If you're like us, you love weekends because it's the time when you get to spend quality time with your kids, whether you are planning a day trip to a nearby destination or are looking for things to do that are close to home in Westchester County. There’s lots to do this weekend with your family, from concerts and performances to museum exhibits, shows, crafts activities, seasonal events, parades, and more, so you're sure to find something to do that the whole family will love. Look no further for ideas and plan your weekend with our guide that highlights the best family-friendly events happening in and around Westchester County, including family fun in Mamaroneck, White Plains, Scarsdale, South Salem, Yonkers, Valhalla, Hastings-on-Hudson, Katonah, Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Tarrytown, Larchmont, Croton-on-Hudson, Pellham, Pleasantville, Bronx, and Peekskill.
RELATED: Get Weekend Activities Sent to Your Inbox
FREE The Chair Show
WHEN: Oct. 1-19, 12-5pm
WHERE: ArtsWestchester Gallery, 31 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains
AGES: All
WHAT: The Chair Show explores the creativity, forms and traditions of seating.
WANT TO GO? 914-428-4220. https://artswestchester.org/the-chair-show-an-exhibition/.
Rhyme & Read
WHEN: Oct. 12-19, Saturdays, 11-11:30am
WHERE: Westchester Children's Museum, 100 Playland Parkway, Rye
AGES: 3-8
WHAT: Join in playing sound games, hear a story, watch a Nursery Rhyme video, and make a craft to take home! Limited to 10 participants.
WANT TO GO? $7.50; $6.50 seniors; $3 per person presenting an Electronic Benefits Transfer Card (EBT) with ID for up to 4 individuals; free for members, active duty military personnel and their families within the same household and children younger than 1.. 914-421-5050. http://discoverwcm.org.
Vulture Culture: A Live Bird Presentation
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19, 2pm
WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx
AGES: All
WHAT: Observe vultures and other scavenging birds of prey and hear about their adaptive behaviors.
WANT TO GO? $10; $6 students and seniors 65 and older; $4 children 6–18; free for members and children younger than 6; free admission to grounds until 12pm on Saturday. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
Make A Dragon With Polymer Clay
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19, Ages 5 - 8, 2-3pm; Ages 9-12, 3-4pm
WHERE: The Rye Arts Center, 51 Milton Road, Rye
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Use polymer clay to make simple shapes and put them together to form a sculpture.
WANT TO GO? $20; RAC members receive discount. 914-967-0700. https://ryeartscenter.org/workshops-1/2019/10/19/make-a-dragon-with-polymer-clay-ages-5-8-9-12.
FREE Battle of Pell's Point Encampment
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19, 10am-4pm
WHERE: St. Paul's Church National Historic Site, 897 S. Columbus Avenue, Mt.Vernon
AGES: All
WHAT: See an encampment commemorating the Battle of Pell's Point, fought on October 18, 1776, with a special ceremony.
WANT TO GO? 914-667-4116. nps.gov/sapa.
FREE 2019 Grace Pumpkin Parade
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19, 11am-3pm
WHERE: Pulaski Park, 162 Washington St., Poughkeepsie
AGES: All
WHAT: Don a costume and march, build a float to ride, or just enjoy the festivities as a community to denounce family violence.
WANT TO GO? Event is free, fundraising is encouraged. 845-471-3033. http://gshpumpkinparade.org/.
NATIONAL DANCE COMPANY OF SIBERIA RUSSIAN SOUVENIRS
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19, 8pm
WHERE: Academic Arts Theatre, Hankin Academic Arts Building at Westchester Community College, 75 Grassland Road, Valhalla
AGES: All
WHAT: See this ensemble transcend regional folk dance, elevating a rich heritage from the provincial to a world class level of artistry.
WANT TO GO? $28; $26 non-WCC students, seniors, faculty and staff; $18 children younger than 13. 914-606-6262. https://sunywcc.edu/about/smartarts/.
FREE Getting into Top Colleges - Free Seminar
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19, 10-11am
WHERE: Ivy Global White Plains Office, 187 Martine Ave, White Plains
AGES: 13 and older
WHAT: Ivy Global will provide a complete overview of the entire application process, revealing the inside knowledge of what it takes to get into some of the best schools.
