Don’t-Miss List: Holiday Events in Westchester County
Don’t-Miss List: Holiday Events in Westchester County
‘Tis the season to mark calendars full of holiday events in Westchester. Whether guests are looking to watch It’s a Wonderful Life on the big screen, experience a retelling of A Christmas Carol, make their own candles and menorahs, or sing along to holiday classics, this list covers it. Don’t worry: for those looking to get their holiday shopping started, there’s a list of nine holiday boutiques in Westchester as well.
Looking for a production of The Nutcracker in Westchester? Click here to find the one that suits you best!
Through December 26
Mr. Dickens Tells a Christmas Carol
Presented by Lyndhurst Mansion
Through the holiday season, Lyndhurst Mansion presents a play that tells the tale of Charles Dickens’s beloved A Christmas Carol. Actor Michael Muldoon reenacts Charles Dickens in the author’s own one-hour adaption of the tale of holiday spirit. Characters Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim will come alive with this performance in a historic period setting. (635 South Broadway, Tarrytown)
Through January 7
Great Holiday Train Show
Presented by New Castle Historical Society
The Great Holiday Train Show returns for its third year to downtown Chappaqua. The 19th century Horace Greeley House has been reimagined into a “locomotive splendor” for the season, with trains that wind through festive villages and miniature landscapes in each period room. This year, new additions featuring Harry Potter LEGO scenes. (Horace Greeley House, 100 King Street, Chappaqua)
December 1
Free First Friday’s: Gilded Holiday Glow
Presented by Hudson River Museum
Hudson River Museum celebrates the holiday season with live music from Diverse Concert Artist. This string quartet will play a mixture of classical, Broadway, holiday, pop and hip-hop songs in the lobby of its historic Gilded Age home, Glenview, for its Free First Friday series. The evening includes free tours of the house decorated for the holidays. (511 Warburton Ave, Yonkers)
December 1, 11, 18
Holiday Grab & Go Kits
Presented by White Plains Public Library
White Plains Library will be offering various holiday Grab & Go arts and crafts kits for children throughout the month of December. These kits will be available in the lobby while supplies last, and will cover Hanukkah (December 1), Kwanza and Shabe Yalde (December 11), and Christmas (December 18). (100 Martine Ave, White Plains)
New Choral Society: Messiah Part I
Presented by New Choral Society
The New Choral Society welcomes guests to a performance of Handel’s Messiah, Part I. This performance will feature the uplifting choruses and solos from the original piece, focusing on the Christmas portion of the oratorio and concluding with the famous Hallelujah Chorus. (6 Greenacres Ave, Scarsdale)
December 2-17
Dicken’s ‘Christmas Carol’
Presented by Historic Hudson Valley
Guests are welcomed to attend a dramatic performance of A Christmas Carol in Sleepy Hollow’s Old Dutch Church this December. Master storyteller Jonathan Kruk, along with musical accompaniment by Jim Keyes, tells the Charles Dickens story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and Tiny Tim in his joyous rendition of the holiday classic. (381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow)
December 2
Santa Needs Your Help
Presented by The Picture House (Pelham)
The Picture House’s Pelham location will host Santa Claus for a family-friendly interactive event. Guests will help Santa get ready for Christmas by playing games and songs. Also included is a Q&A and the opportunity to take a photo with the big guy. The event is hosted by writer Kevin Maher, who will share his new book, Santa Doesn’t Need Your Help. The event will feature either a screening of the short film based on the book or a live-reading, depending on the audience’s vote. (175 Wolfs Ln, Pelham)
December 2
The Laurie Berkner Band: A Live Holiday Concert
Presented by Tarrytown Music Hall
Two performances by beloved children’s group The Laurie Berkner Band will take over the Tarrytown Music Hall stage. This holiday concert will celebrate the season with traditional songs like Jingle Bells, and Frosty the Snowman, plus originals from Laurie’s two holiday albums, which include Christmas and Hannukah sing-alongs. (13 Main St., Tarrytown)
December 2-3
Holiday Music Festival
Presented by Hoff-Barthelson Music School
Hoff-Barthelson Music School invites its community to join in celebrating the holiday season with their annual Holiday Music Festival. The festival will showcase an array of talented performers, including the school’s choral ensembles, flute, viola and clarinet clubs, the award-winning Chamber Orchestra, and more. (25 School Lane, Scarsdale)
December 3
Get Ready for Hanukkah: Make Your Own Candles and Menorah
Presented by JCC Mid-Westchester
JCC Mid-Westchester invites children and their families to celebrate Hanukkah with fun crafts, like making their own candles and menorahs in preparation of the upcoming holiday. Latkes and donuts will also be served. (999 Wilmot Rd, Scarsdale)
December 9
Christmas Joy!
