Holiday Events for Kids 2018

admin Posted OnNovember 7, 2018

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Holiday Events for Kids 2018: Here’s 41 holiday events (& 13 “interfaces” with Santa) you can do with the kids. Including Armonk’s Frosty Parade, Westchester’s Winter Wonderland, train shows, movies, musicals, tree-lighting ceremonies, The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol.

November

Multiple Santas! Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Fri-Tues, 11/9-1/1: The finale of this year’s show will be technologically transformed. The new finale, directed by Tony-nominated director Sam Buntrock (Sunday in the Park With George) will include 100 Intel® Shooting Star™ Mini drones* that take flight in a groundbreaking holiday light show, and new digital projections from Obscura Digital. Plus the traditional ‘Snow’ scene, the amazing domino tumble in “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers”, countless Santa’s in “Santa Claus is Coming To Town“ and plenty of KICKING! (1260 Ave. of the Americas, www.radiocitychristmas.com)

Local! Chappaqua Craft & Gift Fair, Bell Middle School – Sat, 11/17: 10am-4pm: 33rd annual craft fair featuring over 85 vendors presenting handcrafted jewelry, designer clothing, handbags and accessories, original artwork, tableware, furniture, bath & beauty products, children’s gifts, floral designs, gourmet foods and more. This event produced by the Bell Middle School PTA benefits the Bell Middle School. (50 Senter St., Chappaqua; www.chappaquacraftfair.com)

Local Santa! St. Patricks School’s Christmas Boutique, Sat, 11/17: 9am-4pm: The St. Patrick’s Holiday Boutique has been Bedford’s kick-off to Christmas shopping season for over 25 years. Featuring crafts, collectibles, jewelry, decorations, leather goods, clothing and toys. And just like The Westchester, there’s a café, bakery, and SANTA. (483 Old Post Rd., Bedford)

UBS Parade Spectacular, Downtown Stamford, Sun, 11/18: 12pm: 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 (our fave), Nemo, Mighty Mouse, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Miss Piggy, Spiderman and Kermit the Frog. Plus marching bands, floats and street food. Or check out the Giant Balloon Inflation Party with live entertainment, holiday characters and Santa on Sat, 11/17: 3-6pm at Hoyt and Summer St. (Stamford Downtown)

WTD Fave Rave: New York Botanical Garden’s Train Show: Sat, 11/17-Mon, 1/21/2019: NYBG’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 absolute must do event! (2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx; www.nybg.org)

Local! Westchester’s Winter Wonderland, Kensico Dam Plaza: Fri, 11/23-Mon, 12/31: 5-10pm Fri-Sat, 5-9pm on Sun & weeknights: Friends of Westchester Parks & Westchester Medical Center’s Winter Wonderland features a Holiday Circus, Santa Experience, Musical Light Show, outdoor ice rink, a FUNderland Village with 12 rides and food trucks. Plus special events including a Tree Lighting on Fri, 11/23: 6pm and a Family New Year’s Party with pyrotechnics and a ball drop 12/31. (1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla; www.winterwonderland.com)

Local! Santa Comes to Katonah on Shop Small Saturday – Sat, 11/24: 10am-2pm: How convenient. Start your shopping locally, say hey to the jolly old elf and get a free candy cane. For our guide to the best places to shop in (for kids and for you too!) Katonah click here.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center: Fri, 11/23-Sun, 12/30:check times: 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)

Polar Express in Imax, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk : Fri-Sun, 11/23 -12/23: check dates & times: The Polar Express returns to the six story high IMAX® screen at the Norwalk Aquarium. Based on the Caldecott Award-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg about a boy who doesn’t believe in Santa Clause, and his magical trip to the North Pole. Polar Express has become a holiday classic on big screens and small. (10 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT; www.maritimeaquarium.org)

Local Santa! Armonk’s Frosty Day Parade, Sun, 11/25: 12:30-4:30pm: Activities begin at 12:30pm with train rides, clowns, magicians, Build-A-Frosty, face painting, cookie decorating, dance & music in Armonk Square, Frosty cartoons at the library, Frosty photo opps and a visit from Santa. The parade begins at 4pm and features more than 40 local groups, floats, music, costumes and an invitation to everyone to join the march down Main Street. Followed by a tree lighting ceremony at 4:30pm. Please remember to donate to Frosty’s Winter Warmth Project. (Downtown, Armonk; www.armonkfrosty.com)

