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🎆 Westchester’s Got the Spark: What to Do This Holiday Weekend

Skip the planning — we’ve mapped the best of the weekend so you can just show up.

Author

Wes+Bec Willetts
July 04, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 15 minutes

Hi Friends,

 

Happy July 4th!

 

We hope you’re taking advantage of the long weekend as there’s a lot of really cool things going on. For this evening’s celebrations, we had our eye on the Walkway Over The Hudson but since we have a very soon-to-be one year old, we’re going to keep it simple and walk to our local beach with our son, a few slices of pizza, and take in the show. Our daughter was due on July 4 last year, so she’ll be seeing what she was surely hearing last summer.

 

We’ve summarized a few things from Tuesday’s Independence week lowdown in case it’s needed for those still thinking through plans, and those of you new here (hi, welcome!) Make sure you read on, however, to catch some freshly featured, very different types of events to consider that are just a drive away, as well as some new live music gigs.

 

We said we’d also let you know how we got on with that CrazyShake we mentioned in Tuesday’s edition… Walter’s has gone straight up Wonka with its collaboration with Black Tap. Both of us and our son shared it (Beckett missed out as we need her to sleep). As we’d say back home in Ireland, there was eatin’ and drinkin’ in it! It was an absolute feast for sore eyes and needy taste buds. I think the photo speaks for it pretty loudly but if strawberry is your flavor of choice, you’ll want to get down to Walter’s to experience it for yourself. We actually also managed to get over to Black Tap while in Manhattan this week to see Walter’s take on Korean style, complete with kimchi… it was delish!

 

We know these weekends can sometimes get a bit overwhelming, or expectations (usually the minis’) can be inexplicably high, but we hope we’ve helped in some way to make it easier or to point your compass towards fun.

 

Our main wish for you is that you leave the weekend not in need of a long weekend!

 

If you make it to any of these events, just hit reply and let us know how they went. We love hearing from you, and we’d also love to feature you if you would like to send us photos, too!

 

Have a wonderful weekend,

 
Wes + Bec

 

Walter’s x Black Tap collab… Strawberry Shortcake CrazyShake!

 

 

In today’s edition…

 

  • Firing up with a reminder of key July 4th events and fireworks whereabouts - with some classical quartets, jazz, and meditative music to wind back down

  • A murderous walking tour and some killer international soccer

  • We’ve gone un poco loco for a screening under the stars complete with an island, a boat and a castle

Today’s edition was brought to you by QueenBHive and Fallscapers.

 

Let’s go!

💓 The Pulse

Loving Westchester’s Featured Events!

 

Source: Walkway Over the Hudson

🌉 Walkway Over the Hudson: Fireworks Spectacular

Fri., Jul 4 | 61 Parker Ave., Poughkeepsie (Dutchess County) | 6-9.30p | Details

 

Experience this year’s fireworks up close and personal on the 212-foot high Walkway Over the Hudson, the world’s largest elevated pedestrian bridge. This event sells out every year so tickets are a must. At time of writing, there are some left!

 

General admission $25, seniors / veterans $20, kids 12 and under free with reserved ticket.

 

🎼 Caramoor: Pops, Patriots, & Fireworks

Fri., Jul 4 | Caramoor, Katonah | 8p | Details

 

Ring in the nation’s birthday in style at Caramoor with a patriotic session featuring the Westchester Symphonic Winds and soprano, Carami Helaire. Expect performances of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Stars and Stripes Forever with a stunning fireworks show to end the evening. Tickets start at $59.

 

Partnered with QueenBHive

 

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📍 Based in Westchester. Proud to be part of this community. Woman-owned.

 

📆 What’s Happening?

 

🎇 4th of July Celebrations!

 

We touched on these in our July 1st edition, but for those new to Loving Westchester or those needing a last minute reminder, check out our comprehensive list of July 4th events below.

 

“Town & Park Celebrations” below are free to attend unless otherwise noted

🏖 Barley Beach House: Fireworks Luau

Rye Town Beach, Rye | 6–10p | Details

 

Celebrate island-style with two Hawaiian dance shows (6:30p & 8:30p), DJ entertainment, an all-you-can-eat buffet, and open bar — capped off by a stellar view of the Playland fireworks over the Long Island Sound.

