Historic Stockade District
All along Raymond Avenue