A Christmas Carol, The Musical, Westchester Broadway Theatre, Thurs-Sun, 11/29-12/23: check dates & times: This new musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, with book by John Fanelli and music from George Puello, features an original score as well as many popular and traditional carols. The production features a large cast, colorful production numbers, lots of dancing and a surprising new twist. (One Broadway Plaza, Elmsford; www.broadwaytheatre.com)

A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Palace Stamford, Sat, 11/24: 1 & 4pm: the Emmy® and Peabody award-winning story by Charles M. Schulz, has warmed the hearts of millions of fans since it first aired on television over fifty years ago. Now the classic animated television special comes to life in this faithful stage adaptation featuring all of your favorite characters and classic Vince Guaraldi score. Join, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the Peanuts gang as they mount a play , save a tree and uncover the true meaning of Christmas. (61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.palacestamford.org)

Christmas in Rockefeller Center, Wed, 11/28-Mon, 1/7/19: The lights go 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. You can make the traditional pilgrimage (24/7) through Sun, 1/7/18. Photo by: STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images (45 Rockefeller Plaza, NYC; www.rockefellercenter.com)

Fezziweg Fest at the 1787 Court House, Bedford Village, Fri, 11/30: After Tree Lighting: Join the Bedford Historical Society for an Open House at the Court House in a celebration of community. Spirits, light supper, comfort and joy! RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Walk ins welcome and expected! There will also be guided tours of the Court House and Bedford Museum from 5:30-6:30pm. Bedford Village

December

Laurie Berkner Band: A Holiday Celebration, Tarrytown Music Hall, Sat, 12/1: 1 & 3pm.Children’s music stars and Sprout TV favorites,The Laurie Berkner Band perform a Holiday Celebration concert featuring music from their critically acclaimed album, A Laurie Berkner Christmas. Including “Jingle Bells”, Laurie’s original song “Candy Cane Jane,” and the Hanukkah songs “Candle Chase and “The Dreidel Song”.” (13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Ornament Making Class, Clay Art Center, Port Chester, Sat, 12/1 & 8: 1:30 & 3:30pm: Kick your family’s holiday ornament craft making skills up a notch with this clay ornament making class at this 11,000 square foot clay art center. Kids ages 5-99 will make a handmade personalized ornament to take home. Call 914.937 to register. (40 Beach St., Port Chester; www.clayartcenter.org)

Local! Katonah Elementary School PTO Holiday Boutique, Sat, 12/1: 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.

Snowkus Pocus, Ridgefield Playhouse – Sat, 12/1: 4 & 7:30pm: This circus/ballet from Cirquetacular follows young Brianna to an enchanted winter wonderland as she encounters Jack Frost, the Snow Queen, the North Wind and a shape-shifter Azura. (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Local Santa! Mt. Kisco Tree Lighting & Caroling Mt. Kisco, TBA: Usually held the first Friday in December. We’re guessing, Fri, 11/30 – check back. Crafts start at 4:30pm and the tree lighting is at 6pm at Village Hall. Followed by cookies and cocoa with SANTA at the Mt. Kisco Library. (104 E. Main St., Mt. Kisco; www.mtkisco.org)

Local Santa! Holiday Crafts, Tree Lighting & Santa Visit, New Castle Historical Society’s, Sat, 12/1: 4-6pm: At NCHS’s Old-Fashioned Craft Workshop, children of all ages make paper snowflakes, corn husk dolls, potpourri sachets and paper chains for the holiday tree. Craft activities are followed by a tree lighting with carolers from Horace Greeley High School’s Madrigal society beginning at 5pm. Plus, Santa regularly stops by because he’s very interested in history. (Horace Greeley House, 100 King St., Chappaqua; www.newcastlehs.org)

Local Santa! Mistletoe Mart, Bedford Presbyterian Church, Sat, 12/1: 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! Jingle Pass Weekend Kid’s Stuff: Silhouettes and Crafts at the Court House, Sat, 12/1: 1am-3pm: The Silhouette Artist is back and Deborah O’Connor will hand cut silhouettes of your children, family, pets and even your house! We’ll also have winter crafts, homemade cookies, hot cocoa and more! Sign up for silhouettes here. Purchase your tickets for the Crafts & Refreshments. For more info, please call 914-234-9751.