 

This event is 21+. GA tickets $100, non-alcohol $70.

 

⛵ Echo Bay Yacht Club: 4th of July BBQ

Echo Island, New Rochelle | 2.30-10p | Details

 

BBQ, cold drinks, music and front-row seats to the New Rochelle fireworks show await at Echo Island at Echo Bay Yacht Club. Boat shuttles to the island start at 2.30p. Fireworks start around 9p. Non-member tickets start at $60, teens $15, kids 6-12 $10.

 

🎇 Town & Park Celebrations

  • Dobbs Ferry | Waterfront Park | 3-9.30p | Games & live music, fireworks show shortly after 9p

  • Irvington | Matthiessen Park | Fireworks show approx. 9.15p

  • Mamaroneck | Harbor Island Park | 4-10p | Firemen’s Carnival (rides, games & live music), fireworks show at 9.15p

  • New Rochelle | Hudson Park | Fireworks show approx. 9.30p

  • Peekskill | Riverfront Green Park | 7-9.30p | Musical entertainment starts at 7p, fireworks show at 9p. Town parade runs in the morning at 10a.

  • Rye | Playland Park | 9p | Fireworks launched from the pier and visible from Playland Park or Rye Town Park. Firework shows continue through August 29th every Friday night.

  • Tarrytown | Pierson Park | 5-9.45p | Food trucks, live music & kids entertainment on site from 5p, fireworks show starts just after 9p.

  • Yonkers | Downtown Waterfront | 7-9.30p | Music at 7p, fireworks show at 9p

 

Chilled Out Holiday Weekend Events

Philipsburg Manor, Source: Historic Hudson Valley

🌾 Summer Saturdays at Philipsburg Manor

Saturdays | Jul. 5 - Aug. 30 | Sleepy Hollow | Time slots in link | Details

 

History meets hands-on fun each Saturday with bees, grains, gardens and activities. Tomorrow (July 5) Philipsburg Manor is hosting a Barnyard Bash where visitors can take their turn at harvesting rye and hoisting grain into the mill attic. If that sounds too laborious, and a fluffy cuddle and good tale is more up your street then you can also help name new barn cats, enjoy storytime with Sleepy Hollow Bookshop, meet animals with SPCA Westchester & Blue Barn Rescue or just have an explore.

 

Format is self-guided and most visits last from 1.5-2 hours. Perfect for kids and curious minds.

 

Tickets: $13-18 or free for Historic Hudson Valley members.

 

👻 Murder and Mayhem Walking Tour

Sat., Jul 5 | Sleepy Hollow Cemetery | 8.30-10.30p | Details

 

This chilling two-hour lantern-lit tour dives into true stories of tragedy, murder, and mystery including family poisonings, tragic accidents, and cross-state manhunts. With a new route for 2025 featuring infamous cases, the tour is set to rival this weekend’s fireworks for goosebumps!

 

18+ only. Tickets are $50 and this one fills up fast!

 

🍓 Saturday Farmers’ Markets

  • Bronxville | 8.30a-1p | Stone Place at Paxton Avenue

  • Chappaqua | 8.30a-1p | Chappaqua Train Station

  • Hastings | 8.30a-1p | Parking lot opposite Metro North station

  • Larchmont | 8.30a-1p | Metro North Upper Parking Lot

  • Ossining | 8.30a-1p | Parking Lot at Spring & Main

  • Peekskill | 9a-2p | 1 Bank Street

  • Pleasantville | 8.30a-1p | Metro North Parking Lot

  • Tarrytown & Sleepy Hollow | 8.30a-1.30p | Patriots Park

 

🍓 Sunday Farmers’ Markets

  • Irvington | 9a-1.30p | 101 Main Street

  • Mount Kisco | 11a-3p | S. Moger Avenue

  • Rye | 8.30a-1p | Theodore Fremd Ave Parking Lot

  • Scarsdale | 9a-2p | Spencer Place at Chase Road

 

🎵 Live Music Scene

  • Chris Vitarello v Michael Bram | Fri., Jul 4 | Jazz on Main, Mt. Kisco | 7p | Cover charge $25, dinner & show $96

