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Cross County Center’s popular pop-up ice skating rink is located right in the heart of the center. Photo courtesy of Cross County Center
Cross County Center’s popular pop-up ice skating rink is located right in the heart of the center. Photo courtesy of Cross County Center
12/13/24 - By Katherine Dhurandhar

With Christmas vacation on the horizon, we've got you covered with family-friendly things to do throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley to keep your family entertained all week. Some of these are long-running holiday attractions that continue into Christmas vacation, while others are specially planned events to keep kids busy while school is out.

These Christmas vacation activities include everything from Brunch with Santa at the Bear Mountain Inn to Kwanzaa 2025 at Hudson Hall and multiple daytime New Year's celebrations for kids, including New Year's Eve at the Westchester Children's Museum. We've even made a special section for FREE things to do this Christmas vacation.

So, read on for dozens of ways to get the most out of the Christmas vacation school break. In the meantime, make sure to get some inspiration from our Holiday Fun Guide for families.

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Free Things To Do Over Christmas Break in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Meet Live Owls at the New Rochelle Library

New Rochelle
Saturday, December 27, 2025
Join the New Rochelle Library for an owl discovery program and get an in-depth look into the fascinating world of these common - but seldom seen - local inhabitants! Enjoy up close observation of their amazing nocturnal hunting adaptations.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights in Bloom at Orange County Arboretum

Montgomery
Select dates through Sunday, December 28, 2025
This charming outdoor light display at the Orange County Arboretum features illuminated flora and fauna for a garden-themed holiday light show. The event is offered on weekends between Thanksgiving and the end of December. READ MORE

Gingerbread Man Scavenger Hunt at the Rye Free Reading Room

Rye
Monday, December 29, 2025
A batch of gingerbread men have escaped and are loose in the Children's Room. Complete the scavenger hunt to find all of them at the Rye Free Reading Room! READ MORE

Nutcracker Tapdance Special at the New Rochelle Library

New Rochelle
Monday, December 29, 2025
Musical duo Musiquita brings a fresh, jazzy twist to Tchaikovsky’s beloved holiday masterpiece. This unique show blends tap dance, violin and piano playing. Families are encouraged to sing and dance along to familiar holiday favorites in both English and Spanish, making this an unforgettable celebration of the season! READ MORE

Winter Ornament Making at the New Rochelle Library

New Rochelle
Monday, December 29, 2025
Add a little sparkle to your home with this seasonal craft! Select from a wide variety of shapes to create some holiday cheer for you and your family. READ MORE

Rye Noon Year's Eve Party

Rye
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Celebrate the new year at the Rye Free Reading Room with themed crafts, snacks, and a countdown to 12 noon. This party is a great option for kids who want to celebrate but are not yet ready to stay up until midnight. READ MORE
Take advantage of the School's Out/Art’s In program at the Katonah Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the museum
Take advantage of the School's Out/Art’s In program at the Katonah Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the museum

Fun Things To Do Over Christmas Break in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

School's Out/Art's In at Katonah Museum of Art

Katonah
Select dates from Wednesday, December 24 - Friday, January 2, 2026
Participate in creative arts workshops inspired by the current exhibitions at the Katonah Museum of Arts during the winter break. Each day brings new and exciting projects facilitated by teaching artists. READ MORE

Planetarium Laser Shows - Hudson River Museum

Yonkers
Select dates from Wednesday, December 24 - Sunday, January 4, 2026
This holiday season, experience Planetarium Laser Shows at the Hudson River Museum, featuring holiday classics alongside the music of some of the most famous pop artists in history! These audiovisual spectacles fuse synchronized laser light displays with unforgettable tracks, from classic holiday tunes and “The Nutcracker" to iconic pop songs by The Beatles, Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, and Taylor Swift.  READ MORE

Holidays on the Hill Train Show at Lasdon Park & Arboretum

Somers
Select dates through Sunday, December 28, 2025
Discover an all-new Holidays on the Hill Train Show, featuring a 2,500-square-foot exhibit set within the stunning Lasdon Glass House Conservatory. Afterward, visit Santa in his cozy cottage and explore the beautifully decorated Conservatory Plaza with a fun scavenger hunt as you try to find the little elves hiding throughout. READ MORE

Salt Art Workshop - Snow Art at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum

Poughkeepsie
Monday, December 29, 2025
During this workshop at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, kids learn to create a snowflake or snowman using glue, salt, and watercolors.  READ MORE

Kwanzaa Celebration at Westchester Children's Museum

Rye
Monday & Tuesday, December 29-30, 2025
Celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa with meaningful stories and hands-on creativity at the Westchester Children's Museum. READ MORE

Polar Express Train Ride in Kingston

Kingston
Select dates through Tuesday, December 30, 2025
All aboard this special, seasonal train ride from the Catskill Mountain Railroad. Once on board, the conductors walk through the coach to punch your golden ticket as you’re served hot chocolate and a cookie by dancing chefs, while passengers read the classic children’s book. READ MORE

Winter Wonderland at Dogwood Acres Farm

Middletown
Select dates through Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Make your holidays even more memorable with a trip to Dogwood Acres Winter Wonderland with wagon rides through holiday lights, a Marshmallow Cannon, Snowball Fight, Dogwood Express, and so much more. Visit with the Reindeer! Stop and see Santa. Enjoy some S'mores at the fire pits, and eat tasty treats.  READ MORE

