This summer, Historic Hudson Valley invites visitors to enjoy Sleepy Hollow nights during Enchanted Evenings, a series of twilight events at Philipsburg Manor in the heart of the village, featuring live music, storytelling, dancing, magic, and hands-on traditions.
The special series runs on select dates from June 6 through July 18. Events include:
- Sheep, Shepherds, and Spindles in Sleepy Hollow (June 6): Enjoy live sheep-herding demonstrations by a master shepherd, interactive fiber crafts, and opportunities to meet farm animals. DJ Steve Brock will provide the evening’s soundtrack, spinning vinyl throughout the event.
- Bread, Beer, and Bluegrass (June 12): Explore the journey from grain to glass with tours of a working gristmill, baking demonstrations, and sourdough tastings. The night features live performances by acclaimed modern bluegrass band Astrograss and a set by DJ Steve Brock.
- Get in Line: A Soul Dance Celebration (June 26): Participate in soul line dancing lessons and dance the night away with live music from BaseCamp, the Hudson Valley’s premier R&B band.
- Story Stage: It Happened That Summer (July 11): Held in the site’s historic barn, this event features five storytellers sharing humorous, real-life tales. Award-winning writer, comedian, and Moth StorySLAM winner Ivy Eisenberg curates the evening.
- Magic and Cocktails with Noah Levine (July 18): This exclusive, intimate evening pairs craft spirits with world-class magic by Noah Levine. The creator of the critically acclaimed Magic After Hours, Levine has also performed at Lincoln Center and The Magic Castle.
Enchanted Evenings joins a full line up of events this season, including:
- Rip Van Winkle’s Journey (Select Dates Through July 26): An outdoor theater experience that brings Washington Irving’s most beloved tale to life across the picturesque landscape of his Sunnyside estate. Guided by a cast of costumed performers, visitors journey through the grounds in a playful retelling filled with live music, interactive moments, and complimentary beverages and treats. The production highlights Irving’s lasting influence as the nation nears its 250th anniversary—linking his legacy as the “Father of American Literature” with Rip’s famously long nap through the American Revolution.
- An Audience with Poe (Select Dates Through June 27): Back by popular demand for a limited six-date run this spring, this performance at Historic Hudson Valley’s Library features a retelling of four classic Poe tales by professional actors paired with complimentary drinks and snacks.
- Summer Solstice Tea Party (Sunday, June 21): A special celebration of the longest day of the year in Sunnyside’s courtyard with seasonal botanical teas and hands-on midsummer crafts.
- Revolutionary Tea Party (Friday-Sunday, July 3-5): A toast to 1776 in the greenhouse at Philipsburg Manor with period-inspired blends and light bites drawn from 18th-century flavors.
- Summer Saturdays (Saturdays, July 11- September 5): Every weekend there’s a new chance for visitors to explore colonial crafts, live demonstrations, and family-friendly activities.
Weekend daytime tours are also available. At Philipsburg Manor, visitors can step into the working gristmill, walk through the manor house with period artifacts, and learn about the 23 enslaved individuals of African descent who lived and labored on the provisioning plantation. During tours of Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, visitors explore the author’s cottage and the bucolic grounds, which were designed by Irving himself, and learn about America’s “Founding Father of Literature.” Picnic tables are available at both sites and light snacks, as well as souvenirs and local finds, are available to purchase in the museum shops. Visitors to Union Church of Pocantico Hills view spectacular stained-glass windows by European masters, including the last commissioned work by Henri Matisse and nine windows by Marc Chagall, and learn the inspiration behind each one.
Tickets for all events and tours are available now at hudsonvalley.org.
DETAILS: ENCHANTED EVENINGS
June 6: Sheep, Shepherds, and Spindles in Sleepy Hollow features live sheepherding from Gene Sheninger of Wayside Farm, animals from Robbie’s Ranch, fiber crafts, and a special performance from DJ Steve Brock. Food trucks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase on site. Tickets are $25 for adults, $24 for seniors and young adults, and $18 for children. Admission is free for Historic Hudson Valley members and residents of the Village of Sleepy Hollow.
June 12: Bread, Beer, and Bluegrass features live bluegrass music from Astrograss and an intro set by DJ Steve Brock, historic gristmill tours, and baking demonstrations from The Hudson Oven. Food trucks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase on site. Tickets are $25 for adults, $24 for seniors and young adults, and $18 for children. Historic Hudson Valley members receive a 15% discount.
June 26: A Soul Dance Celebration features soul line dancing lessons led by Steve Dillard paired with live music from BaseCamp. Food trucks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase on site. Tickets are $25 for adults, $24 for seniors and young adults, and $18 for children. Historic Hudson Valley members receive a 15% discount.
July 11: Story Stage: It Happened That Summer features intimate and interactive storytelling inside the historic barn. The evening is curated by award-winning writer, comedian, and Moth StorySLAM winner Ivy Eisenberg and will also feature Olivia Barbulescu, Jamie Brickhouse, Sandi Marx, and Sean O’Brien. Snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase on site. Tickets are $50.