WANT TO GO? 914-948-5787. https://ivyglobal.com/sat/seminars/14#14.
FREE Learn About Blue Rock School’s Unique Kindergarten Program
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19, 10am-12pm
WHERE: Blue Rock School, 110 Demarest Mill Road, West Nyack
AGES: 3-5
WHAT: During this Open House children can enjoy a Fall Harvest-themed morning that includes storytelling, crafts, homemade snacks, and outdoor play on the school's five-acre wooded campus.
WANT TO GO? 845-535-3353. bluerockschool.org.
FREE American Revolution Demonstration
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19, 11am-4pm
WHERE: Stony Point Battlefied State Historic Site, 44 Battlefield Rd., Stony Point
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the 2nd New York as they demonstrate how an American unit in the first year of the American Revolution would march, drill, charge bayonets, and fire in unison.
WANT TO GO? 845-786-2521. https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/8/details.aspx.
FREE Family Fiesta with Flor
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19, 12-12:30pm
WHERE: The Field Library, 4 Nelson Avenue, Peekskill
AGES: All
WHAT: Flor teaches Spanish through music, movement, and puppetry.
WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. https://fieldkids.wordpress.com/.
The Highway Rat & Zog
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19, 12pm
WHERE: Jacob Burns Film Center, 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville
AGES: 3-8
WHAT: See these two animated shorts based on the much-loved children’s books by Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler.
WANT TO GO? $15; $10 members; $8 children age 13 and younger. 914-747-5555. https://burnsfilmcenter.org/booking/the-highway-rat-zog/.
Aquarium Yoga
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 19, 8:30-9:45am
WHERE: THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT
AGES: 13 and older
WHAT: Mantra Yoga & Aerial Arts in Stamford will lead this all-levels class and modifications will be offered for beginners, as well as for advanced practitioners. Ages 14 and older. Register in advance.
WANT TO GO? $25; $22 members. 203-852-0700. https://maritimeaquarium.org/events.
Family Art Project: The Walking Snag
WHEN: Oct. 19-20, 10am-1pm
WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx
AGES: All
WHAT: Outfit yourself as a snag and cover yourself with fungus, lichens, and other decomposers that you create!
WANT TO GO? $10; $6 students and seniors 65 and older; $4 children 6–18; free for members and children younger than 6; free admission to grounds until 12pm on Saturday. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
Decomposer Detectives Family Walk
WHEN: Oct. 19-20, 12pm and 1pm
WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Learn all about the activities of the organisms that help break down dead leaves, wood, and other organic matter in Wave Hill’s Abrons Woodland.
WANT TO GO? $10; $6 students and seniors 65 and older; $4 children 6–18; free for members and children younger than 6; free admission to grounds until 12pm on Saturday. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
The Boneyard
WHEN: Oct. 19-20, 11am-4pm
WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx
AGES: All
WHAT: Learn about osteology, the study of bones and skeletal elements, then team up to try to reassemble a skeleton!
WANT TO GO? $10; $6 students and seniors 65 and older; $4 children 6–18; free for members and children younger than 6; free admission to grounds until 12pm on Saturday. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
Decomposition Central
WHEN: Oct. 19-20, 11am-4pm
WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx
AGES: All
WHAT: Visit the Scavenger and Decomposer Petting Zoo to see and touch some friendly scavengers and decomposers, and observe scavenging dermestid (flesh-eating) beetles at work.
WANT TO GO? $10; $6 students and seniors 65 and older; $4 children 6–18; free for members and children younger than 6; free admission to grounds until 12pm on Saturday. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.
Chem-Palooza
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 20, 11:30am-12:15pm and 1:30-2:15pm
WHERE: Westchester Children's Museum, 100 Playland Parkway, Rye
AGES: 5-17
WHAT: Kick off the start of National Chemistry Week and jump from station to station and experiment with different chemistry concepts!
