If you are looking to do some shopping this Black Friday or Small Business Saturday, check out our list of our favorite locally owned kids clothing & consignment stores and shop small! Or if you want to volunteer your time or make a donation, check out these ideas to help out those in need in Westchester.
Don't forget to look ahead to make sure you purchase tickets in advance for upcoming holiday events and popular shows that sell out. Check out our Holiday Fun Guide for all the highlights.
Lastly, if you have not already joined our e-mail list, join now for free!
Weekend of November 18th Only: Thanksgiving Parades & More
Summary: Visit the Westchester Children's Museum after dark in your pajamas! Play in the exhibits and enjoy storytime in the Reading Nook. All ages welcome.
Schedule: Friday, November 18, 5-6:30pm
Location: Westchester Children's Museum, 100 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY
Make a Felt Gingerbread Man
Summary: Kids 3 and up can enjoy a making a felt gingerbread man. Sign up in store or just drop in. Parent or guardian must remain on premises.
Schedule: Saturday, November 19th 10am - 12pm
Location: Michael's Stores in Hartsdale, Pelham and Port Chester, NY
A Dickens Tale
Summary: Actors recreate Victorian England in this beloved retelling of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Purchase tickets in advance.
Schedule: Saturday, November 19th 11 am and 2 pm
Location: Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Road Ridgefield, CT
Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting at Cross County Shopping Center
Summary: Head over to the Cross County Shopping Center as they kick off the official start to the holiday season with a festive parade, tree lighting and holiday concert featuring the NYC Swing Band.
Schedule: Saturday, Nov 19th 6:00pm
Location: Cross County Shopping Center, 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers, NY
LEGO® Star Wars™ Days!
Summary: Enjoy Star Wars themed activities including Yoda Big Build, hunting down your favorite scenes in a Star Wars® takeover and more.
Schedule: Saturday, November 19th and Sunday, November 20th
Location: LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester, 39 Fitzgerald St. Yonkers, NY
New Rochelle 53rd Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade
Summary: Not to miss! This Thanksgiving Parade is the biggest one in New York outside of the Macy’s parade in New York City! The parade begins at the Huguenot Children's Library on 794 North Avenue and will work its way down North Avenue onto Main Street and end on Maple Avenue. Local schools, organizations, companies and bands from in and around Westchester County will be featured.
Schedule: Saturday, November 19th 10am
Location: Huguenot Children’s Library, 794 North Ave, New Rochelle, NY
Turkey Time at Teatown
Summary: Families can learn more about turkeys, make a craft, listen to a story and take a short hike.
Schedule: Saturday, November 19th 11am
Location: Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Rd, Ossining, NY
Thanksgiving Craft Project at Girl Again
Summary: Make a Thanksgiving Day craft project inspired by American Girl doll Kit Kittredge and a doll size box of thanks.
Schedule: Saturday, November 19th 11am
Location: Girl AGain, 2B, 4 Martine Ave, White Plains, NY
Kids Day at City Center
Summary: Celebrate the remodeling of City Center with Sparklicious, Songs for Seeds, the Little Mermaid, Nash the Amazing Scientist face painting and more.
Schedule: Saturday, November 19th 11am - 2pm
Location: City Center, 5 City Pl, White Plains, NY
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Summary: Enjoy this animated film based on Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book about a fantastic fox and make your own fox mask. Recommended for ages 7 and up. Purchase tickets in advance.
Schedule: Saturday, November 19th and Sunday, November 20th 12pm
Location: Jacob Burns Film Center, 405 Manville Rd, Pleasantville, NY
The Wizard of Oz
Summary: Watch a professionally produced performance of The Wizard of Oz from a professional cast. Purchase tickets in advance.
Schedule: Saturday, November 19th 1pm & 7:30 pm, Sunday, November 20th 2pm (also showing following weekend)
Location: Yorktown Stage, 1974 Commerce St, Yorktown Heights, NY
The Chappaqua Orchestra presents - The Chappaqua Children's Book Festival Story Concert
Summary: Enjoy a family concert from the Chappaqua Orchestra featuring Paul Shaffer (SNL and Late Show with David Letterman) who narrates "A Family for Baby Grand" Story and more. Purchase tickets in advance.
