2022 Westchester Winter Bucket List: 40 Cool Things to Do in Westchester this Winter

Westchester Winter Bucket List

The end of the year brings on much excitement in the air. From holiday events to visits with Santa to illuminated experiences, there’s no shortage of magical memories to make this season. On top of that, Westchester offers some great ways to enjoy the area with tons of family hikes, skiing, ice skating, maple sugaring, snow tubing, and indoor play options. Read on to check out some of the coolest experiences to enjoy with your family this winter!

1. 1. Experience Westchester’s Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza: Enjoy this magical drive-through experience with 1.2 miles of colorful holiday lights, holiday animations, holiday music, and greetings from a live Santa. The drive-thru experience is around 25-30 minutes. You and your kids will see tons of attractions, such as the Fireside Forest, Winter Winds Way, Dove Drive, Christmas Tree Plaza with two thirty-foot snowflakes, Land of Packages, Magical Woods, Elf Disco, and the colorful 100-feet tunnel with swirling colors that will transport you into the holiday season. Bring a mug of hot chocolate and your favorite cozy snacks as you experience this holiday favorite from the warmth of your car. The holiday magic starts on Friday November 25th at 6:00pm and takes place for five consecutive weeks until January 1, 2023. Tickets are $25 per car on weekdays, $35 per car on weekends. Westchester Winter Wonderland, Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Pkwy Rd, Valhalla, NY 10595. wwinterwonderland.com
   2. Visit Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience: Walk through Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Yorktown Heights to see the world of  creatures and moments from the “Harry Potter™ and Fantastic Beasts™” films unfold before your eyes. Illuminated by a collection of colors as well as mist and sounds from the movies. Along the way you’ll see a larger-than-life model of Hagrid, Hippogriffs, Centaurs, Unicorns, Nifflers, and Arthur Weasley’s flying car. There are interactive elements as well where kids can conjure a Patronus and have a wand duel. The experience takes place from now until January 2023. All ages. Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, 2957 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598. hpforbiddenforestexperience.com
   3. View the Beautiful Holidays on the Hill Train Show: Experience more than 5,000+ square feet of indoor and outdoor fun at the Holidays on the Hill Annual Train Show at Lasdon Park. You’ll see an assortment of trains going through 12 multi-level tracks, bridges, ramps, tunnels, under waterfalls, and by holiday scenes as well as colorful seasonal flowers, plants, and decorations! Enjoy holiday music in the background as well as snowmen and more. Your kids can also see Santa during your visit who will be in attendance from Thursday-Sunday at various times. Tickets are $10 per child (ages 2-10) and $20 per adult. Children up to 24 months are free. Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial, 2610 Route 35 Katonah, New York 10536. 914-864-7263. lasdonpark.org/hoh22
   4. Experience the Amaze Light Festival: This immersive storybook experience takes guests through an enchanting experience filled with festive food, thematic adventures and an ultimate light show. This unique outdoor experience immerses visitors in an illuminous experience as they stroll through five-themed worlds of displays with millions of state-of-the-art lights, 3D-illuminated decor, and Arctic Express train rides. Tickets for the Amaze Light Festival start at $44 for adults and $36 for children. Open from November 19, 2022- January 8, 2023; open Wednesday- Sunday from 4:00pm-10:00pm. Citi Field 41 Seaver Way, Queens, NY 11368. amazelightfestival.com/newyork
   5. Walk through LUMAGICA at Harvest Moon & Orchard. Enjoy this fun holiday walk-through experience filled with illuminated sculptures and larger-than-life animals. The half-mile experience will take you and your kids through six spectacular trails, such as Sparkling Light, Into the Wonderland, Magical Trees, A Great Celebration, Treats and Sweets, and Beyond the Forest. This includes a visual wonderland of over 750,000 LED lights, decorations, whimsical creatures, and tons more! Held from November 18th – December 30th, tickets are $31 per person; children ages 3-12 are $28 per person, and children under two years old are free. Harvest Moon and Orchard, 130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY 10560. harvestmoonfarmandorchard.com/lumagica-light-show
   6. Visit Santa’s Village at American Christmas. Enjoy a magical holiday experience like no other with an illuminated walk-through of Santa’s Village at American Christmas. This includes a 10,000-square-foot breathtaking walk-through experience of Santa’s Village with larger-than-life displays, several Dickens interactive vignettes, 50 mesmerizing animatronics, illuminated scenes, massive Christmas trees, and a section for a seated photo opportunity, which will include visits from Santa on some days. Don’t forget to stop by their Outlet before you go to score vintage decor such as bulbs to giant nutcrackers to massive wreaths at a discounted price. All tickets are $10 per person with 100% of the profits being donated to local charities, such as Mount Vernon Boys and Girls Club, North East STEM Academy, and The Youth Community Outreach Program  (Y-COP). Open from now until December 23rd, various times. American Christmas, 30 Warren Place, Mount Vernon, NY 10550, tinyurl.com/santas-village.
