Grab a blanket, picnic dinner, and maybe event a glass of wine because whether you go to work or drive the camp carpool, a free concert in the park is just the thing to end your day on a relaxing note. Here in Westchester, we're lucky enough to have many of our parks on the waterfront, and you'd be hard-pressed to beat that view at sunset.

This summer, towns around the county are hosting bands playing everything from rock to jazz to country to Cuban. How's that for variety? While most of these are completely free, a few do charge a small fee for parking.

Looking for more summer fun? Consult our Event Calendar and our Summer Activity Guide, and be sure to sign up for our newsletter.  

So your child wants to a be a rock n roll star? Then listen now to what we say ...

In response to a growing demand, several music schools here in Westchester have either added rock to their repertoire or opened to exclusively teach the sound to a new generation of aspiring artists. The schools differ in their approaches but all offer both group and individual instruction. Some also encourage public performing or offer opportunities for recording.

Read on to learn about places in our area that offer rock lessons for budding musicians with either amateur or serious aspirations. Looking for more classes in Westchester? Consult our Classes Guide and sign up for our newsletters. 

Followers of the Jewish calendar know that our holidays seem to float from year to year. This winter, in an unusual and somewhat convenient twist of fate, the Jewish Festival of Lights runs December 24, 2016, to January 1, 2017, dovetailing with both Christmas and New Year's Day. No matter how you spell it—Chanukah, Chanuka, Hanukka, Hanukkah—this month spells fun with holiday celebrations throughout Westchester.

We’ve collected some of the most family-friendly activities occurring in Westchester and Putnam counties. For more fun outings this month, be sure to check out our Holiday Fun Guide and Event Calendar, and don't forget to follow us on Facebook.