What To Do: With the Kids Fall 2015

What To Do: With the Kids Fall 2015: This is the big one folks! Fall is the big local event season. You have harvest festivals, farm festivals, and the last of the summer carnival festivals. And, of yeah … Halloween. We have 77 kids’ events from the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival to The Wiggles, Disney on Ice to Ice Skating at the Harvey School, Curious George, Yo Yo Ma, Mario Batali and a Dinosaur Train Show at Lasdon Park. Expect lots of food, music and … whatever! See you there.

September

Apple Picking: Apple picking season is here. Check out our Fall Survival Checklist to find out where to pick apples and when. Fall Survival Checklist: Apple Picking.

Lime Rock Park Historic Festival: The east coast’s premier vintage racing and concours event delivers three days of on-track racing featuring more than 300 cars and drivers, racing everything from pre-WWI racers to the best competition machines from the 1920s to the 1970s. How cool is that? Thurs-Mon, 9/3-7: check schedule. (60 White Hollow Rd., Lakeville CT: www.limerock.com)

CORNucopia at Philipsburg Manor: This novel corn festival offers a bounty of corn-centric delicacies, demonstrations and hands-on, corn-related activities. Kids play games like Konk-a-Crow and Ring-a Cob in the CORNival area. There are corn-shucking races, a mini maize-maze, and crafts – make a cornhusk doll. Plus house tours, cooking, barrel making and corn grinding demonstrations, bluegrass and folk music and English country dancing in the barn. If you get the corn munchies there’s cornbread, corn salsa and chips, corn chili, popcorn and sweet corn ice cream. Sat-Mon, 9/5-7: 10am-5pm. (381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow: www.hudsonvalley.org)

Schooner Soundwaters: The Schooner SoundWaters sails through September from Stamford’s Harbor Park Marina. The Schooner’s 2-hour family sails offer a hands-on educational experience for kids 5 & up. (Sat-Sun: 9/5-27: 2-4pm) Or pack dinner and your favorite quaff and watch the sun set on the horizon on a sunset sail. Sat-Sun, 9/5-6 & Fri-Sun, 9/11-13: 5:30-7:30pm; Fri-Sun, 9/18-27: 5-7pm. (Stamford Harbor Park Marina, 333 Ludlow St., Stamford; www.soundwaters.org)

Yorktown Grange Fair: Westchester’s only true country fair has showcased home grown and home made vegetables, flowers, baked goods, livestock, poultry, needlework, and photography since 1923. Expect antique tractor and animal parades, livestock exhibits, horse competitions, hay rides, magic shows, watermelon, pie eating, balloon blowing, nail driving and rubber chicken throwing competitions, (the stuff memories are made of) carnival rides, and funnel cakes. A Taste of NY tent offers free tastings and sale items from local food and beverage vendors. Musical entertainment includes Chain of Fools (Motown), Unfunded Mandate (classic rock), Strawberry Fields (Beatles tribute), and Lori and Mike Barr (folk). Thurs, 9/10: 5-10pm, Fri, 9/11: 4-11pm, Sat, 9/12: 10-am-11pm & Sun, 9/13: 10am-7pm. (Yorktown Grange Fair Grounds, 99 Moseman Avenue, Yorktown Heights; www.yorktowngrangefair.org)

Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival: Arts & Crafts show, harbor tour cruises, vessel tours, a Ferris wheel, a New England Seaport Village, environmental demonstrations, and a Kids Cove with circus and puppet shows, music, and arts & crafts (for the kids), an International Food Court with craft beer (for the adults), celebrity oyster slurping contests and … OYSTERS, OYSTERS, OYSTERS. With musical entertainment on Saturday night (last year the headliner Joan Jett and the Blackhearts) and Family Day specials on Sunday that includes free admission, discount rides, kids’ specials at food courts and special entertainment. Fri, 9/11: 6-11pm, Sat, 9/12: 11am-11pm, Sun, 9/13:11am-8pm. (Norwalk Veterans Park, 42 Seaview Ave., Norwalk: www.seaport.org)

Local! Katonah 5K Road & Trail Race: The race begins and ends at the junction of Edgemont and The Parkway in the heart of historic Katonah. Take a rolling, scenic run through the trails of Katonah’s Memorial Park and through town. Plus a one-mile challenge for the kids, tots races and awards. Sponsored by Katonah Village Improvement Society (KVIS). Sat, 9/12: 8am. (Meet at the Parkway between Bedford and Edgemont Roads; Register here: www.katonahvis.com)

Local! Fire on the Green in Bedford Village: Join the Bedford Village Fire Department for a day of BBQ, games, music, fair attractions, a fire safety trailer and live demonstrations. Sat., 9/12: 3-8pm. (Bedford Village Fire Department, 34 Village Green, Bedford)

