Holiday Events With The Kids 2016

Holiday Events with the Kids: Here’s 39 holiday events you can do with the kids. Including 13 events where you can see Santa. We have the Armonk Frosty Parade, Westchester’s Winter Wonderland, train shows, ornament making, movies, musicals, tree-lighting ceremonies and, of course, The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol.

Where To See Santa

Radio City Christmas Spectacular – Fri-Mon, 11/11-1/2/17: The Rockettes (the older you get the more you appreciate them) 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, 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. Fri, 11/11-Mon, 1/2: check times. (1260 Ave. of the Americas, NYC: www.radiocitychristmas.com)

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, 11/20: 12pm. (Stamford Downtown)

Local! Westchester’s Winter Wonderland, Kensico Dam Plaza – Fri, 11/25-Mon, 1/2: 5-10pm: This month long event from the Friends of Westchester Parks and the Westchester Medical Centerfeatures The Royal Hanford Circus and free hockey sessions (with loaner equipment) and guest appearances from New York Rangers greats at the all new Rangerstown Rink. Plus their Musical Light Show, Candy Cane Lane, Santa Experience and rides on the Wonderland Express, Holly Jolly Caterpillar and winter hay rides. There’s also holiday shopping, food and special events. 28 evenings beginning the day after Thanksgiving. Check dates. (Kensico Dam Plaza Park, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla; www.winterwonderland.com)

Local! Armonk’s Frosty Day Parade – Sun, 11/27: 12:30-4:30pm Activities begin at 12:30pm with horse and wagon rides, train rides, clowns, Build-A-Frosty, reindeer and polar bear rides, face painting, music, Frosty photo opps and a visit from Santa. The parade begins at 4pm and features more than 30 local groups, floats, music, dancing, 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. (In & Around Town, Armonk;  www.armonkfrosty.com)

Local! Bedford Village Jingle Pass Weekend & Tree Lighting – Fri-Sat, 12/2-3: Hosted by the Bedford Village Business Association, Jingle Pass Weekend is kicked off with a tree lighting ceremony on the Village Green on Fri, 12/2: 7pm. On Friday & Saturday there will be a spirited shopping atmosphere with discounts and treats offered by local merchants. On Sat, 12/3 catch the Mistletoe Mart at the Presbyterian Church on the Village Green. And on Sun, 12/11 stop by Historical Hall for the Harry Banks Memorial Pancake Breakfast from 7:30am-12:30pm. (Bedford Village Green, Bedford Village; http://bedfordvillagebusiness.com)

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, Madison Square Garden, 12/1-18: See the classic 1964 stop-motion tale of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer brought to life in this special musical production. The show features Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice and Yukon Cornelius—whom Rudolph befriends after an epic snowstorm threatens Christmas. The production touts intricate scenic designs, new “flying” elements, plus iconic songs such as “Fame and Fortune” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” All ages. (Theater at Madison Square Garden; www.theateratmsg.com)

Sparkle at Boscobel – Sat-Sun, 12/2-3, 9-10 & 16-17: 5-9pm: You won’t find a better photo-op with the big man and the Mrs. than the scenic grounds of Boscobel. The grounds are lit up with thousands of lights overlooking the Hudson to greet Mr. & Mrs. Claus, and a program of entertainers including the Sparkle Queen stilt walker, magician Margaret Steele, ice-carving demonstrations, Puppet Power with ventriloquist Jonathan Gaffer, holiday crafts, period music with Thaddeus MacGregor, the Sparkle Songbirds, holiday jazz, caroling and ice sculptures. (Boscobel, 1601 Rt. 9D, Garrison; www.boscobel.org)

Local! Mt. Kisco Tree Lighting & Caroling Mt. Kisco – Fri, 12/2: 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! Bedford Hills Tree Lighting Ceremony – Sat, 12/3: 5pm: 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. Santa will be there and there’s caroling with the Bedford Hills Elementary School and the Antioch Baptist Church. (Bedford Hills Train Station; www.bhna10507.com)

Local! Holiday Crafts, Tree Lighting & Santa Visit, New Castle Historical Society’s – Sat, 12/3: 4-6:30pm: 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.The activities are followed by a tree lighting ceremony 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! Katonah Tree & Menorah Lighting – Sun, 12/4: 6pm: There’s music, food and fun at the annual Katonah Chamber of Commerce’s Tree Lighting & Menorah Ceremony at St. Luke’s Church at 68 Bedford Rd., Katonah. www.katonahchamber.org)

Rappelling Santa & Grinch, Stamford Heights & Lights – Sun, 12/4: 5pm: Watch Santa, the Grinch and friends rappel 22 stories down one of Stamford’s tallest buildings on Landmark Square. 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)

