Christmas Traditions & Festivities Around Carmel, NY

In 1963, Andy Williams released a popular holiday song that describes Christmas as “the most wonderful time of the year.” At Meadowland of Carmel, we agree and especially appreciate the verse from the song that describes “parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling out in the snow; there’ll be scary ghost stories, and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago.” There’s something special about being part of Christmas festivities and the great traditions handed down in the Carmel area for generations.

In the holiday spirit of giving, we’d like to share some of the Christmas festivities in Carmel, NY, during the holidays of 2022, and invite you to join in the celebrations with hearts “glowing when loved ones are near.”

Holidays in the Park

The holidays in New York are about our families and our community, and celebrating is twice as wonderful when those two groups can gather and celebrate at the same time. The Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce would like to invite your entire family to join the communities of Carmel and nearby Mahopac in the Mahopac Chamber Community Park for the lighting of the Christmas tree and giant menorah.

In addition to the fun and excitement of watching the holiday lights come to life, there will be caroling and refreshments for all, and even a visit from Santa Claus.

Date: Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022

Time: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Location: Mahopac Chamber Community Park, 953 S Lake Blvd., Mahopac, NY

There is no admission fee for Holidays in the Park. Just bring your loved ones and your warm, joyful hearts and share in the Christmas spirit with your community neighbors.

World Ballet Series: The Nutcracker

Just to the southwest of Carmel, the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater in Peekskill will be hosting a performance of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker. Set to the amazing music of Tchaikovsky, this live performance by 50 multinational ballet dancers will thrill you and your family and usher in the sights and sounds of the holiday season.

Date: Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022

Time: 7 to 9 p.m.

Location: Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill, NY

For more information on this great Christmas tradition, you can write to the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater at boxoffice@paramounthudsonvalley.com or call 914-739-0039, ext. 2.

Holiday Wreath Decorating

There’s nothing like seeing a beautiful Christmas wreath hanging on a door to let you know the holidays have arrived and that you’re welcome inside. And there’s no more meaningful wreath than one you’ve made yourself by hand. The Carmel Recreation and Parks Department want to allow you to do just that at Holiday Wreath Decorating with Dee Dee. Bring your friends or make new ones as we gather just between Carmel’s west side and Mahopac’s north side.

The best thing about this holiday opportunity is that you won’t have to bring your own materials. Just bring $70 per wreath, and you’ll receive everything you need to make a natural and beautiful 24-inch Christmas wreath. For a personal touch, everyone participating is encouraged to bring one personal item to include in your wreath to make it uniquely yours and special to your family or friends.

Date: Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022

Times: 1 to 3 p.m. or 4 to 6 p.m.

Location: 790 Long Pond Road, Mahopac, NY

Registration for this fun time of holiday wreath decorating begins October 1 at 9 a.m. Register online at carmelny.org/recreation. For more information, call the Carmel Recreation and Parks Department at 845-628-7888.

Holiday on the Lake Parade and Tree Lighting

You’ll love participating in both holiday events sponsored each year by the Carmel Civic Association. The first part is the annual Christmas parade through the streets of Carmel Hamlet, which includes marching bands, firetrucks, and up to 40 floats from local businesses and organizations. You’ll find that the lights, the music, and the community cheer are spectacular ways to kick the holidays into high gear.

The festivities then move on to the shores of Lake Gleneida, where families watch the lighting of up to 75 Christmas trees along the lake. The glow of the trees reflects the radiance of the community, which your whole family will enjoy being part of.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022

Time: begins at 5:30 p.m.

Location: Carmel, NY and Lake Gleneida

There’s no charge for either part of the Holiday on the Lake celebration, but don’t forget to dress warmly. For more information on the parade or the lighting of the trees, you can go to carmelcivicassoc.org for updates.

Santa is Coming to Town

A week after the Holiday on the Lake festivities, your kids will have a special chance to visit Santa to let him know they’ve been nice and not naughty and what they hope to find in their stockings or under the tree on Christmas morning. In addition to meeting Santa, there will be food, crafts, and entertainment your entire family will enjoy.

Date: Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022

Time: begins at 10 a.m.

Location: Sycamore Town Park, 790 Long Pond Road, Mahopac, NY

The Santa is Coming to Town event costs $10 per person for everyone two years old and older. You can find Santa at the RFG Building in the park. For more information, check the Carmel Recreation and Parks Department website or give them a call at 845-628-7888.

These Christmas traditions that happen each year in our community are truly wonderful. But we know there are as many Christmas traditions in Carmel as there are families, and some special community-based traditions may have been overlooked. We’d love to hear about the festivities you and your family have celebrated. Write to us at Meadowland of Carmel and tell us what makes Christmastime so special for your family.

Thank you for keeping our community’s traditions alive and making Christmas in Carmel “the most wonderful time of the year.”

Photo Credit: Christmas Wreath by Jonathan Cutrer is licensed with CC BY 2.0

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