Local! Community Family Camp Out at Katonah Memorial Park: Bedford Recreation serves up this first family camp out event. They provide tent set-up assistance, a large campfire, 2 large grills for cooking, picnic tables, S’mores, hot chocolate, coffee and tea, ghost stories, breakfast bagels, donuts, beverages, clean rest rooms, supervision, and a Sunday morning swim at the Katonah pool. Campsite registration begins June 1. Sat, 9/12: 5pm. Contact the recreation office at 666.7004 or check your Fall Brochure Recreation@Bedfordny.gov)

LOCAL! Fête with Babar – Caramoor: Take a brief I Spy the Rosen House tour and discover some of the treasures that Caramoor’s founders Walter and Lucie Rosen collected.  Then take in a performance of Poulenc’s Babar in the Music Room with pianist Jeewon Park and narrator Benjamin Luxon. There’s mini sandwiches and treats in the Summer Dining Room after the show. Sat, 9/12: 3pm. Caramoor, 149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah: www.caramoor.org)

Family Dinners with Mario Batali’s Chefs – New York Botanical Garden: Enjoy a garden-to-table meal prepared by Chef Matt Abdoo and Chef Melissa Rodriguez from the Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group’s acclaimed Del Posto restaurant. The menu includes grilled peaches, heirloom tomatoes and burrata salad; marinated grilled flank steak with salsa verde, Ukon Gold potato salad, slow cooked rainbow chard and tiramisu. Plus hands-on gardening and craft activities and live cooking demonstrations by top chefs in the outdoor Whole Foods Market®. Programming geared for kids ages 4 to 12. Sun, 9/13: 5-7:30pm. (2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx; www.nybg.org)

Grandparents Day at Muscoot Farm: Dial up the ‘rents and unload the kids for the day. With special activities and free hayrides for grandma and grandpa. Priceless! Sun, 9/13: 1-3pm. (Muscoot Farm, Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

Bicycle Sundays: Bicycle Sundays return for three Sundays in September when Westchester County closes off a six and a half mile stretch of the Bronx River Parkway for the exclusive use of bicyclists, joggers, scooters and strollers. You can park at the County Center and take a 13.1-mile round trip bike road to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers. Sun, 9/13, 20, 27: 10am-2pm. www.westchestergov.com.

Circus Latino! – Tarrytown Music Hall: A multi-cultural arts collaboration celebrating Sleepy Hollow, featuring Westchester Circus Arts and Jazz Forum Arts. With aerialists, acrobats, dancers, a Brazilian Samba band, and an Ecuadorian band, performing a one-hour show under a 90-foot circus tent at the new Edge-on-Hudson site (the former General Motors property) next to the historic 1883 Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse. Fri-Sun, 9/18-20: check times. Free parking at 199 Beekman Ave, Sleepy Hollow; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Street Beat: Merging African, Cuban, Latin, West African and jazz concepts, Street Beat utilizes junk, household items and found objects for drums and percussion and mixes in modern “street” choreography to create a spectacle of urban rhythm and dance. Sat, 9/19: 4 & 7:30pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT: www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Local! John Jay Barn Dance: It’s the event of the season in Bedford. The annual John Jay Barn Dance serves up a country BBQ, a pizza truck, ice cream sundaes, and the Johnny Peers Muttville Comix, an act featuring dogs rescued from shelters. The highlight of the evening is the music by local bands. Last year’s bands included The Celenza Boys, Locke Ness, 52 Pick-Up, and the ever-popular Bad Dog. Sat, 9/19: 5-9pm. (John Jay Homestead, 400 Jay St., Katonah; www.johnjayhomestead.org)

Local! Armonk Fall Festival – featuring Jamie’s 5k Run for Love: This Armonk Chamber of Commerce celebration features live music, an apple pie eating contest, donut fishing … and plenty of cider and donuts. The event begins immediately after Jamie’s 5K “Run for Love”. Sun, 9/20: 9:30am-2pm. Races from 9:30-11:30am. (Wampus Park, Maple Ave., Armonk; www.armonkchamberofcommerce.org)

Local! BHPA Fall Carnival: The “new and improved” Byram Hills Preschool Association’s Fall Carnival offers more rides than ever before, face painting, crafts and more. There will be pizza, frozen treats and beverages for sale. Sun, 9/20: 11am-3pm. (205 Business Park Dr., IBM Community Park, Armonk; www.bhpa.info)

Local! Square Dancing Fun Nights in Katonah: Singles, couples and families are welcome for two nights of free square dancing at the Katonah Methodist Church Parish Hall. Check your Bedford Recreation Fall Brochure. Mon, 9/21 & 28: 7:30-9:30pm. (44 Edgemont Rd., Katonah, 914.433.2919; www.bedfordny.gov)

