Holiday Events 2017

admin Posted OnNovember 10, 2017

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Holiday Events 2017: Here’s a mixed bag of holiday events. From local tree lightings & shopping boutiques to the new adults-only Bar Car Nights at NYBG’s Holiday Train Show.

November

A multi-Santa experience! Radio City Christmas Spectacular: Fri-Mon, 11/10-1/18: The Rockettes (the older you get the more you appreciate them) float over the stage in the ‘Snow’ scene, perform the amazing domino tumble in the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers”, ride the Gray Line through Manhattan, trek to the North Pole to help Santa, turn into a thousand Santa’s during “Santa Claus is Coming To Town“, and KICK, KICK, KICK until Santa arrives at Radio City Music Hall – the Art Deco showcase built by John D. Rockefeller during the Great Depression. Check dates & times. (1260 Ave. of the Americas, NYC: www.radiocitychristmas.com)

Local! Purse & Accessories Party, Horace Greeley House: Sat, 11/11: 10am-4pm: Stop by the Horace Greeley House for light refreshments and to shop for an array of stylish purses! All proceeds from this event benefit the New Castle Historical Society. Want to participate before the party? Please donate your slightly used purse(s) to the Historical Society before the event. Drop off at event location: (Horace Greeley House, 100 King St., Chappaqua; www.newcastlehs.org)

Local! Chappaqua Craft & Gift Fair: Sat, 11/11: 10am-4pm: 33rd annual craft fair featuring over 85 vendors presenting handcrafted jewelry, designer clothing, handbags and accessories, original artwork, tableware and furniture, bath and beauty products, children’s gifts, floral designs, gourmet foods and more. Plus raffles, kids creations and donation alley. This event produced by the Chappaqua PTA benefits benefits Chappaqua schools. (Robert E. Bell Middle School, 50 Senter St., Chappaqua; www.chappaquacraftfair.com)

25 Holiday Concerts – 11/17 – 12/16: Mariah Carey, Cyndi Lauper, Handel’s Messiah, The Brandenburg Concertos: Check out our Holiday Music Guide for 24 holiday music celebrations from Darlene Love to Sal The Voice from America’s Got Talent. There’s Gospel Holiday from The Blind Boys of Alabama, Country Christmas, Irish Christmas, The Vienna Boys Choir, Broadway and North Salem’s finest Linda Eder, and Winter Pops from The Westchester Phil with Laura Michelle Kelly from Broadways’ Mary Poppins. Read more.

Local! St. Patrick’s Christmas Boutique: Sat, 11/18: 9am-4pm: The St. Patrick’s Holiday Boutique has been the traditional beginning of the Christmas shopping season in Bedford for over 25 years. Here you will find high-quality gifts, including crafts, collectibles, jewelry, decorations, leather goods, clothing and toys. And just like The Westchester, there’s a café, bakery, and SANTA. (St. Patrick’s School, 483 Old Post Rd., Bedford)

The Christmas Voyager, Westchester Broadway Theatre: Thurs, 11/22 – Sun, 12/23: In this musical by Robert Fitzsimmons (Christmas Inn) & Katherine Wheeler, a Starman journeys through time searching for the spirit of Christmas. His journey takes him around the world, touching down on a small American town, the North Pole and Dickens’ England. Along the way he is accompanied by a hit list of classic holiday songs. (One Broadway Plaza, Elmsford; www.broadwaytheatre.com)

Local! Westchester’s Winter Wonderland, Kensico Dam Plaza: Fri, 11/24-Sun, 1/1/18: 5-10pm: Friends of Westchester Parks & Westchester Medical Center’s Winter Wonderland features a Holiday Circus, Santa Experience, Musical Light Show, Candy Cane Lane, ice skating, rides & food trucks. Plus a Tree Lighting (11/24) Princess & Star Wars Character Appearances (12/3,10,17 & 30) Holiday Pop Up Market (12/22-23) Kids Movie Night (12/27) & Family New Year’s Party with pyrotechnics and a ball drop (12/31)(1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla; www.winterwonderland.com)

Local! Ice Skating at The Harvey School: Fri, 11/24 & Wed 12/27: 12:45-2:45pm. 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. Please supply your own skates. No Hockey. Admission just $5. (The Harvey School, 260 Jay St., Katonah)