WANT TO GO? $7.50; $6.50 seniors; $3 per person presenting an Electronic Benefits Transfer Card (EBT) with ID for up to 4 individuals; free for members, actuve duty military personnel and their families within the same household and children younger than 1.. 914-421-5050. http://discoverwcm.org.
Creatures of the Night
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 20, 1-2pm
WHERE: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale
AGES: All
WHAT: Meet some nocturnal animals and find out why they only come out at night.
WANT TO GO? $8; $5 members. 914-723-3470. greenburghnaturecenter.org.
FREE Musical Tots
WHEN: Oct. 5-23, 10/5, 12pm, 10/23, 11:15am
WHERE: The Field Library, 4 Nelson Avenue, Peekskill
AGES: Newborn-5
WHAT: Join Lori Cohen for an interactive program of music and movement.
WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. https://fieldkids.wordpress.com/.
Play Days @ Jay
WHEN: May 10- Oct. 25, Friday 12-2pm
WHERE: John Jay Homestead, 400 Jay Street, Katonah
AGES: All
WHAT: Pack a picnic and spend the afternoon at the Homestead.
WANT TO GO? $10; $7 students and seniors; $7 highlight tour; free for members and children younger than 12. 914-232-8119. johnjayhomestead.org.
Exploring Play: WHOSE SHADOW IS THAT?!
WHEN: Oct. 4-25, Fridays, 11-11:30am
WHERE: Westchester Children's Museum, 100 Playland Parkway, Rye
AGES: 3-5
WHAT: Use a screen to sing, dance, and create fun and silly shadows with your bodies. Ages 2-4. Sign up when museum opens at 10am.
WANT TO GO? $7.50; $6.50 seniors; $3 per person presenting an Electronic Benefits Transfer Card (EBT) with ID for up to 4 individuals; free for members, active duty military personnel and their families within the same household and children younger than 1.. 914-421-5050. http://discoverwcm.org.
FREE Story & Craft
WHEN: Oct. 18-25, Fridays, 11am
WHERE: The Field Library, 4 Nelson Avenue, Peekskill
AGES: 3-5
WHAT: Join the library for storytime followed by a special craft.
WANT TO GO? 914-737-0847. https://fieldkids.wordpress.com/.
Family Studio: Science
WHEN: Oct. 5-26, Saturdays, 1-4pm
WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first two Apollo missions to the moon’s surface with moon-related activities.
WANT TO GO? $7; $5 seniors 62 and older, veterans and students; $4 youth ages 3-8; free for members. 914-963-4550. hrm.org.
Harry Potter Films
WHEN: Oct. 5-26, Saturdays, 12pm
WHERE: Jacob Burns Film Center, 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville
AGES: 13 and older
WHAT: See a different Harry Potter film each week, including Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Parts 1 and 2.
WANT TO GO? $15; $10 members; $8 children age 13 and younger. 914-747-5555. https://burnsfilmcenter.org/booking/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix/.
Family Wheel Night
WHEN: Oct. 5-26, 10/5 and 10/26, 6-8pm
WHERE: Clay Art Center, 40 Beech Street, Port Chester
AGES: 9 and older
WHAT: Get messy and play with clay in this one-time class to learn how to use the potter’s wheel. Register online.
WANT TO GO? $45. 914-937-2047. https://clayartcenter.org/youth-families-classes.
The Rock and Roll Playhouse Plays the Music of Phish for Kids
WHEN: Oct. 20-26, 10/20 and 10/26, 11:30am
WHERE: The Capitol Theatre, 149 Westchester Avenue, Port Chester
AGES: All
WHAT: During each fun-filled show, children explore live music, movement, and collaborative creativity.
WANT TO GO? $15. 914-934-9362. http://therockandrollplayhouse.com.
Planetarium: The Sky Tonight
WHEN: Oct. 5-27, Saturday and Sundays, 2pm
WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers
AGES: 9 and older
WHAT: Learn what's going on in the sky the very night you see this live, interactive show. Ages 8 and older.
WANT TO GO? $7 + $5; $5 + $4 seniors 62 and older, veterans and students; $4 + $3 youth ages 3-8; free for members. 914-963-4550. hrm.org.
