First and foremost, Happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate. In this weeks Peekskill Weekend Roundup we cover a few events outside of the Peekskill limits, but the full fun really occurs within the City borders from the Clay Studio Winter Market to HoliYAY where you can buy holiday gift to Wreaths Across America and Luminaria remembrance memorials, to music music everywhere from the Presbyterian Church to the Bean Runner, Gleason’s, and even John Tesh and the Nutcracker at the Paramount. Peekskill will be buzzing with Festive Holiday events.

This week we are also asking that readers take pictures of their best outdoor holiday lights and displays and send them to us with the address as we hope to make a map of some of the best Peekskill Holiday Light Displays. Email them to [email protected]. 

FRIDAY December 8, 2023 

10:00 am – 4:00 pm  Holidays on the Hill Train Show at Lasdon Park 

No need to go to the NYS Botanical Gardens in the Bronx for the Train Show when we have one right here in Westchester, and its much cheaper! Westchester County and the Friends of Lasdon Park present: Holidays on the Hill Annual Train Show at Lasdon Park. The Conservatory Plaza will be transformed into a winter wonderland, featuring whimsical holiday exhibits leading to the Conservatory. Once inside, you will be surrounded by trains chugging along twelve multi-level tracks, over bridges, through tunnels, under waterfalls and by quaint holiday scenes all framed with colorful seasonal plants and decorations! Santa will be waiting to hear the wishes from the children. Children can leave drop letters to Santa at the Elf Post Office or give it to the man himself during their visit! The cost is $20 for Adults, Seniors (62+) $15, Children (2-12) $10 and free for children ages up to 24 months. The Lasdon Park Train Show will occur every Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm until December 24.

SATURDAY December 9, 2023

9:00 am – 10:30 am Saturday Morning Hike at Croton Point Park

Just a hop, skip, and jump down the road from Peekskill is Croton Point Park. Croton Point Park is 508-acre park that is situated on a peninsula on the east shore of the Hudson River is part of the Westchester County Parks System. For this event, organized by the Croton Historical Society, join Croton Point Park Naturalist John Phillips and Village of Croton Historian Marc Cheshire as they lead a hike on Saturday, December 9, at 9:00 am to explore Croton Point’s history, natural history, archaeology and geology. This free hike will last roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Sturdy footwear is recommended. Attendees should meet at the gate to the RV park, where parking is available.

11:00 am – 3:00 pm Cortlandt/Croton Repair Café at the Croton Municipal Building

The first-ever Cortlandt/Croton Repair Cafe will take place on Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm in the Croton Municipal Building Community Room located at 1 Van Wyck St. in Croton-on-Hudson. Repair Cafés are free community events where you bring your broken but beloved items and volunteer repair coaches help you fix them! Check out the Peekskill Herald article: Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony & Repair Cafe come to Cortlandt this week.

11:00am – 4:00 pm Winter Market at Clay Studios

This Saturday and Sunday, December 9th and 10th, you can make those dreams happen when Peekskill Clay Studios at The Hat Factory hosts their annual Winter Market from 11am to 4pm! With one-of-a-kind handmade original unique pieces, anyone who buys a piece (or a few) will know that the pieces were made in Peekskill at the hands of a potter. All the works at the Winter Market expresses the style of each potter and uses a variety of firing methods. Pieces include mugs, cups, bowls, vases, pots, plates, and much more. The best part is that everything is reasonably priced with items ranging from $10-$150 so everyone can take home something unique and made with love. Handmade pottery makes a perfect gift! Check out the Peekskill Herald article: Peekskill Clay Studios offers one-of-a-kind pieces at Winter Market.

12:00 pm Wreaths Across America Ceremony at the Assumption Cemetery

On Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 12:00 p.m., the Peekskill American Legion Post 274 invites all to attend a ceremony at the Assumption Cemetery on Oregon Road in Cortlandt Manor, to honor those killed in action as well as other local veterans for the holiday season. Starting at 9 a.m., wreaths will be placed on the headstones throughout the cemetery of those who served in the Armed Forces. This annual event honors veterans and advances the Wreaths Across America mission to “Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom. To ensure that the memory of those who served our nation along with their deeds and sacrifices endures.” The purpose of the program is to make sure that “No matter where they served or how, Wreaths Across America strives to ensure that no one is forgotten.” And that is the tradition that Peekskill American Legion Post Commander John Donohue holds dear to his heart.

Check out the story by the Peekskill Herald: Peekskill Honors those who have passed away at two memorial events set for December 9th.

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm HoliYAY! Market at the Peekskill Train Station

Peekskill’s outdoor holiday market is back at Railroad Ave this year from noon to 4 p.m. on December 9th and 10th and it is bigger and better than ever! HoliYAY! is a maker’s market featuring local and regional creative craftspeople, wellness practitioners, chefs, curators, and artisans of all types: bakers, ceramicists, apothecaries, jewelers, florists, chocolatiers, illustrators, printmakers, woodworkers, crafters, glass artists, candle makers, vintage apparel, and so much. There will be over 39 vendors each day (50 in total over the 2 day weekend) who will be showcasing some of the most brilliant locally-owned brands in our region. In addition, the HoliYAY! Market will have community tables including Arts10566(who helped facilitate the event), Peekskill Walks, the Peekskill Rotary Club (who will be hosting a literacy table and giving away free books for children and teens), and a gift wrapping station sponsored by Retake Remake. Check out the Peekskill Herald article: Shop the day away at the HoliYAY Market. 

