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Christmas Weekend 2024 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do

A Frosty Fest in Ulster Park features a drive-thru display of holiday lights and animations with music and actors. Photo courtesy of the fest
A Frosty Fest in Ulster Park features a drive-thru display of holiday lights and animations with music and actors. Photo courtesy of the fest
12/20/24 - 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.

Families can enjoy pre-Christmas celebrations at Shake it Off's Cookies and Cocoa with Santa, which also includes a dance party, and at Santa's Workshop at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, where kids can decorate cookies, do holiday crafts with Santa, and enjoy a holiday lights drive-thru afterward. 

Other festivities this weekend include Kwanzaa 2024 at Hudson Hall, featuring African dancing, drumming, and crafts for kids, and a Winter Solstice Celebration at Olana State Historic Site, featuring sun-gazing activities and more. 

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

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

Celebrate the Holidays at PaleyLand!

New York, New York
Through Sunday, January 5, 2025
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

Beary Merry Holiday at Bear Mountain State Park

Bear Mountain
Saturday, December 21
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

Kwanzaa 2024 at Hudson Hall

Hudson – FREE
Saturday, December 21
Come celebrate African-American culture and unity with friends and family at Hudson Hall. Enjoy an afternoon of arts and crafts for children, dancing, drumming, a candle-lighting ceremony, and the sharing of Nguzo Saba: the seven principles of Kwanzaa. READ MORE

Cherish the Ladies - A Celtic Christmas at the Tarrytown Music Hall

Tarrytown
Saturday, December 21
These Irish performers return to Tarrytown Music Hall for another holiday celebration, featuring Christmas carols with Celtic instrumentation, a full band in accompaniment, and Irish step dancing. Two performances are scheduled at 4pm and 8pm. READ MORE

Elmsford Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration

Elmsford – FREE
Saturday, December 21
Alexander Hamilton High School host a pre-Kwanzaa celebration featuring a variety of performances, including reflections, songs, and African dance, drumming, and storytelling. Local vendors will also be selling their wares. READ MORE

Holiday Puppet Show at the Pound Ridge Library

Pound Ridge – FREE
Saturday, December 21
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

Winter Solstice Celebration at Olana State Historic Site

Hudson – FREE
Saturday, December 21
Celebrate the changing of the seasons during this special community day at Olana State Park. Join sun-gazing with Mid Hudson Astronomical Association, get a personal astrology reading with Constellation Catskill, and participate in fun sky-centric activities and games. Plus visit with everyone’s favorite miniature donkey, Hank, back by popular demand! READ MORE

Yorktown Stage Presents Dance for Joy’s Nutcracker for Kids

Yorktown Heights
Saturday, December 21-Sunday, December 22
The Nutcracker for Kids is a one-hour, condensed, and narrated version of the full story of the Nutcracker, in which all parts are danced by students at the Yorktown Stage. It allows audience members of all ages to experience the magic of the Nutcracker during the holiday season! READ MORE

Christmas on the Farm at Juckas Riding Stables

Pine Bush
Sunday, December 22
Enjoy a family Christmas event on the farm. Make crafts in the barn, meet Santa and Romeo (horse) and take pictures, visit the petting zoo and take a walk down candy cane lane. Pony rides, Christmas cookies, and hot cocoa will be for sale.  READ MORE

Santa's Workshop at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Bethel
Sunday, December 22
Children can enjoy meeting with Santa, cookie decorating, light refreshments, building holiday-inspired crafts, and more at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.  READ MORE

Cookies and Cocoa with Santa at Shake it Off

Scarsdale
Sunday, December 22
Bring the kids (and your holiday spirit!) to Shake it Off for a cozy event decorating cookies, drinking warm cocoa, and magical memories with Santa himself! Decorate your own festive cookies, indulge in hot cocoa with all the fixings, and snap a photo and have a dance party with Santa. READ MORE

A Frosty Fest

Ulster Park
Select dates through Sunday, December 22
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

Westchester’s Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza

Valhalla
Select dates through Tuesday, December 31
This holiday lights extravaganza returns to Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla for its 11th season. The interactive holiday event is 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

Legoland New York Holiday Bricktacular

Goshen
Select dates through Saturday, January 4, 2025
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

Holiday on the Hill Train Show at Lasdon Park & Arboretum

Somers
Select dates through Sunday, January 5, 2025
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

Cross County Center Pop-Up Holiday Ice Skating Rink

Yonkers
Daily through Sunday, January 5, 2025
Closed on Christmas Day and December 30-January 1
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

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