   7. Go Skiing: Take a day trip or enjoy a weekend away by going skiing! The closest places to go skiing near Westchester include Thunder Ridge with its 22 trails, three chairlifts, and four magic carpets. They offer both seasonal and daily lessons for kids over age four. Six week lessons are a great way for Westchester kids to learn once a week. They also have Mommy (or Daddy) and me lessons for kids ages 4-5. In this program, kids learn more about the sport as well as engage in play and fun while getting comfortable on the snow. This ski area also has a slopeside lodge with cafeteria and pub.  Thunder Ridge Ski Area, 137 Birch Hill Rd, Patterson, NY 12563. 845-878-4100, thunderridgeski.com. Another nearby ski area for Westchester residents, the Victor Constant Ski Area opened in 1939 and is the Army’s oldest ski area. Ski lessons are offered for potty-trained kids. They will learn how to use ski equipment, balance, agility, edges and stopping. Older skiers will learn how to change direction, linked turns, match the skis, maneuver over varied terrain, and ride the chairlift. Victor Constant Ski Area, 732 Victor Constant Road, West Point, NY 10996, westpoint.armymwr.com/programs/victor-constant-ski-area
   8. See the Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo. Enjoy this outdoor experience with your kids with 360 wildlife lanterns/90 species, including 70 new lanterns and 30 new species. The experience features six lantern trails featuring scenes from North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia, oceans, and the Forest of Color. They are also hosting special events during the winter, such as a Pajama Party Weekend from December 2nd-4th; professional holiday carolers from December 26th-30th; New Year’s Eve will include a family-friendly new year countdown; and Schiff Hall will be transformed into a one-of-a-kind Illuminated Playground January 6-8. December 29th will be a special sensory-inclusive night designed for guests who thrive in a sensory-supportive environment. During this special evening, guests can expect the same Holiday Lights experience with some modifications. Holiday Lights can be viewed from November 18th-January 8th. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are date specific. Tickets are $39.95 for ages 13 and up and $24.95 for kids ages 3-12 years old. Bronx Zoo,  2300 Southern Blvd, The Bronx, NY 10460. bronxzoo.com/holiday-lights
   9. See Santa and Live Reindeer at the 14th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop. The magical wonder of Christmas is alive at the 14th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop. Held at Sam Bridge Nursery,  families can visit the “The North Pole on North Street” to take pictures with Santa, meet the reindeer, and experience Santa’s Workshop with letter writing and a reindeer coloring station. The nursery is also your one-stop shop for Christmas trees, lights, ornaments and more. Free admission. Now – December 24th. A portion of all photos with Santa will be donated to Kids In Crisis, a Greenwich-CT non- profit organization. Photos with Santa are held from Monday-Friday, 12:00pm-6:00pm and Saturday, 9:00am-6:00pm. Free parking. Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North Street Greenwich, CT 06830. GreenwichReindeerFestival.com
   10. See The Nutcracker Performed by Westchester Ballet Theater. See Westchester Ballet Company’s production of “The Nutcracker” at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts. This production features incredible choreography, stunning costumes, and fun special effects. Various times. Tickets range from $24-$55 per person. Friday, December 16th-December 18th, various times, Lehman Center for Performing Arts, Concert Hall, 250 Bedford Park Blvd W, The Bronx, NY 10468. thenutcrackerwestchesterballet.com
   11. Enjoy The Nutcracker Performed by New York Theatre Ballet: See this hour-long production of “The Nutcracker” performed by New York Theater Ballet. This production was created for younger audiences, offering a great way to introduce kids to the show while also being sophisticated enough for adults. Sunday, December 18th at 3:00pm and 6:00pm Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main Street, Floor 2, Tarrytown, NY tickets.tarrytownmusichall.org
   12. See the Menorah Lighting at the Cross County Center. Visit the Cross County Center on Monday, December 19th from 6:00pm-8:00pm to light the menorah. Plus, live music, dancing, and delicious treats for Chanukah. Cross County Center, 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers, NY 10704. crosscountycenter.com