Hammond Museum Mid-Autumn Festival – Hao Bang Ah, Sheep! The Hammond Museum, in conjunction with Families with Children from China, presents a festival of theater, crafts, snacks and culture. The show features hand puppet vignettes based on popular Chinese songs and sayings, and animals of the Chinese zodiac including tigers, rabbits, dragons and snakes. With sing-alongs, face painting and Chinese snacks. Sat, 9/26: 1-3pm. (Hammond Museum & Japanese Stroll Garden, 28 Deveau Rd., N. Salem; www.hammondmuseum.org)

Local! New Castle Community Day The Rotary Club of Chappaqua’s annual meet and greet features over 70 exhibitors presenting information about their organization including the Chappaqua Library, the New Castle Historical Society and The Chappaqua Orchestra. This event also features rides, food, entertainment, and family activities. Sat, 9/26: 9am-2pm. (Chappaqua Train Station)

Local! Caramoor Family Concert – The Knights with Yo Yo Ma: Featuring interactive games and discussion. Meet a mermaid in a magical lake, see the hills of the Italian countryside and a mythical bird from Persian folktales. Join The Knights and special guest Yo-Yo Ma for this one-of-a-kind adventure complete with musical snapshots and souvenirs. Followed by a program including: Dvorak (arr. The Knights)  Song to the Moon for Solo Cello and Orchestra, from Rusalka
; Mendelssohn Selections from Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90, “Italian”
; C. Jacobsen/Aghaei Ascending Bird. Sun, 9/27: 1pm. (Caramoor, 149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah: www.caramoor.org)

Local! Sukkot – Fall Harvest Hoe Down at Rosenthall JCC: Grab your bandanas and cowboy boots and celebrate the fall harvest holiday with your JCC community. There’s good food, entertainment and fun for the entire family. Sun, 9/27: 3-5pm. (Rosenthal JCC, 600 Bear Ridge Rd., Pleasantville; www.rosenthaljcc.org)

The Edible Academy Family Garden Picnic – NYBG: Bring the family for an afternoon of outdoor discovery, and join special guests Chef Carla Hall, co-host from ABC’s The Chew, along with chefs from Mario Batali’s acclaimed restaurants—Andy Nusser of Tarry Lodge and Anthony Sasso of Casa Mono—for live cooking demonstrations and a delicious picnic. Kids of any age will enjoy kitchen crafts, organic vegetable gardening activities, live music, and more! Sun, 9/27: 12:30-4:30pm. (New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx; www.nybg.org)

The Wiggles – Stamford Palace: The Wiggles’ Rock n’ Roll Preschool Tour mixes songs from their new CD (That’s the Sound of Rock & Roll”, “Wake Up!”, “Dance with Emma” and “I Want a Leather Jacket” with Wiggles classics such as “Hot Potato!”, “Rock-a-Bye Your Bea” and “Do the Propeller”. The “fab four of fun for under-fives” will be joined by Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus! Tues, 9/29: 6:30pm. (Stamford Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.palacestamford.org)

OCTOBER

Local! Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival: Over 4,000 visitors attended theChappaqua Children’s Book Festival last year.  The kids’ book fest showcases over 80 popular children’s book authors – most of whom are onsite, doing signings and book readings for the kids. Including NYT’s best sellers Victoria Kann (Pinkalicious), Nick Bruel (Bad Kitty), Wendy Mass (The Candymakers), Michael Buckley (The Sisters Grimm and NERDS), Sally Cook (How To Speak Baseball) and Gary Golio (Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow); National Book Award winner Mary Ann Hoberman (A House is a House For Me), Caldecott Medalist Ed Young, Bruce Degan (The Magic School Bus), Jean Marzollo (I SPY) and Jacqueline Weitzman (You Can’t Take a Balloon Into the Metropolitan Museum). Plus, food from Le Jardin du Roi, Skinny Buddha, Village Social and Hall of Scoops, costumed characters (Bad Kitty and Biscuit) and kids activities featuring Hudson Valley Llamas, Gaga from Kiwi Country Day Camp and science experiments with Regeneron. Sat, 10/3: 10am-4pm. (Bell Middle School, 50 Senter Place, Chappaqua; www.ccbfestival.org)

Local! The Great Chappaqua Bake Sale manages the snacks at the Chappaqua Children’s Book Fair offering baked goods and raffle prizes donated by families, restaurants, bakeries and merchants in the Chappaqua area. The bake sale has raised over $76,000 for No Kid Hungry in the past five years. Both events run in conjunction on Sat, 10/3: 10am-4pm. (Robert Bell Middle School, 50 Senter St., Chappaqua; like them on Facebook.)