Local Pictures with Santa! Bedford Hills Tree Lighting, Sat, 12/1: 6pm: Join the Bedford Hills Neighborhood Association for caroling and light refreshments at the Bedford Hllls train station. Get your pictures with Santa at the train station from 2-4pm.

Local! Chappaqua Orchestra Holiday Sing-Along, Crafts, Santa & Tree Lighting Bell Middle School/Greeley House, Sat, 12/1: 3:30-6pm: At 3:30pm, TCO’s assistant conductor Davis Knobloch leads the Chappaqua Orchestra’s annual holiday sing-along at the Bell Middle School. Then head over to the Greeley House were the New Castle Historical Society’s holiday celebration features an old-fashioned crafts workshop from 4-6pm, caroling and a tree lighting ceremony at 5pm. (50 Senter St., Chappaqua; www.chappaquaorchestra.org)

Local Santa! Lasdon Park’s Holidays on the Hill & Train Show, Sat-Sun: 12/1-2, 8-9, & 15-16: 11am-4pm: Santa is a big train fan and he will be checking out Lasdon Park’s annual train show to see Metro North trains travel up the Harlem Line from NYC to Katonah. Kids will get a chance to “interface” with Santa in Santa’s Workshop at Lasdon’s Main House. Admission includes access to the 2500 Sq. ft. Lasdon Conservatory’s“ current exhibit. Plus holiday music, a fire pit, food trucks and poinsettias, bromeliads and gifts for sale in the Garden Shop. (2648 Alawalk Rd., Rt. 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Local! Katonah Tree and Menorah Lighting, Sun, 12/2: 5:30-7:30pm: 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, Stamford Heights & Lights – Sun, 12/2: 5pm: Watch Santa, Rudolph, the Grinch and friends 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)

Holiday Tea Musicales, Caramoor, Wed-Thurs, 12/4-12: 1pm: Take part in Caramoor’s great tradition of holiday music with charismatic musicians, festive decorations, and tea service in the majestic Music Room. Enjoy an assortment of finger sandwiches, holiday treats, and a variety of teas (hot chocolate with marshmallows for the little ones). Book early! (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah: www.caramoor.org)

Latke & Dreidel Alert! Chanukah Village & Menorah Lighting, Bedford Village, Tues, 12/4: 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

Local! Katonah Village Stroll, Fri, 12/7: 10am-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. Check our Best Places to Shop in Katonah to help with you holiday list. www.katonahchamber.org)

Local! ELF, Interactive, ChappPac: Sat, 12/8: 4pm: Embrace your inner elf at this screening of the 2003 Christmas fantasy comedy about one of Santa’s elves who discovers he’s a human and treks to NYC to find his biological father. Directed by Jon Favreau and starring Will Ferrell James Caan, Zooey Deschanel and Bob Newhart, Elf has become a holiday classic and inspired the hit 2010 Broadway musical, Elf: The Musical. (480 Bedford Road, Chappaqua; www.chapppac.org)

Colonial Nutcracker, ft. Dan Hogan, Paramount Hudson Valley, Sat, 12/8: 2pm: Dance Theatre in Westchester Artistic Director Rose Menes’ interpretation of The Nutcracker moves the action to colonial Yorktown during the Revolutionary War and features redcoat army mice. The full length 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)

Annual Lions Club of Bedford Village Pancake Breakfast, Historical Hall, Bedford Village, Sun, 12/9: 7:30am-12pm.