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center: Fri, 11/24: Sun, 12/31: Balanchine’s Nutcracker premiered at Manhattan’s City Center in 1954 and has been staged in NYC every year since. It is the most famous staged production of the ballet set to Tchaikovsky’s legendary score in the US. The production features elaborate stage elements, the most famous of which is the one-ton Christmas tree that grows from a height of 12 feet to 40 feet. (62-65 St. at Columbus Ave., NYC; www.nycballet.com)

USA Today’s Top Holiday Tour: Holiday Mansion Tours at Lyndhurst: Fri, 11/24 – Sun, 12/30: Described as one of the “Ten Best Historic Holiday Tours” by USA Today, Lyndhurst’s “A Very Duchess Holiday” is an over-the-top display of holiday ornaments paying homage to Anna Gould, the Duchess of Talleyrand, the last owner of Lyndhurst. The display features rarely seen children’s toys, holiday dishes, silver, jewels, and clothes that belonged to the Duchess. (635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown; www.lyndhurst.org)

The Magic Flute, Metropolitan Opera: Sat, 11/25-Sat, 12/9: The Met’s English-language family version of Mozart’s enchanting masterpiece has become one of the city’s essential holiday traditions. Evan Rogister conducts Julie Taymor’s spellbinding production, with special holiday pricing and a 100-minute running time. Nathan Gunn reprises his much-loved portrayal of the bird-catcher Papageno. Check dates & times. (Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center: metopera.org)

Santa Comes to Katonah on Shop Small Saturday – Sat, 11/25: 11am – 5 pm: How convenient. Start your shopping locally, say hey to the jolly old elf and get a free candy cane.

Local! Small Business Saturday: 11/25: American Express card members can earn up to 2X rewards at qualifying small businesses with an enrolled American Express card. Hundreds of local shops and restaurants will participate. To register your card and see who is playing go to www.americanexpress.com)

Sponsored by Cherylyn Salon! Children’s Cancer Fund Luncheon, Fashion Show & Holiday Boutique, Crabtree’s Kittle House: Mon, 11/27: 11:30am-2pm: Meet and greet your neighbors and bend and elbow and shop till you drop at Armonk’s Cherylyn Salon’s annual luncheon, fashion show and holiday boutique. This event benefits the Children’s Cancer Fund of Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital (New York Medical College). (914. 273.7900; cherylynnorth@gmail.com)

Christmas in Rockefeller Center: Wed, 11/29 – Sun, 1/7/18: The 2017 will be lit for the first time on Wed, 11/29 with live performances at 7-9 PM, at Rockefeller Plaza, between West 48th and West 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Tens of thousands will crowd the sidewalks for the event and millions more will watch it live on NBC. Photo by: STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images (45 Rockefeller Plaza, NYC; www.rockefellercenter.com)

Shop at the farm! Artisans Faire at Muscoot Farm: Thurs-Sun, 11/30 – 12/3: A variety of elegant and unique homespun treasures from local craft designers will be on sale for holiday shopping. Artisan items include: Wood boards, ornaments, quilting, fabric, bowls, baskets, pillowcases, origami, wood turned items, soaps, wood trays, pen and ink cards and pictures, shadow boxes, mobiles, and cards. Thurs, 11/30: 3-8pm & Sat, 12/2_ 12-4pm & -Sun, 12/3: 12-3pm. (Muscoot Farm, 51 Route 100, Katonah; www.muscootfarm.org)

December

Hot Ticket Alert! Bar Car Nights, New York Botanical Garden’s Train Show: Fri-Sat, 12/1-2, 8-9, 22-23, 29-30 & Sat, 1/6 & 13: 7-10:30pm: Exclusively for adults 21 plus! Check out this after dark viewing of the world’s coolest train show on a half-mile of track, with 12 super-sized train sets 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. Then grab a drink from the bar(s), relax around the new Visitor Center Fire Pit while dueling pianos play fave tunes in Pine Tree Café and illuminated Snow Globe Dancers – do whatever? We’re in! (2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx; www.nybg.org)

Local! Holiday tours, John Jay Homestead, Katonah: Fri, 12/1- Sat, 12/30: Celebrate the holiday season at John Jay Homestead with a guided tour of John Jay’s historic Bedford House focusing on the holiday traditions and decorations of the 1820s. Tours are offered on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm. (400 Jay St, (Rt. 22), Katonah; www.johnjayhomestead.org)