Dino Train Show – Lasdon Park: This year’s model train exhibit takes on a Jurassic theme with more than 100 feet of track built around a variety of storybook and movie favorite dinosaurs in a land threatened by an erupting volcano. Plus, a screening of Rexy the Dinosaur in 3D, a Dino Scavenger Hunt, a hay maze, wagon rides and a dinosaur topiary garden. They’ll be grilling up some Bronto Burgers and Dino Dogs too. Sat-Sun & Columbus Day, 10/3-11/1: 11am-3: 30pm. (Lasdon Park, 2610 Amawalk Rd. Rt. 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Hot Ticket Alert! Annual Stone Barns Harvest Fest: Their 12th annual celebration and fundraiser is a hot ticket so order early. Live music, hands-on farming activities, food crafting, farmer’s market, hayrides, farm Olympics and more. Sat, 10/3: 10am-3pm. (630 Bedford Rd., Pocantico Hills; www.stonebarnscenter.org)

Local! Byram Hills High School Homecoming: The Byram Hills Bobcat Booster’s have put together a wild weekend of JV and V games, a pep rally with fireworks and a parade down Main Street in Armonk. On Fri, 10/2 the high school hosts Community Night from 4-9pm with a Pep Rally, Cheer and Dance team shows and fireworks from 7:15-9pm. Concessions and spirit wear activities will coincide with a host of games: Field Hockey: 3:30pm, Girls Tennis: 4:15pm, Volleyball: 4:30pm and Girls Soccer: 5pm. The Homecoming Parade will travel down Main St. on noon on Sat, 10/3 followed by the varsity football game against Beacon at 3pm. Be there or be square. Go Bobcats!

Greenwich Audubon Fall Festival and Hawk Watch: Live animal shows, birds of prey, guided hikes, nature themed games, environmental exhibits, and eco-friendly vendors help celebrate the annual hawk migration passing over the site’s “Quaker Ridge Hawk Watch.” Plus, a honey harvest, food from Café Bon, Annie Bananie’s Ice Cream, Wave Hill Bread and hawks, hawks, hawks. Sat-Sun: 10/3-4: 11am-5pm. (613 Riversville Rd., Greenwich; www.greenwich.audubon.org)

Sesame Street Live: Make a New Friend – Westchester County Center: Elmo, Grover, Abby Cadabby, and their Sesame Street friends welcome Chamki, Grover’s friend from India, to Sesame Street. Together, they explore the fun of friendship and celebrate cultural similarities, from singing and dancing, to kayaking, hot yoga and sharing cookies! Adults will appreciate the high-tech stagecraft, and music they’ll recognize and enjoy sharing with children, such as “Count Me In”, and fun new parodies of “Hot and Cold”, and “Moves Like Jagger”. Fri, 10/9: 10:30am, Sat, 10/10: 10:30am & 2pm, and Sun, 10/11: 11 & 2pm. (198 Central Ave., White Plains; www.countycenter.biz)

Bonfire Night at Boscobel: BYOB, blankets & chairs. Boscobel provides the bonfires, marshmallows and roasting sticks. Bratwurst, burgers and more are available from Phil’s Grills. Museum Educator Lisa DiMarzo offers stargazing assistance and Tenbrooks Molly provides the rockabilly sounds. Glow sticks and other luminescent items on sale. Sun 10/11: 6-9pm (no school the next day.) (Boscobel, 1601 Rt. 9D, Garrison; www.boscobel.org)

Columbus Day Pumpkin Picking at Muscoot Farm: Take a hayride to the pumpkin patch or walk to the vegetable garden to pick your pumpkin. Visit the farmer’s market, farm animals, (check out the pygmy goats and miniature donkeys) 12 historic buildings, (love the ice house and blacksmith shop) and 7 miles of hiking trails from easy to moderately strenuous. Sun-Mon: 10/11-12. (Muscoot Farm, Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

Local! Rosenthal JCC Fall Fest: Join the JCC on their beautiful grounds for the ultimate Fall Fest! Carnival rides & games, a wide selection of food, petting zoo and pony rides, pumpkin patch, entertainment and old-fashioned games & crafts. Mon, 10/12: 10am-4pm.  (Rosenthal JCC, 600 Bear Ridge Rd., Pleasantville; www.rosenthaljcc.org)

Local! The Pound Ridge Harvest Festival ROCKS: Contests, games and activities for kids and families. There’s a craft beer garden for adults from Magic Hat Brewery, a root beer garden for kids, and BBQ for all. Check back for more info when they announce their featured artists this year. (It’s usually a big one because Pound Ridge knows how to rock! Sorry Armonk, Bedford & Chappaqua.) Last year their featured artist was The Spin Doctors. And in 2013 they featured The Smithereens. Sat, 10/17: 2-6pm. (179 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge; www.poundridgeharvestfestival.com)

