Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: Festivals, Oktoberfest, Crafts at Lyndhurst and More, Sept. 13-14

9/11/14 - By Susan Miele

We're entering peak season for festivals in Westchester and the Hudson Valley and this weekend is rife with the first batch. This weekend marks the return of Oktoberfest at Bear Mountain, where you can join in the celebration of all things German. Another returning cultural celebration is the Holy Trinity Greek Festival, running through Sunday, with food, dancing, rides and games.

Also back this year are the American Gold Cup, Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst, the Armonk Cider & Donut Festival and the Arts on Third Festival. Also, a new festival is making the scene this year--the first annual Tribes Hill Music Festival at John Jay Homestead, featuring a long lineup of musical performers, a jam session and other fun features.

Two film events are worth noting, both of which run all weekend: The Alamo Plays the Hits Film Series, where you can get jazzed by a big-screen showing of Singin’ in the Rain, and Patema Inverted, a Japanese animated film about friends with opposite gravities.

Read on for details on these and other great events happening this weekend. If you see something that piques your interest, be sure to click through to the listing for full details. And don't forget, our Event Calendar has even more fun happenings this weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

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ALL WEEKEND

Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst - Tarrytown
Celebrate the season Friday through Sunday on the beautiful Hudson River with over 275 artists and crafts people selling their wares, as well as live music, interactive workshops and children’s activities throughout the day. $12 for adults; $4 ages 6-16; 5 and under FREE

Holy Trinity Greek Festival - New Rochelle
Thursday through Sunday, families can head to New Rochelle for some rides, games and a celebration of all things Greek: food/dessert, music and dancing. There are plenty of vendors for clothing, gifts, toys, and jewelry as well. $2 donation; kids under 12 are FREE

Bear Mountain Oktoberfest - Bear Mountain
The annual fall festival of German music, food, beer and vendors galore also offers an easy hike around Hessian Lake. FREE admission; $8 parking fee. 

American Gold Cup - North Salem
This event runs today through Sunday. Enjoy lots of family friendly activities in addition to the horse jumping events, including the JustWorld International horseless horse show for kids, pony rides, celebrity sightings and more. Weekday events are FREE and weekend events are $20 for adults; $15 for kids

The Alamo Plays the Hits Film Series - Yonkers
Catch a showing of Singin' in the Rain on the big screen and introduce your kids to the spectacle of the old-fashioned Hollywood musical and those amazing dance numbers the film is famous for. $12.25 - $15

Patema Inverted - Pleasantville
Catch this animated feature in either English or the original Japanese (with subtitles) about friends who respond to opposite gravities. $7.50-$12

SUNDAY

Arts on Third Festival - Mount Vernon
Celebrate the performing and visual arts, both as a spectator and as a hands-on participant, with this assortment of activities including painting classes, live music and arts and crafts, plus games, rides and more. FREE

Tribes Hill Music Festival - Katonah
Head over to John Jay Homestead for the 1st Annual Tribes Hill Music Festival. Bring your own instruments for a song circle and jam tent with the Shovel Ready String Band, kick back and enjoy the music of 11 other musical acts, dine on locally produced food and drink, enjoy activities for kids and more! $15-$20

Armonk Cider & Donut Festival - Armonk
Get your fix of doughnuts and cider at this annual festival, plus live music and various kids activities. FREE

BEYOND WESTCHESTER

Back for the 88th time is The Annual Feast of San Gennaro, a rite of passage in NYC. The feast, which is held for 11 days beginning Thursday, runs along Mulberry Street in Little Italy. This renowned festival celebrates all things Italian, with food, carnival games, food, religious processions, food, music, food and food. Families with little ones are advised to go earlier in the day to avoid the mob scenes; it can be shoulder-to-shoulder at peak times, making it difficult to navigate and perhaps a bit overwhelming (and a little too easy to get separated). The Grand Procession parade, with floats and marching bands, is held Saturday afternoon. Get your zeppole fix here!

As part of NYC Honey Week (yes, there is such a thing!), the 4th Annual New York City Honey Festival takes place all day Saturday on the boardwalk at Rockaway Beach. The purpose of the festival is to celebrate the important contributions of bees. There’ll be a Be a Bee Parade, kids’ arts and crafts, music, a raffle, the Bee Marketplace and more. Check out the other Honey Week events too (many are for grown-ups!).

Remember to check our event calendar for even more happening this weekend and beyond in Westchester!