Think free events are no fun? Don’t let the cost (or lack thereof) fool you! There are plenty of free things to do this November in Westchester County, NY, that are worth getting your kids out of the house.
Also see: Top 11 Things to Do in Westchester this November
And search for more free and low-cost events in the NYC area in our full calendar
WAG YOUR TALE! READ TO A DOG
AGES: 4–8
WHERE: Scarsdale Public Library, 54 Olmstead Road, Scarsdale
WHEN: Saturday, November 1
WHAT: Burgeoning readers can practice their skills on a story-loving pooch. It’s reading a book to a cute dog, people! Be ready to upload those pics.
WANT TO GO? scarsdalelibrary.org; 914-722-1300. Not limited to Scarsdale residents.
FAMILY CONCERT: WASHBOARD SLIM AND THE BLUELIGHTS
AGES: All
WHERE: Ruth Keeler Memorial Library, 276 Titicus Road, North Salem
WHEN: Saturday, November 8 at 3pm
WHAT: A concert featuring a mix of blues, jugband, early jazz, Appalachian, Cajun, and rockabilly music. Kids can play rhythm instruments provided by the band.
WANT TO GO? keelerlibrary.org; 914-669-5161
GRAND OPENING PARTY: UFC GYM
AGES: All
WHERE: 25 S. Broadway, White Plains
WHEN: Saturday, November 8, 9am-5pm
WHAT: A day of free food, games, giveaways, music, and trial classes at this new gym. Join several classes throughout the day: 9:30am Boxing; 11:30am Daily Ultimate Training & Kids’ Classes; 1:30pm MMATRX; 3:30pm Kickboxing
WANT TO GO? 914-285-1832; ufcgym.com/whiteplains
SPECIAL NEEDS EXPO
AGES: All
WHERE: Westchester Marriott, 670 White Plains Road, Tarrytown
WHEN: Sunday, November 9
WHAT: An expo that lets you check out resources of all types for your special needs child. Activities for the kids include face painting, games, and bouncy slides. NYMetroParents is a proud Media Sponsor.
WANT TO GO? Register at specialneedsexpo.com; 516-279-3727
VETERANS DAY AT ST. PAUL’S CHURCH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
AGES: All
WHERE: St. Paul’s Church NHS, 897 S. Columbus Ave., Mount Vernon
WHEN: Tuesday, November 11 (Veterans Day), 9am-5pm
WHAT: Veterans Day ceremony, history tours, a historical music performance, and exhibits and activities for kids, including a scavenger hunt.
WANT TO GO? 914-667-4116; nps.gov/sapa
SANTA’S GRAND ARRIVAL AT CROSS COUNTY SHOPPING CENTER
AGES: All
WHERE: Cross County Shopping Center, 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers
WHEN: Saturday, November 15
WHAT: Kids will enjoy a special holiday show on The Green, featuring Ice Princesses and Snowman, who they can meet after the show. Then visit and take photos with Santa in his winter wonderland home between Gap and Bath & Body Works.
WANT TO GO? RSVP is requested, call 914-968-9571
STEAMFEST 2014
AGES: Grades K-12
WHERE: Ruth Keeler Memorial Library, 276 Titicus Road, North Salem
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 15, 11am-3pm
WHAT: A celebration of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Kids can try 3-D printing, vinyl portraiture, soldering, Makey Makey Music, and much more.
WANT TO GO? Registration is required by calling 914-669-5161, emailing keelerlibrary@wlsmail.org, or stopping into the library. ruthkeelermemoriallibrary.org.
BOOKMUNCHERS AT THE MOUNT KISCO LIBRARY
AGES: 4th and 5th grades
WHERE: Mount Kisco Public Library, 100 E. Main St., Mount Kisco
WHEN: November 20
WHAT: A book club just for boys. We love the idea of getting more of our sons involved in book clubs! The book will be The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen.
WANT TO GO? mountkiscolibrary.org; 914-666-8041
TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AT CROSS COUNTY SHOPPING CENTER
AGES: All
WHERE: Cross County Shopping Center, 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers
WHEN: Saturday, November 22, 6-8pm
WHAT: Enjoy a live holiday concert with the NYC Swing Band as the 40-foot-tall Christmas tree is lit. See strolling characters, participate in family activities like face painting, and more! You can also visit and take photos with Santa.
WANT TO GO? 914-968-9571; crosscountycenter.com
PUPPET SHOW: AN ARABIAN ADVENTURE
AGES: Younger than 10
WHERE: The Scarsdale Congregational Church, 1 Heathcote Road, Scarsdale
WHEN: Saturday, November 22, 1pm and 3pm
WHAT: This puppet show, presented by The Tanglewood Marionettes, features more than a dozen handcrafted marionettes that tell an exciting story.
WANT TO GO? 914-723-2111; tanglewoodmarionettes.com
CELEBRATE! PARTY SHOWCASE
AGE: All
WHERE: Westchester Marriott, 670 White Plains Road, Tarrytown
WHEN: November 23, 12-4pm
WHAT: If you’re planning a milestone occasion (birthday, bar/bat mitzvah, graduation, wedding, etc.), this is your all-in-one planning place. The event will feature 100 party specialists from throughout the area who can help you pull off your big day.
WANT TO GO? RSVP at celebrateshowcase.com; call 646-652-7512 for more details.
MACY’S THANKSGIVING PARADE BALLOON INFLATION
AGES: All
WHERE: Manhattan: 77th Street to 81st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
WHEN: November 26 (Thanksgiving Eve)
WHAT: Watch the floats come to life. We can’t believe how many families still haven’t gone to this tradition before the tradition.
WANT TO GO? Just show up between 3pm and 9pm. 79th Street, at the corner of the American Museum of Natural History, is the best place to enter the balloon inflation area.
88TH ANNUAL MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE
AGES: All
WHERE: Manhattan: Starting at 77th Street and Central Park West, ending at Macy’s Herald Square
WHEN: November 27 (Thanksgiving Day)
WHAT: Only the biggest and most exciting parade of the year.
WANT TO GO? Get up early! The west side of Central Park West from 59th to 76th streets starts filling up at 6am (parade kicks off at 9am).
