#things to do in the Hudson Valley

The Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze returns!

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Rising up from the grounds of a historic Hudson Valley mansion is a Halloween display that transports you into a magical world. Your walk through the grounds is filled with the artistry of over 7000 carved pumpkins that have been curated into a fantasy of light and sound.

The ultimate fall experience in the Hudson Valley has returned.  The Great Jack O Lantern Blaze kicks off the fall season and runs through November  16th.   A great event for all ages. 

Located on the grounds of an 18th-century estate on the banks of the Croton River in Westchester, Van Cortlandt Manor is perfect setting this popular event.  Enter through an arched gate of lit and carved pumpkins along dark paths lit with.  The mood has been set for an event like no other.

Artists have been at hard at work carving lanterns thousands of pumpkins and transforming this historic site into a magical Halloween world.  Guests will marvel at the pumpkin lit tunnel, the bridges, and other features such as the giant spider web and the smoke bellowing dragon, all crafted with lit Jack O’ Lanterns.

Visitors will enjoy a dazzling display of, flowers, fish, Celtic designs, traditional jack O’ Lanterns, The Headless Horseman, ghosts, scarecrows, dinosaurs, and so much more.

The Ferris wheel, the carnival side show and the Day of The Dead have all returned and the carrousel is truly an inspiring spectacle.  As you wind toward the end you come to the manor house itself which puts on a dazzling light display

New this year you can go over the rainbow with the massive new, WICKEDLY fun emerald-hued storybook pumpkin dreamscape

Stop by the Headless Horsemen Hideaway for spooky sips and haunting visits from the Horseman himself.  Great photo ops!

Returning Favorites fall-themed sweets and snacks at the courtyard snack stand .And of course the Blaze gift shop to find exclusive souvenirs and local finds.

Stop by and see the Headless Horseman himself and enjoy a cocktail.

This is the perfect event to celebrate the fall season right in the Hudson Valley!

. Proceeds from your ticket purchase support the education and preservation efforts of Historic Hudson Valley.

For tickets and more information: https://pumpkinblaze.org/blaze-hudson-valley.html

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Upcoming shows at the Paramount Hudson Valley in Peekskill

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The Parmount Hudson Valley is a fantastic restored theater and a fantastic venue here in Westchester County.   There is always a variety of fantastic entertainment for everyone.  Here are some of the great shows coming soon to this iconic theater

The Sixties Show – Saturday September 27th.  The Paramount Hudson Valley invites you to experience the ultimate 1960s musical re-creation concert and multi-media spectacle. Get ready to be transported back to the 1960s! This award-winning, cross-generational extravaganza is more than just a concert—it’s a dazzling Broadway-style production that transports you straight to the heart of the iconic 1960s. With note-for-note re-creations of the greatest hits, B-sides, and deep album cuts, all performed live, The Sixties Show brings the era’s sound to life. 

Mandy Patinkin in Concert:  Jukebox – Saturday October 4th   Tony-winning Broadway legend, Emmy-winning TV star, renowned for creating timeless characters in movies such as The Princess Bride, Yentl, and Dick Tracy — Mandy Patinkin presents his new show, Mandy Patinkin in Concert: JUKEBOX.

With Adam Ben-David on piano, JUKEBOX features Mandy’s own hand-picked collection of classic musical numbers, expressed as only he can through a unique mastery of word and song..This show will begin promptly at 8 PM and late seating will be done at House Manager’s discretion.

Bronx Tale Friday October 10th  Bronx-born and raised Chazz Palminteri wrote the play,  A Bronx Tale . The powerful one-man stage play depicted his childhood in the 1960s Bronx  which included witnessing a gangland killing outside his house when he was nine years old. Palminteri plays 18 characters and brought them all to life in his autobiographical play. His friends, enemies and family came alive on stage.   The play would later become a major motion picture directed by and starring Robert DiNiro and Chazz Palminteri.  We have seen this one man play in the past and it is a theatrical event not to be missed.

Hollywood Nights-the Bob Seger Experience Saturday October 11th  Get ready to rock out with Hollywood Nights – The Bob Seger Experience! This high-energy 9-piece band from New Jersey delivers an authentic tribute to Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, bringing Seger’s unforgettable hits to life, including classics like “Main Street” “Night Moves,” “Turn the Page,” “Against the Wind,” and “Old Time Rock & Roll.” Hollywood Nights perfectly captures the energy of Seger’s raspy vocals and the rock and roll energy that defined his performances. If you missed a Bob Segar concert, this is a chance to experience the next best thing

Paramount Hudson Valley

For tickets and information https://paramounthudsonvalley.com/

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Great new live shows coming to the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater

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A great line up of live entertainment is coming soon to the historic Paramount Theater in Peekskill. 

Super 70s Show  July 25th at 8PM

The Super 70’s Rock Show is an high energy, immersive concert experience featuring the  70s rock and radio hits that defined a generation .  The show is performed with stunning musicianship and a cutting-edge visual production that brings the sights and sounds of the ’70s roaring back to life. Sounds like a great time!

JIMMY KENNY BAND- THE ULTIMATE BEACH PARTY TRIBUTE TO JIMMY BUFFETT, KENNY CHESNEY AND THE ZAC BROWN BAND August 23 at 8pm

Let’s keep the party going! The Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band have been celebrating the beach/ country sounds of Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band, up and down the Northeast coast, Maine for over 15 years, providing a wonderful mix of their popular sing-along hits and feel good, easy living vibes!  This is a great way to celebrate summer with this tribute to the king of island cool, Jimmy Buffett.

If you like your toes in the sand, wasting away with a margarita or a cold beer on a Friday night, then you’ll love having a great time with the Jimmy Kenny Band!

The Sixties Show- The Greatest 1960’s Musical Re-Creation Show on Earth

September 27, 2025 at 8:00 PM

This looks to be an amazing night at the Paramount.  What makes The Sixties Show truly unique is its flawless attention to detail. From the use of authentic vintage instruments and 1960s mod costumes to its cutting-edge multimedia presentation, this immersive experience goes beyond a simple re-enactment. Time-travel special effects, archival audio and footage, and a stunning light show transport you directly into the spirit of the ‘60s, making you feel as if you’re living the moment, not just watching it. The band, featuring current and former members of The Who, John Fogerty’s Creedence Clearwater Revival, and more, deliver an electrifying performance that resonates with fans of all ages.  Do not miss this musical experience!!

Ancient Aliens Live November 08, 2025 at 7:30 PM

The ninety-minute live experience celebrates the long-running program Ancient Aliens on The HISTORY Channel and features leading Ancient Astronaut theorist Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, investigative mythologist William Henry, UK government UFO investigator Nick Pope, and ancient civilizations expert, Jason Martell, as they discuss thought-provoking extraterrestrial theories on fan-favorite topics from Ancient Egypt, ruins in Central and South America and other ancient mysteries found around the globe.  This exploration of the Ancient Astronaut theory will be a thought provoking evening for all even if you have not seen the hit television series.  Photo op packages are available to attendees.

For tickets and information. https://paramounthudsonvalley.com/events/

Paramount Hudson Valley Theater

1008 Brown Street, Peekskill NY 10566

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“The Weir”, ghost stories with an Irish twist on stage in Sleepy Hollow 3/14 and 3/15

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Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, an Irish play will be presented in Sleepy Hollow.  The play“The Weir”  is written by Conor McPherson in 1997. It was first produced at The Royal Court Theatre in London and has been presented around the world and off Broadway

The setting of the play is in a pub in Ireland.  At the pub a group of men gathered to drink and share supernatural stories with a newly arrived woman.  The title “weir” refers to a small dam on a local river. The Weir is a symbol of the isolation of their community, while the the ghost stories they tell is but a way to connect and reveal deeper truths about themselves in this quiet village.

