The holidays are upon us and there’s no better place to get in the holiday spirit than Westchester County. Whether you’re looking for shopping, exciting hotel packages, lighting ceremonies or the perfect ambiance for a memorable dinner with your family, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Westchester, the first stop in the Hudson Valley.
“There’s no better way to get in the holiday spirit than to spend time with family and friends, enjoying all that Westchester has to offer,” said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “From shopping and live entertainment to dining and world-class hotels, I hope you’ll ‘Meet me in Westchester’ and see why this is the most wonderful time of the year.”
Upcoming activities and events are highlighted below:
Shopping, Shopping and More Shopping!
We know that getting the perfect holiday gifts for loved ones is important and sometimes a daunting task. That is why Westchester County has a ton of options for families as they begin their shopping adventures. Westchester’s Ridge Hill shopping center located at One Ridge Hill Boulevard in Yonkers, for example, will have ongoing sales and events throughout the season. Visit www.westchestersridgehill.com/sales for a list of all the discounts and deals.
At the Cross County Shopping Center, located at 8000 Mall Walk in Yonkers, Macy’s and Sears will be open at 8pm on Thanksgiving Day. Starting in December, all stores at the shopping center will be open at 12am with Doorbuster Deals. While shopping, families can enjoy entertainers throughout the weekend and take advantage of the free parking. For more information, visit www.crosscountycenter.com.
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
Get into the holiday spirit at the Cross County Shopping Center at its Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, an enjoyable event for children and adults alike. Bring your lawn chairs to the Green in the center of the mall to enjoy a holiday concert featuring the East Coast Band with American Idol finalist, Big Mike, on November 23 from 6pm-8pm. Free family activities including face painting, balloons, strolling characters and much more will be available. Those who attend can also register to win tickets to Z100’s Jingle Ball Concert held at Madison Square Garden on December 13, but winners must be present. Don’t forget about Santa! Children (and adults) who want to share their wishes for the Christmas season and take photographs with Santa Claus can do so now through December 24 at the Cross County Shopping Center. Each child who visits Santa will receive a free gift. For more information about all of the events happening at the Cross County Shopping Center, visit www.crosscountycenter.com/events.
Many neighborhoods in the county will host their very own tree lighting ceremonies including the City of White Plains with its City Lights Bright Holiday Lights Community Tree Lighting to kick off the holiday season on Sunday, December 2 from 4-6pm at Tibbits Park on North Broadway and Main Street in White Plains. The annual holiday event will feature music provided by the White Plains High School Marching Band, Eastview School Select Chorus, Taiko Drummers and The Forever Young Singers. There will also be an ice carving exhibit, visits with Santa, winter games, special guests Frosty and Rudolph, crafts and train and carousel rides. Complimentary refreshments will be provided and White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach will light the beautiful evergreen tree planted in the park last year. For more information, visit www.cityofwhiteplains.com.
Shopping, Christmas Tree & Menorah Lightings and Santa Sightings Featured in this Year’s Seasonal Festivities. Following its recent Tree Lighting ceremony earlier this month, Westchester’s Ridge Hill in Yonkers will also have a Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, December 1 from 3pm-5pm at Ridge Hill Fountain Plaza. Join an evening of joyful music and treats to celebrate the Festival of Lights! For more information, visit www.westchestersridgehill.com.
Another option, make your holiday merry and bright by seeing the production of White Christmas at Westchester Broadway Theatre located at One Broadway Plaza in Elmsford. After World War II, veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander. The dazzling score features well known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean” and the perennial favorite, “White Christmas.” The unforgettable, tap-dancing performance is based on the timeless film and is a musical adaption that features 17 Irving Berlin songs. For the show schedule and to buy tickets, visit www.broadwaytheatre.com or call (914) 592-2222.
