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30 Free 2025 Holiday and Christmas Events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for Kids

Enjoy the free holiday parade and drone show at the Galleria at Crystal Run in Middletown. Photo courtesy of the event
Enjoy the free holiday parade and drone show at the Galleria at Crystal Run in Middletown. Photo courtesy of the event
11/23/25 - By Katherine Dhurandhar

Looking for FREE Christmas events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley? Read on for dozens of options. 

From holiday lights and parades to visits with Santa, we've got the goods on free holiday events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Explore a 12,000-square-foot winter wonderland at the Holiday Experience at Christmas in America in Mt Vernon, or enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, flame throwers, ice sculpture carvings, a tree lighting by Santa, and more at Kingston's Snowflake Festival.

Read on for more free family-friendly holiday events, and bookmark our Holiday Guide for more ways to savor this holiday season. Explore the winter wonderland and visit with Santa on select dates.

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

There are great photo-ops at the Holiday Experience at Christmas in America. Photo by the author
There are great photo-ops at the Holiday Experience at Christmas in America. Photo by the author

Free Holiday Events for Families in Westchester 2025

Holiday Experience at Christmas in America

Mt Vernon
Thursdays-Sundays through December 28, 2025
Experience holiday magic on a grand scale at the Holiday Experience at Christmas in America. Explore a 12,000-square-foot immersive experience with festive photo ops, dazzling displays, and more than 3,000 items available in the store. READ MORE

New Rochelle Holiday Market

New Rochelle
Daily from November 28-December 14, 2025
The City of New Rochelle presents the 5th Annual Holiday Market at New Roc City. New Rochelle is getting in the holiday spirit with entertainment for all ages in a charming winter village setting at the bustling transit hub. READ MORE

Mistletoe Magic in Rye

Rye
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Rye comes alive the Sunday after Thanksgiving at this annual kickoff to the holiday season. Activity stations, sales, entertainment, and refreshments are all on the agenda. Purchase Street is closed to vehicular traffic for performances and activities for the whole family. READ MORE

Frosty Day in Armonk

Armonk
Sunday, November 30, 2025
The holiday song "Frosty the Snowman" is reportedly based on Armonk, and the town celebrates its claim to fame in a big way. This year's event features a rousing parade "down to the village," a tree-lighting ceremony, entertainers, train rides, ornament decorating, cartoons, and more.  READ MORE

Rye Brook Winterfest

Rye Brook
Friday, December 5, 2025
Celebrate winter in Pine Ridge Park with a tree lighting ceremony, train rides, ice sculptures, a visit from Santa, and more. READ MORE

White Plains Winter Village & Holiday Market

White Plains
Friday, December 5-Sunday, December 14, 2024
This now-indoor holiday market in Downtown White Plains features a winter wonderland atmosphere with more than 40 vendors, free candy cane mini golf, and live entertainment, including stilt walkers, carolers, and a roving ukulele performer.  READ MORE

Katonah Peppermint Parade

Katonah
Saturday, December 6, 2025
See the arrival of Santa in the Peppermint Parade through downtown Katonah. Enjoy live holiday music in the gazebo.  READ MORE

Grand Holiday Illumination at Untermyer Gardens

Yonkers
Saturday, December 6, 2025, through Sunday, January 4, 2026
Inaugurated in 2015, the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy's Grand Holiday Illumination has quickly become a Yonkers tradition, and thousands of visitors come to enjoy the spectacle. Come for FREE and see the Walled Garden lit with more than 100,000 lights and listen to holiday music from many traditions.  READ MORE

Yorktown Holiday Electric Lights Parade & Tree Lighting

Yorktown
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Yorktown sparkles during its annual Holiday Electric Lights Parade Spectacular, when parading vehicles are illuminated with strands of festive lights. The parade is followed by the holiday tree lighting. READ MORE

Tuckahoe's Winterfest

Tuckahoe
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Tuckahoe's Winterfest returns with a day-long lineup of seasonal fun. Enjoy Santa encounters, a live DJ, train rides, face painting, food vendors, caroling, and other holiday entertainment.  READ MORE

Light Up Larchmont

Larchmont
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Join the annual Light Up Larchmont holiday celebration held at multiple venues in downtown Larchmont. Enjoy pictures with Santa inside the firehouse along with plenty of other activities and entertainment, including music throughout the night provided by Noo Moves Entertainment and of course the annual tree lighting. READ MORE

Katonah Holiday Stroll

Katonah
Friday, December 12, 2025
Kick off the holiday season in the festively lighted downtown Katonah with Candy Cane carolers, pop-ups and trunk shows, and assorted treats, as the shops in Katonah stay open late for gift-giving. READ MORE

Tarrytown & Sleepy Hollow Winter Stroll

Tarrytown & Sleepy Hollow
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Experience the charm of the season as the towns of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown come alive with festive lights, warm treats, and joyful celebrations. Enjoy extended shopping hours, outdoor dining, storytelling, a holly jolly trolley, holiday treats, carolers, an ugly sweater contest, live entertainment, and other special events! READ MORE

Christmas Handbell Concert

Bronxville
Sunday, December 14, 2025
The Reformed Church of Bronxville presents its annual Holiday Handbell Concert. The performance typically features three handbell choirs comprising some 40 ringers aged 11 and up, along with organ and congregational singing. Traditional and contemporary carols are performed. READ MORE

