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- 💗 Loving Westchester's Weekend Festivities: The Stars Light Up On Stages & Trees
💗 Loving Westchester's Weekend Festivities: The Stars Light Up On Stages & Trees
Plus, your weekend guide to holiday lighting celebrations, winter markets & Santa's whereabouts!
Wes+Bec Willetts
December 05, 2025
Happy Friday, Westchester!
We’ve nearly made it through the week and, despite some cold weather, dodged the first meaningful snowfall of the season. We hope you’ve knocked all the Turkey-induced cobwebs free because, when it comes to things to do, Westchester has pulled out all the stops this weekend. The county’s biggest theaters have jam-packed calendars, town organizers are throwing holiday lighting celebrations all over the place, great family-friendly holiday attractions are lighting up the rest of the county (Winter Wonderland, Lumina) and we get a new (and free!) one added to the mix at Untermyer Gardens in Yonkers.
While we shout about all the great work the community is doing in putting on events to raise holiday spirit, we wanted to highlight some local holiday toy drive initiatives happening right now to make sure others aren’t left behind this season:
Westchester County Holiday Gift Drive… running through Monday, December 15, residents can drop off new, unwrapped gifts appropriate for newborns and up at one of six locations throughout the county. Check the link for drop off locations.
Westy Self Storage Port Chester… accepting new, unwrapped toys for all ages until December 21 to be dropped off at 299 Boston Post Road in Port Chester.
EZ Haul Movers… now accepting toy donations through December 21. Check the link for requested items and contact details.
We’re sure to be missing other organizations doing similar work. If you know of any we’ve left out, please let us know so we can highlight those in our upcoming editions!
If you’re out and about making the most of the festive weekend, let us know! And as you’re scrolling below, looking for that perfect thing to do, don’t miss our weekend guide of holiday lightings, Santa sightings and local markets! Enjoy!
Bec+Wes
In today’s edition:
Featured events… sugarplum fairies in Port Chester and a ‘Fairytale of New York’ in Peekskill.
Kid-friendly fun… a stroll through Larchmont and a drive through Kensico Dam Plaza.
Grown ups & date nights… with a tribute act fit for a King, an award-winning singer-songwriter, legendary Southern rockers and a funky St. Nick, there’s a performance for everyone.
Live music beat… 22(!) gigs around the county.
Westchester’s holiday markets & lighting celebrations… your weekend guide to Christmas tree, Menorah & dreidel lightings, Santa appearances and local holiday markets.
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 love supporting local businesses and events!
Let’s go!
💓 The Pulse
Loving Westchester’s Featured Events!
Sun., Dec 7 | The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester | 5p
Witness over 100 performers from Central Park Dance and local communities on The Capitol Theatre stage for the 10th annual production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.
🎙 A Weekend of Top Performers in Peekskill
Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmas… Actress and comedian Jane Lynch is joined by Tim Davis (Glee) and Kate Flannery (The Office) for a nationally-touring, comedic holiday spectacular | Sat., Dec 6 | Paramount Hudson Valley Theater | 8p
The Irish Tenors… renowned performers Ronan Tynan, Anthony Kearns and Patrick Hyland come together for a night of Irish ballads and holiday classics | Sun., Dec 7 | Paramount Hudson Valley Theater | 7p
Sun., Dec 7 | Wainwright House, Rye | 12-3p | FREE for members, $15 non-members
It’s festive party time for the little ones at the stunning Wainwright House this Sunday. Head down for cookie decorating, a gingerbread sensory station, snacks, artisan vendors and a visit from Santa, himself!
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📆 What’s Happening?
Kid-friendly Fun!
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Sat., Dec 6 | Westchester Children’s Museum, Rye | 10-11a
Author Caren Sacks stops by Westchester Children’s Museum this Saturday to read from her book, Draw Paint Tell, with little ones putting her words immediately to use with a book-inspired craft session in the Makerspace.
Sat., Dec 6 | Downtown Larchmont | 10a-3p
Come to Larchmont this Saturday for the Holiday Stroll beginning at 10a. Visitors will have the opportunity to partake in over 20 holiday-themed activities from a “Find Frosty” scavenger hunt, “Meet the Grinch”, “Hanukkah storytime” and a Santa sighting!
Sat., Dec 6 | Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester | 11a | Tickets $17.50 advance, $20 door (under 1 free)
Ramblin’ Dan rolls into Garcia’s in Port Chester on Saturday morning to introduce the youngsters to the music of The Beatles as part of the Rock and Roll Playhouse concert series. For the grown ups, the bar is open while the kiddos dance the day away!
⚾ Cross “Gift for Yankee Fan” Off Your List
Sat., Dec 6 | The Card Shop, Armonk | 12-2p | Details
Yankees-legend Bernie Williams puts down his jazz guitar and picks up his pen this Saturday when he swings by The Card Shop in Armonk for a photo and autograph session.