Lasdon Park’s Holiday Train Show – Fri-Sun: 12/2-18: 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, passing the Polar Express and Christmas Town on the way. The main house and gardens will be decorated for the season and wagon rides lead to a festive light display in the woods. There are holiday movies and storytelling in the library, a gingerbread house, outdoor fire pits where you can warm yourself with hot chocolate and chili, and a Christmas tree sale with wreaths, gifts and poinsettias in the Garden Shop. Proceeds from the sale go to homeless veterans. Fri, 12/2, 9 & 16: 4-7:30pm; Sat, 12/3, 10 & 17: 12-3pm & 4-7:30pm & Sun, 12/4,11 & 18: 12-3pm & 4-7pm. (2648 Alawalk Rd., Rt. 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Hot ticket alert! Santa Claus Visits Caramoor’s Rosen House – Sat, 12/10: 2pm: 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! (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah: www.caramoor.org) 

North Pole Comes To Stepping Stones Museum – Sat, 12/3-24: Meet and greet Santa and enjoy some colorful scratch art activities at Steeping Stones Museum in Norwalk. Bring your camera for the meet and greet with Santa or just take some selfies with him and his friends at the “North Pole.” Sat, 12/3.10 & 17, & Tues-Sat, 12/20-24: 11am-12pm. (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 – Sun, 11/19-Mon, 1/16/17: 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. NYBG is open Tues-Sun & select Holiday Mondays: 10am-6pm. (2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx; www.nybg.org)

WTD Fave Rave: A BILLION BRICKS 4: LEGO® Super Heroes In Gotham – 11/20-2/5/17: Skylines and superheroes! Bring the whole family to SM&NC’s annual “A Billion Bricks” exhibition and check out five famous architectural landmarks made completely out of LEGO® bricks. The team from ILUGNY recreates a fantasy Gotham City — featuring some of the most iconic buildings in New York City. LEGO® trains, trams, and subways travel over, under and around a totally new LEGO landscape where superheroes save the day! The museum is open Mon-Sat: 9am-5pm & Sun: 11am-5pm. (Stamford Museum & Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford; www.stamfordmuseum.org)

Stepping Stones Museum – Holiday Happenings – Tues 11/22-Sat, 12/31: Slip and slide on a sock skating rink, pose for photos at spectacular wintry scenes and enjoy holiday performances, dancing snow people and more. Beginning Tues, 11/22 and running through Sat, 12/31 there will be weekly special activities including The Thankful Turkey, Shine Talent Show, Elf Workshop, Festivals of Light, Christmas in America, a tree lighting, a Santa visit and Holiday Handbell Performances. Check for dates and times for special activities schedule. (Stepping Stones Museum, Matthews Park, 303 West Ave., Norwalk, CT; www.steppingstonesmuseum.org)

Local! Ice Skating at The Harvey School – 11/25 & 12/28: 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. There will be a DJ spinning tunes. Admission is just $5. No hockey playing. Please supply your own skates. (The Harvey School, 260 Jay St., Katonah; www.bedfordny.gov)

A Very Duchess Holiday at Lyndhurst – 11/25-12/30: See how a real princess 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 and lingerie 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, 11/25-12/18:, Fri, 12/23 & Mon-Fri, 12/26-30:10am-4pm . (Lyndhurst, 635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown; www.lyndhurst.org)

Polar Express in Imax, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk – 11/25-1/2/17: 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. Fri-Sat, 11/25-12/18, & daily 12/26-1/2/17: 5pm. (10 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT; www.maritimeaquarium.org)

Hot ticket Alert! Holiday Tea Musicales at Caramoor, 12/3-17: 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. Check dates and times. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Christmas Tree Lighting in Rockefeller Center – 11/30: The 2016 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, a 94 foot tall Norway Spruce from Oneonta, NY, will be lit for the first time on Wed, 11/30 with live performances at 8 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. The tree will remain lit for viewing until 9pm on January 7th, 2017. Photo by: STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images (45 Rockefeller Plaza; www.rockefellercenter.com)

Local! Green Craft Fair – Westmoreland Sanctuary – 11/26: 11am. Leave your children and go shopping for crafts and gifts at Westmoreland’s Green Craft Fair. The kids will be making candles, animal tracks and fairy/bird houses. There will be crafts for sale, refreshments and performances by local theatre students. Registration required. (Westmoreland Sanctuary, 260 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Mt. Kisco; www.westmorelandsanctuary.org)

ELF The Musical, Schubert Theatre, New Haven – 12/20-24: 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 – 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. The musical ran on Broadway during the Christmas seasons in 2010 and 2012. Here’s the nearest venue this year. Ties-Sat, 12/20-24: check times. (Schubert Theatre, 247 College St, New haven; www.schubert.com)

