November-December 19

Week of October 28

Warwick during the Revolutionary War: Local historian Sue Gardner presents material from her new book, Pure Necessity: Revolution at Warwick. Free. Sun. Nov. 3, 2pm. Albert Wisner Public Library, 1 McFarland Dr., Warwick NY. 845-986-1047, albertwisnerlibrary.org

Week of November 4

Tales of a Wildlife Rehabilitator: Do you know what to do if you find a fledgling bird, a painted turtle with a cracked shell or a fawn resting in your flower bed? Learn appropriate responses to common wildlife situations. Free. Wildlife rehabilitator Pam Golben shares personal photos and experiences. Tues. Nov. 5, 6-7:30pm. Middletown Thrall Library, 11 Depot St., Middletown NY. 845-360-0508, thrall.org.

Native American heritage lecture: Reuben Fast Horse shares his knowledge of the contributions of the people of the First Nations. Fast Horse, born on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, is a traditional Lakota singer, dancer, flutist, drummer, craftsman, storyteller and educator. Free. Thur. Nov. 7, 6:30pm. Albert Wisner Public Library, 1 McFarland Dr., Warwick NY. 845-986-1047, albertwisnerlibrary.org.

Nut Bonanza: Celebrate the nut harvest at this bonfire festival, where you can taste acorns and American persimmons and black walnuts, and try your hand roasting chestnuts and pressing hazelnuts into oil. $5-$20 donation or bring a local dish to share. Carpooling encouraged. Sat. Nov. 9, 10am-5pm. Twisted Tree Farm, 279 Washburn Rd., Spencer NY. 607-229-2482, twisted-tree.net.

Tree symposium: Learn about the great tree conservationists of America like Johnny Appleseed, Martha Fenimore Cooper and Teddy Roosevelt; efforts to bring back the American chestnut; and dogwood and hazelnut breeding at Rutgers. $45. Sat. Nov. 9, 10am-3pm. Haggerty Center, 353 E. Hanover Ave., Morris Township NJ. 973-326-7601, arboretumfriends.org.

Thanksgiving tasting & toy drive: Sample Thanksgiving delicacies made from recipes of the Pilgrim and Victorian eras. Dishes are made right on the hearth, including soups, breads, stewed pumpkin, puddings and pies. Toy donations requested, to benefit Country Kids Food Pantry. $14; $12 seniors; $10 kids. Sat. Nov. 9 and Sun. Nov. 10, noon-4pm. Museum Village, 1010 Rte. 17M, Monroe NY. 845-782-8248, museumvillage.com.

Week of November 11

Fall wild edibles: Bring the family for an earth living skills workshop on acorn collection and processing. $25 per person. Sat. Nov. 16, 2pm-4:30pm. The Nature Place, 285 Hungry Hollow Rd., Chestnut Ridge NY. 845-356-1234, thenatureplace.com.

Beekeeping for the Future. Attend a one-day workshop on the latest natural and holistic methods for nurturing the hive organism. Topics include the beekeeper’s role in fostering healthy hives, sources of bees, site selection for hives, and how beekeeping can be a path to heightened powers of observation and awareness. $95. Sat. Nov. 16, 9am-5pm. The Pfeiffer Center, 260 Hungry Hollow Rd., Chestnut Ridge NY. 845-356-6477, pfeiffercenter.org.

Thanksgiving at Brick House: Take a candlelight tour of this 1768 historic homestead decorated in autumn splendor. Holiday arrangements adorn all the rooms and the dining room is set for a feast. Light refreshments offered. Free. Sat. Nov. 16, noon-4pm. Hill Hold and Brick House Museums, 850 Rte. 17K, Montgomery NY. 845-615-3830, hillholdandbrickhouse.org.

Game Dinner: Enjoy the bounty of the season at this annual game dinner featuring local game and seasonal harvests. $35. Sat. Nov. 16, 5pm reception, 6pm dinner. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Rd., Dingmans Ferry PA. 570-828-2319, peec.org.

Week of November 18

Gentle Thanksgiving: Find a new way to give thanks by joining in a party for the turkeys. Afterwards, enjoy vegan refreshments and visit the other animals at the farm sanctuary. Free. Sat. Nov. 23, noon-2pm. Safe Haven Farm Sanctuary, 254 Gardner Hollow Rd., Poughquag NY. 845-724-5138, safehavenfarmsanctuary.org.

ake a self-guided tour of the 15 wineries on the Shawangunk Wine Trail and receive a souvenir tasting glass, grapevine wreath and holiday ornament. Choose your starting vineyard. $45 and up; $15 designated driver. Weekends: Nov. 23 & 24, Dec. 7 & 8, Dec. 14 & 15. 845-256-8456, shawangunkwinetrail.com.

Week of November 25

Love Local Maker Market: Wickham Works presents a curated selection of vendors selling locally made items in a festive atmosphere. While adults shop, kids can make and take their own gifts at craft gift-making stations. Hot drinks and baked goods for sale. Fri. Nov. 29, noon-7pm and Sat. Nov. 30, 10 am-6pm. Warwick Valley Community Center, 11 Hamilton Ave., Warwick NY. wickhamworks.org.