   13. See The Nutcracker: Short and Sweet. “The Nutcracker, Short and Sweet” is a perfect introduction to this classic show for kids ages three and older. Performed by dancers from the Hudson Valley and narrated from the point of view of Clara, this one-hour production will keep the attention of the youngest audience members. Paramount Hudson Valley, 1008 Brown Street, Peekskill NY 10566. paramounthudsonvalley.com
   14. Central Park Dance Presents The Nutcracker. Enjoy a production of “The Nutcracker” from Central Park Dance. This beloved classic features over 100 dancers from Central Park Dance and surrounding Westchester communities. Featuring Luciana Paris, soloist with ABT and Jose Sebastian Corps and Director of ABT Incubator. Tickets range from $34.00 – $129.00 per person. Children under age three are free if they are able to sit on a parent’s lap. The Capitol Theatre, 149 Westchester Ave, Port Chester, NY 10573. thecapitoltheatre.com
   15. Try a New Art Class: There are so many places for your kids to try a new art class this winter. Check out the Katonah Art Center (40 Radio Cir Dr, Mount Kisco, NY 10549, katonahartcenter.com), The Blue Door Art Center (13 Riverdale Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10701, bluedoorartcenter.org), Scribble Art Workshop (63 Main St, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522, scribbleartworkshop.com) Westchester Art Studio (197 Manville Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570, westchesterartstudio.com), or the Railyard Arts Studio (621 NY-22, Croton Falls, NY 10519, railyardartsstudio.com).
   16. Visit the Katonah Museum of Art for Family Day: Visit the museum on December 3rd at 12:00pm for an afternoon centered around the art of Jerry Pinkney. Families can create with illustrators Bryan Collier (collage) and Eric Velasquez (watercolor), plus enjoy book readings and gallery activities. $12 for adults; $6 for kids under 12. Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay Street Katonah, NY 10536, 914-232-9555, katonahmuseum.org
   17. Have Breakfast with Santa at Neiman Marcus: Enjoy breakfast with Santa at Neiman Marcus. Breakfast is $65 per adult and $55 for kids ages 3-12. Enjoy delicious breakfast items like brioche French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, winter fruit compote, and more. Neiman Marcus, 2 Maple Avenue White Plains, NY 10601. eventbrite.com
   18. Take a Family Art Class. Pelham Art Center offers many cool family classes that you can check out with your kids, such as Family Holiday Card Making, Art Games, Photoshop Fun, Family Mug Making, and more. Various prices. Pelham Art Center, 155 Fifth Avenue, Pelham, NY 10803. pelhamartcenter.org
   19. Experience the NY Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show. The infamous NY Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show is always a treat to enjoy with your family. See model trains in an enchanting display of more than 190 replicas of New York landmarks. Incredibly, they are all re-created from natural materials such as birch bark, lotus pods, and cinnamon sticks. You can also enjoy NYBG GLOW, an outdoor holiday light experience with thousands of dazzling lights and whimsical, picture-perfect installations. A limited number of visitors will be admitted to the Holiday Train Show every 15 minutes. You may arrive at the Garden up to one hour before your ticketed entry time and must be in line at the Conservatory at the time printed on your ticket. Tickets are $35 per person (ages 13-64); $20 per child (ages 2-12); and free for kids under age 2. NYBG, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458. nybg.org
   20. Take the Santa Express: For a very different holiday train experience, take a road trip to Thomaston, CT for their annual Santa Express. During this experience, families can hop on board for the opportunity to visit with Santa Claus. As the trains travel through the wilderness, passengers will be able to visit with Santa and play with his Elves. Every child on the train gets a special gift from Santa’s toy bag. The train is also beautifully decorated where you will be able to sit in a 1920s or 1940s train car. Each car offers different levels of service and amenities during the 1 hour and 20 minute ride. Coach is $20 per adult/children; Lounge is $54.50 per adult/children; Tavern-Lounge No. 43 is $95 per adult/children, and the Observation-Lounge Hickory Creek is $149 per adult/children. Parking is free. Thomaston Station, 242 East Main Street, Thomaston, CT. rmne.org
