You don't need a train ticket and a two-hour wait to see a big tree light up. Yonkers has its own lightings this season. None of them needs a ticket. Here are the nine that organizers have posted so far, in date order.
Sunday, Nov. 15: Cross County's 40-Foot Tree
Cross County Center kicks things off. The party is on the Green, in the middle of the mall. The tree lighting show runs from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The tree stands 40 feet tall.
Santa and Mrs. Claus host the show. There's a DJ, food trucks, selfie spots and an electric train ride from 2 to 6 p.m. A few Winter Fest extras cost money later in the season, like the pop-up skating rink.
Saturday, Nov. 21: Ridge Hill's Tree
Ridge Hill lights its tree in Town Square. Music and entertainment start at 4 p.m. Santa counts down to the lighting between 5:30 and 6. Ridge Hill says the night is free and no tickets are needed. Food is for sale.
All Season: Downtown Lights Up
The Yonkers Downtown/Waterfront BID strings holiday lights across downtown and the waterfront every year. They usually stay up from November through January. Grab dinner downtown, then take the long way back to the car.
Tuesday, Dec. 1: The Library's Tree
The Yonkers Public Library holds its annual tree lighting in the Riverfront Library atrium, at One Larkin Center. It runs from 4 to 6 p.m. This one is indoors, so it's the warmest stop on the list. It's a good pick for little kids.
Friday, Dec. 4: The Getty Square Tree
The BID's tree lighting is in Getty Square, at 1 Palisade Avenue. The BID promises a lit tree and live music, with free admission. It lists the event from noon to 7 p.m. but hasn't posted the lighting time yet. Last year the lighting ran from 4:30 to 5:30. Check yonkersdowntown.com that week.
Monday, Dec. 7: A Menorah at Cross County
Chabad of Yonkers lights the menorah at Cross County Center, near H&M. Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz leads it. Check the center's events page for the time.
Tuesday, Dec. 8: A Menorah at Ridge Hill
The next night, Ridge Hill and Chabad of Yonkers light a menorah at Park Plaza. It runs from 4 to 6 p.m., rain or shine. Ridge Hill says it's free and no tickets are needed.
Wednesday, Dec. 9: Park Hill's Tree
The Park Hill Residents' Association and the Luther Burbank Garden Club light the neighborhood tree on Rumsey Road. They haven't posted a time yet. Check parkhillyonkers.org before you go.
Friday, Dec. 11: Untermyer Gardens Lights Up
The big finish is at Untermyer Gardens, 945 N. Broadway. The Grand Holiday Illumination opens with a lighting at 5:30 p.m. After that, the Walled Garden lights up from 4:30 to 8 p.m. through Sunday, Jan. 3. Check the garden's calendar around Christmas and New Year's. The Conservancy says admission to the gardens is always free.
One Tip Before You Go
Dates and times can shift with the weather. Check each organizer's page the day of, and dress warm. Most of these are outdoor nights.
Know one we missed? Neighborhood groups post their dates late. Tell us in the comments and we'll add it.
Follow @TheYonkersCollective for more Yonkers stories, and read Not Upstate Magazine at thenineonefour.com.
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