Westchester All Stars Christmas for Wounded Veterans, Paramount Hudson Valley: Sat, 12/1: 7:30pm: Comedy, classic rock and holiday music from The Vanilla Fudge and a cavalcade of the NY area musicians accompanied by the All Stars Band and Holiday Horns. The event benefits Veterans Adaptive Sports Inc.. Disabled American Veterans Chapter 144 and Friends of Fallen Heroes NY. Plus Santa visits, straight from Radio City Music Hall. (1008 Brown St., Peekskill; www.paramounthudsonvalley.com)

Local! Wine Around Town, Chappaqua: Fri, 12/1: Get some holiday shopping done and sample wines from around the world courtesy of Chappaqua businesses. Last year’s participants include the New Castle Historical Society, Desires by Mikolay, Family Britches, Eye Gallery of Chappaqua, Squires Family Clothing, ICD Jewelers, hip-kid, Luxe Labels, Scattered Books, Breeze, The King’s Scribe, Chappaqua Wine & Spirits, Hilltop Wines & Spirits, Chappaqua Framing, House of 29, & more.

Junior League Holiday Boutique at Lyndhurst: Fri-Sun, 12/1-3: 10am-4pm: The Junior League of Westchester on Hudson’s Holiday Boutique will be held under the tent and in the Carriage House at Lyndhurst, complete with Holiday music. 60 vendors of fine clothing, jewelry, handbags, accessories, toys, art, hostess gifts, and gourmet food items. TKTS at the tent: $10. Tour the mansion while you are there for just $10 more. Under 16’s go free. (635 South Broadway, Tarrytown; www.lyndhurst.org)

Local! Northern Westchester Artists Guild Art Show & Boutique, Horace Greeley House: Fri-Sun, 12/1 – 3: check times: Stop by the Greeley House to shop for holiday presents and works of art from local artists. (100 King St., Chappaqua; www.newcastlehs.org)

Local! Bedford Village Jingle Pass Weekend & Tree Lighting: Fri – Sun, 12/1-3: Hosted by the Bedford Village Business Association, Jingle Pass Weekend kicks off with a tree lighting ceremony on the Village Green on Fri, 12/1: 7pm. Throughout the weekend there will be a spirited shopping atmosphere, discounts and treats offered by local merchants and Crafts at the Courthouse for kids on Sat, 12/2: 1-3pm.

Local! Mistletoe Mart, Bedford Presbyterian Church: Sat, 12/2: 9am-3pm: Santa will pay a visit to this annual holiday shop on Bedford’s Village Green. Shop for gifts, fresh evergreen wreaths and baked goods. There will be a hand made quilt raffle, a kids shopping area and home made chili available for lunch.

Local! Bedford Hills Tree Lighting: Sat, 12/2: 5pm: Join the Bedford Hills Neighborhood Association for caroling and light refreshments at the Bedford Hllls train station.

Local! Chappaqua Orchestra Holiday Sing-Along & Tree Lighting Bell Middle School: Sat, 12/2: 3:30pm: TCO’s assistant conductor Davis Knobloch leads the orchestra’s annual holiday sing-along at the Bell Middle School followed by the New Castle Historical Society tree lighting at the Horace Greeley House. Then stay for holiday crafts and the holiday art show till 8pm. (50 Senter St., Chappaqua; www.chappaquaorchestra.org)

Katonah Tree Lighting: Sun, 12/3: 6-8pm: There’s entertainment, speakers, hot chocolate and cookies at the annual Katonah Chamber of Commerce’s Tree & Menorah Lighting Ceremony at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 68 Bedford Rd. www.katonahchamber.org

Rappelling Santa & Grinch, Stamford Heights & Lights: Sun, 12/3: 5pm: Watch Santa, Rudolph, the Grinch and Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman rappel 22 stories down one of Stamford’s tallest buildings. Follow Santa to Latham Park for an evening of holiday music and join in the countdown to the annual lighting of Stamford’s Holiday Tree. (Landmark Square and Latham Square, Stamford, CT; www.stamford-downtown.com)

