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Things To Do in Westchester this Weekend: Thanksgiving Parade, Polar Express, Turkey Talk

Hop aboard the Catskill Mountain Railroad's Polar Express this weekend. Photo courtesy of the railway
Hop aboard the Catskill Mountain Railroad's Polar Express this weekend. Photo courtesy of the railway
11/20/19 - By Susan Miele

Assorted fun is coming up this weekend for Westchester and Hudson Valley kids, including several ways to get a jumpstart on Thanksgiving festivities.

For starters, there's the Annual Valenti Thanksgiving Day Parade, one of the largest Thanksgiving parades in the state. In a similar vein, celebrate National Native American Heritage Month by creating wampum beads and viewing exhibits, or immerse your family in our early settlers' lifestyle at Living Off the Land. Families can also honor the bird of the month by learning more about it at Turkey Day. For a departure from the holiday, snag a seat at the performance by Arch 8, a multi-genre production with a message.

These are just a few of our top picks for the weekend; the rest can be found below, and there are even more fun and enriching opportunities on our Event Calendar. Consult our November GoList to plan ahead, and sign up for our weekly newsletters to stay current with all our great findings!

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Catskill Mountain Polar Express Train

Head to New Rochelle for the traditional Thanksgiving Day Parade on Saturday. Photo courtesy of New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce
Head to New Rochelle for the traditional Thanksgiving Day Parade on Saturday. Photo courtesy of New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce

Things To Do on Saturday, November 23

Annual New Rochelle Thanksgiving Parade

New Rochelle – FREE
The city of New Rochelle hosts its annual Thanksgiving Parade, featuring giant parade balloons, marching bands, floats, vintage cars, dancers, singers, and marchers from local colleges, schools, and more. The parade is reportedly the largest parade in New York outside of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC.   READ MORE

Living Off the Land

Rye
Explore the life of the Woodland Indians and learn how they lived off the land and used materials for shelters, tools, hunting, and agriculture. Also sample foods they would have eaten, such as cornmeal, squash soup, and maple syrup. READ MORE

Arch 8

Purchase
Dutch dance company Arch 8 presents the world premiere of Rising Tide, commissioned by the Purchase College of Performing Arts, blending dance, acrobatics, poetry, and more to tell the story of rising matters in the world today--from temperatures to sea levels to endangered species and more. The work is tailored to engage young audiences (and old).       READ MORE
Families can get creative on Sunday at Katonah Museum of Art's Family Day. Photo courtesy of the museum
Families can get creative on Sunday at Katonah Museum of Art's Family Day. Photo courtesy of the museum

Things To Do on Sunday, November 24

KMA Family Day: Art and Alchemy

Katonah
Featured artist Ali Banisadr joins Family Day at the Katonah Museum of Art for a day of discovery where scientific exploration and artistic creativity collide. Take part in large-scale painting experiments, artist-led demonstrations, mixed-media sculptures, a family tour, and more. READ MORE

Santa Cares at Ridge Hill

Yonkers – FREE
Children with special needs can have a tailored visit with Santa in a supportive environment that tends to their sensitivities. Visits are by appointment, which must be scheduled early to avoid disappointment. READ MORE

National Native American Heritage Month

Kingston
Celebrate National Native American Heritage Month by exploring dwellings, jewelry, and traditions of local native peoples. Kids can create wampum beads and miniature wigwams or longhouses. READ MORE

Turkey Talk at Muscoot Farm

Katonah – FREE
Before the Thanksgiving feast, learn about the turkeys that live at Muscoot. The Thanksgiving Farmers' Market will run concurrently. READ MORE
Come out and cheer for the giant balloons at The Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular. Photo courtesy of Stamford Downtown
Come out and cheer for the giant balloons at The Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular. Photo courtesy of Stamford Downtown

Things To Do Beyond Westchester

Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular

Stamford
The holiday season will officially kick off in Stamford Downtown with the annual Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular, one of the largest of its kind in the country. Planned highlights of the parade include giant balloons, marching bands, fabulous floats and dynamic dance groups! READ MORE

13th Annual Brooklyn Children's Book Fair

Brooklyn
Meet your favorite Brooklyn authors and illustrators at the annual Brooklyn Children's Book Fair. This free event features author readings, illustrator presentations, and book-related art-making opportunities with over forty creators presenting storybooks, picture books, and graphic novels. READ MORE

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