🎅 St. Nicholas Day Celebration
Sat., Dec 6 | Philipse Manor Hall, Yonkers | 12-4p | FREE
Yonkers’ Philipse Manor Hall hosts a St. Nicholas Day Celebration this Saturday featuring music and stories about the history of the holiday along with crafting, gingerbread decorating and scavenger hunts for the kids. This event is free.
❄ “Does Someone Need A Hug?”
Sat., Dec 6 (12.30p) & Sun., Dec 7 (7.30p) | Alamo Drafthouse, Yonkers
Alamo Drafthouse hosts two movies parties this weekend alongside a screening of the 2003 Christmas classic, Elf. Ticket includes movie-related props, an elf hat and a gift “wrap off” before the show.
Sun., Dec 7 | Chappaqua Performing Arts Center | 2-3.30p | FREE
The Town of New Castle Recreation Department and Stars in Motion present The Nutcracker this Sunday at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. Doors open at 1.50p, show begins at 2p. Admission is free.
🎄 Westchester’s Can’t Miss Seasonal Attractions
(Detailed open times are for this weekend)
Winter Wonderland | Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla | Timed entry available as of writing: Fri., Dec 5 (5.30-9.45p), Sat., Dec 6 (5.15-9.45p), Sun., Dec 7 (5-8.45p)
Lumina | Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard, North Salem | Timed entry available as of writing: Fri., Dec 5 (5-7.45p), Sat., Dec 6 (5.45-8p), Sun., Dec 7 (5.15-7.45p)
Grand Holiday Illumination | Untermyer Gardens, Yonkers | Opening night Sat., Dec 6 (5.30-8p), Sun. Dec 7 (4.30-8p)
Holiday Lights | Muscoot Farm, Katonah | Fri., Dec 5 & Sat., Dec 6 (5-8p)
Grown Ups & Date Nights
👑 The Ultimate Elvis Experience
Fri., Dec 5 | Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, Peekskill | 7p | Tickets from $46.50
The King has come back to the building. Victor Trevino, 2022’s “Graceland’s Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist”, takes his Ultimate Elvis Experience show to the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater stage Friday night.
Fri., Dec 5 | Tarrytown Music Hall | 8p | Tickets from $47.50
Academy Award-nominated and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Judy Collins brings her legendary vocals (preserved in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress!) to Tarrytown Music Hall this Friday night.
Fri., Dec 5 | The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester | 8p | Tickets
Devon Allman and Duane Betts carry their legendary musical bloodlines to The Cap stage for the 9th installment of the Allman Betts Family Revival. Joining them are Robert Randolph, Amanda Shires, G. Love, Jimmy Hall, Judith Hill, Cody & Luther Dickinson and Alex Orbison.
Sat., Dec 6 | Jacob Burns Film Center, Pleasantville | 1.30p | Tickets from $20
Join Jacob Burns Film Center for a preview screening of the documentary, I’m Chevy Chase And You’re Not, and look behind the curtain at the life of a comedy legend. The film will be followed by a Q&A with two-time Emmy-winner and director, Marina Zenovich.
Sat., Dec 6 | Noma Social, New Rochelle | 8p-12a | FREE entry
The Westchester SC faithful have another chance to come together to celebrate the inaugural season of the county’s professional soccer club at the end of the season holiday party this Saturday night. Free entry, free parking, DJ entertainment.
Sun., Dec 7 | Irvington Theater | 3p | Check link for ticket details
Grammy-nominated percussionist Everett Bradley (Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band) taps into alter-ego Papadelic, a funky Father Christmas, to bring fresh takes on holiday classics. He’ll be joined by special guest, Meredith Vieira.
🤣 Some Laughing Might Keep You Warm…
Nicky Smigs… viral, New York-based comic Nicky Smigs (seen at Caroline’s on Broadway & Jimmy Kimmel Live) takes the Westchester County Center stage; ticket includes dinner and parking | Sat., Dec 6 | Westchester County Center, White Plains | Doors 6.30p, Show 8p | Tickets $50
Hard Headed Comedy… LOR AINE AFTER DARK, a three-act standup show in a Larchmont boutique feat. Max Fine, Feraz Shere and host Luz Michelle | Sat., Dec 6 | LOR AINE 1986, Larchmont | 7-9p | Tickets from $39.19
Don’t Tell Comedy… DTC’s secret shows continue this Saturday in Peekskill. What we know: the gig is indoors (fitness studio), it’s BYOB and 21+. Everything else, you’ll find out the morning of the show! | Sat., Dec 6 | ???, Peekskill | Doors 7.30p, Show 8p | Tickets $27
TriState Stand Up… open mic night | Sun., Dec 7 | Wolf & Warrior Brewing Company, White Plains | 6p | $10 bar tab minimum
The Beat
Westchester’s Music Scene
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🎄 Westchester’s Holiday Markets & Lighting Celebrations!
Your weekend guide to Christmas tree, Menorah & dreidel lightings, Santa appearances and local holiday markets
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].
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Until next time,