Menorah Lighting at Ridge Hill

Yonkers
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Enjoy a traditional menorah lighting ceremony along with lively family-friendly entertainment, festive activities, and delicious treats.  READ MORE

Holiday Puppet Show at the Pound Ridge Library

Pound Ridge
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Kids can solve a holiday mystery in this puppet show at the Pound Ridge Library, "The Case of the Missing Presents." Holiday refreshments follow the performance. READ MORE

Gingerbread House Workshop at New Rochelle Library

New Rochelle
Wednesday, December 26, 2025
Kids can make their own edible candy houses with lots of sweets and treats to decorate them. READ MORE

Rye Noon Year's Eve Party

Rye
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Celebrate the new year at the Rye Free Reading Room with themed crafts, snacks, and a countdown to 12 noon. This party is a great option for kids who want to celebrate but are not yet ready to stay up until midnight. READ MORE
The Snow Sisters make an appearance at FASNY's Snow Ball. Photo courtesy of FASNY
The Snow Sisters make an appearance at FASNY's Snow Ball. Photo courtesy of FASNY

Free Holiday Events for Families in the Hudson Valley in 2025

Holiday Lights in Bloom at Orange County Arboretum

Montgomery
Fridays - Sundays, November 28 - December 28, 2025
This charming outdoor light display at the Orange County Arboretum features illuminated flora and fauna for a garden-themed holiday light show. The event is offered on weekends between Thanksgiving and the end of December. READ MORE

Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting at the Galleria at Crystal Run

Middletown
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Enjoy a holiday parade and tree lighting ceremony at the Galleria at Crystal Run. Entertainment includes dance performances by Artistic Dance Connection and more.  READ MORE

Greenwood Lake Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting

Greenwood Lake
Saturday, November 29, 2025
This outdoor holiday festival features live music, free horse-and-carriage rides, pictures with Santa and Buddy the Elf, a slide for the kids, and a Christmas tree lighting by Santa himself. READ MORE

Meet Santa and the Grinch at Christmas Tree Lane

Wallkill
Weekends November 29 - December 7, 2025
Santa and the Grinch are visiting Christmas Tree Lane on select days this season. Come grab some lunch, look for your tree, relax with some hot cocoa, and say "hi." Don't forget your camera. READ MORE

Village of Monroe Winterfest

Monroe
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Celebrate winter and the festive season at this outdoor community gathering with Santa & Mrs. Claus, sleigh rides, music, and activities. READ MORE

Kingston Snowflake Festival

Kingston
Friday, December 5, 2025
Enjoy carolers, s'mores, horse-drawn carriage rides, flame throwers, an aerialist, ice sculpture carvings, and more at Kingston's Snowflake Festival. Don't miss the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on an antique fire truck to light the holiday tree. Open stores offer treats and hot beverages.  READ MORE

Arlington Holiday Festival

Poughkeepsie
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Arlington piles on the festivities for this daytime holiday kickoff. A shopping village takes place from noon to 4pm, where attractions include an egg nog crawl, vendors, Santa Claus, and more! READ MORE

Pleasant Valley Festival of Lights Parade

Pleasant Valley
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Pleasant Valley Recreation presents the Festival of Lights, featuring a parade of floats decorated with lights and music, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa himself! And don't forget to drop off your letter to the North Pole in the mailbox at the Town Hall. READ MORE

Palisades Holiday Craft & Gift Bazaar

Palisades
Friday, December 12-Saturday, December 13, 2025
Enjoy the holiday spirit in the historic school house all decked out for the holidays. Shop inside and out for hand-crafted items and a wide range of vintage offerings, including jewelry, pottery, candles, soaps, knitwear, vintage totes, jewelry, household items, hand-made cards, crystals, and more. READ MORE

Sugar Loaf Holiday Festival

Sugar Loaf
Saturday, December 13, 2025
The holidays are here, and the free Sugar Loaf Holiday Festival, in collaboration with The Town of Chester, has everything you need to make this season unforgettable. Enjoy a full day of festive fun, including free hot chocolate, horse-drawn wagon rides with Santa, a tree lighting ceremony, and photo-ops with Santa. READ MORE

Orangeburg Holiday Parade

Orangeburg
Saturday, December 13, 2025
This annual holiday after-dark parade features floats and vehicles with festive decorations and lights. After the parade, kids can meet with the elves, Mrs. Claus, and Santa at the firehouse. READ MORE

Snow Ball with the Snow Sisters at FASNY Museum of Firefighting

Hudson
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Appearing for this special event are the Snow Sisters, Elsa and Anna. First, the Snow Sisters lead a festive sing-a-long and teach a dance. Then, kids play some winter-themed games with prizes for all and do a holiday craft. All attendees can pose for pictures with the Snow Sisters in front of a magical winter background.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Reformed Church of Bronxville
Orange County Arboretum, Thomas Bull Memorial Park (Grove St. entrance)
Kingston Historic Stockade District
All along Raymond Avenue

About the Author

Katherine Dhurandhar
Katherine Dhurandhar is a Community Publisher for Mommy Poppins, representing the Westchester and Hudson Valley region of New York, and a freelance copyeditor for Westchester Publishing Company. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling with her husband and son.
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