Thanksgiving weekend at the nature center: Meet the animals and shop for nature-themed holiday gifts. $5; kids under 3 free. Fri. Nov. 29 through Sun. Dec 1, noon-4pm. Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Wildlife Education Center, 25 Blvd., Cornwall-on-Hudson NY. 845-534-7781, hhnm.org.

Holiday open house: Tour historic Lusscroft Farm, whose Turner mansion, Christmas cottage and carriage house are festively decorated and filled with music, vendors and other attractions. Sat. Nov. 30, 10am-4pm and Sun. Dec. 1, 10am-3pm. Lusscroft Farm, 50 Neilsen Rd. & 4-H Trail, Wantage NJ. 973-288-2760, lusscroftfarm.org.

Holiday bows and boughs: Create your own holiday decorations with evergreen boughs and other natural materials provided, or bring your own supplies. Registration required. $20 per wreath. Sun. Dec. 1, 1 pm-4pm. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Rd., Dingmans Ferry PA. 570-828-2319, peec.org.

Week of December 2

Holiday tree lighting: Enjoy caroling and hot cocoa at the annual tree lighting. Wed., Dec. 4, 5pm. Pine Island Park, Kay Rd. and Treasure Ln., Pine Island NY. 845-258-1469, pineislandny.com.

Gingerbread wonderland and craft show: This “handmade only” show features local crafters offering beautiful, affordable and completely handmade gifts. $2. Weekends: Dec. 7 & 8 and Dec. 14 & 15, 10am-4:30pm. Haggerty Center, 353 E. Hanover Ave., Morris Township NJ. 973-326-7601, arboretumfriends.org.

Watercolor painting: Learn the techniques of watercolor painting in a relaxed atmosphere with instructor Pat Foxx. Create a landscape painting without the pressure to create a masterpiece. Supplies provided. $5. Sat. Dec. 7, 10am-11:30am. Albert Wisner Public Library, 1 McFarland Dr., Warwick NY. 845-986-1047, albertwisnerlibrary.org.

Colonial Christmas at Hill Hold: Take a nostalgic tour of the Thomas Bull homestead, with a traditional holiday tree, antique toys and an open hearth cooking demonstration. Refreshments available. Free. Weekends: Dec. 7 & 8 and Dec. 14 & 15, noon-4pm. Hill Hold Museums, 128 Rte. 416, Campbell Hall, NY. 845-615-3830, hillholdandbrickhouse.org

Christmas in the village: Come see Santa by the fireplace, stroll down Candy Cane Lane and enjoy musical entertainment in the playhouse. Non-perishable food donation requested, to benefit Country Kids Food Pantry. $5 suggested donation. Sat. Dec. 7, noon-5pm. Museum Village, 1010 Rte. 17M, Monroe NY. 845-782-8248, museumvillage.com.

A Christmas Carol: The Greenwood Lake Theater Company presents a family-friendly version of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at Warwick’s historic Old School Baptist Meeting House. $25. Sat. Dec. 7 and Sun. Dec. 8, 7 p.m. Warwick Historical Society, Lewis Park, High St., Warwick NY. 845-986-3296, whsny.org.

Week of December 9

Earth living skills: Learn how to create fire by friction and build your own bow drill kit. $75. Sat. Dec. 14, 10am-4p.m. The Nature Place, 285 Hungry Hollow Rd., Chestnut Ridge NY. 845-356-1234, thenatureplace.com.

Music hall holiday market: Check out a curated showcase for local and regional artists, makers and independent homegrown business. Offering handmade goods, seasonal snacks, and activities for kids. Free. Sun. Dec. 15, 10am-4pm. Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown, NY. 914-631-3390, tarrytownmusichall.org.

Wassail party: Make merry with friends and neighbors and enjoy traditional Yuletide food and drink at the Warwick Historical Society’s annual wassail party. $30. Sun. Dec. 15, 5pm-7pm. Buckbee Center, 2 Colonial Ave., Warwick NY. 845-986-3296, whsny.org.

Week of December 16

Winter solstice celebration: Celebrate the longest night of the year with a scavenger hunt for the hidden Yule log, then cheer on the lengthening days with a bonfire, snacks and hot drinks. $8; $6 kids. Sat. Dec 21, 3:30pm-5:30pm. Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Outdoor Discovery Center, Wildlife Education Center, 120 Muser Dr., Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY. 845-534-5506, hhnm.org.

Wassail, Wassail all over town: By candlelight, celebrate a rowdy Christmas Eve with costumed soldiers and Continental officers in the traditional 18th century way. Free. Sat, Dec. 21, 5pm-8pm. Knox’s Headquarters Historic Site, 289 Forge Hill Rd., Vails Gate NY. 845-561-5498, hudsonrivervalley.com.

Week of December 23

Christmas at Knox’s headquarters: Tour the 1754 historic house decorated for the holidays in 18th century fashion. Free. Sat. Dec. 28, 10am-4pm. Knox’s Headquarters Historic Site, 289 Forge Hill Rd., Vails Gate NY. 845-561-5498, hudsonrivervalley.com.