Planetarium: We Are Astronomers
WHEN: Oct. 5-27, Saturday and Sundays, 3:30pm
WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers
AGES: All
WHAT: Discover how astronomers share knowledge and answer our questions about the universe.
WANT TO GO? $7 + $5; $5 + $4 seniors 62 and older, veterans and students; $4 + $3 youth ages 3-8; free for members. 914-963-4550. hrm.org.
Planetarium: One World, One Sky
WHEN: Oct. 5-27, Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30pm
WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers
AGES: All
WHAT: On a trip from Sesame Street to the moon, Big Bird and friends discover that planets are different from one another but people on Earth are often the same – they love to fly kites! On October 5 and 12, the film will be screened in Spanish in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
WANT TO GO? $7 + $5; $5 + $4 seniors 62 and older, veterans and students; $4 + $3 youth ages 3-8; free for members. 914-963-4550. hrm.org.
Family Studio: Art
WHEN: Oct. 5-27, Saturdays and Sundays, 1-4pm
WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers
AGES: All
WHAT: Create a miniature landscape out of clay.
WANT TO GO? $7; $5 seniors 62 and older, veterans and students; $4 youth ages 3-8; free for members. 914-963-4550. hrm.org.
Aida
WHEN: Oct. 11-27, Friday and Saturday 8pm; Sunday 2pm
WHERE: White Plains Performing Arts Center, 11 City Place , White Plains
AGES: 9 and older
WHAT: AIDA is an epic tale of love, loyalty, and betrayal, with an exhilarating Tony and Grammy Award-winning score by Elton John and Tim Rice.
WANT TO GO? $37-$59. 914-328-1600. wppac.com.
Haunted: Victorian Ghost Stories at the Mansion
WHEN: Oct. 18-27, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm & 8pm
WHERE: Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT
AGES: All
WHAT: These tours will focus on ghost sightings as they relate to the house during the 19th century as well as its more recent history. Children under 16 must be accompanied by guardian.
WANT TO GO? $10. 203-838-9799. lockwoodmathewsmansion.com.
Marine Life Encounter Cruises
WHEN: Oct. 20-27, Sundays, 1:15pm
WHERE: THE MARITIME AQUARIUM AT NORWALK, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT
AGES: All
WHAT: Meet an amazing variety of fish, crabs, mollusks, and other creatures out of Long Island Sound.
WANT TO GO? $31.50; $26.50 for members. 203-852-0700. https://maritimeaquarium.org/events.
Pack Chat for Kids
WHEN: Oct. 6-29, select Saturdays, 2-3:30pm; select Sundays, 11am-12:30pm
WHERE: Wolf Conservation Center, 7 Buck Run, South Salem
AGES: All
WHAT: Kids will learn about the mythology surrounding wolves and the important role of wolves in the natural world. Pre-registration required.
WANT TO GO? $14; $11 children younger than 12. 914-763-2373. nywolf.org.
Classic Mansion Tour with Autumnal Decor
WHEN: Sept. 26- Oct. 31, Thursdays-Mondays, 10am-4pm
WHERE: Lyndhurst, 635 South Broadway, Tarrytown
AGES: All
WHAT: See the mansion decorated with trimmings for the fall season.
WANT TO GO? $16-$24. 845-331-7900. lyndhurst.org/.
Jay Ghoul's House of Curiosities
WHEN: Oct. 17-31, Thursdays and Sundays 6-9pm; Friday and Saturday 6-10pm
WHERE: Lyndhurst, 635 South Broadway, Tarrytown
AGES: 9 and older
WHAT: The scariest thing may just be the bad puns during this interactive event.
WANT TO GO? $25; $20 ages 10-16. 845-331-7900. http://lyndhurst.org/events/jay-ghoul-2019/.
Boo at the Zoo
WHEN: Sept. 28- Nov. 3, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5:30pm
WHERE: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx
AGES: All
WHAT: This year's Boo at the Zoo has family favorites like magic shows, costume parades, pumpkin carvings, a candy trail, a bird meet and greet, animal treats, crafts, and mentalism shows, plus the Dinosaur Safari exhibit.
