Historic Hudson Valley’s 2026 season opens Friday, May 8, with tours of Philipsburg Manor and Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, and Union Church of Pocantico Hills on Saturday, May 9, followed by the debut of the new immersive experience Rip Van Winkle’s Journey beginning Saturday, May 23, at Sunnyside. A full lineup of spring and summer events rounds out the season, with tickets now on sale.
Spring/Summer 2026 highlights include:
- Rip Van Winkle’s Journey (Select Dates May 23-July 26): An outdoor theater experience that brings one of Washington Irving’s most beloved tales 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 May 23-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.
- The Pinkster Festival (Saturday, May 23): A vibrant celebration of African-American history and culture at Philipsburg Manor; featuring live music, spoken word, and dance performances.
- Mother’s Day Tea (Sunday, May 10): A charming afternoon in the Philipsburg Manor Greenhouse, offering attendees a special way to mark the day with their loved ones.
- 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.
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.
Rip Van Winkle’s Journey is supported through a Market New York grant awarded by Empire State Development and I LOVE NY, New York State’s Division of Tourism.
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.
Rip Van Winkle’s Journey takes place on May 23-24, 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, NY.
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.
An Audience with Poe takes place on May 23, 30; June 6, 13, 20, 27, 2026, at The Historic Hudson Valley Library, 639 Bedford Road in Pocantico Hills, NY.
THE PINKSTER FESTIVAL
Pinkster has been celebrated in New York since the 1700s and is the region’s oldest African American holiday. Visitors will be able to tour the historic site and take in live performances throughout the afternoon.
The Pinkster Festival takes place on May 23, 2026, from 11-4pm at Philipsburg Manor, 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, NY.
MOTHER’S DAY TEA
The Mother’s Day Tea is set in the picturesque Greenhouse overlooking the grounds of Philipsburg Manor. Visitors will enjoy light bites and sweet treats, as well as a selection of teas.
The Mother’s Day Tea takes place on Sunday, May 10, 2026, from 12-3pm at Philipsburg Manor, 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, NY.
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.
The Summer Solstice Tea takes place on Sunday, June 21, 2026, from 12-3pm at Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, 3 W Sunnyside Lane, in Irvington, NY.
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.
The Revolutionary Tea takes place on Friday-Sunday, July-3-5, 2026, from 12-3pm at Philipsburg Manor, 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, NY.
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: May 8 – Sep 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.
Philipsburg Manor is at 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, NY, two miles north of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
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: May 8 – September 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.
Washington Irving’s Sunnyside is at 3 W Sunnyside Lane, Irvington, one mile south of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
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: May 9 – June 28 (closed June 7), and Sept 5 – 27; Saturday: July 4 – August 29 and Nov 7 – Dec 26; and Thursday-Sunday: Oct 1 -Nov 1
Union Church of Pocantico Hills is at 555 Bedford Road, Tarrytown.
