Westchester is in full holiday swing, and if you’re not still scrambling through malls trying to find the perfect gift, you’re probably looking for a way to relax and actually enjoy yourself this weekend. You may have to pile into a car and drive off to grandma’s house next weekend, but this week there’s plenty to do here at home.
Chanukah Festivities
Sinai Free Synagogue in Mount Vernon is hosting a special Chanukah dinner on Friday, December 15. A “little nosh” will start off the evening at 6 p.m., followed by a 6:30 candle lighting and sing-along, and a 7:45 catered dinner — with latkes! Adult tickets are $36, teens are $15, and kids $10. (Children under 5 years old eat free.) Reservations must be made in advance. Call 914.664.1727 for tickets or more information.
SFS will also host monthly kids’ Storytime with Rabbi Mo on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Storytime includes singing and other activities, as well as a light snack of muffins and mini bagels with juice and coffee for adults. All are welcome, no reservation or affiliation with the temple is required.
Temple Israel of Northern Westchester in Croton-on-Hudson will be hosting a Chanukah concert by Josh Nelson on Sunday, December 17 at 11 a.m. free to the public.
Chabad of Pelham from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday will present a Chanukah Magical Spectacular at the Richard J. Daronco Town House, featuring a photo booth, performance by Devonte Magic, crafts including make-your-own “fidget dreidel,” and delicious food such as latkes, donuts, gelt, and hot beverages. A lighting of the giant menorah and raffle is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Admission is free.
Chabad of the Rivertowns, meanwhile, has set up an entire Chanukah Village in Irvington for Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. Activities include Mario the “Maker” Magician, horse-and-buggy rides featuring the story of Chanukah as told by Judah Macabee himself, a train ride, bolloon artist, 3-D printing, a hovercraft demonstration and other science-y goodness with Inventor Mentor, food truck J.J. Holy Cow, and more make-your-own fidget dreidels. (Yeah, that’s aparently the new thing this year.) Everyone is welcome to attend the festivities, and to check out deals at participating local shops and sponsors.
Christmas Concerts
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The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College will feature a Rob Mathes Holiday Concert of rock, blues, jazz, and choir-backed originals and holiday classics. There will be two shows, from 8 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings. Tickets start under $50.
St. Thomas Episcopel Church in Mamaroneck will conclude their 200th anniversary celebration and kick off their 2018 performance season with Handel’s Messiah on Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m., complete with orchestral backing and the St. Thomas Choir. Tickets are $20.
On the Westchester-adjacent front, The Harlem Gospel Choir will be performing at 7 p.m. in Danbury on Saturday. Tickets are $25 through Friday and $30 at the door. The Ridgefield Playhouse will also be presenting a Rockapella Holiday. (You remember Rockapella: the ’90s O.G. a capella group famous for Where In the World Is Carmen San Diengo? and the only acceptable version of the Folgers Coffee jingle.)
Santa Sightings
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In case you forgot, you still have chances to see Santa at Getty Square in Yonkers, and Benjamin Steakhouse in White Plains.
You can also catch the Claus at Stew Leonard’s Brunch with Santa in both Yonkers and Danbury, with multiple time slots for each on both Saturday and Sunday. Brunch includes pancakes, sausage, eggs, home fries, fruit, juice, and coffee, and every child will get to take a photo with Santa and participate in activities.
Movies and Theatrical Performance
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The Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown still has tickets left for a Sunday showing of their production of “Mr. Dickens Tells A Christmas Carol,” told in-character as the group tours the first floor of the iconic mansion. Tickets are $40 for adults and $35 for seniors and students (16 and under).
In Mamaroneck, the Westchester Sandbox Theatre will perform A Fairytale Christmas Carol, which they describe as the “fractured fairy-tale” version of the holiday classic, with various folk characters taking on the roles of Dickens’ own (i.e., the Big Bad Wolf as Ebeneezer, his business partner Jacob Midas, the destitute Charming family, and an assortment of on pointe Ghosts of Christmas). Tickets for the 4 p.m. Saturday show are $20 for adults and $15 for kids/seniors.
Mohegan Lake dance school Dance for Joy will perform their annual Nutcracker for Kids! ballet at the Yorktown Stage this weekend, with 2:30 and 5 p.m. performances on both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $20.
Lastly, the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center will be screening Will Ferrell’s Elf on Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18.50.
Family Activities
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Legoland Discovery Center Westchester will host a Holiday Bricktacular on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m., and on Sunday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. There will be holiday builds, a scavenger hunt, and a chance to win a four-pack of annual Legoland passes. Tickets start at $15.95. All adults master builders must be accompanied by a child.
Tuckahoe-ho-ho! Boutique/café/donation center lil Chameleon will host a class called Create Your Own Gingerbread House on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. Reserve your spot online for $20 and $15 for siblings.
Nature and Wildlife
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Teatown in Ossining is holding an event where you can let loose your inner druid and celebrate yule by decorating a real living tree outdoors, with the twist that these decorations will also be goodies for the birds, squirrels, and other local woodland creatures. Tickets for non-members are $7, members get in free.
Bear Mountain wishes you a Beary Merry Holiday, and hopes you’ll join the Trailside Museum and Zoo in making snacks for the resident bears! Date and time are Saturday at 10:30 a.m., with a rain date for Sunday.
Head up to South Salem’s Wolf Conservation Center for a Holiday Howl! Learn about the biology, ecology, and mythology of wolves, make gifts for “ambassador wolves” Atka, Alawa, Nikai, and Zephyr, then get to watch the wolves tear them open to get to their goodies. Guests also get to meet endangered red wolves and Mexican gray wolves. Tickets are $14 for adults and $11 for children under 12. Multiple Saturday and Sunday reservations available.
