Weekend Fun for Westchester Kids: Renaissance Faire, Comedy Night, Sand Castle Competition, August 1-2

7/29/15 - By Susan Miele

As we welcome August, we also usher in a whole slew of new fun activities for Westchester and Hudson Valley families! You'll feel like you've traveled the globe (and back in time) after attending the beloved New York Renaissance Faire, which returns this weekend, the Native American Heritage Celebration or the Indian Heritage Festival.

For an ornithological good time, head to Bear Mountain for the Bird Festival, and move over sand painting—here comes the annual Sand Castle Competition.

Read on for more details on our top weekend picks, and view our hot-off-the-press August Go List for our best bets for the whole month. Be sure to also check out the many weekday and weekend events we've captured in our Event Calendar—where you'll find no shortage of fun things to do the rest of the summer!

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All Weekend

New York Renaissance Faire - Tuxedo Park
This weekend kicks off this popular annual festival, which features silly fun engendered by lively thespians in period costume bellowing around the grounds. Enjoy games, rides, arts, crafts, food, music and dance. Watch jousting tournaments, meet Robin Hood, enroll in pirate school and marvel at the jugglers, musicians, performances and more.

Native American Heritage Celebration - Stony Point
Ever visit a real teepee? Taste authentic Native American cuisine? These opportunities and more await you at this annual festival. Time your visit to include the Native American dance performances.

Orange County Fair – Middletown
Demolition Derbies, stock-car racing and the Kangaroo Experience are just some of the less-traditional features of this otherwise traditional fair. This weekend is your last chance to go. Daily through Sunday.

Saturday, August 1

Sand Castle Competition - New Rochelle
Form a team with family and friends and test your skills at sculpting in sand, as you compete for a trophy prize in this annual tournament. Whether castles, skyscrapers or any other artistic creation, your best entry is wanted!

The Doctor Is In! - Ossining
A wildlife rehabilitator shares stories of animals she’s nursed back to health, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own stuffed wildlife—boo-boos and all.

The National Comedy Theatre - Yonkers
Improvisational comedy has the audience directing the performers’ antics, which makes for hilarious good fun! FREE

Bird Festival - Bear Mountain
Visit the bald eagle, owls, hawks, turkeys and vultures. Family-friendly activities include Bird Olympics, Great Migration Challenge and more.

See all Saturday events.

Sunday, August 2

The Long Migration - Scarsdale
Join a naturalist to learn about birds of prey and get to know some local migrants. Did you know the Arctic Tern’s annual migration route covers over 25,000 miles?

Heritage of India Festival - Valhalla
Immerse your family in Indian culture as you enjoy dance performances, live music, food, vendors and more.

See all Sunday events.

Beyond Westchester

A seven-mile stretch of Manhattan roads becomes a promenade this Saturday. Summer Streets not only frees up open space for strolling, biking and scootering, but also includes activities along the way—including a 270-foot-long water slide, cycling lessons, public art and a 165-foot-long zip line—to name just a few highlights. Advance registration is essential, so sign up as soon as you read this! The event repeats August 8 and 15 as well, so you’ll have three opportunities to take part.

This is the last weekend to catch Skippyjon Jones Snow What (& the 7 Chihuahuas), a silly twist on “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” involving popular children’s book character Skippyjon Jones and his identity crisis (he’s a Siamese cat who believes he’s a Mexican Chihuahua). Performances end August 7.

Don't forget--there are more ideas for fun family outings in our Events Calendar.