Holiday Events with the Kids

Holiday Events with the Kids: Here’s 43 holiday events you can do with the kids. Including 15 events where you can see Santa. We have train shows, ornament making, the Armonk Frosty Parade, movies , musicals and, of course, The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol.

Where To See Santa

Radio City Christmas Spectacular: The Rockettes (the older you get the more you appreciate them) guide Santa’s Sleigh, float across the stage in the famous ‘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 grand Art Deco showcase built by John D. Rockefeller during the Great Depression. Fri, 11/13-Sun, 1/3: check times. (1260 Ave. of the Americas, NYC: www.radiocitychristmas.com)

Stepping Stones Museum – Holiday Happenings: Slip and slide on a sock skating rink, climb inside a play-size igloo, pose for photos at spectacular wintry scenes and enjoy holiday performances, dancing snow people and more. Beginning Wed, 11/11 and running through Thursday December 24 there will be weekly special activities including Cards for Soldiers, Shine Talent Show, Elf Workshop, YES2 Holiday Craft Fair, Hanukkah Week, Handbell Performances and North Pole week. Check for details. (Stepping Stones Museum, Matthews Park, 303 West Ave., Norwalk, CT; www.steppingstonesmuseum.org)

Local! Westchester’s Winter Wonderland, Kensico Dam Plaza: The lights go on and the fun begins on Friday, November 27 at 6pm. Now in it’s second year, this month long event from the Friends of Westchester Parks and the Westchester Medical Center features out door ice-skating, a musical light show, rides, candy cane lane, a full Santa experience, an artisan and crafts village and a food court. Plus, Santa presents a Holiday Cirque Spectacular featuring the Aristov family jugglers, world record hula hoop champion Tatiana and aerial acrobatics from the Amazing Georg who has appeared with the Moscow Circus, Cirque Musica and the Cole Brothers Circus of the Stars. Fri, 11/27-Sun, 1 /3/16. 5-10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. 5-9pm on Sundays and weekdays. Check dates. (Kensico Dam Plaza Park, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla; www.winterwonderland.com)

Local! Frosty Day Parade, Armonk: The list of events for Armonk’s Frosty Day keeps getting bigger and better. While the highlight of the day is the Main Street parade at 4:30pm, complete with floats, marching bands and dancers, there are events all around town from 12-4pm. Including the Frosty Express Train Ride from Town Hall, a Main Street scavenger hunt, magicians, clowns, face painting, cookie decorating, ornament decorating and live music and dance performances in Armonk Square. There are Frosty cartoons at the library and a tree lighting ceremony at 5pm after the parade. And, of course, Frosty! Sat, 11/28: 12pm. (In & Around Town, Armonk; www.armonkfrosty.com)

Local! Bedford Village Jingle Pass Weekend & Tree Lighting: Hosted by the Bedford Village Business Association, Jingle Pass Weekend is kicked off with a countdown to the tree lighting and hot chocolate at the firehouse on Fri, 12/4: 7pm, followed by caroling and the annual tree lighting ceremony on Village Green. Throughout the weekend there will be a spirited shopping atmosphere with discounts and treats offered by local merchants on Fri-Sun, 12/4-6. (Bedford Village Green, Bedford Village; http://bedfordvillagebusiness.com)

Sparkle! At Boscobel: You won’t find a better photo-op with the big man than the scenic grounds of Boscobel, lit up with thousands of lights overlooking the Hudson. In addition to the presence of Mr. & Mrs. Santa, there is a rotating program of entertainers including stilt walkers, magicians, illuminated hoop dancing with the Sparkle Spinners, ice-carving demonstrations and Puppet Power with ventriloquist Jonathan Geffner. Plus musical entertainment including, caroling by The Taghkanic Chorale, acoustic holiday classics with guitarist Rick Soedler, period music with Thad MacGregor and holiday jazz with the Libby Richman Trio. Fri-Sat, 12/4-5, 11-12 & 18-19: 5-9pm. (Boscobel, 1601 Rt. 9D, Garrison, NY; www.boscobel.org)

Local! Tree Lighting & Caroling Mt. Kisco: Mt. Kisco Chamber of Commerce Holiday Tree Lighting and Caroling ceremony takes place at Village Hall and is followed by cookies and cocoa with SANTA at the American Legion Hall. This event is usually held on the first Friday in December at 6 pm. (104 E. Main St., Mt. Kisco; www.mtkisco.org)