Lyndhurst, a national historic site in Tarrytown, will also have holiday theater for everyone to enjoy. Bring the family to the production of Mistletoe and Menorahs November 29 – December 1 or Mr. Dickens Tells a Christmas Carol December 13 – 29. Tickets range from $15 to $35. Additionally, November 29 through December 29, enjoy A Very Duchess Holiday at Lyndhurst, a special holiday exhibition of the couture clothing of Duchess of Talleyrand and Princess de Sagan Anna Gould, who was the last owner of the Lyndhurst. In addition to the lavish holiday decorations throughout the house, her fabulous dresses, including her wedding dress, and a Christmas tree made out of all of her hats will be on display. For more information, visit Lyndhurst.org or call (914) 631-4481.
In a nearby neighborhood, The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester located at Three Renaissance Square in White Plains will offer fun-filled Gingerbread Decorating Workshops on Sundays, December 1 and 15 from 10am to 11:30am. After donning chef’s hats and aprons, children ages 3-10 will be able to decorate gingerbread houses. All will be guided by The Ritz-Carlton’s pastry team. The cost for the Gingerbread Decorating Workshop is $45 per child, plus tax and gratuity. Then on Sunday, December 8, children can have Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the hotel. Fun arts and crafts activities, entertainment and photos with Santa will all be a part of the celebration that will take place in the hotel’s ballroom that will be transformed into a holiday wonderland. Seating is available for breakfast between 9am and 11am and the cost is $50 per adult and $35 for children ages 2-10, plus tax and gratuity. Children under two years old are free. The Ritz Carlton, Westchester will also hold Menorah Lightings in the lobby of the hotel December 2-4 at 6:30pm. Space is limited for all of these events. Therefore, make reservations early by calling The Ritz-Carlton, Westchester at (914) 467-5826.
In Westchester, it doesn’t end there. Visit Sleepy Hollow for another version of Dickens Christmas Carol where families can nestle into the cozy confines of Old Dutch Church across from Philipsburg Manor to let master storyteller Jonathan Kruk, complete with musical accompaniment, give his adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic. Guests will enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, cider and cookies. Parking will be available at Philipsburg Manor located at 381 North Broadway in Sleepy Hollow. Tickets for November 29-30 and December 22 are $16 for adults and $12 for children under 18. Tickets for December 7, 14 and 21 are premium tickets that include admission to “A Holiday Open House” and are $20 for adults and $16 for children under 18. For more information, visit Historic Hudson Valley at www.hudsonvalley.org or call (914) 366-6900.
Stay and Play!
Enjoying Dickens’s Christmas Carol is more enjoyable if you have deluxe overnight accommodations nearby. Tarrytown House Estate on the Hudson provides a Christmas Carol Package that includes an overnight stay, daily American Breakfast for two at the Biddle Mansion and admission for two to the holiday event. Starting at $239, this package is available on November 29, 30 and December 7 and 14. In addition, the Estate provides an opportunity for couples to leave children in the hands of loved ones back home and cherish one-on-one time with the Romantic Getaway Package. Starting at $239, this package includes overnight accommodations, a daily American Breakfast for two at the Biddle Mansion, chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne upon arrival. Or, take advantage of the More to Every Stay Dining Package. Starting at $499, guests receive a $75 dining credit at Cellar 49 for making a reservation at one of the Estate’s Junior Suites. Set on 26 acres overlooking the Hudson River Valley, the Tarrytown House features impressive 19th-Century mansions. The Estate is located at 49 East Sunnyside Lane in Tarrytown. For more information, visit www.tarrytownhouseestate.com or call 1-800-553-8118.
For more of the latest events and happenings in Westchester, log onto www.visitwestchesterny.com, like them on Facebook (facebook.com/westchestercountytourism), follow them on Twitter @westchestertour or call 1-800-833-9282.
To view the Westchester County Destination Guide, please visit http://digital-editions.mediatwo.com/westchester-destination.
About Westchester County Tourism & Film
Tourism & Film is Westchester County’s official destination marketing organization. Its mission is to generate economic benefits by enhancing the image and promoting Westchester County as a premier business and leisure destination in the Hudson Valley region. The Tourism & Film Office in Westchester County is a Division within the County Executive’s Office of Economic Development.