The Harvey School Holiday Boutique, Wed, 12/6: 1-5pm: Shop for fine and costume jewelry, spirit wear, pottery, scarves, hats, bags, gloves, olive oil, wonderful breads, homemade Greek pastries and more at The Harvey School’s Walker Center for the Arts. (260 Jay St., (Rt. 22) Katonah)

Katonah Village Stroll: Fri, 12/8: 5-8pm: There’s carolers, refreshments from local retailers, and holiday lights at the Katonah Holiday Stroll. Better yet Katonah shops will have extended hours until 8pm for holiday shopping. www.katonahchamber.org

Local! Katonah Elementary School PTO Holiday Boutique: Sat, 12/9: 10am-4pm: Shop till you drop at the Katonah Elementary School PTO’s Holiday Boutique featuring one of a kind merchandise from local vendors, artisans and students. Gifts include candle holders, vases, gourmet popcorn, hand woven items, pottery, jewelry, children’s gifts, home decor, handmade scarves, hair accessories, sewn goods, leather handbags and more. Katonah Elementary School Gymnasium.

Mr. Dickens Tells A Christmas Carol, Lyndhurst Mansion: Sun, 12/10 – Sat, 12/30: check dates & times: In this hour-long theatrical performance appropriate for all ages, actor Michael Muldoon recreates the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim from Charles Dickens’s scripts. The performance travels through the mansion meeting the story’s spirits and characters in different rooms along the way – a cool way to see this fabulous castle. (635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown; www.lyndhurst.org)

The Nutcracker, New York Theater Ballet, Tarrytown Music Hall: Sun, 12/10: 3 & 6pm: An hour-long production of The Nutcracker, for younger audiences is sophisticated enough for adults! Founded in 1978 by artistic director Diana Byer, NYTB has earned national attention for its artistry and elegant restorations and revivals of masterworks by great choreographers. (13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.com)

Latke & Dreidel Alert! Chanukah Village & Menorah Lighting, Bedford Village – Tues, 12/12: 4pm: Chabad of Bedford transforms Bedford Village into a Chanukah Village for people of all ages. There will be latkes at Bedford 234 at 4pm, a Chanukah concert at Bedford Historical Hall at 5pm and a Menorah Lighting on Bedford Village Green at 5:30pm. Local stores will give out dreidels and Chanukah treats and there will be Chanukah stories at the Bedford Free Library. www.chabadbedford.com

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, Performing Arts Center: Tues, 12/12: 7pm: Santa, Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and Rudolph come to life in this musical production of the classic, animated TV special, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. You won’t find family theatre with higher production values in Westchester this holiday season. (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

Local! The Brandenburg Concertos, Bedford Chamber Concerts: Wed, 12/13: 8pm: Wynton Marsalis called Dr. Anthony Newman “the high priest of Bach.” His Bedford Chamber Concerts made our Bucket List. Seeing him do the Brandenburgs locally is a Bucket List event on steroids. Newman has performed this Bach holiday staple with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center 12 times at Alice Tully Hall. (St, Matthews Church, 382 Cantitoe St., Bedford; www.bedfordchamberconcerts.org)

ELF The Musical, Madison Square Garden: Wed, 12/13 – Fri, 12/19: check times: Based on the 2003 comedy film starring Will Farrell, ELF The Musical is the tale of Buddy, an orphan who crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth – he ain’t no elf!. Buddy returns to New York City to discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. www.msg.com

The Gift of The Magi, Schoolhouse Theatre: Thurs, 12/14-Sun, 12/24: check dates & times: Adapted from the O. Henry Christmas love story, this new adaptation by Bram Lewis is set against a back drop of the immigrant streets of New York with all the wonder of the three wise men who gave us the first gifts of Christmas. There will be carols and cookies at intermission. Thurs-Sun: 12/15-18, 22-24: 8pm, Sundays at 3pm. (Schoolhouse Theatre, 3 Owens Rd., Croton Falls: www.schoolhousetheater.org)

Rob Mathes Holiday Concert, Performing Arts Center: Fri-Sat, 12/15-16: 8pm: This annual celebration featuring Mathes and his all-star band and chorus, is a high-energy evening of rock, jazz, and blues – original tunes and holiday classics. Mathes has worked with virtually every big name including Bono, Bennett, Sting, and Springsteen. “This holiday production puts a new spin on Christmas classics” –The New York Times (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