   21. Experience the Holiday Train Show Greenburgh Nature Center: Enjoy a 12×18-foot display of model trains traveling through countryside scenes at the Greenburgh Nature Center Holiday Train Show. The display also includes a train tunnel, a ravine with a train trestle crossing over it, a stream, a model village, railroad crossings, and much more to view. Manor House at the Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583.greenburghnaturecenter.org
   22. See a screening of ELF: Interactive Movie Screening at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. Watch this beloved classic about Buddy who learns of his true identity as a human, embarks on a journey to New York City to find his biological father. This interactive screening allows your kids’ to participate and connect with the movie by throwing snowballs, calling out lines, and having hot chocolate. December 18th from 3:00pm-5:00pm. $10-15 per person. Chappaqua PAC, 480 Bedford Road Chappaqua, NY 10514.chappaquapac.org
   23. Participate in a Family Wheel Night. The Clay Arts Center offers many classes and workshops, including family clay workshops. The Family Wheel Night is a fun way to enjoy art with your kids (ages 10 and up) as you learn to use the potter’s wheel. Beginners are welcome and no previous experience is necessary! Materials and firing costs are included. $50 per person.Other workshops include Saturday Clay for kids age six and older. Clay Arts Center, 40 Beech Street, Port Chester, NY 10573, 914-937-2047, clayartcenter.org
   24. Attend Light Up Larchmont: Enjoy a fun day in Larchmont for their annual holiday celebration. Activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus, appearances from Elsa & Olaf, a Tree Lighting, and holiday shopping. One Chatsworth Ave., Larchmont, NY 10538. larchmontchamber10538.org/holidays
   25. Find a Gift from a Local Westchester Maker at the White Plains Holiday Market. In partnership with the White Plains BID, the City of White Plains and 914PopUps, this holiday market features over 50 vendors and artisans located in individual open-air booths located on Court Street and Renaissance Plaza in downtown White Plains. Open from December 9th-December 13th from 12:00pm-7:00pm. White Plains Holiday Market, Court Street between Main Street and Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY. wpbid.com
   26. Take the Holiday Trolley. This music-filled merry trolley will run through Irvington, Dobbs Ferry, and Hastings-on-Hudson to bring you and your family to some Rivertowns shopping areas on Saturday, December 10th from 11:00am-5:00pm. Holiday Trolley, 131 Southside Avenue Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706, eventbrite.com
   27. See the Winter Wonderland: A Very Merry Holiday Show. Enjoy this fun seasonal show led by the Clauses themselves and their North Pole friends! Held on Saturday, December 10th at 11:00am. Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, 480 North Bedford Road Chappaqua, NY 10514. eventbrite.com
   28. Shop the African Artisan Market at Luangisa African Gallery: Shop a collection of handmade, artisan-made goods curated from Africa. Sourced over the past 26 years, you can find handmade jewelry, African art and artifacts, items for the home, bags, fashion, accessories, and more. Free admission. December 4th and 5th from 10:00am-6:00pm. Luangisa African Gallery 374 Hawthorne Terrace, Mount Vernon, NY 10552. Luangisa.com.
   29. Visit the Westchester Children’s Museum. Enjoy some indoor interactive fun at the Westchester Children’s Museum. Enjoy MakerSpace activities for all ages and interests and interactive exhibits that allows kids to build, explore, and create. Guests six months old-30 months  old can also enjoy their Wednesday programming ‘Museum Minis,’ which features music, movement, stories, play, and fun! Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY 10580, discoverwcm.org.
   30. Go Ice Skating. The area offers many indoor (and outdoor arenas) where you can spend the time enjoying free skating, and or lessons. Some local arenas include the Brewster Ice Arena (63 Fields Lane, Brewster, NY 10509. brewstericearena.com); Ebersole Ice Rink (110 Lake Street, Delfino Park, White Plains, NY. 914-422-1390. cityofwhiteplains.com); Murray’s Skating Center (348 Tuckahoe Road, Yonkers, NY 914-377-6469. yonkersny.gov); Ice Hutch Rink (655 Garden Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY. 914-699-6787. Icehutch.com); and the Westchester Skating Academy (91 Fairview Park Drive, Elmsford, NY. 914-347-8232. skatewsa.com).  