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Luminaria Memorial

For the third year in a row, the Dorsey-Carlone Funeral Home will hold a Luminaria Memorial on December 9, 2023 from 4-6pm. A Luminaria Memorial is a remembrance service for families who the funeral home served throughout the past two years. It has grown over the years and now includes the entire community and anyone who wishes to participate to honor and remember loved ones. It was during the covid pandemic, and winter of 2020, when no one could join together for funerals that the idea sparked for Funeral Director Stephanie Carlone. “What if we could remember and honor those who have passed using luminaries to remember them? ” Carlone says, “It was completely outdoors and people could walk around or drive by, find their person’s luminaria and be able to reflect.” The Luminaria Memorial event has extended out to the wider community for anyone who is looking for support and every year it evolves a little more. Carlone says, “this year we’ve expanded to having the building open, have small refreshments, and have a reflection at 4:30 pm led by Rev. Margery Rossi, a Presbyterian minister and local Peekskill resident.”

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm John Tesh – “A Jazzy Swingin’ Christmas” at the Paramount Hudson Valley

6 time Emmy award winning, 4 time Gold Album, and 2 time Grammy nominated musician, John Tesh, will bring down the house this Saturday in A JAZZY SWINGIN’ CHRISTMAS. Tesh uses a 7-piece band that includes a 3-piece horn section performing a timeless Christmas and holiday favorites along with highlights from his 2011 album “Big Band Christmas” and renowned originals from his catalogue along with personal stories and photos of his life and career that led him from local radio to hosting Entertainment tonight, to a musical career with one of the top PBS specials of all time. Tickets range from $45-75 each. For tickets visit the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater.

SUNDAY December 10, 2023

11:00am – 4:00 pm Winter Market at Clay Studios

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm HoliYAY! Market at the Train Station 

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm This Could Get Ugly: A Festive Holiday Event at Gleason’s

Unleash your inner festive spirit at Gleason’s Christmas Sweater Party. Dress in your most eccentric, over-the-top holiday attire and celebrate the holidays in style. The fun begins at 1:00 pm at Gleason’s located at 23 S. Division Street in the old Hudson Room. Okay, the sweaters are secondary. The real reason to be at Gleason’s at 1:00 pm is to raise money for the Ronald McDonald foundation and witness captivating performances by The Dance Conservatory, Arts10566 with Ovation Strings, and the talented Peekskill Middle School Dancers. Audiences will be enthralled by their grace, skill, and artistic expression as they take the stage. Gleason’s is will be collecting $5 at the door raising money for the Ronald McDonald House honoring Liam Craane, one of the dedicated dancers from The Dance Conservatory. To find out more visit Gleason’s.

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Bean Runner Cafe presents Peter Calo

World Class guitarist, extremely talented and gifted guitarist, Peter Calo will be performing a solo set at the Bean Runner Cafe. Peter Calo has performed and recorded with a slew of Award Winning Artists such as Carly Simon, Jimmy Webb, Sophie B. Hawkins, Dionne Warwick, Queen Latifah, Willie Nelson, Hall and Oates, Andrea Bocelli, Kris Kristofferson, Leonard Bernstein, Crash Test Dummies, The Platters, The New York Voices, Lesley Gore, Billy J Kramer, The Happenings. Tickets are $15 for reservations call 914-737-1701

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm The Nutcracker, Short and Sweet at the Paramount Hudson Valley

Don’t miss this local, family-oriented rendition of a classic holiday favorite ballet, The Nutcracker. The Nutcracker, Short and Sweet offers the timeless music of Tchaikovsky, favorite dances performed by a company of committed dancers from the Hudson Valley, engaging narration, and costumes that will delight every guest—in a setting and at a price that is perfect for audiences ages 3 and older. Seasoned ballet attenders and first-time audience members alike will love this production. Narrated from the point of view of Clara and only 1 hour long, this easy to follow performance is sure to keep the attention of even the youngest audience members. For more information visit: Paramount Hudson Valley

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm “A Very Peekskill Christmas” at the Peekskill Presbyterian Church

For the second year in a row, the Peekskill Presbyterian Church will host, “A Very Peekskill Christmas” on December 10th at 4:00 pm.A Very Merry Christmas is a Community Music Concert and Carol Sing-A-Long, featuring local performers and a reception to follow. Come celebrate the Christmas Season listening to talented local artists and singing along to your favorite Christmas songs. The event is free and a reception will occur immediately following the caroling. All are welcome. For more information visit the Peekskill Presbyterian Church Facebook Page.

6:00 – 8:00 pm Interactive White Christmas at Gleason’s

Join Gleason’s for a full interactive “White Christmas” movie event presented by the Rooftop Musical Society. The Rooftop Musical Theater is known through the tri-state area for its’ immersive musical theater events in NYC. The doors open at 5:30, and a pre-show begins at 6. The Pre-show will feature live performances from the musical theater company Rooftop Musical Society’s caroling troupe, local jazz artist Kristina Koller, musician Scott Seltzer, and dancer Cholé Wareham-Gordon, plus trivia, crafts, characters from the film, singalongs, photo opportunities, themed cocktails, and more! Following the pre-show, the classic 1954 film will be shown at 6:30 with festive audience participationwhere the audience can actively participate / use props to enhance the experience! Full food menu and cocktails will be available for purchase. Costumes encouraged and you could even win a prize for doing so! The event is perfect for people of all ages. Tickets are $20 are selling fast and reservations for a table can be purchased in advance by clicking this hyperlink.

Please remember this week only Peekskill’s small business community has generously donated towards a pool of money enabling us to offer a matching funds opportunity – to help incentivize the wider community to support Peekskill Herald. This week, every dollar you donate will be double matched – up to $3000 – thanks to their generous support.  A very special thank you to Bruised Apple Books, Bucko, Copy Center and Services, Division Street Guitars, Dylan’s Wine Cellar, Early Electrics, Fuhgeddaboudit Deli, Fused Fitness, Retake Remake, Slainte and The Flowerhouse10547.  Every dollar counts and helps keep this 501c3 organization thriving. 

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