Local! Bedford Hills Tree Lighting Ceremony: The Bedford Hills Neighborhood Association (BHNA) invites you to join them for caroling, light refreshments and a tree-lighting ceremony at the circle at the Bedford Hills Train Station. Saturday, 12/5: 5pm. (Bedford Hills Train Station; www.bhna10507.com)

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

Local! Katonah for the Holidays: There’s music, food and fun at the annual Katonah Chamber of Commerce’s Tree Lighting Ceremony at St. Luke’s Church at 68 Bedford Rd., Katonah. Sun, 12/6: 6pm.  www.katonahchamber.org)

Rappelling Santa – Stamford Heights & Lights: Watch Santa rappel 22 stories down one of Stamford’s tallest buildings on Landmark Square. Some guests will join him. Maybe even Yankees GM Brian Cashman. Then follow Santa up Bedford Street to Latham Park for an evening of holiday music and join in the countdown to the annual lighting of Stamford’s Holiday Tree. Sun, 12/6: 5pm. (Landmark Square and Latham Square, Stamford, CT; www.stamford-downtown.com)

Holidays on The Hill Train Display at Lasdon Park: Santa is a big train fan and he will be checking out Lasdon Park’s second annual train show to see Metro North trains travel up the Harlem Line from NYC to Katonah, passing the Polar Express and Christmas Town on the way. The main house and gardens will be decorated for the season. There’s a 7 foot poinsettia tree, a gingerbread house display and a Christmas tree sale along with wreath, gifts and poinsettias in the Garden Shop. Proceeds from the sale will go to homeless veterans through Base Camp Westchester. Plus photo opps with Santa. Sat-Sun, 12/5-20: 11am-3:30pm. (2648 Alawalk Rd., Rt. 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Christmas on the Farm at Muscoot Farm: Experience farm life after hours during this special program.  The Westchester Oratorio Society will be performing in the main house.  Cookies and Punch will be available.  We will be roasting chestnuts over an open fire.  Santa’s workshop will also be open. Sat, 12/12: 5-7pm. (Route 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

Hot ticket alert! Santa Claus Visits the Rosen House, Caramoor: The little ones will be in for an adventure when Jolly Saint Nick visits the Rosen House at Caramoor. They’ll play I Spy a Santa or two in the Music Room, followed by a twenty-minute concert of sing-a-longs. That’s when Santa Claus makes his appearance. Santa’s favorite snack–milk and cookies–will be served in the cloisters. Bring your cameras. This one sells out so get your tickets now! Sat, 12/12: 11am. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah: www.caramoor.org) 

North Pole Comes To Stepping Stones Museum: Santa and his friends Frosty, Reindeer and Penguin will be flying in with some themed activities to spread holiday cheer. Bring your camera for the meet and greet with Santa or just take some selfies with him and his friends at the “North Pole.” Thurs-Thurs, 12/18-24: 11am-12pm & 3-4pm. (Stepping Stones Museum, 303 West Ave., Norwalk, CT; www.steppingstonesmuseum.org)

What To Do: Holidays with the Kids

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)

A BILLION BRICKS 3: LEGO® Galactic Travels: It’s the 15th anniversary of LEGO Star Wars®! See the completely re-designed LEGO galactic landscape and enjoy an up-close view of a universe made completely out of LEGO bricks. The new design encourages visitors of all ages to inspect the details and construction methods used to create an entire galaxy from a “Billion” bricks! See the exhibit now and sign up for the interactive family workshops in January and make your own galactic LEGO universe. Mon-Sat, 11/23-2/6/16: 9am-5pm, Sun, 11/25-2/7/16: 11am-5pm. (Stamford Museum & Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford; www.stamfordmuseum.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, 12/28: 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)

A Very Duchess Holiday, Lyndhurst: You’ve seen the Disney princesses, Long Island princesses and even real housewives. Now see how a real princess dressed and lived in this holiday exhibit of the couture of the last owner of Lyndhurst, Anna, the Duchess of Talleyrand and Princess of Sagan. Anna’s hats, dresses, lingerie and luggage are displayed throughout the mansion that is elaborately decorated for the holidays. So are an additional 10,000 pieces she left behind, when she donated the mansion to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1961 including Gould family toys, holiday tableware, quilts, a sleigh and more. Check out the hats on the upside down hat Christmas tree. Tours on the hour, Fri-Sun, 11/27-12/27:10am-4pm. (Lyndhurst, 635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown; www.lyndhurst.org)