Autumn Celebration at Muscoot Farm: Celebrate the fall with an afternoon of music, games, hayrides, crafts, a Model A Ford show, blacksmithing demonstrations and a Farmers Market. Sun, 10/18: 12-3pm. (Muscoot Farm, Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

The Big Apple Circus – The Grand Tour: Set in the 1920s, this new show features acts from around the world. Ships, trains, automobiles, and airplanes will serve as the backdrop for breathtaking acts of wonder, accompanied by the seven-piece Big Apple Circus Band. Acts will include clowns, jugglers, acrobats, and aerialists, from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America, as well as domestic and rescue animal acts.  Wed-Sun, 10/21-1/10/16: check times. (Lincoln Center, Damrosch Park, 62nd Street, NY; www.bigapplecircus.org)

Music for Aardvarks – Emelin Theatre: “With its topical song subjects and dizzying range of musical styles, Aardvarks has become something of a cult phenomenon among New York City hipsters. And the one-man operation, along with the 10 CDs of music it is based on, is gaining converts across the country.” Time “Songs for children that won’t make the adults fwow up.” The New York Times. Sat, 10/24: 11am & 1:30pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Ln., Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)

Local! Westmoreland Sanctuary Orienteering Challenge: The ultimate in Treasure Hunts that’s perfect for families or groups. Westmoreland Sanctuary and Hudson Valley Orienteering all-levels orienteering challenge offers three courses for kids from beginner through intermediate and three for adults that get a little tougher. All the courses run through Westmoreland’s scenic woodlands. Maps, instruction, training and refreshments are provided. Compass rentals available. Start times begin at 10am and the last start time is 1pm. The courses usually run from 1 to 1 1/2 hours to complete. Sat, 10/25: 10am-1pm. (Westmoreland Sanctuary, 260 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Mt. Kisco; www.westmorelandsanctuary.org)

Run the Farm: Muscoot Farm: 6th annual run the farm races include a tough (but scenic) 5 mile course through the woods; a 1.1 mile race for kids (7-12), and a .6 mile race for kids under 6. Runners receive farm bucks to use at the Farmer’s Market. Races start at 8:30, 8:45 & 9:30am. Please arrive 30 minutes before race start time. Sun, 10/25: 8-9am. (Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast –Stamford Palace: The hit Broadway musical Beauty and the Beast comes to Stamford with its lavish sets, costumes and production numbers including “Be Our Guest”. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film about Belle a small town girl and a young price trapped in the body of a beast by a spell from an enchantress, this show has played to over 35 million people worldwide. Fri, 10/30: 7:30pm & Sat, 10/31: 11am. (Stamford Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.palacestamford.org)

Where To Celebrate: Halloween

Sunset time for Trick or Treaters: Fri, 10/31: 5:53pm

Hocus Pocus Family Movie Night & Costume Party at Muscoot Farm: Come in costume, nosh on Halloween treats and catch this screening of the 1993 Disney flick about three kids and an immortal cat’s battle against the reign of terror of three resurrected witches in Salem Massachusetts – starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. Check back for updates or check online date. (Muscoot Farm, Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

The Haunted Pumpkin Garden, New York Botanical Garden: Pumpkin sculptures of spooky scarecrows, spiders, snakes, and more await you at every turn in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. The display includes 500 intricately carved pumpkins from master sculptors that are sure to capture your youngster’s imagination. Sat-Sat, 9/19-10/31. (2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx; www.nybg.org)

Halloween Decorations at Muscoot Farm: Get a jump on your Halloween interior design projects with a trip to Muscoot and stop by the activity building to create a one of a kind Halloween decoration. Halloween starts here on Sun, 9/27: 1-3pm. (Muscoot Farm, Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

The Legend Behind the ‘Legend’ – Washington Irving’s Sunnyside: Visit Irving’s fascinating home showcasing numerous objects related to his famous story. On Saturday and Sunday, enjoy a shadow puppet performance of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and experience one of Irving’s spooky tales on a walk through the woods. Sat-Sun, 10/3-4; Sat-Mon, 10/10-12; Sat-Sun, 10/17-18, 24-25 & 10/31-11/1: 10:00am-3: 30pm. (3 W. Sunnyside Ln., Irvington; www.hudsonvalley.org)

Irving’s ‘Legend’ – Old Dutch Church: Master storyteller Jonathan Kruk offers a dramatic performance of Washington Irving’s classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, featuring the Headless Horseman, Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, and Katrina Van Tassel. With live, spooky organ music by Jim Keyes. Fri-Sat, 10/2-3, Fri-Sun, 10/9-11, 16-18, 23-25 & 10/30-11/1: check times. (Old Dutch Church: Park at Philipsburg Manor 381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; www.hudsonvalley.org)

