Ten Things to Do or See for the Pre-Holiday Weekend

It is the weekend before Christmas and all through the house, there are wrapping paper scraps and pine needles and maybe you just want to go out. If you have finished your Christmas shopping, or even if you haven’t here are some exceptional events to entertain and edify you.

Train Show at Greenburgh Nature Center: Greenburgh Nature Center and the Yonkers Model Railroad Club are presenting their annual train exhibit. The exhibit is open this weekend from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and has country scenes, mountains, tunnels and a replica of the Nature Center. The center is also a significant wildlife habitat refuge, both for indigenous species and for the hundreds of species of migratory birds that use it as a resting place on their spring and fall travels. The property includes 30 acres of woodland, two significant wetland sites, and an old orchard. There is more information at Greenburgh Nature Center.

Holidays on the Hill (with Trains!) at Lasdon Park: Lasdon Park, Arboretum, and Veterans Museum is gearing up for the holidays with its winter wonderland and holiday train show featuring the Polar Express. Sweep through New York City and up the Harlem line to picturesque Katonah with a final stop at Christmas Village in the North Pole! Also, you can purchase your Christmas tree and help a homeless Veteran in the process. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids 2 to 12, and free for 2 and under.

Winter Wonderland at Kensico Dam: The third annual Westchester Winter Wonderland is at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla, and will be through January 2. Winter Wonderland, put on by the Friends of Westchester Parks, takes place at the park in Kensico Dam Plaza after 5 p.m. Tickets cost $15 per person (kids 5 and under are free) and can be purchased on site or in advance. It’s open until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Most of the attractions at Winter Wonderland are included with the fee, including two carnival rides, hay rides, a circus performance, and more. Bring skates or rent them to use the RangersTown Rink. Visitors can buy refreshments and gift items from vendors, or a ride on a pony or camel.

It’s Still a Wonderful Life in Suffern: The Antrim Playhouse in Suffern is presenting “It’s a Wonderful Life” as a live 1940s radio broadcast. The ensemble will bring to life George Bailey and all the other folk of Bedford Falls on a fateful Christmas Eve. The playhouse is at 15 Spook Rock Road in Suffern. All Tickets are $15 and may be purchased here.

It’s Also a Wonderful Life in Pleasantville: Bring the family to see a showing of the beloved holiday classic, Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life at the Jacob Burns Film Center. Whether seeing it for the first time or 50th, audiences will be moved by James Stewart’s compassionate and heartbreaking portrayal of George Bailey. The timeless film also features great supporting turns from legendary actors such as Lionel Barrymore, Donna Reed and Gloria Grahame. It’s a Wonderful Life runs Friday, December 23rd through Thursday, December 29th. Tickets and more information available at https://burnsfilmcenter.org/booking/its-a-wonderful-life/

The Velveteen Rabbit in Nyack: The beloved tale about a toy rabbit that is loved until it turns real will be performed on Dec. 18, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Told with action and humor, this fantasy story unfolds in a time-traveling discovery of friendship, loyalty and the transformative power of love. All Tickets are $15 Tickets may be purchased here. The performances are at the Elmwood Community Playhouse at 10 Park Street in Nyack.

Christmas On Stage in Elmsford: Check out Christmas Inn at the Westchester Broadway Theatre, running now through December 23rd. Enjoy an evening of holiday music, laughter and a poignant story filled with Christmas magic. The show features favorite Christmas songs including an old-fashioned sing-along. Visit http://www.broadwaytheatre.com/index.php for tickets and show information.

A Lighted Garden in Yonkers: Untermyer Gardens will host its annual Grand Holiday Illumination at the Walled Garden. The Walled Garden will be brilliantly illuminated with festive holiday lights, highlighting the rich architectural and horticultural elements of the garden. Last year’s Illumination was a tremendous success, and the number of lights will be doubled this year. Beautiful holiday music in the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Zoroastrian traditions will be played. The Illumination will take place every night from now through January 8th from dusk until 8:00 p.m. Various community groups will serve hot chocolate on weekend and other evenings. For more information, please visit http://www.untermyergardens.org/

Christmas at Clermont: Clermont State Historic Site, the historic home of the Livingston Family, will hold an Open House on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Note that the date has changed!) A great day for families, with admission free for everyone! Explore the mansion at your leisure enjoying the holiday decorations with docents available to answer questions in each room. Cider and cookies will be available in the visitor’s center. For questions call (518) 537-4240. Clermont is at 87 Clermont Avenue in Germantown.

Handel’s Messiah in Poughkeepsie: The Hudson Valley Philharmonic and Capella Festiva will perform Handel’s famed oratorio “The Messiah” at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bardavon Opera House. The choral work will be performed by a full orchestra and more than 100 instrumentalists and singers. For information about tickets, click here. There will be a pre-concert talk with conductor Christine Howlett an hour before the performance. Tickets are $25 to $51. Bardavon is at 35 Market Street in Poughkeepsie.

Photo via Wikimedia.