Schedule: Saturday, November 19th 4pm
Location: Wallace Auditorium, 480 Bedford Rd Chappaqua, NY
Mamaroneck Turkey Trot & Gobbler Race
Summary: The 50th Anniversary Turkey Trot in Mamaroneck includes a Gobbler Race (1 Mile) for ages 12 years and under and a Turkey Trot 5K (3.1 Mile). Register in advance.
Schedule: Sunday, November 20th 9:30am (Gobbler Race), 10:15am (Turkey Trot)
Location: Race Start & Finish Line is Harbor Island Park, in front of the Stephen E. Johnston Beach Pavilion, 1 Harbor Island Park, Mamaroneck, NY
Caring Santa
Summary: A special event with Santa for santa-lovers with special needs. Before mall hours, enjoy family photos with Santa beginning at 10am.
Schedule: Sunday, November 20th 10am
Location: The Westchester, 125 Westchester Ave, White Plains, NY
UBS Parade Spectacular
Summary: This parade held in Stamford, CT is one of the largest helium balloon parades in the country, featuring everyone’s favorite giant balloon characters, award winning marching bands and fabulous floats.
Schedule: Sunday, November 20th 12pm
Location: Stamford Downtown: Summer to Broad to Atlantic Streets, Stamford, CT
Thanksgiving Weekend Only: November 24th - 27th
Summary: Drop into the Katonah Museum of Art’s Learning Center for engaging projects exploring line and drawing in a variety of forms.
Schedule: Friday, November 25th 10am - 3pm
Location: Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay St, Katonah, NY
Holiday Kickoff
Summary: A fun afternoon of activities including Holiday Sky Tonight Star Show, magic by Kathie, holiday sing-a-long and rustic holiday ornament craft.
Schedule: Friday, November 25th 12 - 5pm
Location: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave, Yonkers, NY
Mooseltoe
Summary: Watch a live performance of Mooseltoe, the charming story about a Moose who wants to fly with Santa’s reindeer. Ages 4 and up. Purchase tickets in advance.
Schedule: Friday, November 25th 11am
Location: White Plains Performing Arts Center, 11 City Pl, White Plains, NY
Bedford Turkey Trot
Summary: Participate in the The 12th annual Bedford Turkey Trot.
Schedule: Saturday, November 26th 9am
Location: Bedford, NY
Green Craft Fair
Summary: Drop your children off at Westmoreland Sanctuary and they will entertain them while you Christmas shop! Make Candles, Animal Tracks, fairy/bird houses.
Schedule: Saturday, November 26th 11am
Location: Westmoreland Sanctuary, 260 Chestnut Ridge Rd, Mt Kisco, NY
The Wizard of Oz
Summary: Watch a professionally produced performance of The Wizard of Oz from a professional cast. Purchase tickets in advance.
Schedule: Saturday, November 26th 7:30 pm, Sunday, November 27th 2pm
Location: Yorktown Stage, 1974 Commerce St, Yorktown Heights, NY
Westchester Teen Idol
Summary: Enjoy the talent of 25 teens as they "sing their hearts out", competing for the title of Westchester Teen Idol! Purchase tickets in advance.
Schedule: Saturday, November 26th 7:30pm
Location: Irvington Town Hall Theatre, 85 Main St, Irvington, NY
Rye's Mistletoe Magic
Summary: Annual Mistletoe Magic event kicks off the holiday season with festivities along Purchase Street. The Square House will be open for holiday crafts and viewing of classic animated Christmas shows like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Schedule: Sunday, November 27th 12-3pm
Location: Purchase St, Rye, NY
Annual Frosty Day, Parade & Holiday Lighting
Summary: Frosty Day is a fun-filled winter celebration with family activities, a parade and annual holiday lighting ceremony at the gazebo in Wampus Brook Park. Activities include horse & wagon rides, train rides, Santa, face painting, music performances and more.
Schedule: Sunday, November 27th 12:30pm - 5pm, Parade at 4pm, Lighting at 4:30pm
Location: Armonk, NY
Ongoing Winter Events: Santa, Shows and More
The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze
Summary: Experience a Halloween spectacular of thousands of jack o' lanterns by walking through an 18th century riverside landscape. Recommended for all ages. This event sells out so you need to purchase tickets or a membership through Historic Hudson Valley in advance.