  • Solara | Fri., Jul 4 | Yonkers Brewing Co., Yonkers | 9.30p | Free entry

  • Music & Meditation in the Garden: Tallā Rouge | Sat., Jul 5 | Caramoor, Katonah | 11a | Tickets $29

  • La Excelencia | Sat., Jul 5 | Caramoor, Katonah | 7.30p | Tickets $43

  • Audrey Silver Quartet | Sat., Jul 5 | Jazz on Main, Mt. Kisco | 7p | Cover charge $30, dinner & show $98

  • Curtis Salgado | Sat., Jul 5 | Downtown Summer Sizzle, New Rochelle | 6.30-9p | FREE

  • Blue Storm Four | Sat., Jul 5 | The Boathouse, Ossining

  • Escher String Quartet & Alessio Bax | Sun., Jul 6 | Caramoor, Katonah | 4p | Tickets from $20

 

🚗 Worth a Drive

We’re spoiled for choice in Westchester, but here are our top picks if you find yourself outside county lines this holiday weekend…

 

Source: BannermanCastle.org

📽 Movie Nights on Bannerman Island: Coco

Sat., Jul 5 | Bannerman Island, Beacon (Dutchess County) | Details

 

Bannerman Island hosts the “I’m not crying, you’re crying” Pixar classic, Coco, on Saturday night set alongside the castle. The evening starts at Beacon where you’ll catch a ferry over to Bannerman with either a guided tour or educational lecture on the island included. The first ferry departs at 6.30p, second departs at 7.30p. Tickets are $45.

 

⚽ FIFA Club World Cup Quarterfinals: Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund

Sat., Jul 5 | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey | 4p

 

If you have a kid at home who plays soccer, odds are they’ve got a Kylian Mbappe #9 jersey tucked away in a drawer somewhere. Mbappe leads his Real Madrid team into the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals against Dortmund on Saturday in a rare opportunity to see the French superstar playing in the US. As of writing, tickets start at $140 on SeatGeek.

 

⚾ Subway Series: New York Yankees at New York Mets

Fri., Jul 4 - Sun., Jul 6 | Citi Field, Flushing, Queens | Game times vary

 

The stoppable force versus the movable object. Neither team has been lights out over the last couple of weeks with both losing ground to division rivals, but a Subway Series on 4th of July weekend is sure to get the dugouts fired up with local pride on the line. As of writing, tickets for all three games start around $110-120 on SeatGeek.

 

Thanks to our partner, Fallscapers!

 

Let Fallscapers transform your doorstep into an autumn wonderland!

We know… summer is just starting and the last thing on your mind is setting up pumpkins to glow up your porch this fall. All the more reason to allow Fallscapers to start thinking about it for you! Fallscapers is offering limited availability for the autumn 2025 season and taking early interest now, no commitment necessary.

 

Have your home turning heads this fall! Drop your e-mail address here to get on the list for more details!

 

🏡 Where the Heart is…

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

 

21 Dorann Road | Purchase, NY | $5,595,000

Listed by Houlihan Lawrence

 

21 Dorann Road is a stunning 8 bedroom, 9.2 bathroom New England Colonial clocking in just over 12,000 square feet on nearly 3 gated acres. Equipped with golf course views from the backyard, you can experience the stress and frustration from passing foursomes as you relax by your own gorgeous pool, personal spa and resort-style pool house.

 

If the course-side expletives become too much of a distraction, escape to your own entertainment oasis in the lower level in either the game room, gym or plush 10-seat home theatre. On the main level, you’ll find a beautifully laid out kitchen with two Sub-Zero refrigerators and two dishwashers… so your kids really have no excuse to get their own snack and put the dirty dishes away. Check the full listing and photos out for yourself at Houlihan Lawrence.

Thanks for reading Loving Westchester!

 

We’re really enjoying putting this together twice a week and hope you enjoy reading it. If you’d like to drop a line and let us know your favorite spots across the county, hidden gems, must-know events or to just say ‘hi’, we’d love to hear from you! You can reach us directly at [email protected].

 

Check us out on Instagram for additional event details 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 weekend?”

 

Until next time,