💗 Loving Westchester's Countdown to 2026

Dance and laugh your way through the rest of 2025 with the great outdoors awaiting you in January!

Author

Wes+Bec Willetts
December 30, 2025

Hello, friends!

 

The darkest day of the year is behind us.

 

The winter solstice has passed and the days are already beginning to stretch again, almost imperceptibly at first. You don’t notice it unless you’re looking, but the light is returning.

 

This final Loving Westchester newsletter of 2025 is being written from Ireland, back with one half of our family. The Irish are good at long winters. You learn that not everything needs fixing. Some things just need to rest a while.

 

As this year closes, we’re deeply grateful. For the readers who’ve made this newsletter part of their routine, for the local businesses who welcomed us in, and for the moments and connections that made Westchester feel smaller, warmer, and ever more like home.

 

We don’t know exactly what the year ahead will bring, but we’re grateful for the chance to begin again.

 

Thank you for being here. We’ll see you in the new year, as the days slowly lengthen and the light returns.

 

Bec+Wes

 

 

In today’s edition:

Plus, a message from our partners, QueenBPoker (for all things fun and play) & QueenBHive (for all things comms and brand)!

 

If you would like to chat with us about advertising in Loving Westchester, shoot us an e-mail at [email protected]. We are currently planning our 2026 partnership and content calendar, and love supporting local businesses and events!

 

Let’s go!

💓 The Pulse

Loving Westchester’s Featured Events!

Wed., Dec 31, Fri., Jan 2 & Sat., Jan 3 | The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester | 8p | Tickets from $45

 

Dark Star Orchestra are bringing decades of stage experience across thousands of shows to The Capitol Theatre for three gigs this week, ringing in the New Year with an authentic Grateful Dead “Cosmic Celebration”.

 

🏀 8th Annual Slam Dunk Showcase X Crusader Classic

Fri., Jan 2 & Sat., Jan 3 | Westchester County Center, White Plains | 12-9p | Daily tickets $10

 

White Plains’ Westchester County Center hosts some of Westchester’s top high school basketball talent this Friday and Saturday at the 8th Annual Slam Dunk Showcase x Crusader Classic. A $10 general admission ticket gets you access to five games on the day. Check here for daily game schedules.

 

Wed., Dec 31 | Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, CT | 8p | Tickets from $40

 

Meet Saxsquatch, the 7-foot tall musical monster taking the world by storm. This multi-instrumentalist and electronic artist blends musical production and saxophone skills for an unforgettable New Year's Eve experience. VIP tickets are available and include a photo opp, signed vinyl and post-show event.

Thanks to our partner, QueenBPoker!

 

Go “All In” for the New Year

 

Whether it’s a casual poker home game, a corporate celebration, a beginners' poker evening or a night that gives back, QueenBHive Poker delivers unforgettable poker and gaming experiences right in your home, venue or business.

No experience needed; we’ll teach, host, and handle every detail.

 

Plan your game night with us!

 

Contact us here for more details.

 

📆 What’s Happening?

Family Fun!

Shake It Off’s NYE Kids Party

✹ Planetarium Laser Shows at Hudson River Museum

Tue., Dec 30 - Sun., Jan 4 (excl. New Year’s Day) | Hudson River Museum, Yonkers | Times vary | Tickets $25; Members and Youth (ages 3–18) $16; includes general admission

 

Catch the last few days of the popular Hudson River Museum’s laser light show series in the Planetarium with shows inspired by Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift, BeyoncĂ© and The Beatles. Check here for the full laser light show schedule.

 

Wed., Dec 31 | Westchester Children’s Museum, Rye | 9.30a & 1p | Member $15, Non-members $20, Children under 2 Free

 

Westchester Children’s Museum in Rye hosts two daytime celebrations on New Year’s Eve, giving the littlest partiers a chance to welcome the new year early. Join them for a DJ dance party, a cupcake decorating station, New Year’s Eve crafts and a ball and confetti drop. Sessions are 9.30-11.30a and 1-3p.

 

🎊 Kids Roc'n New Year Party

Wed., Dec 31 | Ryan Sinkfield Park, 18 Brook St., New Rochelle | 11a-12p | Free

 

New Rochelle Parks & Rec are hosting a Kids Roc’n New Year’s Eve party this Wednesday, featuring music, a hot chocolate bar, a bubble bus and a countdown to a confetti drop. No registration required.

 

🎉 Family Noon Year's Eve at Yonkers Brewing Co.

Wed., Dec 31 | Yonkers Brewing Co., Yonkers | 12-3p | Free, RSVP here

 

Ring in 2026 early with Yonkers Brewing’s free kid-friendly dance party. Celebrate with music, dancing, and a special 2p ball drop so young children can count down to the new year. Perfect for parents who want to mark the occasion and still get kids to bed on time!

 

Wed., Dec 31 | Shake It Off, 365 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale | 3.30-5p | Tickets $30 per child, ages 2-9

 

Are the little ones worried they won’t make it until midnight to ring in the New Year? Let them burn off some energy on the last day of 2025 a bit early at Shake It Off with some dancing, a pizza party, crafts, bounce time and a countdown to a balloon drop.