Polar Express in Imax, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk: The Polar Express returns to the six story high IMAX® screen at the Norwalk Aquarium. Based on the Caldecott-Ward winning book by Chris Van Allsburg about a boy who doesn’t believe in Santa Clause, and his magical trip to the North Pole has become a holiday classic on big screens and small. Fri-Sat, 11/27-12/12: 4 & 7:30pm, Sun, 11/29-12/13: 4pm, More dates to be announced soon. This show usually runs through January 1 and runs daily during school recess. (10 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT; www.maritimeaquarium.org)

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – The Musical: This stage production of the 1964 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer animated TV special was directed and conceived by Jeff Frank and First Stage and adapted by Robert Penola with arrangements and orchestrations by Timothy Splain. With Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, the Misfit Toys and, of course, Rudolph. Sat, 11/28: 3 & 7pm. (Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.palacestamford.org)

Holiday Tea Musicales, Caramoor: Take a docent-led tour of the Rosen House decorated for the season, followed by a concert of holiday music in the Rosen House Music Room. An Afternoon Tea of finger sandwiches, scones, holiday treats (hot chocolate for the kids), and a variety of teas, are served in the summer dining room. Thurs-Fri: 12/3-4, Sat, 12/6, Wed-Sat, 12/19-12 & Wed-Thurs, 12/16-17: 1pm. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Christmas in Rockefeller Center: The 2015 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be lit for the first time on Wednesday, December 2 with live performances from 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 hundreds of millions will watch it live on NBC. The tree will remain lit for viewing until 8pm on January 6th, 2016. Wed, 12/3: 7-9pm. (45 Rockefeller Plaza, NYC; www.rockefellercenter.com)

Local! Green Craft Fair – Westmoreland Sanctuary: Make Mother Nature holiday houses, learn to sketch natural materials and make holiday decorations and gifts such as ornaments, candles and soap. There will be crafts for sale, refreshments and performances by local theatre students. Sat, 12/5: 12-2pm. Registration required. (Westmoreland Sanctuary, 260 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Mt. Kisco; www.westmorelandsanctuary.org) 

ELF The Musical – Madison Square Garden: Based on the 2003 comedy film starring Will Farrell, ELF The Musical is the tale of Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly 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. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. The musical ran on Broadway during the Christmas seasons in 2010 and 2012. It returns this year to The Theatre at Madison Square Garden. Fri, 12/9- Tues, 12/17. (The Theatre at Madison Square Garden; www.theatreatmsg.com)

Local! Christmas on the Farm – Muscoot Farm: Experience farm life after hours during this special program. The Westchester Oratorio Society will be performing in the main house. Cookies and Punch will be available Chestnuts will be roasting over an open fire. Santa’s workshop will also be open. Date: Sat, 12/12: 5-7pm. (Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

Local! Breakfast with Frosty & Friends: At this annual event from the Bedford Recreation Department you can take a photo with Frosty, watch a magic show from Seth Dale and eat some pancakes, donuts or cold cereal. There’s even coffee for the adults. Pre-registration is required at the Rec office. Sat, 12/12: 8:30am. (Bedford Hills Community House, 74 Main St. Bedford Hills; www.bedfordny.gov)

Local! Build a Gingerbread House, Bedford Recreation Department: Construct your own gingerbread house and eat lunch with Program Supervisor Kimberly O’Brien and staff. Grades 2-6. Sat, 12/12: 12:30-2:30pm.) Bedford Hills Community House, 74 Main St. Bedford Hills; www.bedfordny.gov)

Local! Handmade Holiday, Bedford Recreation Department: Come to this hand-sewing workshop and create three holiday gifts for family and friends. Including a pair of heart hand warmers, a mug cozy and a snowman ornament. Ages 8 & up. Sat, 12/12: 12:30-2:30pm.) Bedford Hills Community House, 74 Main St. Bedford Hills; www.bedfordny.gov)

Local! Hanukkah Celebration at Rosenthal JCC: Matt Dorner of Mainstage’s children’s educational theater will lead “The Hanukkah Challenge”, an interactive game packed with trivia, contests and music for the entire family. Make candy dreidels, enjoy latkes and jelly donuts before the show. Bring your menorah and we’ll end the evening with menorah lighting. Sun, 12/13: 4-6pm. (Rosenthal JCC, 600 Bear Ridge Rd., Pleasantville; www.rosenthaljcc.org)

