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Things To Do in Westchester this Weekend: Christmas Carol, Nutcracker, Holiday Crafting

Nestle into the historic Old Dutch Church this weekend for Charles Dickens’
Nestle into the historic Old Dutch Church this weekend for Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol.” Photo courtesy of Historic Hudson Valley
12/11/19 - By Susan Miele

The holidays are closing in, and Westchester and Hudson Valley families are scrambling to soak up all the fun! This weekend, the festivities are ratcheted up, so put on your jingle bells, light those lights, and don’t miss these highlights!

The big holiday events happening throughout December are still in full gear, and with a short holiday season this year and the tendency for some to sell out, we encourage you to reserve tickets now. Adding to the various iterations this month of the Tchaikovsky classic, this weekend marks the return of The Westchester Ballet Company’s The Nutcracker. Other noteworthy holiday performances include the Christmas Handbell Concert and Canadian Brass' "Christmas Time Is Here." 

A couple of programs combine nature and crafting, including Decorate a Tree for Wildlife and Holiday Decorations from Nature, both annual traditions.

That's just the tip of the holiday iceberg—find lots more festive fun in our Event Calendar. Read on for our top picks, and also consult our Holiday Fun Guide. Enjoy it all!

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Catch The Nutcracker at the Westchester County Center this weekend. Photo courtesy of the company
Catch The Nutcracker at the Westchester County Center this weekend. Photo courtesy of the company

Things To Do All Weekend

The Westchester Ballet Company Presents The Nutcracker

White Plains
The Nutcracker returns to the Westchester County Center in White Plains, bringing quality dancing, scenery and costumes, plus special stage effects.  READ MORE

It's a Wonderful Life

Pleasantville
The Frank Capra holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life will be shown on three dates in December on the big screen at the Jacob Burns Film Center. READ MORE

Dickens' "Christmas Carol"

Sleepy Hollow
Nestle in to the cozy confines of the Old Dutch Church and let master storyteller Jonathan Kruk, complete with musical accompaniment, regale you with his adaptation of this Charles Dickens classic. Show your ticket at the Philipsburg Manor gift shop to get a free cup of hot tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. READ MORE

Things To Do on Saturday, December 14, 2019

DIY Gift Wrap

Dobbs Ferry
Make your own wrapping paper in abstract styles using metallic paint. Just in time for the holidays! Each child will bring home three sheets of personally designed gift wrap. READ MORE

Holiday Decorations from Nature

Cross River – FREE
Create seasonal decorations from natural materials at the Trailside Nature Museum. Supplies and hot cocoa will be provided.  READ MORE
Canadian Brass plays holiday favorites at Purchase College on Sunday. Photo courtesy of the band
Canadian Brass plays holiday favorites at Purchase College on Sunday. Photo courtesy of the band

Things To Do on Sunday, December 15, 2019

Christmas Handbell Concert

Bronxville – FREE
The Reformed Church of Bronxville presents its annual Holiday Handbell Concert. The performance typically features three handbell choirs comprising some 40 ringers aged 11 and up, along with organ and congregational singing. Traditional and contemporary carols are performed. READ MORE

Decorate a Tree for Wildlife

Ossining
Partake in a holiday tradition that celebrates nature's gift to us. Help decorate a tree with goodies for the birds, squirrels and other wildlife. READ MORE
Join in the fun of Unsilent Night Sunday evening at Washington Square Park. Photo courtesy of the event
Join in the fun of Unsilent Night Sunday evening at Washington Square Park. Photo courtesy of the event

Beyond Westchester

Unsilent Night 2022

Manhattan – FREE
Each year, composer Phil Kline leads a massive chorus of boomboxes from the West Village to the East Village in the annual holiday presentation of Unsilent Night. READ MORE

49th Annual Merry Tuba Christmas at Rockefeller Center

Manhattan – FREE
Hundreds of tenor and bass tuba players congregate at The Rink at Rockefeller Center to play Christmas carols and other crowd favorites. READ MORE

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