July 18: Magic and Cocktails with Noah Levine features an exclusive, close-up magic performance paired with a craft cocktail experience. Snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase on site Tickets are $75.
Enchanted Evenings are happening at Philipsburg Manor, 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
DETAILS: RIP VAN WINKLE’S JOURNEY
An immersive outdoor theater experience adapts Washington Irving’s famous tale for modern audiences. A cast of costumed characters will lead visitors across Washington Irving’s estate through Rip Van Winkle’s dreamworld with live music and games, paired with complimentary drinks and treats.
Tickets are $65. Historic Hudson Valley members receive a 15% discount.
Rip Van Winkle’s Journey takes place on May 30; June 6, 13, 20, 27; July 3, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, at Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, 3 W Sunnyside Lane, in Irvington, N.Y.
This event is supported through the Market New York program, awarded to Historic Hudson Valley from Empire State Development and I LOVE NY, New York State’s Division of Tourism.
DETAILS: AN AUDIENCE WITH POE
An Audience with Poe pairs live storytelling with artisanal cocktails and treats. Professional storytellers perform The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Black Cat, and The Masque of the Red Death in intimate spaces, with complimentary cocktails or mocktails and other treats.
Tickets are $65. Historic Hudson Valley members receive a 15% discount.
An Audience with Poe takes place on May 30; June 6, 13, 20, 27, at the Historic Hudson Valley Library, 639 Bedford Road in Pocantico Hills, N.Y.
DETAILS: SUMMER SOLSTICE TEA
The Summer Solstice Tea is set in the tented courtyard of Washington Irving’s Sunnyside. Visitors will enjoy light bites and sweet treats, as well as a selection of teas and hands-on summer-themed crafts.
Tickets are $35. Historic Hudson Valley members receive a 15% discount.
The Summer Solstice Tea takes place on Sunday, June 21, from 12-3pm at Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, 3 W Sunnyside Lane, in Irvington, N.Y.
DETAILS: REVOLUTIONARY TEA
A festive toast to 1776 in the Philipsburg Manor greenhouse, featuring period-inspired teas and light bites. Visitors will enjoy light bites and sweet treats, as well as a selection of colonial-inspired teas from Oliver Pluff.
Tickets are $20. Historic Hudson Valley members receive a 15% discount.
The Revolutionary Tea takes place on Friday-Sunday, July-3-5, from 12-3pm at Philipsburg Manor, 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
DETAILS: SUMMER SATURDAYS
Every Saturday at Philipsburg Manor is a new chance to explore history through fun activities for all ages, including hands-on crafts and demonstrations, manor and mill tours, animal meet and greets and more. Advance tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and young adults, and $13 for children. Tickets are free for Historic Hudson Valley members. All activities are included in the ticket price.
Summer Saturdays take place on July 11, 18, 25, August 8, 15, 22, 29 from 11-3pm at Philipsburg Manor, 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
DETAILS: PHILIPSBURG MANOR
In 1750, Philipsburg Manor was home to 23 enslaved individuals known to have lived and labored there. It is the country’s first living history museum to focus on the history of northern slavery.
The site will be open for tours Friday-Sunday through Sept. 27 and Nov. 1 – Nov. 29; Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: Oct. 5 – Oct. 29; Saturday-Sunday: Dec. 5 – Dec. 20; plus Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Advance tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and young adults, and $13 for children. Tickets are free for Historic Hudson Valley members.
Philipsburg Manor is at 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., two miles north of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
DETAILS: WASHINGTON IRVING’S SUNNYSIDE
America’s “Founding Father of Literature” created a romantic, picturesque estate nestled along the Hudson riverbank. The house and the furnishings, many of which are original to Irving, have been restored to their 1850s character.
The site will be open for tours Friday-Sunday through Sept. 20 and Nov. 6 – Nov. 29; Saturday-Sunday: Dec. 5 – Dec. 20; plus Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Advance tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and young adults, and $13 for children. Tours are free for Historic Hudson Valley members.
Washington Irving’s Sunnyside is at 3 W Sunnyside Lane, Irvington, one mile south of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
DETAILS: UNION CHURCH OF POCANTICO HILLS
Union Church was organized as a non-denominational Protestant church in 1915, with John D. Rockefeller among the founders. Over the years, the Rockefeller family commissioned stained-glass windows by European masters Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall to adorn the unassuming country church.
The site will be open for tours Saturday-Sunday through June 28 (closed June 7), and Sept. 5 – 27; Saturday: July 4 – Aug. 29 and Nov. 7 – Dec. 26; and Thursday-Sunday: Oct. 1 -Nov. 1 Tickets are $12. Tours are free for Historic Hudson Valley members.
Union Church of Pocantico Hills is at 555 Bedford Road, Tarrytown.