WANT TO GO? $35.95; $31.45 seniors; $26.95 children 3-12; free for children younger than 2. 718-220-5100. bronxzoo.com.
Horseman's Hollow
WHEN: Oct. 4- Nov. 3, See website for schedule
WHERE: Historic Hudson Valley, 381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow
AGES: 9 and older
WHAT: The undead, the evil, and the insane rule this terrifying landscape, all paying homage to the Hessian who forever hunts his head. Enter the foreboding gates and make your way through haunted landmarks like the cemetery, tavern, and Old Dutch Church.
WANT TO GO? $28 Saturdays; $22; $15 fast track pass; members recieve $5 discount. 914-631-8200. https://hudsonvalley.org/events/horsemans-hollow/.
Sleepy Hollow Experience
WHEN: Oct. 4- Nov. 3, See website for schedule
WHERE: Historic Hudson Valley, 639 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills
AGES: All
WHAT: Meet Ichabod Crane and Katrina Van Tassel, along with a certain headless Hessian, in the very place where the Washington Irving imagined them. Follow the characters from scene to scene with live music and a little bit of mayhem. Sip seasonal drinks and enjoy tasty treats at the Van Tassel’s harvest party.
WANT TO GO? $45 and up; $25 and up for children 3-17; members receive 10% discount/ticket; free for children younger than 3. 914-631-8200. https://hudsonvalley.org.
Irving's Legend
WHEN: Oct. 4- Nov. 3, Thursday-Friday 6:15pm, 7:30, 8:45; Saturday and Sunday 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 5pm, 6:30pm, and 8pm
WHERE: Historic Hudson Valley, 639 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills
AGES: All
WHAT: Master storytellers offer dramatic performances of Washington Irving’s classic tale, featuring the Headless Horseman, Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, and Katrina Van Tassel. Flavored with live spooky music, the spellbinding storytelling captivates all audiences.
WANT TO GO? $28; $22 child; members receive a $5 discount. 914-631-8200. https://hudsonvalley.org.
FREE Farmers Market
WHEN: May 14- Nov. 18, Sundays, 9:30am-2:30pm
WHERE: Muscoot Farm, 51 Route 100, Katonah
AGES: All
WHAT: Visit the farm and buy foods and products from more than 20 local vendors. Then check out the animals, historic buildings, and exhibits.
WANT TO GO? 914-864-7282. muscootfarm.org.
FREE Opening of Farmers Market
WHEN: June 7- Nov. 22, Fridays, 9am-2pm
WHERE: New Rochelle's Down to Earth Farmers Market, 20 Sicard Ave., New Rochelle
AGES: All
WHAT: The market showcases produce raised just a few hours from the Sound Shore.
WANT TO GO? 914-923-4837. downtoearthmarkets.com.
The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze
WHEN: Sept. 20- Nov. 30, 9/20-9/22; 9/26-9/29; 10/3-10/31; Fridays-Sundays in November
WHERE: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 South Riverside Ave, Croton-on-Hudson
AGES: All
WHAT: See more than 10,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated jack o’ lanterns in this elaborate walk-through experience.
WANT TO GO? $22 (Fri-Sat $27); $16 (Fri-Sat $20) children 3-17; free for members and children younger than 3. 914-631-8200. hudsonvalley.org.
Down to Earth Larchmont Farmer’s Market
WHEN: April 27-December 28, Saturdays, 8:30am-1pm
WHERE: Metro North Parking Deck off Chatsworth Ave, Larchmont
AGES: All ages
WHAT: Each Saturday the Larchmont Farmers Market brings together small farms and artisan food makers with cooks and eaters.
WANT TO GO? 914-923-4837. http://downtoearthmarkets.com.
FREE Rock n' Roll Babies & Toddlers
WHEN: Sept. 6- Aug. 28, 2020, Fridays, 10:15-10:45am
WHERE: Croton Free Library, 171 Cleveland Drive, Croton-on-Hudson
AGES: Newborn-5
WHAT: It's time for great stories, classic kids' songs, new rock n’ roll music, and lots of dancing!
WANT TO GO? 914-271-6612. http://crotonfreelibrary.org.
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