Cross County Center in Yonkers lights its 40-foot Christmas tree on Sunday, November 15, and that is only the first of several things arriving on the mall's center green this season. A pop-up skating rink opens three days later, a food truck market with heated igloo seating is already running, and Santa has moved into a cabin at Center Court with special nights for pets, cowboy hats and children who need a quieter visit.

The mall had first listed a different date for the lighting and has since moved it to Sunday, so anyone working from an older flyer should go by the new one.

The tree lighting: Sunday, November 15

The lighting show runs from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on the Green at Center Mall. Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and a grumpy green holiday character host the evening, with holiday entertainment, strolling characters, food trucks, a DJ and selfie spots set up around the lawn. An electric train ride runs for a longer stretch, from 2 to 6 p.m., so families can come early for the train and stay for the lights.

A skating rink from November 18

From Wednesday, November 18, through Sunday, January 3, a pop-up rink sits at Center Court near the tree. It is not real ice: the surface is a synthetic material the mall calls glice, which skaters use with real ice skates. Skaters glide a little slower than on ice and it is not as cold, and the mall pitches it at young and first-time skaters.

Admission is $12 a person and includes skates and a 50-minute session, with sessions starting every hour on the hour. Skaters must be at least 5 years old or 42 inches tall. The rink takes debit and credit cards only, no cash, and no reservation is needed. Character skate nights are planned through the season.

Hours change through the weeks, so check before going. Opening week runs 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, 1 to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The rink is closed on Thanksgiving and on most Mondays and Tuesdays, and the mall notes that hours can shift with the weather.

Food trucks and igloos on the Green

The Holiday Food Truck Market is open now and runs through January 3, Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m., with longer hours the week before Christmas. The lineup is El Patio (Dominican), Matrix on the Go (Jamaican), YumBro (Asian fusion) and Grey's Taco Fusion (Mexican fusion), and decorated igloo seating areas are spread around the center for eating out of the cold.

Santa at Center Court, with special nights

Santa is taking photos and visits in a winter cabin at Center Court, between Gap and Bath and Body Works, through December 24. Reservations are recommended and are required only on Christmas Eve. He takes a cookie break most afternoons from about 3 to 4 p.m.

Three special sessions are on the calendar. Pet Night runs from 4 to 7 p.m. on the Mondays of November 23 and 30 and December 7 and 14. Cowboy Claus visits from 4 to 7 p.m. on the Wednesdays of November 25 and December 2 and 9. Sensory Santa, a calmer session for children who find crowds and noise hard, is Sunday, December 6, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., before the mall gets busy.

A menorah lighting on December 7

On Monday, December 7, Chabad of Yonkers lights a Chanukah menorah near H&M with Rabbi Mendy Hurwitz, along with live music, dancing and holiday treats. The event is free and runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m., with the lighting at 6:30.

Getting there

Cross County Center is at 8000 Mall Walk in Yonkers, NY 10704. The tree lighting, train ride and menorah lighting are free; the rink is $12 a session. Event details and the Santa reservation link are on the mall's events page.

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