Presented by Breanetta Productions
Julia Breanetta Simpson presents an evening of song and celebration at which guests can expect to hear timeless spirituals and holiday favorites, as well as a selection of songs from Simpson’s latest CD, Bending Towards the Light. (American Legion Post 347, 1 Locust Ave, Flint Park, Larchmont)
December 10
Collective Brass Holiday Concert
Presented by Lyndhurst Mansion
Lyndhurst Mansion welcomes guests into its Carriage House for a holiday concert by Collective Brass. Guests can expect to hear familiar seasonal songs, such as selections from The Nutcracker, new arrangements of Christmas carols, and a sing-along. (635 South Broadway, Tarrytown)
December 10
Annual Concert for Peace
Presented by Songcatchers, Inc.
Songcatchers will present this annual concert filled with songs of peace and hope for the holiday season. On the program for the Songcatchers Choir and New Songcatchers Orchestra are interfaith and seasonal songs such as O Holy Night, Hava Nashira, Give Us Hope, African Noel and Go Tell It on the Mountain.
December 10
A Gilded Age Holiday
Presented by Hudson River Museum
Hudson River Museum will present a performance of live opera in its historic Glenview home. This festive concert will feature internationally renowned soprano Korliss Uecker, baritone and pianist James Rensink, and principal cellist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Jerry Grossman. All will perform songs and music from the Gilded Age, celebrating the Museum’s current exhibitions. The trio will also perform arias and selections from operas and operettas that Nellie Melba, an Australian operatic soprano of the late Victorian era and the early 20th century, might have performed at the Metropolitan Opera. (511 Warburton Ave, Yonkers)
December 13
Family Storytime: Hanukkah Lights
Presented by White Plains Public Library
Join White Plains Public Library for a story time that tells the history of Hanukkah. Kids will learn how the holiday came to be, learn and sing holiday songs, and make a take-home craft. (100 Martine Ave, White Plains)
December 14
The Glenn Miller Orchestra
Presented by Tarrytown Music Hall
Nothing brings in the big band flavor like the world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, which will present holiday favorites and classics from the Big Band Songbook. The present Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956 and has been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world. Nick Hilscher is the orchestra’s present music director. (13 Main St., Tarrytown)
December 15-17
The Rob Mathes Holiday Concert
Presented by Performing Arts Center at Purchase College
The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College continues its beloved annual tradition of ringing in the holiday season with musician Rob Mathes, who will be accompanied by a band and choir. Mathes has worked with virtually every big name in the music industry – arranging, producing, directing, recording and performing. The evening of rock, jazz and blues will include original songs and new spins on favorite holiday classics. (735 Anderson Hill Rd, Purchase)
December 16
A Victorian Christmas Celebration
Presented by Historic Hudson Valley
Historic Hudson Valley welcomes guests to tour author Washington Irving’s Sunnyside estate, which will be decorated for the holidays. Guests can expect festive sips and snacks as they tour the grounds, as well as the chance to make Victorian paper crafts. (3 W Sunnyside Ln, Irvington)
It’s a Wonderful Life Screenings
Looking for a screening of the beloved classic film, It’s a Wonderful Life? Pick a location near you!
December 16, 17 & 20: Jacob Burns Film Center
December 16: Tarrytown Music Hall
December 17: Bedford Playhouse
The film tells the story of George Bailey, who set his dreams aside to run his father’s small community bank and the struggle he faces trying to protect the town from greedy businessman Mr. Potter. After a costly mistake pushes George to the brink of despair, Clarence an angel must show him how his life has changed the world for the better.
Photo credit: Christmas Carol (courtesy of Lyndhurst Manor); The Great Holiday Train Show (courtesy of New Castle Historical Society); Hudson River Museum (photo by Steve Panecassio); New Choral Society (photo by Steven Schnur); Christmas Carol (courtesy of Historic Hudson Valley); Laurie Bernker (courtesy of Tarrytown Music Hall); Hoff Barthelson Chamber Orchestra (courtesy of the organization); Julia Breanetta Simpson; Collective Brass (courtesy of Lyndhurst Mansion); Historic Hudson Valley Victorian Holiday at Sunnyside (courtesy of the organization); Its a Wonderful Life.
