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

The Wonderland of Lights drive-thru holiday light experience returns to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck this holiday season. Photo courtesy of the event
The Wonderland of Lights drive-thru holiday light experience returns to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck this holiday season. Photo courtesy of the event
11/24/23 - By Katherine Dhurandhar

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

Thanksgiving is upon us, kicking off the holiday season in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. We're anticipating several holiday events that launch this weekend, including the Holiday Bricktacular at Legoland New York. You can also enjoy small-town holiday spirit at events across the region, like Rye's Mistletoe Magic.

Looking for more holiday options? Browse our Westchester Kids Guide to Christmas and the Holidays, which is full of our top picks for holiday events.

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

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Visit holiday characters at Frosty Fest in Armonk, including Dasher. Photo courtesy of the event
Visit holiday characters at Frosty Fest in Armonk, including Dasher. Photo courtesy of the event

Best Things To Do Thanksgiving Weekend 2023 with Kids

Legoland New York Holiday Bricktacular

Goshen
Daily through December 31
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

The Wonderland of Lights in Rhinebeck

Rhinebeck
Opens Wednesday, November 22
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

Family of New Paltz Turkey Trot

New Paltz
Thursday, November 23
Family of New Paltz is raising money in support of its food pantry and crisis service by organizing this community run. Younger runners can sign up for the Mashed Potato Fun Run, which is free for ages 12 and under. Prizes are awarded in multiple categories—including best costume. READ MORE

New Rochelle Turkey Trot

New Rochelle
Thursday, November 23
Get some exercise in before the big feast with a Tot Trot for ages 5 and under at 8:45am (FREE), a Kid's Mile for ages 10 and under at 9am, and a 5K run/walk at 9:30am. Prizes are awarded by age group and for dogs and strollers. READ MORE

Westchester Turkey Trot

Valhalla
Thursday, November 23
Join the 5th annual Westchester Thanksgiving 5K/10K or kids dash, all with free local donuts waiting at the finish line.  READ MORE

Westchester’s Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza

Valhalla
Opens Friday, November 24
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

A Frosty Fest

Ulster Park
Opens Friday, November 24
Enjoy the drive-thru experience from the comfort of your vehicle, then park and walk in to visit Santa, dance with the characters, enjoy the Jingle and Jangle Stage Show, and more. READ MORE

Holiday Spirit Festival Winter Wonderland Walk

Wappingers Falls
Opens Friday, November 24
This outdoor extravaganza features an enchanting assortment of holiday scenes to walk through. See the western-themed Christmas Canyon, the Legend of the Frost Fairies and Trolls, and more. Hop aboard the holiday train, join a misfit-toy scavenger hunt, and bring your wish list for Santa's magic mailbox! READ MORE

Christmas on the Farm with Eggbert 2023

New Windsor
Opens Friday, November 24
It’s a Hudson Valley thing, and if you know who Eggbert is, then you know how special he is to the local community. The Christmas trail weaves through Devitts nursery, rated one of the top 100 garden centers in the country. Attractions include candy land, Eggbert's barnyard pals (the cutest farm animals ever), Eggbert's garage, a slot car track, face painting, visiting with Santa, a Christmas train, and more.  READ MORE

Legoland Discovery Center Westchester | Holiday Bricktacular

Yonkers
Opens Friday, November 24
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 Wizard of Oz Musical

Yorktown
Friday, November 24-Sunday, November 26
Journey to the land of Oz at this professionally produced Broadway musical performed by a professional cast. Join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion as they travel together to the Wizard of Oz in hopes he will help them.  READ MORE

Holiday Kickoff at the Hudson River Museum

Yonkers
Friday, November 24-Sunday, November 26
Enjoy this weekend-long event at the Hudson River Museum, which celebrates both Thanksgiving and December holidays. View the night sky in a holiday-edition planetarium show, and tour Victorian Glenview, which is decked out in its holiday finery. Don’t miss two different Stories from the People of the Longhouse with master storyteller Perry Ground on Friday afternoon and mesmerizing magic shows with Didi Maxx on Saturday. READ MORE

Thanksgiving Weekend at Lyndhurst & Holiday Market

Tarrytown
Friday, November 24-Sunday, November 26
Lyndhurst opens this Thanksgiving weekend for visitors to explore without a guided tour. The mansion will be decorated for the holidays with dozens of Christmas trees and elegant furnishings. Visitors can roam the mansion on their own and also enjoy a holiday makers market.  READ MORE

Hudson Valley Artisan Marketplace

Poughkeepsie–FREE
Friday, November 24-Sunday, November 26
More than 30 vendors are scheduled to attend this 3-day fair, bringing crafts and other handmade wares. While there, purchase a ticket to tour the historic Locust Grove Estate, decorated with fanciful and historic ornaments. Mansion tours are by timed ticket entry. READ MORE

Holiday Market at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Bethel–FREE
Friday, November 24-Sunday, November 26
Stock up on holiday gifts purchased from Hudson Valley artisans at this craft fair featuring more than 75 craft, artisan, and specialty food vendors. The market coincides with the drive-thru holiday lights experience, Peace, Love & Lights, which requires advance reservation.  READ MORE

Greenwood Lake Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting

Greenwood Lake–FREE
Saturday, November 25
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

PaleyLand Opening Weekend

Midtown West, Manhattan
Opens Saturday, November 25
PaleyLand returns with the arrival of Santa Claus and a packed schedule of weekend meet and greets, photo ops with beloved holiday characters, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Hermey the Elf, Blizz the Snowman, and a Toy Soldier. READ MORE

Frosty Day in Armonk

Armonk–FREE
Sunday, November 26
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

Mistletoe Magic

Rye–FREE
Sunday, November 26
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

Gingerbread House Workshop

Tarrytown
Sunday, November 26
This winter season, create a Gingerbread House with your family! This hour-long workshop includes a pre-made Gingerbread House, all ready for the provided decorations.  READ MORE

Brunch with Santa

New Rochelle
Sunday, November 26
Santa Claus is coming to Town House! Grab the whole family and join him for brunch. The regular menu plus a few family-friendly options will be available. Each family will get to take a photo with Santa and a few of his special guests from the North Pole. READ MORE

Holiday Lane at American Christmas

Mount Vernon
Select dates through Saturday, December 30
Experience holiday magic on a grand scale. Holiday Lane at American Christmas is decorated with more than 100,000 twinkling lights, captivating animatronics, and nine enchanting themed areas.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Kevin McCurdy's Holiday Spirit Festival
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts