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 The Puppet People present their version of A Christmas Carol at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck on December 5
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Old-Fashioned Fun
Dec. 5-6: A Child’s Christmas Take a tour of a historic house — in your stockinged feet! The Clermont mansion is decorated for Christmas, and the kitchen is well-stocked with holiday treats. Listen to stories and sing songs in the oak-paneled library with staff members, who are dressed in full 19th-century garb. Recommended ages 3-10. 10 a.m. $4. Clermont State Historic Site. 1 Clermont Ave., Germantown. 518-537-4240; www.friendsofclermont.org
All Aboard
Dec. 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 26-27: The Polar Express Hop on the Catskill Mountain Railroad train and pretend you’re one of the characters from the popular Christmas book. Riders — who are encouraged to wear their pajamas like the kids in the story do — are taken through the Catskills while the conductor punches tickets, serves hot chocolate, leads a sing-along, and reads from the book. At the end of the ride, Santa comes aboard and gives a special sleigh bell to children who believe. Fri. 4:30, 6:15, 8 p.m; Sat.-Sun. 2, 4, 6, 8 p.m. $45, $35 ages 2-11, under 2 free. Westbrook Station. 149 Aaron Court, Kingston. 845-688-7400; www.catskillmtrailroad.com
History Mystery
Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27: Holiday Whodunit Something is amiss at Staatsburgh — and it’s up to you to figure out what! Throughout the Gilded Age mansion, costumed interpreters lead the exploration and provide holiday-themed clues to help the junior sleuths crack the case. 1 p.m. Call for pricing. Staatsburgh State Historic Site. Old Post Rd., Staatsburg. 845-889-8851; www.nysparks.com
Don’t Be a Scrooge
The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck present two versions — both charming and heartwarming, though vastly different — of Charles Dickens’s classic story. Dec. 5: The Puppet People This well-known group shows Scrooge and his ghostly cronies in the form of beautiful marionettes. Dec. 12, 19: Kids on Stage Young actors and actresses display their budding talent in this musical rendition of the tale. 11 a.m. $9, $7 children. 661 Rte. 308, Rhinebeck. 845-876-3080; www.centerforperformingarts.org
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Dec. 12, 19: Santa Claus and the Magical Moon Dragon On Christmas Eve, a young boy, who just so happens to be a prince, travels to another planet on his trusty magical moon dragon — but things take a turn for the worse and he winds up trapped in Mr. Mooney’s Department Store with no way out. Soon he finds out he’s not alone: a little girl named Hope, some friendly elves, and Mrs. Claus are all stuck with him. They soon hatch a plan to escape in time for the big day — by calling Santa himself. There is no food served at these performances. 11 a.m, 1 p.m, 3 p.m. $17. Westchester Broadway Theatre. 1 Broadway Plaza, Elmsford. 914-592-2222; www.broadwaytheatre.com
New Years Noisemakers
Dec. 28: Bossy Frog What better way to ring in the new year than with a six-foot-tall dancing — and music-making — frog? The award-winning children’s band celebrates the season by playing all sorts of snazzy tunes on the banjo, bass, and fiddle. As a part of the popular Milk and Cookies series, the performance ends with scrumptious snacks for attendees. 11 a.m. $15. Nyack Center. 58 Depew Ave., Nyack. 855-278-7762; www.artsrock.org
