Cross County Winter Fest Kicks Off November 14, 2025

By Josefa Paganuzzi
Nov. 5, 2025: This holiday season, you don’t need to travel to Manhattan for a magical Christmas experience — Winter Fest at Cross County Center delivers all the sparkle, shopping, and spirit of a classic NYC holiday celebration, right here in the heart of Yonkers. It offers a full slate of family-friendly activities, extended shopping hours, and seasonal entertainment.
Kicking off Friday, November 14, Winter Fest transforms Westchester’s premier outdoor shopping center into a winter wonderland filled with dazzling lights, festive entertainment, and cherished traditions. This year, the Center invites guests to celebrate the season outdoors with a towering walk-through holiday tree, the return of its pop-up skating rink, Santa photos, food trucks, and a locally loved Holiday Pop Up Market, leading up to Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s.
“Winter Fest is a fresh new name for the seasonal traditions families have come to know and love at Cross County Center,” said Kayli Tarcy, Marketing Director, Cross County Center. “We’ve created a holiday experience that’s not only fun and festive but also supports early shopping, small businesses, and time together, right in Westchester and close to home.”
With its outdoor setting, free up-close parking and family-friendly amenities, Cross County Center is a one-stop for holiday shopping, dining, and entertainment. Cross County Center offers an action-packed lineup of new and treasured holiday events for everyone including:
Holiday Tree Lighting: Friday, November 14, 6:30-8pm
Kick off the season with the lighting of Westchester’s largest holiday tree — a stunning 40-foot, walk-through spectacle glowing with over 20,000 LED lights! Enjoy an evening of live music, performances, strolling characters, pop-up skating, and FREE electric train rides — fun for the whole family. Don’t miss special performances by local youth group New Directions Dance Studio of Bronxville, plus surprise acts! The entire event will be joyfully hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Claus!
Santa Photos: November 14 - December 24
Visit Santa in his cozy holiday house, located near Gap by the tree. Families can capture magical photo memories, with special pet photo nights, sensory-friendly sessions, and NEW this year Cowboy Claus themed photos. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made through the center’s website, www.crosscountycenter.com.
Holiday Food Truck Market: November 14 - January 4, Wed-Sunday from 12-8pm
Shoppers will enjoy tasty treats and savory snacks from Westchester’s best food trucks! Trucks will be parked on The Green, in the center of the mall, and will be open for lunch and dinner. New Food Truck lineup includes: El Patio (Dominican), Grey’s Donuts, On the Go Matrix (Jamaican), and Ray’s Empanada’s. For those that want to eat in style, or simply chill out in a cool seating area, pop-up igloos will be available throughout the center.
Pop-Up Holiday Ice Skating Rink: November 14 - January 4
The synthetic-surface rink returns for another season, ideal for young or beginner skaters. $12 admission includes skates and a one-hour session. Themed character nights and private rentals are available.
914PopUps Holiday Vendor Market, Weekends Only *Sat/Sun December 6-21, 11-7pm
Back by popular demand, the 914PopUps Holiday Market features local vendors selling handcrafted items, jewelry, clothing, home goods, and gifts. The market will be open the first two weekends in December on Saturday/Sundays from 11-7pm and located on the west side of the mall by Macy’s. Each weekend offers a new mix of small businesses.
Menorah Lighting: December 15 at 6pm
Celebrate Chanukah with a traditional menorah lighting hosted by Chabad of Yonkers. Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz will light the menorah in celebration of the festival of lights, and guests will enjoy live music, cultural dancing, and delicious treats. The event will take place near Macy’s.
Store hours will be extended during the shopping season, beginning on Friday, November 28 when the center will open from 7am to 10pm. Extended shopping hours leading up to the holidays will be listed on the center’s website.
With its outdoor setting, free up-close parking and family-friendly amenities, Cross County Center is a one-stop for holiday shopping, dining, and entertainment.
ABOUT CROSS COUNTY CENTER
Cross County Center features more than 80 specialty stores and restaurants including Target, Macy’s, Zara, H&M, Pandora, Starbucks, Shake Shack, Hyatt Place Hotel and more. Children’s play areas, free parking and seasonal events draw more than 14 million visitors and guests to the outdoor center, year-round. Cross County Center is located at the junction of Interstate 87 and the Cross-County Parkway in Yonkers, NY. For more details on Center happenings, click HERE or follow Cross County Center on social media including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.