Hot ticket alert. This one sell out so order early! Horseman’s Hollow – Philipsburg Manor: Taking the tale of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to its darkest extremes, Horseman’s Hollow returns for a fifth year of haunted mayhem, now expanded by popular demand to fifteen evenings. Meet the undead, the evil and the insane denizens of a town driven mad by the Headless Horseman. Negotiate a twisted maze of horrors to get to the lair of the Horseman where a party is being thrown in his honor. With elaborate costumes from award-wining feature-film makeup artists and unsettling special effects this popular event is not suitable for small children or adults who are claustrophobic, have heart or respiratory conditions, are prone to seizures, or have other chronic health conditions. Fri-Sat, 10/2-3; Fri-Sun, 10/9-11, 16-18, 23-25 & Fri-Sat, 10/30-11/1: 7-10pm. (381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; www.hudsonvalley.org)

Hot ticket alert: This one sells out so order early! The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze – Van Cortland Manor: Walk through a path of5,000 hand-carved, illuminated jack o’ lanterns set against an historic, 18th-century riverside landscape. Highlights include a headless horseman, a working doomsday grandfather clock, and gourd filled jack in the boxes, and dinosaurs from Jurassic Park – all made out of jack-o-lanterns. With sound effects, synchronized lighting and an original soundtrack by recording artist Richard Christy. Advance tickets required. Fri-Sun, 10/2-4, Fri-Mon, 10/9-12, Thurs-Sun, 10/15-18, Wed-Sun, 10/21-11/1, Thurs-Sun, 11/5-8 & Fri-Sun, 11/13-15: check times. (525 S. Riverside Ave., Croton on Hudson; www.hudsonvalley.org)

Local! The Haunt at Rocky Ledge The nightmare begins October 10. Spooky adventures including 2 haunted houses, a haunted trail in the woods, a chilling cornfield, multiple hair-raising walk-throughs and a snack bar. One mile up the road from the Stop & Shop in N. White Plains. Fri, 10/9, 16, 23 & 30: 8-11pm; Sat 10/10, 17, 24 & 31: 7-11pm & Sun, 10/11, 18, & 25: 7-10pm. (Rocky Ledge Swim Club, 1402 Old Orchard St., North White Plains; www.hauntatrockyledge.com)

Local! Halloween Craft, Bedford Recreation: Join Kimberly O’Brien of Bedford Recreation for an evening of Halloween crafts, games and dinner. Grades 2-6. Sat, 10/17: 6-8:30pm. (Bedford Hills Community House, 7 Church St., Bedford Hills; www.bedfordny.gov)

Johnny Peers and the Muttville Comix: From Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus and appearances on David Letterman, Johnny Peers and the Muttville Comix is a slapstick comedy act featuring a dozen dogs as the comix and Johnny as the straight man. Sat, 10/17:11am & 2pm. (80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Ghost Tours with Linda at Boscobel: Travel the halls of Boscobel House with specialized equipment to detect the possible presence of supernatural entities. Hear spellbinding ghost stories from paranormal investigator Linda Zimmermann who will be accompanied by her ghost hunting partner Michael Worden, a police detective and author of Ghost Detective, and psychic, Barbara Bleitzhofer – there to identify the spirits. Plus, cookies, cider and book signings with Linda and Mike. Recommended for children 12 and older. Wed-Fri, 10-/21-23: 6pm. (1601 Rt. 9D, Garrison; www.boscobel.org)

Local! Enchanted Forest at Westmoreland Sanctuary Fairies, gnomes and magical creatures in the Bedford woods. A special weekend with craft projects, food, entertainment and evening walks, with an extra “Spooky Loop” for the brave. Typically held the third weekend in October. Check back for updates or check online. (Westmoreland Sanctuary, 260 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Mt. Kisco; www.westmorelandsanctuary.org)

Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce, Bedford Recreation: Rides, attractions and a haunted graveyard walk at Lake Compounce for grades 6-9. Bus leaves from 425 Cherry St., Bedford Hills. Sat, 10/24: 3-11pm. (Lake Compounce, 822 Lake Ave., Bristol, CT; www.bedfordny.gov.)

