Fun, fun, fun!
Live it up with festivals, jack o’lanterns, a tea ceremony, and more.
OH MY GOURD The Blaze begins.
FRI. SEPT. 13
🎃 IT’S BAAAACK The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze opens today. Stroll the grounds of Van Cortland Manor and marvel at thousands of hand-carved pumpkins. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the magical display, which means there will be a giant birthday cake and celebration arch. Other new twists include the Gourd & Goblet tavern, movie monsters that have been pumpkin-ified, and a giant Kraken rising from the murky depths of the Hudson River. Through November 17, 525 S. Riverside Ave, Croton-On-Hudson; entry times vary by date and time slot; to buy tickets, visit here.
ARTFUL SHOPPING Friday is also the kickoff to one of the Insider’s favorite events: Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst 2024. Stroll among artisans selling beautiful homemade wares, including jewelry, kitchenwares, and more. The Lyndhurst mansion and its 67 acres are a lovely backdrop, and concession stands will be present should you need to fuel up. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri. Sept. 13 and Sunday Sept.; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. Sept. 14; 635 South Broadway, Tarrytown; Buy advance tickets here for $6-$13; no charge for kids under six years of age. Tickets purchased on-site will be a few dollars more. For a list of exhibitors, click here.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE KNICK-KNACKS The Fall Crafts show at Lyndhurst features inventive and beautiful creations.
HOW’S ABOUT SOME HOT STUFF? The Greenburgh Nature Center will screen the movie How to Train Your Dragon this evening. Guests will be seated on the Center’s Great Lawn; bring a blanket or chair and arrive early to grab a great spot. A variety of concessions willl be available. Sunset; 99 Dromore Rd., Scarsdale; Admission is free but donations are appreciated.
SAT. SEPT. 14
JAZZ IT UP JazzFest White Plains is back for its 13th year. The joyous five-day festival will feature performances all around town, with a little poetry added in for good measure, so to speak. JazzFest 2024, Sept. 11-15; festival runs through Sunday; prices and venues differ. Design your ideal experience by selecting tickets a la carte here.
WAX ON If you haven’t been to a Candlelight concert, give it a try. The company specializes in making music a sensory experience; musicians play onstage while surrounded by faux candles. This week’s concert in White Plans centers around neo-soul faves from legendary musicians, 8:30 p.m.; 1 North Broadway #111, White Plains; tickets range from $38.50-$51.50. The most expensive seats are sold out already, so act soon. Click here to book.
WE’LL GET TOGETHER THEN In an homage to Harry Chapin, two generations of his family will gather at the Tarrytown Music Hall to perform some of his works. Expect to hear “Cat’s In The Cradle” and lots of other gems, such as “Mr. Tanner” and “Taxi.” 13 Main St., Tarrytown, NY; 8:30 p.m.; tickets are $40 and up; click here to buy.
SUN. SEPT. 15
TURN OVER A NEW LEAF Early risers, head over to Untermeyer’s Gardens for a morning tea ceremony. You’ll explore tea—eight kinds in all—and learn how it calms the mind and connects us to nature. 8:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m., but arrive by 7:45 to allow time to walk to the site; Untermeyer Gardens, 945 N. Broadway, Yonkers; tickets are $43 including fees; click here to buy.
EXTRATERRESTRIAL EXPLORATION Is there intelligent life on other planets—and if we find it, what will we think of our new neighbors? We Are Aliens, a 25-minute planetarium show at the Hudson River Museum, takes a look at how such a scenario might unfold. (If the narrator sounds familiar, you’re right: He’s Rupert Grint from the Harry Potter films.) 3:30 p.m.; Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers; tickets range from free to $20; click here to buy.
THE FARMER IN THE ’DALE What’s better than some fun right in town? The Scarsdale Farmer’s Market is waiting for you to come and shop. This week, you’ll find artisan bakery Wave Hill Breads, the Cano Coffee Company, Mr. Pickle, and other great vendors. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Spencer Place at Chase Rd., admission is free.
SAVE THE DATE…
Your little ones are going to love this event at The Leffell School.
PARTY ON The Lefell School is having a Family Fun Event on Sunday, September 22nd. This one’s for the little folks—babies through preschoolers. In addition to outdoor fun, there will be cotton candy, sensory tables, and more. 2:00 p.m-3:30 p.m.; 30 Dellwood Road. RSVP here.
Do you believe in magic? Noah Levine astonishes audiences.
ABRA CADABRA this event will reach out and grab ya. Magician Noah Levine (Magic After Hours, Speakeasy Magick, The Magic Castle) will lead audience members through an astounding evening. In the atmospheric Hudson Valley Writers Center, he’ll intersperse stories of spooky coincidences with sleight-of-hand. Please bring a set of keys for…um…probably magic. Suggested age 12 and up. Tickets for the September show are sold out, so get yours for October now. 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; Hudson Valley Writers Center, 300 Riverside Dr., Sleepy Hollow; tickets $65; purchase them here.
Events subject to change; not responsible for errors.