The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is lit. The Thanksgiving festivities have come and gone. A chill is in the air and winter season in New York has officially begun! December is one of our favorite months in Orange County, and one of the best times to visit and enjoy the quaint atmosphere of our winter wonderland. Bear Mountain State Park has opened their lovely ice rink nestled in the scenic beauty of Bear Mountain and the Hudson River. (http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/13/details.aspx) Take the kids for a fun family outing or enjoy a romantic time on the ice with your significant other. Fuel up for your afternoon of ice skating at their famous Sunday brunch with a fabulous scenic view at the rustic Overlook Lodge on the Bear Mountain property. (http://www.visitbearmountain.com/accommodations/overlook-lodge) Looking for some holiday shopping bargains? Woodbury Common Premium Outlets is the perfect haven for holiday shoppers. Visit Woodbury Common on weekends until December 20 to enjoy the sounds of Victorian carolers and to meet Santa Claus while you shop! (http://www.premiumoutlets.com/index.asp) To catch a glimpse of a beautiful holiday tree, take a scenic drive to tree in the Thayer Hotel Lobby for their tree lighting ceremony on Friday, December 4, which includes refreshments and Christmas carols. While you’re there, check out the display of gingerbread houses created by local area students. (www.thethayerhotel.com) For more chances to enjoy tree lighting ceremonies, attend the Pine Bush Festival of Lights on December 5, where there will be song, dance, music, and even a special visit from Santa Claus (http://www.pinebushchamberofcommerce.org/), the Chester Holiday Tree Lighting and Caroling on December 6 in Chester, or the annual tree lighting ceremony at the Orange County Arboretum in Montgomery. On weekends between December 11 and January 3, the Orange County Arboretum will have their wonderful Lights in Bloom display, which will come complete with a steamy cup of hot chocolate. For a chance to sit back and listen to a small town choir sing out your favorite holiday songs, attend one of the Warwick Valley Chorale holiday concerts, which are being held on December 4, 11, and 13. (http://www.warwickcc.org/) The Middletown Concert Chorale is having a Marvelous Mozart and Delicious Desserts event on December 13, which will have seasonal desserts, sounds of Mozart, and will be followed by a holiday cabaret. (http://www.middletownchorale.org.) For a larger choral production, check out the West Point band’s popular holiday concert on December 5 and 6. (http://www.westpoint.edu/band/) For fans of more modern sounds, see Kenny Rogers in a Christmas concert at Eisenhower Hall Theatre on December 13. Whether you are a couple looking for a quiet winter getaway or a family with young children who are looking forward to skiing with Santa Claus at Mount Peter in Warwick (http://www.mtpeter.com/), Orange County has something for you! We are looking forward to welcoming you into our inns to share this delightful holiday season with you.