The Nutcracker, Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, Ridgefield Playhouse: Fri & Sat, 12/15 – 16: 6pm & Sun, 12/17: 1pm: A seasonal tradition in Ridgefield. The Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance’s production of The Nutcracker features Tchaikovsky’s score, graceful ballerinas, wooden soldiers who come to life and a bigger than life Christmas tree in this holiday tradition presentation of The Nutcracker at the Ridgefield Playhouse. All for just $25 for adults and $20 for kids and seniors. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

The Nutcracker, Westchester Ballet Company, Westchester County Center: Sat, 12/16: 12:30 & 4:30pm & Sun, 12/17: 2pm: For a fraction of the cost of the New York City Ballet you can take the kids to see the Westchester Ballet Company perform Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker at the County Center. At $27 per ticket ($23 for kids) it’s a great way to train next-gen culture vultures. We did. Choreographed by Beth Fritz Logrea and Jean Logrea. (198 Central Ave., White Plains; www.countycenter.biz)

The Nutcracker, Connecticut Ballet: Palace Theatre: Sat, 12/16: 2 & 6pm & Sun, 12/17: 1 & 5pm: Guest stars from the American Ballet Theatre join the Connecticut Ballet in Brett Raphael’s traditional holiday production of The Nutcracker at Stamford’s Palace Theatre. There are four shows featuring fab costumes, falling snow, the giant tree, and a full corps de ballet. (61 Atlantic St., Stamford www.palacestamford.org)

Local! Dr. Anthony Newman’s Holiday Concert, The Sanctuary Series, S. Salem Presbyterian Church: Sun, 12/17: 4pm: Time called keyboardist and composer Dr. Anthony Newman “the high priest of the harpsichord”. Here he performs a special holiday concert. (111 Spring St., S. Salem; www.thesanctuaryseries.org)

Hot ticket alert! Winter Pops, Westchester Philharmonic with Laura Michelle Kelly, Performing Arts Center: Sun, 12/17: 3pm: This is our favorite event of the season! Ted Sperling conducts the Westchester Phil and Broadway star Laura Michelle Kelly in a program of Broadway, the Great American Songbook and holiday favorites. Laura created the stage role of Mary Poppins in London’s West End earning the Olivier Award for Best Actress. She went on to star in West End and Broadway productions of South Pacific, The King and I and Finding Neverland. Plus a special appearance from Kelly Hall-Tompkins performing her acclaimed solos from Fiddler on the Roof. We go every year! (735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.westhcesterphil.org)

Local! Candlelight Holiday tours, John Jay Homestead, Katonah: Wed – Fri, 12/20 – 22: Experience John Jay’s historic Bedford House as it takes on the glow of candlelight to celebrate the holiday season. These guided tours focus on holiday traditions and decorations of the 1820s. Tours are offered on the half hour from 5-7pm. (400 Jay St, (Rt. 22), Katonah; www.johnjayhomestead.org)

Colonial Nutcracker, Paramount Hudson Valley: Sat, 12/23 :3pm: This interpretation of the ballet from Artistic Director Rose Menes of Dance Theatre in Westchester moves the action to colonial Yorktown during the Revolutionary War and features redcoat army mice. The one-hour show is designed for families with children ages 4 and up. The company has performed at the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts. (1008 Brown St., Peekskill; www.paramounthudsonvalley.org)

The Nutcracker, Bolshoi Ballet in HD – Ridgefield Playhouse: Sat, 12/23: 2pm: See a live performance of The Nutcracker by the Bolshoi Ballet onscreen in high definition. The Bolshoi’s version of The Nutcracker has a unique and beautiful sense of romance and philosophy, danced by the heroic Denis Rodkin as the courageous Prince and the magical Anna Nikulina as Marie. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

It’s a Wonderful Life, Jacob Burns: Thurs, 12/21: 7:15pm & Fri-Mon, 12/22-25: 12pm: George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) staves off financial ruin at the hands of the evil tycoon Henry Potter (Lionel Barrymore) in Frank Capra’s bittersweet holiday classic set in Bedford Falls during the Great Depression. With Donna Reed (“Oh, Buffalo gals won’t you come out to night”) and the original Bert and Ernie – the cop and the cab driver, played by Ward Bond and Frank Fallen Fri-Thurs: 12/23-29: 12pm. (Jacob Burns, 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville; www.burnsfilmcenter.org)