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Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: Hanukkah, Winterfest, Santa’s Workshop, Dec. 5-6
This weekend marks the beginning of Hanukkah and continues our travels through the holiday season toward Christmas. Our top picks for Westchester and Hudson Valley families are celebrations of this season.
Many towns and villages come alive with holiday tree-lighting celebrations, such as Tuckahoe's Winterfest. The appeal of period charm enhances several events at historic sites, including the St. Nicholas Day Celebration, and a multicultural spin is offered at Newpoli: A Traditional Italian Christmas. For more rousing holiday fun, take in A West Point Holiday, while options for Hanukkah fun include Lights on Ice Chanukah Celebration.
Read on for further details, visit our December GoList for our top picks of the month, and be sure to consult our Event Calendar, which is bursting with fun events every day of the week!
OUR LATEST VIDEOS
All Weekend
Winterfest - Tuckahoe
Celebrate Tuckahoe's two-day Winterfest. Enjoy ice skating, holiday music and a tree lighting. Little ones can also have their picture taken with Santa and more. FREE
A West Point Holiday - West Point
Enjoy a live performance of holiday favorites by the West Point Band, featuring both instrumentals and vocals, as well as a pre-concert performance in the lobby. FREE
Saturday, December 6
A Holiday on Huguenot Street - New Paltz
Historic New Paltz comes to life for this two-day seasonal celebration featuring tours, performances, shopping, horse-drawn wagon rides, crafts and more. Friday and Saturday
Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting - Chappaqua
Make Victorian ornaments and potpourri sachets, and watch the tree-lighting ceremony at this old-world holiday celebration at a historic home. Santa will be there! FREE
Santa's Workshop - Bronxville
Especially for those who prefer to avoid the Santa visit at the mall, this village opportunity to meet St. Nick is lower-key and includes entertainment, food and giveaways—and it’s all FREE. Even parking in select lots is free after noon.
St. Nicholas Day Celebration - Yonkers
Music, storytelling, a scavenger hunt, crafts and treats are all part of this celebration of St. Nicholas Day FREE
Newpoli: A Traditional Italian Christmas - Valhalla
Folk music of southern Italy, stories and traditional instruments are all a part of this Italian Christmas celebration. Buon Natale!
Sunday, December 7
Glow in the Dark Spectacular – Mamaroneck
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a game bus, kosher food truck, latkes, crafts and the lighting of a giant menorah. FREE
Lights on Ice Chanukah Celebration - Pelham
The big attraction at this holiday festivity is the opportunity to watch a giant menorah be carved from ice! Other fun to be had are Chanukah crafts, holiday treats, gelt and more. FREE
Beyond Westchester
Winter Family Fair is a Victorian era-styled holiday fete for families in conjunction with a display of Charles Dickens' original manuscript of A Christmas Carol. Meet Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, the famous ghosts and the author himself as portrayed by members of the Grand Falloons Company as they interact with guests and perform various Dickensian vignettes. Enjoy strolling magicians, musicians and other entertainers, seasonal craft making and dressing up in period costumes for the retro photo booth. Another highlight is the Steadfast Tin Soldier marionette show by Puppetworks.
The Chocolate Expo at the CT Science Center in Hartford is worth the drive. If the title alone doesn’t whet your appetite, how about the prospect of sampling confections ranging from candy and baked goods to frozen treats and more? Items are available for purchase. Won’t your kids thank you?
Remember to check out our Event Calendar for even more fun happening this weekend and beyond in Westchester and the Hudson Valley—and be sure to sign up for our FREE weekly newsletters to stay up-to-date on our latest reviews, tips and more!
Photo credit: Chabad of the Rivertowns