Schedule: Fridays and weekends plus some additional evenings, ends November 26th.
Location: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S Riverside Ave, Croton-On-Hudson, NY
Adventure to Santa
Summary: Ridge Hill's holiday adventure to see Santa with Po and Friends! Blast off on a rocket-powered cart ride to the North Pole, enjoy a private meet and greet with Santa and more. Reserve tickets in advance, space is limited.
Schedule: Saturday, November 5th through Christmas Eve
Location: Ridge Hill, 1 Ridge Hill Boulevard, Yonkers, NY
Santa's Waiting- Photos With Santa
Summary: Take your children to the Westchester for holiday photos with Santa. Make a reservation in advance at www.noerrsanta.com/simon.
Schedule: Saturday, November 5th through Christmas Eve
Location: The Westchester, 125 Westchester Ave, White Plains, NY
Santa Photos & Visits
Summary: Visit Santa to share wishes and capture memories! Take your family photo with Santa (you can even bring your pets!) at Cross County Shopping Center. Reservations available, but not required.
Schedule: Friday, November 11th through Christmas Eve
Location: Cross County Shopping Center, 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers, NY
The Polar Express Train Ride
Summary: Pajama-clad train passengers will relive the magic of the Polar Express story and see their favorite characters come to life as they are whisked away aboard The Polar Express (an actual train ride) on a magical round trip to the North Pole. Purchase tickets in advance.
Schedule: November 18th through December 28th, Friday-Sunday and December 21st-23rd, 26th-28th, various times
Location: Catskill Mountain Railroad, Aaron Ct, Kingston, NY
The Polar Express IMAX Movie
Summary: “All aboard!” for a magical IMAX movie adventure to Santa’s North Pole headquarters as the holiday film “The Polar Express” is shown on a giant six-story screen. Purchase tickets in advance.
Schedule: Friday, November 25th-December 18th on weekends and daily December 26th - January 2nd 5pm (The Polar Express Pajama Party is December 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th at 9am)
Location: The Maritime Aquarium, 10 N Water St, Norwalk, CT
Holiday Train Show at the NY Botanical Garden
Summary: Enchanting model trains zip through a display of 150 landmarks, each re-created with bark, leaves, and other natural materials—all under the twinkling glow. Purchase tickets in advance.
Schedule: November 19th - January 16th
Location: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY
Holiday Train Show at GNC
Summary: Train lovers of all ages will love the HO gauge model trains on display among replicas of area landmarks, courtesy of Yonkers Model Railroad Club. Purchase tickets in advance.
Schedule: Saturday, November 26th, Sunday, 27th, Saturday, December 3rd, Sunday December 4th 10am - 4:30pm
Location: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Rd, Scarsdale, NY
Westchester's Winter Wonderland
Summary: A one-of-a-kind holiday experience featuring Santa and Friends, RangersTown Rink, the Hanneford Holiday Circus, great rides, fantastic local food and drinks, light show and more. Purchase tickets in advance.
Schedule: November 25th - January 2nd, Thursday-Sunday evenings through December 11th and thendaily evenings (except December 24th and 25th)
Location: Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Pkwy, Valhalla, NY
Other Ongoing Events
Summary: Bring the whole family to the annual "A Billion Bricks" exhibition and be awed by five famous architectural landmarks made completely out of LEGO® bricks.
Schedule: November 19th - February 5th, Monday-Saturday 9 - 5pm, Sunday 11 - 5pmLocation:
Location: Stamford Museum & Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Rd, Stamford, CT
Free Crafts for Kids at Lakeshore Learning
Summary: The Lakeshore Learning Store in Scarsdale offers a "Free Crafts for Kids."
Schedule: Every Saturday from 11am - 3pm
Location: Lakeshore Learning Store, 969 Central Park Ave, Scarsdale, NY
Hudson River Museum
Summary: Visit the Early Explorers Space, a safe space for children under 5 to explore, play, and create with their families. The room hosts a large-scale dollhouse, blocks, puppet theater, and books. Children 7 and up can head to the Family Studio for Art & Science Projects.
Schedule: Early Explorers Space: Saturdays & Sundays 1 - 4 pm, Art Projects: Saturdays & Sundays 1 - 4 pm, Science Projects: Saturdays 1 - 4 pm.
Location: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave, Yonkers, NY