The Nutcracker, New York Theater Ballet, Tarrytown Music Hall, Sun, 12/9: 1, 4 & 7pm: This hour-long production of The Nutcracker, created for younger audiences, is sophisticated enough for adults! Founded in 1978 by artistic director Diana Byer, New York Theatre Ballet has earned national attention for its elegant revivals of masterworks by great choreographers. (13 Main St. Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.com)

Dickens’ Christmas Carol, Historic Hudson Valley, Sat-Sun, 12/8-9 & 15-16: 3:30, 4:45 & 6pm: Master storyteller Jonathan Kruk’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at the historic Old Dutch Church in Tarrytown is a Historic Hudson Valley tradition. Kruk’s 60 minute performance of Ebenezer Scrooge’s night-long journey into Christmas past, present and future with the ghost of Jacob Marley is performed with musical accompaniment. (Old Dutch Church, 430 Broadway, Tarrytown; www.hudsonvalley.org)

Merry Christmas Darling: Carpenters’ Christmas, Paramount Hudson Valley, Sun, 12/9: 3pm: Michelle Berting Brett (and her Nashville band) shares anecdotes and recreates the sound of the 100 million-selling pop duo in this family holiday show. Michelle sings from The Carpenters’ top hits and from their two classic Christmas Albums and holiday tv specials, including their original “Merry Christmas Darling”, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, “We’ve Only Just Begun” and more.. (1008 Brown St., Peekskill; www.paramounthudsonvalley.org)

It’s A Wonderful Life, Bedford Playhouse, Thurs, 12/13: 7pm: The Bedford Playhouse celebrates its first holiday season with this screening of Frank Capra’s holiday classic, It’s A Wonderful Life, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed as George and Mary Bailey. With a little help from Clarence, George’s guardian angel, and a lot of friends, George and Mary save Bedford Falls and Bailey Savings & Loan from the evil tycoon Henry Potter. Despite being a relative loser at the box office, the film was nominated for 5 Academy Awards and has been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made. (633 Old Post Rd., Bedford;www.bedfordplayhouse.org)

Mr. Dickens Tells A Christmas Carol, Lyndhurst Mansion, Fri-Sun, 12/14-12/30: check dates & times: In this hour-long theatrical performance appropriate for all ages, actor Mikel Von Brodbeck 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, Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, Ridgefield Playhouse, Fri-Sat, 12/14-15: 6pm & Sun, 12/16: 11am & 2pm: The Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance’s production of The Nutcracker at The Ridgefield Playhouse features Tchaikovsky’s score, graceful ballerinas, wooden soldiers who come to life and a larger than life Christmas tree. 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, Fri, 12/14: 10am, Sat, 12/15: 12:30 & 4:30pm & Sun, 12/16: 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 The Nutcracker at the County Center. At $29 per ticket ($23 for kids and seniors) 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-Sun, 12/15-16: 1 & 5pm: Guest stars from the American Ballet Theatre including Lauren Lovett, Taylor Stanley, Devon Teuscher and Alexandre Hammoudi join the Connecticut Ballet in their 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)

Hot Ticket Alert! Santa Visits the Rosen House, Caramoor, Sun, 12/16: 12 & 3pm: Jolly Saint Nick comes to Caramoor to fill the Rosen House with holiday cheer. Kids play I Spy a Santa or Two in the Music Room followed by a 30-minute concert of holiday songs. And then Santa! Santa’s favorite snack, milk and cookies will be served in the Summer Dining Room. Bring your cameras! (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah: www.caramoor.org) (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah: www.caramoor.org)

Nutcracker Dream, World Premiere, Emelin Theatre, Sun, 12/16: 2 & 5pm & Sat, 12/22: 3 & 7pm: Choreographer Carole Alexis’ Ballet des Amériques presents the world premiere of this family-friendly adaptation of the classic ballet, inspired by the work of Marius Petipa and Rudolf Nureyev. Ballet des Amériques is a professional dance company whose work transcends established categories of classical, modern and contemporary dance. (153 Library Ln., Mamaroneck; www.emelin.org)

The Nutcracker, Bolshoi Ballet in HD, Ridgefield Playhouse, Sun, 12/23: 12:55pm: 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)

Bedford Village Lions Club Caroling on the Green: Mon, 12/24: 8pm: One last chance to do some caroling before Christmas Day.

Local! It’s a Wonderful Life, Jacob Burns, Mon-Tues, 12/24-15: 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. (Jacob Burns, 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville; www.burnsfilmcenter.org)

Local! Ice Skating at The Harvey School, Thurs, 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 and no hockey playing. (The Harvey School, 260 Jay St., Katonah; www.bedfordny.gov)