Your Weekend: Chanukah Extravaganza and an 'Old-Fashioned' Christmas

This weekend, make a tasty gingerbread house in Pleasantville and enjoy Christmas carols at a Briarcliff Manor church. The Rosenthal JCC is also hostings a Chanukah Extravanganza, with crafts, art for sale and more for the whole family to enjoy.

Where/When: on Sunday, Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Why go: Check out more than 2,000 handmade crafts and pieces of art from Israeli artists in the marketplace while children enjoy activities including a Jelly Doughnut JAM Concert with Calypso Conroy (12 p.m.); story time with children's author Laura Nadler-Scott (1 and 2 p.m.) and make-your-own holiday gifts, stuffed animals and edible dreidels (12 to 3 p.m.).

Pricing: Free to browse; $10 for kids' activities

Pleasantville Fire Department Children's Party

Where/When: on Sunday, Dec. 11 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Why go: Check out the inside of the village's fire department headquarters and enjoy a visit from Santa, refreshments and live entertainment by the department's band. Recommended for children nine and under.

Pricing: Free

A Toast to the Season

Where/When: on Friday, Dec. 9 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Why go: Enjoy an evening of readings, carols, wine and dessert with the Marmaduke Writing Factory for the holiday season. The factory workers will read holiday-themed passages while Sing We Enchanted performs carols. RSVP to 923-5511.

Pricing: $35/person; $30 seniors

Community Holiday Dinner

Where/When: on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Why go: In addition to dinner, there will be crafts and snacks for children; a performance by Danny Magic and a visit from Santa at this family holiday event.

Pricing: $15/child; $30/family

Where/When: on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m.

Why go: Have an old fashioned Christmas with the Amici Cantanti Vocal Ensemble, led by Briarcliff Manor Soprano Regina Leon. The evening's program includes traditional Christmas music, carols and sacred music. The group also features Donna Reid, James Higginbotham, Larry Long and Gary Norden. Call the church office at 941-1646 for more information.

Pricing: Free

Where/When: on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 1 to 7 p.m.

Why go: Stop by the winery to enjoy its new 2009 Malbec and check out costume jewelry on display by Bellissma. There wil be wine, appetizers and live music to enhance the holiday shopping experience.

Pricing: Free to browse

Where/When: on Sunday, Dec. 11 from 2 to 3 p.m.

Why go: Gregg Shults will be an entertaining one-man show as he dons an 1867 costume and brings the Charles Dickens classic holiday story to life—including the characters of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim.

Pricing: Free

Where/When:  on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Why go: Get into the holiday spirit with music and treats at The Club, a retirement community in Briarcliff Manor. Three model homes will be open at The Club's Information and Design Center. Call 923-4050 for reservations.

Pricing: Free

Where/When: on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Why go: Enjoy a social—and tasty—traditional Christmas craft with neighbors (recommended for kindergarten through fourth grade). All materials will be provided. Snacks will be available.

Pricing: $55/house (siblings can share one)

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