Local! Christmas on the Farm, Muscoot Farm – Sat, 12/10: 5-7pm.: 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. (Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

Holiday Crafts, John Jay Homestead: Drop your kids off for an afternoon of crafts. There will be four different winter crafts to make: a decorative wreath, a flower pot snowman, mitten sun catchers, and a fragrant pomander ball. Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies in their decorated 1920s Ballroom. Sun, 12/17: 1-3pm. (400 Jay Street, Katonah, 914-232-5651; www.johnjayhomestead.org)

Laurie Berkner Band: A Holiday Celebration – Sat, 12/17: 11am. Children’s music stars and preschool TV 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.” (13 Main St., Tarrytown;  www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Annie, Jacob Burns – Sat-Sun, 12/17-18:12pm & Thurs, 12/22: 3pm. Jacob Burns Film Center’s JBFC Kids series continues with a screening of the 1982 classic Annie with Aileen Quinn as Annie, the voice of hope for her fellow orphans during the Great Depression. Comedy legend Carol Kings plays Miss Hannifin, Ann Reinking plays Grace Farrell, the personal assistant to Oliver Warbucks who is played by Albert Finney. (Jacob Burns, 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville; www.burnsfilmcenter.org)

The Magic Flute, Metropolitan Opera, 12/20-1/5/17: The Met’s English-language family adaptation of Mozart’s mystical journey, from Julie Taymor (The Lion King), is a new holiday tradition in the city. Young stars Janai Brugger and Ben Bliss are the fairy-tale princess and prince, and Christopher Maltman reprises his acclaimed interpretation of Papageno. Special holiday pricing and weekday matinees are available for this abridged version, conducted by Antony Walker. Check dates & times. (Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center: metopera.org)

It’s a Wonderful Life, Jacob Burns – 12/23-29: 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)

Where to See The Nutcracker

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center – 11/25-12/31:  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, 11/25-Sat, 12/31: check times. (62-65 St. at Columbus Ave., NYC; www.nycballet.com)

The Nutcracker performed by The New York Theater Ballet, Tarrytown Music Hall – Sun, 12/4: 3 & 6pm: 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. (13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.com)

The Hip Hop Nutcracker – Thurs, 12/15: 8pm. This holiday mash-up for the whole family re-imagines Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker in contemporary New York City. An on-stage DJ and an electric violinist riff off Tchaikovsky’s classic score. And a dozen all-star dancers reinterpret the ballet through hip hop choreography. Together they bring the traditional Nutcracker story uptown style. “The Hip Hop Nutcracker turns Tchaikovsky on his head, in the coolest possible way. “– CBS (Concert Hall, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

Colonial Nutcracker, Paramount Hudson Valley – Sat, 12/17:3pm: 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)

Westchester Ballet Company, Westchester County Center – 12/16-18: 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, 12/16: 10am, Sat, 12/17: 12:30 & 4:30pm & Sun, 12/18: 2pm. (198 Central Ave., White Plains; www.countycenter.biz)

Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance – Ridgefield Playhouse – 12/16-18: 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. Fri, 12/16: 6pm, Sat, 12/17: 2 & 6pm & Sun, 12/18: 11am & 2pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT;  www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Connecticut Ballet: The Nutcracker, Palace Theatre – 12/17-18: Guest stars from the American Ballet Theatre Veronika Park, Blaine Hoven and Hee Seo from the American Ballet Theatre and Amar Ramasar of New York City Ballet 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 best. Meet the dancers before and after the performance. Sat, 12/17: 2 & 6pm, Sun, 12/18: 1 & 5pm. (61 Atlantic St., Stamford www.palacestamford.org)

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

Where To See: A Christmas Carol

A Dickens Tale, Ridgefield Playhouse – Sat, 11/19: 2pm: Bright Star Theatre recreates Victorian England in this retelling of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Join Old Scrooge, bumbling Bob Cratchit, one hilarious beggar woman and all the ghostly visitors in this heartwarming tale of friendship and generosity. An unsuspecting audience member even has the opportunity to join the action on stage in the role of Tiny Tim! And for just $15! That’s the holiday spirit! Have your photo taken with Scooby Doo in the lobby! Sat, 11/19: 11am & 2pm. (80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Mr. Dickens Tells A Christmas Carol, Lyndhurst Mansion – 12/9-12/30: 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, 12/9-11 & 16-18, & Mon-Fri, 12/19-23 & 26-30: check times. (635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown; www.lyndhurst.org)

Dickens’ Christmas Carol, 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, 12/10-11 & 17-18: 4, 5:15 & 6:30pm. (Reformed Church of the Tarrytowns, 42 N. Broadway, Tarrytown; www.hudsonvalley.org

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