The Laurie Berkner Band: A Holiday Celebration: Children’s music stars and preschool television favorites, The Laurie Berkner Band perform a Holiday Celebration concert featuring music from their critically acclaimed 2012 album, A Laurie Berkner Christmas. Including “Jingle Bells,” Laurie’s original song “Candy Cane Jane,” and the Hanukkah song “Candle Chase.” Sat, 12/19: 11am. (13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

It’s a Wonderful Life, Jacob Burns: 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 Faylen Sat-Sun, 12/19-20 & Fri-Thurs, 12/25-31:12pm. (Jacob Burns, 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville; www.burnsfilmcenter.org)

The Original Harlem Globetrotters 2016 World Tour: The Globetrotters will face a great challenge this year, as the infamous Washington Generals are more determined than ever to beat the Globetrotters. The Generals, the last team to beat the Globetrotters are now coached by a former member of that 1971 team. They are on a mission and will do whatever it takes to win, and break their 43-year losing streak, with a new strategy, that’s sure to give the Globetrotters a run for their money. (Good luck!) Thurs, 12/31: 11am & 4pm. (County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains; www.countycenter.biz)

Where to See The Nutcracker

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center:  Balanchine’s Nutcracker premiered at Manhattan’s City Center in 1954 and has been staged in New York 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 and grand stage elements, the most famous of which is the one-ton Christmas tree that grows from a height of 12 feet to 40 feet. There are 47 performances from Fri, 11/27-Sun, 1/3: check times. (62-65 St. at Columbus Ave., NYC; www.nycballet.com)

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

Colonial Nutcracker, Paramount Hudson Valley: 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. Sat, 12/19: 3pm. (1008 Brown St., Peekskill; www.paramounthudsonvalley.org)

Westchester Ballet Company, Westchester County Center: 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 $25 per ticket ($20 for kids) it’s a great way to train next-gen culture vultures. We did. Choreographed by Beth Fritz Logrea and Jean Logrea. Fri, 12/18: 10am, Sat, 12/19: 12:30 & 4:30pm & Sun, 12/20: 2pm. Sat, (198 Central Ave., White Plains; www.countycenter.biz)

Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance – Ridgefield Playhouse: 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. Sat, 12/19: 2 & 6pm, Sun, 12/20: 11am & 2pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Connecticut Ballet: The Nutcracker, Palace Theatre: Guest stars from the American Ballet Theatre and the New York City Ballet, including Veronika Part, Asik la Cour, Stella Abrera and Alexandre Hammoundi, 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 classical ballet at its Meet the dancers before and after the performance. Sat, 12/19: 2 & 6pm, Sun, 12/20: 1 & 5pm. (61 Atlantic St., Stamford www.palacestamford.org)

Bolshoi Ballet in HD – Ridgefield Playhouse: 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. Wed, 12/23: 7pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Where To See: A Christmas Carol

Mr. Dickens Tells A Christmas Carol, Lyndhurst Mansion: 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. Fri-Sun, 12/4-27: check times. (635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown; www.lyndhurst.org)

Tim and Scrooge – Westchester Broadway Theatre: Ever wonder what happens after A Christmas Carol ends? Ten years later, Scrooge is dead and Tiny Tim is about to turn 21. Scrooge, like Marley before him, comes back to help Tim, no longer Tiny, make choices about love and career. Written in the style of Dickens with original music, by the team of Neil Berg and Nick Meglin, the former editor of Mad Magazine. Sat-Tues, 12/3-27: check times. (Westchester Broadway Theatre, One Broadway Plaza, Elmsford; www.broadwaytheatre.com)

Jonathan Kruk, Historic Hudson Valley: Master storyteller Jonathan Kruk’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at the historic Christ Episcopal Church in Tarrytown – where Washington Irving served as a vestryman in 1837 – 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. Sat-Sun, 12/5-6, 12-13 & 19-20: 3:30 4:45 & 6pm. (Christ Episcopal Church, 43 S. Broadway, Tarrytown; www.hudsonvalley.org

The Nebraska Theatre Caravan – Stamford Palace: The touring company of the Omaha Community Playhouse presents their fully staged musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale that they have performed around the world since 1979. Adapted for the stage by their former director Charles Jones the production features an iconic set from noted designer James Othuse and an array of timeless carols woven throughout the narrative including “God Rest Ye merry Gentlemen”, “Here We Come A-Wassailing” and “Away in a Manger”. Thurs, 12/10: 7pm. (Stamford Palace, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford, CT; www.palacestamford.org)

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