The first full week of fall has arrived, and Westchester did not ease into it. My short list has music, art, kids, costumes and one farm event that will sell out if you spend too long thinking about it.
Here is what is actually worth putting on the calendar for September 23-27.
JazzFest White Plains | Wednesday, September 23-Sunday, September 27
This is the anchor of the week: 19 performances over five days in downtown White Plains, with plenty of free music mixed in with ticketed evening shows. Wednesday opens with two free lunchtime sets and the Sound Shore Jazz Orchestra at Turnure Park. Thursday brings a free Jazz Stroll plus a ticketed night of jazz, poetry and art at ArtsWestchester. Friday and Saturday add daytime sets and bigger evening performances.
See the full official JazzFest schedule and ticket links
Farm-to-Fable at Hilltop Hanover Farm | Thursday, September 24, 10-11 a.m.
For the little ones: children ages 3-6 combine a story with a hands-on farm activity. The program is free, but online registration is required. Hilltop Hanover Farm is at 1271 Hanover Street in Yorktown Heights.
Register through the official county event page
Yonkers Comic Con | Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Riverfront Library turns into a very happy collision of comics, cosplay, original art, vendors and family programming. More than 5,000 people came last year, so this is not a tiny niche afternoon. It is a full downtown event, and a good pick if your household contains one serious fan and one person who simply enjoys people-watching.
Check the official event page and registration portals
Scarecrow Making Contest at Muscoot Farm | Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
This one is very Katonah: the farm supplies hay, a bamboo frame, twine and burlap, and your family brings the clothes and accessories. Registration is $10 per family/scarecrow, with 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. slots. Muscoot says it sells out fast, so do not treat this as a walk-up plan.
Register on the official Westchester County Parks page
My pick
If I were choosing one grown-up plan, I would do the free Thursday Jazz Stroll in White Plains and then decide whether to stay for the ArtsWestchester program. For families, Muscoot wins, but only if you can still get a slot.
One local note: Bedford and Pound Ridge are at their best when the calendar gets crowded. Leave yourself time for coffee, do not overbook the day and remember that a ten-mile drive here can become a whole fall situation.