The play is produced by Lovely Calamity Productions and the shows are on Friday March 14, and Saturday March 15th .  The play will be presented at Hudson Valley Writer’s Center  300 Riverside Dr. Sleepy Hollow, NY.

For tickets: https://www.lovelycalamity.com

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Caramoor delivers a diverse music filled summer season

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Caramoor is one of the premier live music venues in Westchester County and the surrounding area.  If you believe that Caramoor presents only classical music, then you will be pleasantly surprised.  Blues, jazz, folk, world, and bluegrass join classical music as some of the many offerings.

Situated on the former Rosen estate in Katonah, this picturesque property consists of several different venues.  There is the casual outdoor Friends Field which hosts lawn concerts.  The Venetian Theater is a large tented space which hosts some of Caramoor’s more larger concerts.

There are also smaller more intimate spaces including the indoor “Music Room” inside the Rosen house, the “Spanish Courtyard” an elegant setting that is part  of the main house, and the “Sunken Garden”.

Hear are some upcoming events for June 2024 which you should consider attending:

Saturday June 22:  Jazz at Lincoln  Center with Wynton Marsalis  (Venetian Theater)

Sunday June 23:  Chamber Fest (classical) (Venitian Theater)

Thursday June 27: Abeo Quartet  (Classical) (Spanish Courtyard)

Friday June 28:  Roomful of Teeth (vocalists) (Friends Field)

Saturday June 29:  American Roots Music Festival (various artists and genres) (throughout the property)

Caramoor also features guided house tours, afternoon tea and meditation.  A free shuttle brings guests to and from the Katonah Metro North station on concert days.

For more information and tickets:

https://caramoor.org/

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photos by Caramoor. Spanish Courtyard photo credit, Caramoor and Gabe Palacio

Festival Of Lights returns to Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard through December 31st.

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Follow the lit path through a fantasy land of lights and sound.

The fantastic Festival of Lights has returned to Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard in North Salem.  This is a great way to experience the holiday season. 

The orchard is has been  transformed into a wonderland of lights.  You begin at the bottom of the hill and walk through a tunnel of light.  The apple trees are wrapped in thousands of lights as your path winds you up hill. There is a special “under the sea” section this year with lighted fish, mermaids, octopus, and a spectacular display of jellyfish that float overhead.  Hidden speakers play the sound of running water.

Higher up the hill there are special light displays, farm tractors decorated in lights, and other interactive displays.  At the summit you  can enjoy the view back down the hill of the lights. Here is a great place to take a break and purchase a drink of cider or hot chocolate.

Harvest Moon states that there is over 500,000 lights in the display this year.   The trail is roughly one half mile long from start to finish and you can take your time enjoying the display.  The adventure continues as you make your way down hill past a snow globe, shooting star and much more.  As you conclude your magical tour, a tunnel of blue lights is the final step.  Back at the farm, grab a seat by the bonfire or inside the tent and enjoy some of the food and beverages for sale including giant pretzels, cider donuts, hot chocolate or some Hardscrabble Hard Cider.

The tunnel of blue light

Wear proper footwear for walking and dress warm.

For tickets and information: https://harvestmoonfarmandorchard.com/festival-of-lights

Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard

130 Hardscrabble Rd. North Salem NY, 10560

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Rhinebeck Car Show returns May 5th to May 7th

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A great local car show returns to the Hudson Valley on May 5th-7th 2023.  The Hudson Valley Antique Auto Association presents the Rhinebeck Car Show 2023 at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in beautiful Rhinebeck New York

The event kicks off the classic car show season in our area.  Spectators from all over the Hudson Valley and the Northeast attend this yearly show. 

The event spans three days and opens Friday May 5th with an automotive swap meet with vendors selling classic auto parts and more.  There is even a “Car Corral” where you can view and purchase a classic car.