New Year's at Noon at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Center

Poughkeepsie
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Celebrate New Year's Eve in daylight hours at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum with music provided by Lutz Entertainment, special activities for kids of all ages, refreshments, and of course, noisemakers, as everyone counts down to noon. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Kids' Countdown - Westchester Children's Museum

Rye
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Ring in the new year at this all-day celebration at the Westchester Children's Museum with cupcake decorating, a DJ dance party, crafts, and a confetti-filled ball drop and countdown. READ MORE

Legoland Discovery Center Westchester | Holiday Bricktacular

Yonkers
Daily through Wednesday, December 31, 2025, except December 25
Come explore an indoor winter wonderland filled with Lego holiday-themed creations made up of thousands of Lego bricks. Festivities include cookie decorating with the Lego gingerbread man, Lego ornament building, giant holiday Lego builds, and more! READ MORE

Legoland New York Holiday Bricktacular

Goshen
Weekends through Saturday, January 3, 2026
Experience the holidays at Legoland New York, where the entire resort is bursting with holiday cheer. Visit the new Lego City Elf Extravaganza, sing and dance at one of the seasonal shows, take “elfies” with your favorite holiday Lego characters, go ice skating at Icicle Alley, and more. READ MORE

The New Castle Historical Society's Great Holiday Train Show

Chappaqua
Select dates through Saturday, January 3, 2026
All aboard for some holiday fun as the New Castle Historical Society hosts its annual Great Holiday Train Show at the historic Horace Greeley House, which has been festively decorated for the season. Now in its fourth year, the show features two new model trains and all-new displays with a mix of vintage and returning family favorites.  READ MORE

Cross County Center Pop-Up Holiday Ice Skating Rink

Yonkers
Select dates through Sunday, January 4, 2026
Cross County Center’s popular pop-up ice skating rink is located right in the heart of the center. The pop-up rink is not made of real ice, it is a synthetic floor which glides slower than real ice, making it perfect for first-time and young skaters. Character and theme skating nights will be hosted throughout the season. Private rentals are also available for a festive family party or friendly get-together. READ MORE
Experience the magic of Kevin McCurdy’s Holiday Spirit Festival Winter Wonderland Walk! Photo by the author
Experience the magic of Kevin McCurdy’s Holiday Spirit Festival Winter Wonderland Walk! Photo by the author

Holiday Lights Shows to Enjoy Over Christmas Break

KM's Holiday Spirit Festival

Wappingers Falls
Select dates through Saturday, December 27, 2025
Experience the magic of Kevin McCurdy’s Holiday Spirit Festival Winter Wonderland Walk! Take a fun-filled stroll through the sparkling Enchanted Forest of Lights, discover the cozy Polar Bear Igloo, and dance along to the tunes of Candy Cane Lane Musical Trees.  READ MORE

The Wonderland of Lights in Rhinebeck

Rhinebeck
Select dates through Sunday, December 28, 2025
This spectacular drive-thru holiday light experience returns to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. The attraction features dozens of illuminated exhibits along a mile-long route.  READ MORE

Watt Christmas Wonderland

Goshen
Daily through Sunday, December 28, 2025
Pile in the car for a visit to this holiday staple. This drive-thru exhibit features an assortment of inflatables, hundreds of lights, and other seasonal displays to enjoy. READ MORE

Peace, Love & Lights at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Bethel
Daily through Sunday, December 28, 2025
This drive-thru light experience on the site of the Woodstock Festival returns with even more lights, with themed displays depicting New York and holidays around the world plus special rock-n'-roll-themed displays honoring the site's history.  READ MORE

Holiday Experience at Christmas in America

Mt. Vernon
Select dates through Sunday, December 28, 2025
Experience holiday magic on a grand scale at the Holiday Experience at Christmas in America. Explore a 12,000-square-foot immersive experience with festive photo ops, dazzling displays, and more than 3,000 items available in the store. READ MORE

Lumina Magical Lights Experience at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard

North Salem
Multiple dates through Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Prepare to be dazzled this holiday season when Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard is magically transformed into an illuminated forest full of marvelous structures and festive decorations. Over half a million brilliant lights set the farm aglow in the form of whimsical creatures, light-changing orbs, thematic installations, and interactive light displays. READ MORE

Westchester’s Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza

White Plains
Daily through Wednesday, December 31, 2025
(Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
This holiday lights extravaganza returns to Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla for its 12th season. This year's three-day opening weekend will be a walk-thru and will feature the return of the Santa Fun Run, an all-new Mascot Dash, and a winter market.  READ MORE

Grand Holiday Illumination at Untermyer Gardens

Yonkers–FREE
Daily through Sunday, January 4, 2026
Inaugurated in 2015, the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy's Grand Holiday Illumination has quickly become a Yonkers tradition, and thousands of visitors come to enjoy the spectacle. Come for FREE and see the Walled Garden lit with more than 100,000 lights and listen to holiday music from many traditions.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Orange County Arboretum, Thomas Bull Memorial Park (Grove St. entrance)
Lasdon Park Arboretum and Veterans Memorial
Westbrook Lane Station (at the Kingston Plaza shopping center)
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester
Kevin McCurdy's Holiday Spirit Festival
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

About the Author

Katherine Dhurandhar
Katherine Dhurandhar is a Community Publisher for Mommy Poppins, representing the Westchester and Hudson Valley region of New York, and a freelance copyeditor for Westchester Publishing Company. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling with her husband and son.
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