Katherine Dhurandhar

Katherine Dhurandhar is a Community Publisher for Mommy Poppins, representing the Westchester and Hudson Valley region of New York, and a freelance copyeditor for Westchester Publishing Company. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling with her husband and son.

Latest posts by Katherine

Best Halloween Events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley 2025 for Kids and Families

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Sun, 09/21/2025 - 7:17am

The Great Jack-o'-Lantern Blaze in Van Cortlandt Manor is a must-do Halloween event in the tri-state area. Photo courtesy of the Historic Hudson Valley

Spooky season is here, and there’s no shortage of great Halloween events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown are prime Halloween destinations due to their pride in being the home of Washington Irving and the setting of his famed "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Throughout the region, haunted attractions abound for the older set, like haunted houses, which often have not-so-scary days for younger kids. Little ones can also delight in friendly fun like Monster Mash-inspired brick-or-treating at Legoland New York or a visit with costumed alpacas.

Meanwhile, the whole family can enjoy Westchester's most celebrated Halloween event, the Great Jack-o'-Lantern Blaze.

Read on for our list of the best Halloween events in Westchester and nearby, and turn to our Halloween Fun Guide to get the most out of this fun season.

Top Things To Do This Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 09/19/2025 - 11:13am

Enjoy author meet-and-greets plus a family-fun zone and hand-on activities at the Chappaqua Children's Book Festival this Saturday. Photo courtesy of the event

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are our editors' picks for the best family-friendly events and activities!

Kids can get up close with dozens of dalmatians at the FASNY Museum of Firefighting's free Dalmatian Day in Hudson, which also includes games, prizes, and access to the museum. Alternatively, they can meet the authors and illustrators of their favorite books and enjoy the family fun zone at the annual Chappaqua Children's Book Festival.

Or, head to the Catskills for the opening weekend of Hunter Mountain Oktoberfest, which also includes kids' activities and scenic skyrides.

Those are just a few of our top picks for this weekend; read on for all the best things to do this weekend with kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

Best Sleepy Hollow Attractions for a Spooky Family Day Trip

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Sun, 09/07/2025 - 7:34am

Twilight Village takes over Philipsburg Manor on select nights during the spooky season. Photo by author

When it comes to spooky season, I can't think of a cooler place to celebrate than the village of Sleepy Hollow! Even before Washington Irving made the name famous in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the area was known for its haunted past, with the story of the headless horseman being the most popular piece of local lore. Today, Sleepy Hollow, New York, embraces its spooky history, with the entire town getting decked out for Halloween and local historical sites hosting festive events to celebrate the season and their unique histories.

In addition to being the Hudson Valley's Halloween headquarters, Sleepy Hollow is also a picturesque location to visit year-round. Situated on the banks of the Hudson River with a beautiful lighthouse and views of the Mario Cuomo Bridge, the cute, walkable downtown boasts a variety of shops and restaurants as well as a number of parks and historical sites that are within walking distance or just a short drive away. We've picked out our favorite things to do with kids in Sleepy Hollow during Halloween and beyond, including special annual events, local family-friendly restaurants, and places to stay nearby.

For more Halloween fun, check out our list of spooky day trips near NYC for ghostly adventures and our Hudson Valley Kids' Halloween Guide for more local haunts.

Best Harvest Festivals & Pumpkin Festivals in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for Fall Fun in 2025

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Sun, 08/31/2025 - 10:12am

The pie eating contest is just the start of the fun at the Armonk Cider and Donut Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival

Fall is a magical time in Westchester and the Hudson Valley as the days become crisp and cool and the colorful autumn foliage paints the landscapes. And what better way to celebrate the season than at a local fall festival?

We've picked out our favorite family-friendly fall festivals in the area, many of which offer fun seasonal activities for kids, from pumpkin painting to carnival rides. With the abundance of farms in the area, fall is the perfect time to sample the local harvest, from freshly picked apples to cider and doughnuts, and many of these festivals are held on the farms themselves. So whether you want to pick apples, get lost in a corn maze, or enjoy live music while sipping local craft beverages, these festivals are sure to give you the fall vibes you're looking for.

For even more ways to celebrate the season, bookmark our Guide to Fall Fun in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, our favorite fall day trips, and our Guide to Farms and You-Picks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

21 Best Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with Kids September 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 08/29/2025 - 7:46am

Book your tickets now if you want to see the annual spectacle that is The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor. Photo by the author

Labor Day kicks off September activities, launching Westchester and the Hudson Valley's season of apple picking, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes.

The start of fall festivities includes the Armonk Cider & Donut Festival and the Port Jervis Fall Foliage Festival. To get in the Halloween spirit early, check out the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson, which features more than 7,000 hand-carved and lit-up pumpkins. And don't miss the return of the dazzling Flip Circus at the Jefferson Valley Mall.

These are just a few of our favorite things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this month—we're adding more events to the Westchester Events Calendar every day.

Labor Day Weekend 2025 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 08/29/2025 - 7:46am

Brilliantly colored hot air balloons take flight at the annual Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival this Labor Day weekend. Photo courtesy of the event

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this Labor Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

It's Labor Day weekend and time for one last summer hurrah! Take a ride in a hot air balloon or just enjoy the spectacle as they fill the sky at the Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival, which also includes fireworks, live music, helicopter rides, inflatables, and more. Or, watch the FREE fireworks shows at the Newburgh International Festival or at the West Point Band's Labor Day Concert.

Families can also celebrate the end-of-summer corn harvest at Uncle Shoehorn's Funky Corn Festival at Wright Family Farms, or start the fall festivities, including apple picking, hayrides, bounce houses, farm animals, and a pumpkin patch, at Outhouse Orchards' Fall Festival.

As the countdown to September begins, check out our end-of-summer bucket list for top things to do before school starts in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

Best Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with Kids August 2025

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Sun, 07/27/2025 - 9:32am

Make a splash at the Muddy Puddles Mess Fest in Mahopac. Photo courtesy of the fest

There are tons of things to do in August in Westchester and the Hudson Valley–enjoy outdoor movies and concerts, summer festivals, and the best beach days. After all, summer is not over yet!

All aboard! Kids won't want to miss a ride on the Catskill Mountain Railroad's Dinosaur Express, featuring dinosaur hunters and roaming dinos on the train ride that ends at a dinosaur park. Alternatively, families who don't mind a little dirt (or a lot!) are invited to beat the heat by getting muddy with Peppa Pig at the Muddy Puddles Mess Fest in Mahopac.

Our picks this August also include multiple family-friendly sunflower festivals in the Hudson Valley, such as the Sunflower Festival at Barton Orchards and the Sunflower Extravaganza at Kelder's Farm, both of which feature great photo-ops and tons of activities for kids and adults.

These are just a few of our favorite things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this May—we're adding more events to the Westchester Events Calendar every day.

4th of July Weekend 2025 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do

Submitted by Katherine Dhurandhar on Fri, 07/04/2025 - 10:23am

Poughkeepsie's fireworks show at Walkway Over the Hudson sets off sparklers viewable all along the Hudson. Photo courtesy of the event

Looking for the best things to do this 4th of July weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

It's the 4th of July weekend, which means fireworks are lighting up the sky in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. Consider visiting one of the many family-friendly fairs and festivals, including the Great American Weekend, Cornwall's 4th of July Celebration, or the Mamaroneck Fireworks Spectacular and Fireman's Carnival.

Katherine Dhurandhar

Latest posts by Katherine

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