Westchester’s Winter Wonderland returns to Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla on Friday, November 29 at 5 p.m. for its sixth exciting season. Starting the day after Thanksgiving, the festive celebration takes place six consecutive weekends through January 4, 2020, plus weekday bonus days during the school holiday. For one $20 all-inclusive ticket price, guests can enjoy unlimited access to Santa’s Village, amusement rides, a live circus performance, ice skating rink plus free skate rental, a dazzling holiday light show featuring favorite elves Ned and Albert, and one of Westchester’s tallest (40ft) lighted Christmas Tree.
One lucky Macaroni Kid subscriber will win a family 4-pack of tickets to Westchester's Winter Wonderland. Click HERE to enter to win!
New this year is the addition of Santa’s Village at the North Pole with live reindeer. Parents can take their own photos or jump in to take a family selfie. Visitors can also visit live reindeer, mail letters to Santa, and see the real-life frozen “North Pole,” a total Santa experience!
The heated double-poled, yellow and red striped Winter Wonderland Holiday Circus tent presents up to five performances nightly, with thrilling circus acts that will entertain and delight children of all ages. New acts this year include Motorcycle Thrill Drivers in the Giant Thunder Dome reaching speeds of 55 miles an hour; Miss Perla the Human Pretzel contortionist; the skills of Senor Soto on the glittering trapeze; and circus legend Greg DeSanto, one-time Director of Clowning on the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus. DeSanto is originally from Eastchester, NY and was just elected President of the International Clown Hall of Fame.
New rides will be added to FUNderland Village, including a 55-ft high Ferris Wheel. Kids will have unlimited access to eight rides total including: Winter Hay Ride, Wonderland Train Ride, Holiday Carousel, 40ft high heated Fun Slide, Holly Jolly Dragons, Pony Sleighs and Tubs of Fun. Lights of Wonder, sponsored by Verizon, will feature favorite elves Ned and Albert and holiday music! Magical displays include angels, snowflakes, elves tossing wrapped holiday gifts and a message of good will towards all. Guests can also skate away on Westchester Winter Wonderland’s huge ice rink, the same size as NYC Rockefeller Center. (Skate rentals are free). Pose for photos in front of Westchester’s largest lighted Christmas Tree; or take a break from the cold to enjoy food and refreshments in the heated Wegman’s Holiday Dining Tent. Beer and Wine is available for purchase for those 21 and older including a special Captain Lawrence Brew called Red Nose Ale, available only at Westchester’s Winter Wonderland.
2019 Days & Hours of Operation, Fri, Nov 29 - Sat, Jan 4.
- Friday 11/29/2019 – Sun 12/22/2019
- Fridays – 5 to 10 p.m.
- Saturdays – 4 to 10 p.m.
- Sundays – 4 to 9 p.m.
Monday 12/23/2019 – Saturday 1/4/2020
- Monday-Friday – 5 to 10 p.m.
- Saturday/Sunday – 4 to 10 p.m. *Opens one hour early at 4 p.m.
- CLOSED: Tuesday, Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve & Wednesday, Dec. 25 – Christmas Day
The 2019 Calendar of Events:
- Friday, November 29 – Official Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. Sponsored by Robison Oil.
- Friday, December 6 – Toys for Tots Night. Bring an bring an unwrapped toy and one child 12 and under receives free admission with one paying adult.
- Friday, December 13 – Camp Morty Night. Bring new or gently used sports equipment and one child 12 and under receives free admission with one paying adult.
- Friday, December 20 - Veterans and First Responders Night. Veterans, Active Duty and First Responders receive discounted admission for $15.
- Tuesday, December 31 – Family Friendly New Year’s Ever Celebration. The whole family can celebrate New Year’s Eve with a ball drop and pyrotechnic display at 7 p.m. Sponsored by M&T Bank.
Special themed character nights will take place on Sundays throughout the season. The park opens an hour earlier at 4 p.m. on Sundays to accommodate little ones. Characters will mingle in the heated Wegman’s Dining Tent on the following nights.
- Sunday, December 1 – Character Night
- Sunday, December 8 - Character Night
- Sunday, December 15 – Character Night
- Sunday, December 22 – Character Night
- Sunday, December 29 – Character Night
For the sixth straight year, Westchester Medical Center is the host of the circus and presenting partner of the annual event, which kicks off on Friday, November 29 at 5 p.m. The official tree lighting ceremony will start at 6 p.m. led by County Executive George Latimer and Westchester Parks Foundation Executive Director Joe Stout and sponsored by Robison Oil. New platinum sponsors for 2019 include Wegman’s and Verizon. They will be joined by returning platinum sponsors Con Edison and Party Line Rentals and M&T Bank, sponsor of the family-friendly New Year’s Eve Ball Drop on December 31.
For those traveling from NYC or North, Metro North is offering a special getaway package to take the train to Winter Wonderland. Guests must purchase your rail/admission ticket from any Metro-North ticket office or full-service ticket vending machine (excluding Valhalla Station). Riders will be directed to take the Harlem Line to Valhalla Station. From there it's just a short walk to the Kensico Dam Plaza where the event takes place.
Proceeds from this event benefit WPF and allow the organization to advocate for and invest in the preservation, conservation, use, and enjoyment of the 18,000 acres of parks, trails, and open spaces within the Westchester County Parks system.
For complete information and to purchase tickets, visit www.wwinterwonderland.com.
