Annual Westchester Fall Guide: Festivals, Halloween Events, Apple Picking and More

Note: This article was posted last year and has been updated for Fall 2016, including new events and programs.

Fall has arrived, and so have all the many fall festivals and events. For a lot of people, this is their favorite time of year. What with the cooler temps, changing of leaves and all the amazing foods that abound from fall harvest, plus Halloween awaiting, it’s no wonder people love this season. What’s not to love! Below is a chronological list of the many October goings-on (including apple picking and on-going events at the bottom) in our part of lower Westchester County, NY, as well as a few beyond. Happy Fall!

Harvest Fest at Stone Barns in Pocantico Falls, NY, Saturday, October 1, 10 – 3. Note: Individual tickets are sold out at this crazy popular event! But package tickets are still available (see link above to purchase). With farming and food activities, live music, a turkey parade, hayrides and more at one of Westchester’s most visited farms. Tickets: $40/adults, $20/ages 2 – 15. 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills, NY 10591

Fall Festival at Sheldrake Environmental Center in Larchmont, NY, Sunday, October 16, 1 – 4. Pumpkins, crafts, animals, live music, bake sale and more at Larchmont’s local nature preserve. This year’s highlights include a doggie costume contest, and how to build a bug or fairy house. 685 Weaver Street, Larchmont, NY 10538

Fall Festival at Greenburgh Nature Center in Scarsdale, NY, Sunday, October 16, 11 – 3. This super fun event includes scarecrow building, pumpkin carving, pumpkin painting, cider making, meet the animals, tractor riding and more. Tickets: Before October 16, $5/members, $10/non-members. Day of, $8/members, $15/ non-members.  99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583

Autumn Celebration at Muscoot Farm in Katonah, NY, Sunday, October 16, 12 – 3. Music, games, hay rides, crafts, blacksmithing demonstrations and farmers market at one of Westchester’s most popular farms. 51 Route 100, Katonah, NY 10536

Ragamuffin Parade in Larchmont, NY, Saturday, October 22 (rain date the 29th), 12:30. This Halloween parade epitomizes small town living at its best – starting at the corner of Larchmont and Palmer Aves and walking down Larchmont Avenue to Constitution Park, the local stores and vendors are out and about for some much fun trick or treating. Free hot dogs and water await you at the end! Line-up at 12:30. Walk at 1.

HarvestFest on the Hill at Ridge Hill Shopping Center in Yonkers, NY, Saturday, October 22, 12 – 3. This fall festival has it all – petting zoo, pony rides, live music, pumpkin decorating with Whole Foods, face painting by Sephora, Bubble Station by Wee Westchester, even square dancing. One Ridge Hill Boulevard, Yonkers, NY 10710 (event will take place on Market Street between Cole and Fitzgerald Streets).

Mamaroneck Halloween Spooktacular in Mamaroneck, NY, Sunday, October 23, 10:30 – 4. This annual event is a big attraction, with a costume parade down Mamaroneck Ave, a haunted house in the Stephen E. Johnston pavilion, crafts, games, treats and more. An all day event, here is the line-up: 10:30 – Window Decorating at Robert’s/ 12:00 – Assemble for Parade at Mamaroneck and Halstead Avenues – walk to Harbor/ 1:00 – 4:00 – Harbor Island festivities including Haunted Houses, Hayride, Music, and Kids’ Korner Activities.

Bronxville Children’s Halloween Festival in Bronxville, NY, Sunday, October 23 (rain date the 29th), 12 -4. With carnival rides, pony rides, food, live music and more! Leonard Morange Park, Parkway Road Metro North Station, Bronxville NY 10708

New Rochelle Family Fun Fall Festival II & Merchant’s Urchins Parade in New Rochelle, NY, Saturday, October 29, 9:45 – 12. Line-up for the parade begins at 9:45 at New Street, New Roc City and ends at Ruby Dee Park at Library Green. Treats and Pumpkin-Painting at the BID Grand Market follows.

Pumpkin Carving & Halloween Story Hike at Rye Nature Center in Rye, NY, Saturday, October 29, 1:00. Afternoon begins with pumpkin carving to create a spooky or silly face..continued with a hike on storybook trail, featuring a seasonal children’s book. Pre-registration required. Suggested ages 4+. $10/pumpkin. 873 Boston Post Road, Rye, NY 10580

Howlin’ Halloween at Greenburgh Nature Center in Scarsdale, NY, Sunday, October 30, 4:30 – 7:30. Greenburgh’s own pumpkin blaze – more than 100 pumpkins will be carved and lit up along the trails. Costumes encouraged. Tickets: Before October 30, $5/members, $10/non-members. Day of, $8/members, $15/non-members. 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583

On Going Events

The Great Jack O’ Lantern BLAZE in Cortlandt Manor, NY, September 30 – November 13. This spectacular pumpkin show sells out fast, so purchase tickets now. With more than 7,000 hand-carved illuminated pumpkins, this annual event is a spectacle of a site, and the sheer artistry behind it is enough to make anyone swoon. It’s simply amazing. Tickets: $20/Adults, $16/Children 3-17 (Saturdays, $25/$20). 525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520. You can read more about the Blaze in my full post.

Jay Ghoul’s House of Curiosities at Lyndhurst Mansion in Tarrytown, NY, October 14 – 31. “Where Fairy Tales Get Grimm”: meet the Mad Hatter, Merlin, the Queen of Hearts, Rumpelstiltskin and more on this spooky tour of the first floor and basement of Lyndhurst Mansion. It’s Westchester’s only indoor Halloween event and appropriate for all ages. Tickets: $20/Adults, $18/Children 12 and under on Wednesday – Friday. $25 and $20 Saturdays and Sundays. 635 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591

“Boo at the Zoo” at the Bronx Zoo, weekends in October as well as October 3, 4 and 10. Dress up in costume and head to one of the city’s most popular Halloween events. Costume parade, magic shows, hay maze, arts and crafts, Jack O’ Lantern Illumination are just some of the activities and events that go on. For a full list and times, see website above. 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460

Apple Picking

There are many great farms to go apple picking, many of them with pumpkin picking as well. Below is a list of our personal favorites, along with some others that come highly recommended.

Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard in North Salem, NY

This is one of our favorite farms due to its super fun fall festivals on weekends in September and October. With live music, pony rides, bouncy castles, face painting, hay rides, bbq food, etc. Also some of the best home-made apple cider donuts around. But – **update** – no more apples!! They get picked very quickly at this farm due to its weekend fall festivals. Though it’s a lot of fun, the crowds do descend so if you don’t want a scene, try one of the orchards below. 130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY 10560

Outhouse Orchard in North Salem, NY

Across the street from Harvest Moon is another hugely popular farm. With corn mazes, hay rides and food, it’s fun for the whole family. 139 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY 10560

Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm in Yorktown Heights, NY

With three farm markets, including a bakery and gift shop, this scenic farm offers more than just apple picking. They have peach and pumpkin picking as well. Get there early to avoid the long bakery lines. 1335 White Hill Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598. Read more about the farm in my post on Wilkins.

Stuart’s Farm in Granite Springs, NY

This family-operated farm has been around since 1828 and has some of the best apples around. There is also pumpkin picking, hay rides and delicious baked goods. 62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs, NY 10527

Apple Dave’s Orchards (formerly Applewood Orchards) in Warwick, NY

With live music, puppet shows, wagon rides, face painting and more, this orchard is consistently voted one of the most popular around. There is also a winery adjacent for some grown-up fun. 82 Four Corners Road, Warwick, NY 10990