Local! Halloween Carnival & Ragamuffin Parade, New Castle Recreation: Games, rides, entertainment and amusements prior to and after the Ragamuffin Parade. Come in costume and march in the parade at 3:30pm. Be part of the parade that in recent years featured the Blue Crew Marching Band, the Dixie Dandies Band and the Music Makers. After the parade there’s more entertainment at the train station. Visit the Friendly Witches, walk the “plank” at the Pirates’ Den and enjoy the carnival. Everyone is welcome. Typically held the third Sunday in October. Check back for date and times. Or check online. (Chappaqua Train Station; newcastlerecreation)

Local! Secrets of the Stones – Bedford: Join the Friends of Bedford Burying Grounds, the Bedford Historical Society, the Bedford Community Theatre and the Town of Bedford at Historical Hall on Old Post Rd.  for this new Halloween event. Storytellers bring to life the tales of those who now rest in Bedford’s Old Burying Grounds. There will be a Jack-O-Lantern Carving Contest, historical stories, cider and donuts. Space is limited. Purchase your tickets online. Fri, 10/23: 4:30-6:30pm. (Historical Hall, Old Post Rd., Bedford; www.bedfordhistoricalsociety.org)

Local! Katonah Halloween Parade: Save the date for the Katonah Village Improvement Society’s (KVIS) Halloween Parade. More info to come or check online. Sun, 10/25: www.katonahvis.com

Local! Spooktacular Halloween Event, North Castle Recreation: Entertainment, games, prizes and candy for grades K-5. Come in costume. Fri, 10/23: 7-9pm. (North Castle Community Center, 10 Clove Rd., N.W. Plains; www.northcastleny.com)

Local! Spooky Tales at Caramoor: Storyteller LuAnn Adams kicks off Halloween weekend with this multi-cultural performance of spooky (but not-too-scary) folktales from around the world featuring ghosts, witches, goblins and pumpkins. This show features puppets and audience participation. Hot cider and other ghostly cookie treats are served in the Summer Dining Room after the show. Come in costume! Prizes given to all! Ages 3-8. Fri, 10/30: 3:30pm. (Caramoor, 149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah: www.caramoor.org)

Local! Pumpkin Carving, Bedford Recreation: Pick your pumpkin from the pumpkin patch and carve it into a spooky jack-o’lantern. A safety carving set will be supplied. Plus, pizza and ghoulish goodies for grades 4-8. Fri, 10/30: 6:30-8;:0pm. (Bedford Hills Community House, 7 Church St., Bedford Hills; www.bedfordny.gov)

Boo Walk at Muscoot Farm Dress in your costume for this Halloween themed scavenger hunt. Sat, 10/31: 12-3pm. (Muscoot Farm, Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

November

Fantasia – Jacob Burns: Disney’s 1940 masterpiece, Fantasia, an innovative and revolutionary animated classic combines Western classical music with imaginative visuals, presented by Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra. The eight animation sequences are colorful, impressive, free-flowing, abstract, and often surrealistic pieces. They include the most famous of all, Paul Dukas’s “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” with Mickey Mouse as the title character battling brooms carrying endless buckets of water.Sat, 11/7: 12pm.  (Jacob Burns Film Center, 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville; www.burnsfilmcenter.org)

Olate Dogs – Tarrytown Music Hall: These dogs are all millionaires since they scooped up the one million dollar prize from season 7 of America’s Got Talent. Since then they’ve been headlining at The Palazzo in Las Vegas. Fri, 11/6: 7pm. (13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Local! Chappaqua Orchestra Children’s Concert – Peter and the Wolf and Runaway Bunny: Narrated by famed WQXR broadcaster Elliott Forrest. With violin soloist Kinga Augustyn. Sat, 11/7: check time. (Wallace Auditorium, Chappaqua Crossing; www.chappaquaorchestra.org)

Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny – Tarrytown Music Hall: The children’s books Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny from Margaret Wise Brown and illustrator Clement Hurd come to life in this original musical with whimsical puppetry. “Good night stars, Good night air, Good night noises everywhere.” Sun, 11/8: 11am. (13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Local! Annual Mt. Kisco Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast: This annual event is regularly held on the second Saturday in November – and runs from 8-11am at the Holiday Inn in Mt. Kisco. . The Mt. Kisco Rotary Club had not officially scheduled this year’s event at press time. We will update when they set the date. (www.mountkiscorotary.org)

Disney On Ice – 100 Years of Magic: Mouse-ter of Ceremonies Mickey Mouse, heads up a cast of over 50 Disney characters in this ice extravaganza featuring Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Ariel, Snow White and Tiana. Not to mention moments and cast members from Disney’s Frozen, Disney Pixar’s Toy Story and Finding Nemo, Disney’s The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. With 30 memorable Disney songs including “Let It Go”, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”, and “Hakuna Matata”. Tues-Sun, 11/10-15: check times. (Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn; www.barclayscenter.com)

Local! Harlem Wizards for the Byram Hills Education Foundation: Professional trick hoops and alley oops team takes on the Bobcat Bruisers (BHHS faculty.) Since 1994 the BHEF has raised over $3.5 million in grants for state of the art programs and technologies at all of the district’s schools. They recently announced ten new grants totaling $154,000. Fri, 11/13: 7pm. (Byram Hills H. S., 12 Tripp Lane, Armonk; www.byramhillsfoundation.org)

