Things To Do With Kids in Westchester Now Through Thanksgiving Weekend (November 18th - 20th and November 24th - 27th) (2024)

This week we are highlighting events for the weekend of November 18th - 20th and Thanksgiving weekend! With Thanksgiving and the winter holidays right around the corner there is a lot to celebrate. You can watch a Thanksgiving parade, run in a Turkey Trot, head to a community tree lighting, make a holiday craft, meet Santa or see a show! ​You can also visit our

for a full listing of all events.

If you are looking to do some shopping this Black Friday or Small Business Saturday, check out our list of our

and shop small!Or if you want to volunteer your time or make a donation, check out

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

for all the highlights.

Lastly, if you have not already joined our e-mail list,

for free!

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

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

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

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

​Summary: Enjoy Star Wars themed activities includingYoda 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

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. Localschools, 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

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

Summary: Make aThanksgiving Day craft project inspired by American Girl doll Kit Kittredge and adoll size box of thanks.
Schedule:Saturday, November 19th 11am
Location: Girl AGain, 2B,4 Martine Ave, White Plains, NY

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

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

Summary:Watch aprofessionally 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​

Summary:Enjoy a family concert from the Chappaqua Orchestra featuringPaul 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

Summary: The 50th Anniversary Turkey Trot in Mamaroneck includes aGobbler Race (1 Mile) for ages 12 years and under and aTurkey 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 isHarbor Island Park, in front of the Stephen E. Johnston Beach Pavilion,1 Harbor Island Park, Mamaroneck, NY

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​

Summary:This paradeheld 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

Summary:Drop into the Katonah Museum of Art’sLearning 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

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

Summary: Watch a live performance ofMooseltoe, 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

Summary: Participate in theThe 12th annual Bedford Turkey Trot.
Schedule: Saturday, November 26th 9am
Location: Bedford, NY

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

Summary:Watch aprofessionally 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

​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

​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

Summary:Frosty Day is afun-filled winter celebration with familyactivities,a parade andannual holiday lighting ceremony at the gazebo inWampus 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​​

Please note that many ongoing events are closed on holidays.
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Summary:Experience a Halloween spectacular of thousands of jack o' lanterns by walking through an18th century riverside landscape.Recommended for all ages. This event sells out so you need to purchase

or a

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

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 inadvance, space is limited.
Schedule:Saturday, November 5th through Christmas Eve
Location:Ridge Hill,1 Ridge Hill Boulevard, Yonkers, NY

​Summary:Take your children to the Westchester for holiday photos with Santa. Make a reservation in advance at

.
Schedule:Saturday, November 5th through Christmas Eve
Location:The Westchester,125 Westchester Ave, White Plains, NY

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 aboardThe 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

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 (

isDecember 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th at 9am)
Location:The Maritime Aquarium,10 N Water St, Norwalk, CT

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

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

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

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-Saturday9 - 5pm, Sunday 11 - 5pmLocation:
Location: Stamford Museum & Nature Center,39 Scofieldtown Rd, Stamford, CT

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

Summary: Visit the

, asafe 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

.
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