Best Activities for Families in This Weekend in Rockland and Bergen Counties

We love weekends because they allow us to spend quality time with our kids, whether with a fun day trip to a nearby family-friendly destination or a family day of fun that's close to home in Rockland County or Bergen County, NJ. 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 the perfect thing to do with your family in Rockland or Bergen this weekend. Look no further for ideas and plan your weekend with our guide that highlights the best family-friendly events happening in and around Rockland County, including family fun in Nanuet, Haverstraw, Garnerville, Nyack, Warwick, Palisades, Montgomery, New City, and West Nyack, as well as awesome family fun in Bergen County, NJ, including things to do in Hillsdale, Paramus, Englewood, Ramsey, and nearby Jersey City.

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Family Fun This Weekend in Rockland County

My Grandparent And Me Day
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 13, 9:30am-5pm
WHERE: Mid-Hudson Children's Museum, 75 N. Water St., Poughkeepsie
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate grandparents with free admission to grandparents when accompanied by their grandchildren.
WANT TO GO? $10; free for members and grandparents when accompanied by their grandchildren. 845-471-0589. https://mhcm.org/event/my-grandparent-and-me-day-12-13-19/.

FREE Coffee and Coloring: Playgroup and Meetup
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 13, 9:30-11am
WHERE: Pearl River Library, 80 Franklin Ave., Pearl River
AGES: Newborn-5
WHAT: Meet other local parents and kids (birth through K) for some free play and enjoy free coffee, tea, and light snacks. Registration is required.
WANT TO GO? 845-735-4084. pearlriverlibrary.org.

Neil Berg's Broadway Holiday
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 8pm
WHERE: Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, 1351 Kings Highway, Chester
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: A wonderful mixture of holiday music and Broadway standards with some on Broadway's brightest stars and lead by producer Neil Berg.
WANT TO GO? $35. 845-610-5900. https://sugarloafpacny.com.

FREE Paper Heart Puppets Presents: I Love Tacos
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 11:20am-12:05pm
WHERE: Palisades Free Library, 19 Closter Road, Palisades
AGES: 3-12
WHAT: Join White Nosed Coati and a cast of amazing Mexican wildlife in three original stories celebrating tacos and the place they were created. Ages 3-12.
WANT TO GO? 845-359-0136. palisadeslibrary.org.

FREE Jr. Chefs: Stories & Cooking
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 1:30-2:30pm
WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick
AGES: 5-8
WHAT: Decorate a graham cracker house with icing and candies. Registration required.
WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. https://albertwisnerlibrary.org.

FREE Pet Nights with Santa
WHEN: Dec. 1-15, Sundays, 7-9pm
WHERE: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, East Court, Level One near H&M, West Nyack
AGES: All
WHAT: Well-mannered cats, dogs, and other friendly pets are invited to spend time with Santa while you fetch keepsake photos of the occasion.
WANT TO GO? 845-348-1000. palisadescenter.com.

The Nutcracker
WHEN: Dec. 7-15, see website for showtimes
WHERE: Cultural Arts Theater, Rockland Community College, 145 College Road, Suffern
AGES: All
WHAT: Join Clara and her Nutcracker as they battle the Mouse King, and journey through the Snow Forest to the Land of the Sweets.
WHY WE LOVE IT: There will be narrated performances at 1pm -- great for little kids!
WANT TO GO? $28 preferred seating and day of show; $25 all other seats. 845-623-2808. https://rocklandyouthdanceensemble.org/productions/nutcracker/tickets.

FREE Pet Photos with Santa at The Shops at Nanuet
WHEN: Dec. 8-15, Sundays, 6-9pm
WHERE: The Shops at Nanuet, 5101 Fashion Drive, Nanuet
AGES: All
WHAT: Bring your furry friend for photos with Santa!
WANT TO GO? 845-501-4272. https://simon.com/mall/the-shops-at-nanuet/stores/santa-photo-experience/stream/pet-photos-with-santa-6146978.

FREE Holiday Open House: A Shanks Legacy Holiday featuring songs and decorations of the 1950's
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 15, 2pm
WHERE: Orangetown Historical Museum, 196 Chief Bill Harris Way, Orangeburg
AGES: All
WHAT: Bubble lights and Bing Crosby; celebrate like the Shanks Village families did in the immediate post-war years.
WANT TO GO? 845-398-1302. https://orangetownmuseum.com/.

FREE Science of Toys Workshop with Mad Science
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 15, 2-3pm
WHERE: Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Test, play, and experiment with physics! Ages 5-10. Registration required.
WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Hudson Valley Regional Farmers Market
WHEN: Through Dec. 29: Sundays, 10am-2pm
WHERE: Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy Association, 15 Mount Ebo Road S., Brewster
AGES: All
WHAT: See what this year-round indoor-outdoor Farmer's Market has to offer every Sunday.
WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. 845-629-2824. https://facebook.com/HVRegionalFarmersMarket.

Westchester's Winter Wonderland
WHEN: Through Jan. 4: see website for schedule, closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25
WHERE: Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla
AGES: All
WHAT: Westchester’s Winter Wonderland provides fun and affordable holiday cheer for the entire family, including holiday circus performances, ice skating, visits with Santa, and holiday rides.
WHY WE LOVE IT: It's a truly special night out as a family!
WANT TO GO? $20; $18 if purchased by 11/15; free for children 3 and younger. 914-231-4033. http://wwinterwonderland.com/.