Click, Clack, Moo – Emelin Theatre: All day long Farmer Brown hears “click clack moo, clickety clackety, moo…” The cows and chickens have joined together in protest and are typing up a list of conditions or they’ll strike! Will Farmer Brown give into the animals’ demands? Will Jenny get her computer back? (You know she will.) Find out in this hilarious musical about negotiation and compromise, based on the Caldecott Honor Book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin. A Theatreworks USA production. Ages 4 and up. Sat, 11/14: 11am & 1:30pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Ln., Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)

Frosty – Ridgefield Playhouse: Theatreworks USA’s production of Frosty the Snowman, set in New York City, is an urban adventure telling the story of how Frosty helps young Billy find his real family for Christmas. Sat, 11/14: 11am & 2pm.  (80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Black Violin – a family event: “Sometimes they play with the intense seriousness of orchestral soloists; at others they fiddle as if at a hoedown.” – The New York Times. Following their PAC debut last year, Wil B and Kev Marcus, bring their viola and violin for another high-energy celebration of music from classical, to hip-hop, rock, R&B, and bluegrass. The guys perform 200 shows each year literally for everyone from kindergarteners to grandmothers. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Sun, 11/15: 3pm. (PepsiCo Theatre, Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

Disney On Ice – 100 Years of Magic: If you missed it at the Barclays Center or just like Newark better than Brooklyn … see it here. Wed-Sun, 11/18-22: check times. (Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark: www.prucenter.com)

WTD Fave Rave: New York Botanical Garden’s Train Show: The New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory features more than a dozen large scale model train sets (some super-sized) zipping across a quarter mile of track and a landscape of 140 scaled replicas of iconic New York City buildings made of bark, twigs, fruit, seeds and pine cones. Including, the original Penn Station and Yankee Stadium, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the Brooklyn Bridge. An absolutely must do event – if you’ve never been. Sat-Sat, 11/21-1/18/2016. (2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx; www.nybg.org)

Warren Miller’s Chasing Shadows: Warren Miller Entertainment‘s 66th snow sports film, Chasing Shadows, follows snow sports stars JT Holmes, Seth Wescott, Caroline Gleich, Steven Nyman, Marcus Caston and more up and down the mountains of dreams: Chamonix, Alaska’s Chugach, the Chilean Andes, Utah’s Wasatch and the mightiest range of them all: the Himalaya. Warren Miller once said, “A pair of skis are the ultimate transportation to freedom.” Sat, 11/21: 6 & 9pm. (Stamford Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.palacestamford.org)

Local! Ice Skating at The Harvey School: In cooperation with The Harvey School, Jim Whiting and his staff at Bedford Recreation offers two hours of public skating for all ages at The Harvey School ice rink on the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas. There will be a DJ spinning fave tunes and requests. Admission is just $5 and you must provide your own skates. No hockey playing. Fri, 11/27: 12:45-2:45pm & Mon, 12/26: 12:45-2:45pm. For more info call Bedford Recreation at 914.666.7004 or check you Fall Brochure. (The Harvey School, 260 Jay St., Katonah; www.bedfordny.gov)

Curious George – Emelin Theatre: With every swing and flip, George takes the audience through a fun-filled adventure in which he learns about Rome…and meatballs…and the “secret ingredient” to cooking! Join Curious George, star of books, movies and the award-winning PBS television show in this delightful musical. A Theatreworks USA production. Ages 3 and up. Sun, 11/29: 11am & 1:30pm. (Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Ln., Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)

Where To Celebrate: Thanksgiving

UBS Parade Spectacular: Skip the Macy’s Day Parade and stay local with one of the largest helium balloon parades in the country. When we were there we saw the Pink Panther, Popeye, Underdog (anyone remember Underdog?) Nemo, Mighty Mouse, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Miss Piggy, Spiderman and Kermit the Frog. Plus marching bands, floats and street food. Sun, 11/22: 12pm. (Stamford Downtown)

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: With Matt Lauer, Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie. Accept no substitute: Thurs, 11/26: 9am on NBC only!

Game times for football fans: It’s another all NFC Thanksgiving from the NFL. (Sorry Jets fans – no AFC again this year.) The triple-header features: Thurs, 11/26: Eagles vs. Lions on Fox: 12:30pm; Panthers vs. Cowboys on CBS: 4:30pm; Bears vs. Packers on NBS: 8:30pm.

December

The Lightning Thief – Ridgefield Playhouse: The story of Percy Jackson from Rick Riordan’s 2005 fantasy adventure novel, based on Greek mythology, comes to the stage from TheatreWorks USA.  Sun, 12/6: 1 & 4pm. (80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

More stuff to do here.

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