Westchester County's Winter Wonderland Ready For Holiday Cheer In 2024

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Westchester County's Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza returns on Saturday for its eleventh season.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer will join with the Westchester Parks Foundation and the Westchester County Parks Department at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla on Saturday, at 4:30 p.m., to celebrate the opening of Westchester’s Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza.

The Westchester Parks Foundation will welcome a special child to help light the tree, 5-year-old Christopher Cox from Pelham who has epilepsy. Organizers say that through the expertise of doctors in the Pediatric Neurology department at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, including Drs. Philip Overby and Steven Wolf, Cox's family has been able to weather this serious condition since he was diagnosed at the age of one. He is thriving today and recently started kindergarten.

Presented by the Westchester Medical Center Health Network, the magic of the holidays is bigger and better than ever with thousands of more lights, two 100-foot light tunnels and a live Santa, according to organizers.

Starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, the festive celebration will take place for six consecutive weeks through Dec. 31. The event will be open on weekdays starting at 5:30 p.m. and on weekends starting at 5 p.m. End times will vary per night. Reservations are required to avoid additional surcharges. Tickets are $37 per vehicle. There is an additional cost for large passenger vans/limos, so call for special reservations.

Organizers say there are several new additions for 2024, including:

• A 125-foot pixel LED wall filled with thousands of animated lights that will illuminate scenes of the winter night sky complete with captivating northern lights.
• A live Ice Queen Character that will greet guests at the beginning of the ride and create a magical snow experience.
• A traditional aluminum Festivus Pole, straight out of a Seinfeld episode, where you can air your grievances.
• A New OtoCast App that will allow families to hear magical stories of the larger-than-life light displays along the route. The free app is available to download here.
• Special themed nights, including a Taylor 'Swiftie' Night on Nov. 27, a princess-themed night on Dec. 5, and a family-friendly festive New Year’s on Dec. 31.

"Westchester’s Winter Wonderland is one of the most beloved holiday traditions in Westchester County," Westchester County Executive George Latimer said. "It’s the perfect way to celebrate with family in the warmth of your car as you drive through one of Westchester’s most beautiful parks dressed up in thousands of dazzling lights."

Con Edison also returns as a Platinum Sponsor of the Event, helping to light up the sky at Kensico Dam Plaza for all to enjoy. Holiday classics will be simulcast through your vehicle’s FM radio, setting the mood from the moment you enter the park. Guests should allow 25 to 30 minutes to drive through the attraction.

When purchasing tickets, guests will have the option to donate additional funds to the Westchester Parks Foundation to help expand its Camp Morty program for disenfranchised youth along with Westchester Medical Center Health Network Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital.

Wegmans is returning as the live character sponsor.

The lighting masterpiece is designed by Peekskill-based Electric Precision and Dark Tech Effects.

The official tree lighting celebration on Nov. 23 is sponsored by Robison and the family-friendly festive way to ring in the New Year on Dec. 31 is ponsored by M&T Bank. Iona Preparatory School PK-12 in New Rochelle is also returning as the official app and music sponsor for the event.

For complete information and to purchase tickets, visit the website.