 

đŸ„¶ Polar Plunges

  • Rye
 “Freezin for a Reason” organized by the Rye Triathlon Club to benefit Soul Ryeders and Meals on Main St. | Thu., Jan 1 | Oakland Beach Park, Rye | Festivities 11a, Plunge 12p

  • Peekskill
 organized by the This Is Me Foundation | Thu., Jan 1 | Peekskill Waterfront | 12p

 

 

Grown Ups & Date Nights

Wed., Dec 31 | Tre Angelina, White Plains | Two shows, 7p & 10p | Tickets from $45

 

Westchester Comedy Club drops by White Plains’ Tre Angelina for two special New Year’s Eve shows (7p & 10p) featuring sets from seasoned comedians Paul Ollinger (New York Comedy Festival), Phil Hunt (BET, SiriusXM), Adam Muller (Dry Bar Comedy), and Ben Rosenfeld (FOX’s Laughs).

 

Wed., Dec 31 | Yonkers Brewing Co., Yonkers | 8p-2a | $20 (includes first drink)

 

When the calendar turns a page this Wednesday night, Yonkers Brewing Co. turns back the clock with a New Year’s Eve Prohibition-era speakeasy style party. Don your best roaring 20s-inspired attire to DJ tunes, craft beer and cocktails. First drink included with your ticket.

 

🎉 New Year’s Eve at Croton’s The Grand

Wed., Dec 31 | The Grand, Croton-on-Hudson | 9p-1a | Tickets $50

 

New Year, new venue. Check out The Grand, one of Westchester’s newest music and entertainment venues, and celebrate the changing of the calendar with all night hors d’oeuvres, drink specials and a DJ dance party. Click here for details and tickets. 

 

Fri., Jan 2 | Captain Lawrence Barrel House, Mount Kisco | 7p | Tickets $28.52

 

Rescheduled to Jan 2! Hard Headed Comedy hits the Captain Lawrence Barrel House in Mount Kisco to kick off the new year, featuring sets from veteran comedians Sonya Vai, Michael Brigante, Kevin Israel and Luz Michelle.

 

Fri., Jan 2 | ???, White Plains | 7p & 9p | Tickets $27

 

Don’t Tell Comedy returns to Westchester County with two secretive shows in White Plains this Friday night. The venue and the performers will remain a mystery until Friday morning, what we do know is that the gig is indoors, thankfully, at a local White Plains business, it’s BYOB (no glass bottles) and the show is 21+.

 

đŸŽ¶ First Friday Vinyl Night Goodhouse

Fri., Jan 2 | Goodhouse Social Club, Mount Kisco | 9-11.45p

 

Mount Kisco’s Goodhouse Social Club introduces something new in the new year with its first ‘First Friday Vinyl Night’. Catch deep cuts, B-sides, and fan favorites spun by DJ Jeff Pepsi starting at 9p this Friday.

 

 

The Beat

Westchester’s Live Music Scene

Partnered With QueenBHive

Want your brand to stand out?

We help brands cut through the noise.

With decades of experience running communications and partnerships for worldwide names, QueenBHive brings global experience to local businesses. Whether you’re stuck on what to post, how to grow, or how to sound like you online, QueenBHive makes it make sense.

 

With support and packages designed for businesses of all sizes, including help with visuals, content and PR, we take the stress out of building your brand.

 

Based in Westchester and proud to be part of this community.

 

🐝 Visit QueenBHive.com or email us here. Our flexible and friendly approach will help you figure out exactly what you need to grow with confidence.

🚗 Worth a Drive

There are some great things going on outside of Westchester this week

Walkway Over the Hudson

đŸ„Ÿ First Day Hike

Thu., Jan 1 | Walkway Over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie/Highland | 11a-2p | Free

 

Kick off 2026 outdoors with a First Day Hike and amazing views on Walkway Over the Hudson. Choose between two adventures: a relaxed 3/4-mile stroll to the flagpole at Center Overlook, or tackle the extended three-mile loop crossing the Walkway. No registration required, all ages welcome.

 

đŸŽ€ Gina Brillon

Wed., Dec 31 | Levity Live, West Nyack | 7.30p & 10p | Tickets from $37

 

Ring in the new year with laughs from Bronx-raised comedian Gina Brillon, bringing her Gracie Award-winning comedy to West Nyack for two New Year's Eve shows. Seen on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Kevin Can Wait, celebrate 2026 with this talented actress, comedian and writer.

🏡 Where the Heart Is

Incredible homes are listed in Westchester every week. Here’s one that caught our eye


 

Listed by Houlihan Lawrence Inc.

3 Annarock Drive is a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom, 2,620 square foot Boniello-built colonial from 1989 set on nearly 2 acres in a sought-after Somers neighborhood. This center hall home features hardwood floors, granite kitchen flowing seamlessly into a breathtaking conservatory/sunroom addition (2006) with floor-to-ceiling windows and architectural details that create an elegant indoor-outdoor connection. The main level offers living room, formal dining room with bay window, family room with wood-burning fireplace, powder room, and laundry. Upstairs, the primary suite boasts walk-in closet and spa-inspired en suite, while two bedrooms share a renovated hall bath with double sinks. The star of the property: a heated saltwater pool with brand-new propane heater and liner, perfect for summer entertaining on the park-like grounds.

 

The home is 5 minutes to Goldens Bridge Metro-North Station (about 1 hour 10 minutes to Grand Central), 6 minutes to Purdy’s Farmer & the Fish and 5 minutes to King Kone for an iconic ice cream fix. Somers schools, private setting, easy commute to highways and train.

 

Thanks for reading Loving Westchester!

 

We’re really enjoying putting this together twice a week and hope you enjoy reading it. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again
 we love to hear from you! You can reach us at [email protected].

 

Check us out on Instagram for additional highlights outside of our normal Tuesday & Friday e-mails and, as always, please send this along to a friend who’s always asking, “What’s going on this week?”

 

Until next time,