Saturday features an all Hot Rod and Custom car show.  The show field will be filled with an amazing collection of custom cars. 

Classic and antique autos will be in the spotlight on Sunday as the field will be filled with beautiful classics.  There will be 60 different awards for the numerous categories of classic cars.

There is plenty of free parking and food available for purchase on the grounds.  The Rhinebeck Car Show is a great event right here in the beautiful Hudson Valley. After the show you can visit the beautiful village of Rhinebeck with great shops and places to dine.

For more information: http://www.rhinebeckcarshow.com

Dutchess County Fairgrounds
Route 9 (6550 Spring Brook Ave.)
Rhinebeck, NY

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Felice County Fair features live bands, food and craft beer at Arrowood Farm Brewery in the Catskills. Saturday October 1st.

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Here is a fun event this weekend.  Take a ride to  Arrowood Farm Brewery in Accord New York, Ulster County.  The farm is an easy 90 minute drive from Northern Westchester County and lies just west of New Paltz New York in the beautiful Hudson Valley.

This year’s Felice County Fair will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Arrowood Farm Brewery.  The festival and will feature artists performing on one stage in addition to great local food vendors, craft beer, and other activities.

Unique and Collaborative Sets Featuring Performances by CONOR OBERST · THE FELICE BROTHERS · HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF · EVAN STEPHENS HALL (PINEGROVE) · HALEY HEYNDERICKX · AL OLENDER · and  WILLIAM LAWRENCE. plus additional special guests.

The Felice Brothers are a country/rock band from the Catskills, and have released several albums.  Hurray for the Riff Raff describes its genre of music as “Americana” and they are from New Orleans.  The band is headed by lead singer Alynda Segarra, and has released 10 albums since 2007.

It sounds like a great day in the country with live bands, food and of course the great craft beer from Arrowood Farm Brewery.

Please check out this link for more information, tickets, what and what not to bring etc.

Link to festival >> http://www.felicecountyfair.com

Arrowood will be hosting other events during the fall, so check their website .

Felice County Fair at:

Arrowood Farm Brewery

236 Lower Whitfield Rd, Accord, NY 12404 http://www.arrowoodfarms.com

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Hearts of the Hollow, a new musical based on the Legend of Sleepy Hollow now on stage in Carmel

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A new musical has opened right here in the Hudson Valley.  Hearts of the Hollow is a musical adaptation of the classic short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” written by Washington Irving.  Irving was one of America’s first well known authors and was a  resident of Tarrytown, New York.

Set in the early 1800’s in the rolling farmlands around Tarrytown, the famous tale involves a Hessian soldier who was killed during  the Revolutionary war, and his head was separated from his corpse.  The Headless Horseman as he is known terrorizes the countryside and its residents searching for his lost head.

The residents of the area live in fear of the mysterious horseman.  But life in the Hollow goes on with crops to harvest, school to teach, and of course romance. 

Hearts of the Hollow is a two act, 20 song musical with music and lyrics by Patricia White, and score by Mo Khoder.  Patricia White also wrote the play and served as producer.  She was inspired by a live reading of the story and thought it would make a fine musical.  She was correct.

All the main characters from the original tale are here as well as some new characters.   The story mixes they mystery and spookiness of the original tale and adds the lightness of romance, and learning to follow your heart. 

The cast includes Yasmin Ranz-Lind as Katrina Van Tassel, Wayne Hu as her father, Justin Witwick  as Ichabod Crane, DaShaun Williams as Brom Bones, as well as 9 other actors.  The crafting of the tale goes from the macabre to the lighthearted, and the songs are crafted to fit the mood. You will be alarmed when the Headless Horseman himself finally enters the theater and surprises the audience. Such fun!

Part of the magic of the show is the use of a projection screen as the background which changes the setting to farmland, to house interiors, to even a fog filled forest.  It was very effective.  The cast also moves down the center aisle of the theater bringing the action into the audience. The songs included “City Life” which the audience was singing and humming outside at intermission. The finale which included the whole ensemble, “Looking up” wowed the audience into a standing ovation.