   31. Experience Bricktacular at Legoland Discovery Center: Visit LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester for their annual Bricktacular Winter Wonderland event. Held from November 25th-January 1st, the event includes bricktastic holiday-themed building activities, giant LEGO holiday big builds, MINILAND holiday scavenger hunt, hot chocolate bar, holiday dance parties, and tons more! Tickets start at $27.99 (included with admission). Ridge Hill, 39 Fitzgerald Street, Yonkers, NY 10710. egolanddiscoverycenter.com
   32. Check out the Holiday Train Show in Chappaqua. Join the New Castle Historical Society for this annual family holiday tradition. Families can see this historic 19th-century summer residence of Horace Greeley that is decorated for the holidays with running train displays in each of their period rooms. Visit the holiday gift shop to purchase train-themed items, candy, and more! Admission is $10 for members; $15 for non-members; and $8 for children ages 8 and under. New Castle Historical Society – Horace Greeley House, 100 King Street, Chappaqua, NY 10514. eventbrite.com
   33. See the 2022 Grand Holiday Illumination. Visit Untermyer Gardens for their annual Grand Holiday Illuminations. This free event features more than 10,000 lights in a fun walk-through experience as you see the beautiful architecture of the Untermyer Gardens dressed up for the season. Running from December 9th at 5:30 pm-January 1st, from 4:30pm until 8:00pm. Untermyer Gardens, 945 North Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701. untermyergardens.org
   34. See the “Most Wonderful Time of The Year”. Listen to the magical holiday songs with your family as a part of “The Most Wonderful Time of The Year” at White Plains Performing Arts Center. Enjoy classics and classic holiday songs from stage and screen and more. December 21st at 7:00pm. Tickets range from $43-50 per person. White Plains Performing Arts Center, 11 City Place, White Plains, NY 10601, wppac.com
   35. Go Sledding and Snow Tubing. When the snow finally comes, get your sled for a fun afternoon with your kids. Some areas to try include Leonard Park; Sprain Lake Golf Course (290 East Grassy Sprain Road, Yonkers, NY 10710); Saxon Woods Golf Course (315 Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583); Ward Pound Ridge Conservation Center (Reservation Rd, Pound Ridge, NY 10576), and Lasdon Park (2610 NY-35, Katonah, NY 10536).
   36. Take a Tour of the Victorian Christmas at the Octagon House. Celebrate the holiday season by taking a tour of The Armour-Stiner Octagon House. See this restored National Landmark with scenes from a Christmas in 1872, along with holiday wreaths, garlands, and ornaments. This one-hour long tour is only for kids (and their parents) ages 12 and up. $29 per person. The Armour Stiner Octagon House, 45 West Clinton Avenue, Irvington, New York 10533. armourstiner.com
   37. Learn About Maple Sugaring at Muscoot Farm. Through this annual celebration, you and your kids learn how to turn sap into syrup, as well as the history of this trade, in a 30 minute session. Pre-registration is required. $20 per family of four. Muscoot Farm, 51 NY-100, Katonah, NY 10536, muscootfarm.org
   38. See Reggie Harris at Caramoor. Enjoy a live performance from musician, storyteller, and educator Reggie Harris for an uplifting concert about the Underground Railroad. Held on December 11th at 2:00pm and 4:00pm (4pm is sensory-friendly). Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah, NY 10536.  caramoor.org
   39. Take a Family Hike. Get outdoors and enjoy the many cool walking trails and hikes in and around Westchester. Some favorites include Teatown Lake Reservation (1600 Spring Valley Rd, Ossining, NY 10562);  Rye Nature Center, (873 Boston Post Road, Rye, NY 10580) Saxon Woods Park (1800 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605), Turkey Mountain Nature Preserve (Yorktown Heights, NY 10598), Ward Pound Ridge (Reservation Rd, Pound Ridge, NY 10576), and Cranberry Lake Preserve (1609 Old Orchard Street, West Harrison, NY 10604). Don’t forget to pack hot chocolate and blankets for the ride home.
   40. Try Indoor Climbing. Not feeling the cold? Let your kids run wide and practice their climbing skills at one of the many indoor climbing spaces in Westchester. Try Hapik  (51 Market Street, Yonkers, NY 10710. hapik.us), The Cliffs at Valhalla (1 Commerce Street, Valhalla, NY 10595.  valhalla.thecliffsclimbing.com), The Rock Club (130 Rhodes St, New Rochelle, NY 10801.pinebrookfitness.com), or ROAM Further Athletics (333 N Bedford Rd, Mt Kisco, NY 10549. roamfurther.com).