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Christmas Weekend 2023 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do

The Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza returns to Kensico Dam Plaza bigger and better than ever. Photo courtesy of the event
The Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza returns to Kensico Dam Plaza bigger and better than ever. Photo courtesy of the event
12/22/23 - By Katherine Dhurandhar

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for Christmas weekend.

Kids can enjoy lots of holiday festivities this weekend, including cookie decorating with Santa, holiday ice skating on a pop-up rink perfect for first-time skaters, or the holiday train show at the Horace Greeley House.

The whole family can enjoy the spectacular holiday lights displays, many of which are open even on Christmas day, including the Grand Holiday Illumination at Untermyer Gardens and The Wonderland of Lights in Rhinebeck.

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A Frosty Fest features a drive-thru display of holiday lights and animations with music, actors, and animatronics! Photo courtesy of the fest
A Frosty Fest features a drive-thru display of holiday lights and animations with music, actors, and animatronics! Photo courtesy of the fest

Top Things To Do Christmas Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Polar Express Train Ride in Kingston

Kingston
Friday and Saturday, December 22-23
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

A Frosty Fest

Ulster Park
Friday and Saturday, December 22-23
A Frosty Fest is the Hudson Valley's Largest holiday lights spectacular. Enjoy a drive-thru experience in the comfort of your vehicle, then park and walk inside to visit Santa and dance with the characters.  READ MORE

Celebrate the Holidays at PaleyLand!

Midtown Manhattan, NYC
Saturday, December 23
The Paley Center's must-see holiday extravaganza fills five floors of the Paley with holiday fun and winter wonderland magic. Enjoy free hot chocolate, watch past and present holiday family specials on the big screen, discover the magic of a classic model railroad display, and so much more. READ MORE

Sugar Loaf Holiday Festival

Chester – FREE
Saturday, December 23
Celebrate Christmas weekend at Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center's first holiday festival. Free festivities include a fire truck parade, horse and carriage rides, holiday crafts, a free holiday show, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more. Food is available for purchase from Graze Restaurant. Enjoy a hot chocolate bar and holiday treats.  READ MORE

Holiday Sing-Along

Peekskill
Saturday, December 23
Peek-a-Boo Family Music hosts a series of festive sing-alongs to celebrate the holidays! All traditions are welcome.  READ MORE

Family Holiday Happening : The Little Red Hen

Pound Ridge – FREE
Saturday, December 23
Back by popular demand, Matthew Leonard from The Lionheart Puppet Company entertains families with a holiday-themed version of The Little Red Hen. Holiday refreshments follow this show at the Pound Ridge Library.  READ MORE

Cookie Decorating with Santa

Bethel
Saturday, December 23
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts invites kids to decorate unique sugar cookies with instruction from Santa himself, plus enjoy hot cocoa.  READ MORE

Watt Christmas Wonderland

Goshen
Daily through Saturday, December 30
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

The Wonderland of Lights in Rhinebeck

Rhinebeck
Daily through Saturday, December 30
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

Cross County Center Pop-Up Holiday Ice Skating Rink

Yonkers
Daily through Saturday, December 30
Closed on Christmas Day
Cross County Center’s popular pop-up ice skating rink is located right in the heart of the center. The pop-up rink is not made of real ice, it is a synthetic floor that glides slower than real ice making it perfect for first-time and young skaters.  READ MORE

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

Bethel
Daily through Sunday, December 31
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

Legoland New York Holiday Bricktacular

Goshen
Daily through Sunday, December 31
Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
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

Westchester’s Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza

Valhalla
Daily through Sunday, December 31
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

Holiday on the Hill Train Show at Lasdon Park & Arboretum

Somers
Select dates through Sunday, 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

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

North Salem
Daily through Sunday, December 31
Closed on Christmas Day
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

Grand Holiday Illumination at Untermyer Gardens

Yonkers–FREE
Daily through Monday, January 1, 2024
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

Legoland Discovery Center Westchester | Holiday Bricktacular

Yonkers
Daily through Monday, January 1, 2024
Closed Christmas Day
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

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