The venue is inside the Whipple-Feely Chapel in Carmel, a 19th century church and is the perfect stage for this production. This is just the right play to get you in the Halloween spirit!

This special seasonal event takes place in Carmel, NY at the Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park inside the historical Whipple-Feely Chapel.  Shows run every weekend from September 9 to October 31, 2022.  Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm.  On Monday, October 31, there will be a special Halloween performance at 8 pm. Arrive in costume on Halloween to be eligible to win a prize!  

Hearts of the Hollow takes place at The Whipple-Feeley Chapel located at The Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park

201 Gipsy Trail Road, Carmel, NY 10512

Dates: Every weekend from September 9 – October 31, 2022

For tickets and information, please visit: https://www.heartsofthehollow.com/

Director: Jennifer Sandella

Choreographer: Paul Aguirre

Book: Patricia White, Mo Khoder

Music & Lyrics: Mo Khoder, Patricia White

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You should be Dancing! Saturday Night Fever comes to the Westchester Broadway Theater stage

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Saturday Night Fever,the musical comes to the Westchester Broadway Theater stage.  This musical adaption of the 1977 movie which starred John Travolta was adapted for the stage and premiered in London in 1998 and on Broadway in 2000.  It has enjoyed numerous tours, and revivals around the world.  It now comes to Westchester and runs through January 29, 2017.

The story (inspired by  a 1975 article in New York Magazine by Nik Cohn) follows the life of 19 year old Tony Manero (Jacob Tischler) of Brooklyn, who lives with his family in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.  He is stuck in a job with no future and is caught up in the economic malaise that was the late 1970s.  With his father laid off from his job and his brother questioning his path into the priesthood, Tony and his friends turn to dancing as their escape.

We follow Tony’s exploits as he displays his talents on the floor of the 2001 Odyssey club where he absorbs the admiration of his fellow club goers.  Here he meets Stephanie Mangano (Alexandra Matteo) a 20 year old dancer who has moved away from the neighborhood to Manhattan where she is looking to transform herself.  Tony is intrigued by her dancing ability and her boldness in leaving Brooklyn and her old life behind.  They find as they practice for a dance contest that they have more in common then they originally thought.

 

Tony’s gang of friends and his family are all woven into the story as well as Tony discovers he really is “going nowhere” and must make decisions about his future.

The musical score including all the Bee Gees hits (“Staying Alive”, “Jive Talking”, “You should be Dancing”, Night Fever” ) are all here including songs not in the movie.  The arrangements of some of the songs have been changed which makes them fresh and more interesting and in some cases the lyrics have more impact in the context of the story.

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Set design by Michael Bottari makes full use of the WBT stage and included are a bridge which spans the back of the stage and frames the story, the Manero’s kitchen which appears from below and then disappears below stage, the disco, and other locals from the story.

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The cast is large with both main players and ensemble singer/dancers.  Michelle Dawson who last appeared in Man of La Mancha returns to the WBT stage  lends her vocal talents to several musical numbers including “Nights on Broadway”.  Lead actors Jacob Tischler and Alexandra Matteo are excellent in every aspect of their performance and the chemistry between them is quite convincing.  Directed by Richard Stafford who does an excellent job bring the characters to life.

All in all a fun musical that is family friendly and is a treat not just for fans of the film but anyone who enjoys a story of struggle,self discovery  and of course great dancing.

Get out your dancing shoes and boogie over to the Westchester Broadway Theater in Elmsford.

(all photos provided by Westchester Broadway Theater)

Tickets (includes dinner) run from $56 to $84 depending on performance date chosen.

For tickets:  

tel:  914 592-2222

http://www.broadwaytheater.com

Westchester Broadway Theater

One Broadway Plaza  Elmsford New York

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