Westchester County is north of New York City with Connecticut to the east and Rockland County to the west. Westchester County is known for its beautiful communities, with towns that border both the Long Island Sound and the Hudson River.

A midsummer night dream is alive and well in Westchester County and here is a sampling of ways in which to soak in the last half of summer:  

Fireworks at Playland

Ooh and aah at the fireworks in Playland choreographed to music.  Details: Wednesdays and Fridays through Sept. 2, at 9:15 p.m. Parking is $5. Playland Park, Playland Parkway, Rye. 914-813-7010.

Holiday Lighted Boat Parade in New Rochelle 

Take in a parade of boats lit up with holiday lights as they cruise along the Long Island Sound's shoreline with public viewing areas at Neptune and Hudson parks.

Details: July 30, 8:30-9:30 p.m. New Rochelle Municipal Marina, 22 Pelham Road, New Rochelle. 914-235-7339. 

Concerts

Summer Sounds Concert Series in New Rochelle

The Emil Paolucci Summer Concert Series continues at Hudson Park with a performance by the Silver Streaks Band, offering a variety of musical styles and sounds from different eras. Details: July 20 at 7 p.m. Hudson Park Bandshell, Hudson Park, New Rochelle.

 Jazz and dancing on Library Green in New Rochelle

Learn new dance steps while enjoying high-energy Latin music. On July 21, Nanny Assis performs samba, bossa-nova, baiao and Brazilian jazz standards. His trio will be joined by two professional samba dancers, who will offer pre-concert lessons. On July 28, Grupo Latin Vibe brings a salsa/Latin jazz show to the band stand, with pre-concert salsa lessons. 

Details: Both concerts are at 7 p.m., dance lessons at 6 p.m. In case of rain, concerts move indoors to the Ossie Davis Theater at the New Rochelle Public Library, where seating is limited. Complimentary tickets will be given out at the library starting at 6 p.m. Library Green, Ossie Davis Park, 1 Library Plaza (Lawton Street and Huguenot Street), New Rochelle. 914-632-8254.

Big Band Music on the Boardwalk at Playland 

Head to Playland Park to see Milt Gerver and his orchestra perform music from the big band era.  Details: July 22, July 29 and Aug. 5, at 7:30. Parking is $5. Playland Park, Playland Parkway, Rye. 914-813-7010 

Sunset Jazz at Lyndhurst 

Every Thursday night in August, watch the sunset overlooking the Hudson River at Lyndhurst while enjoying jazz. Concerts include the Ray Mantilla Latin Jazz Group on Aug. 4, the Louis Hayes Quartet on Aug. 11, Samba New York! (an eight- piece Brazilian samba group) on Aug. 18, and Forever Ray: Ray Charles Tribute Group on Aug. 25. Presented by Lyndhurst and Jazz Forum Arts. Details: Grounds open at 5 p.m., plenty of time to picnic on the west lawn before concerts, which are all at 6:30 p.m. Bring blankets, chairs. In case of rain, the concert will move indoors to the Carriage House tent. Lyndhurst, 635 S. Broadway (Route 9), Tarrytown. Parking is $10. 914-631-4481. www.hudsonvalley.org

12th Annual Dobbs Ferry Summer Music Series at Waterfront Park

A great lineup performs Wednesday concerts at the scenic Hudson riverfront park: Freddie Bryant Quartet on July 20, 3D Ritmo de Vida on July 27, Carrie Jackson on Aug. 3, the Jo Lawry Group on Aug. 10, and the John Hart Organ Quartet Aug. 17.

Details: All concerts are 6:30-8 p.m. Free parking in nearby Metro-North lot. In case of rain, the concert will be moved indoors at the Embassy Community Center at 60 Palisade St., Dobbs Ferry Waterfront. Waterfront Park is at the bottom of High Street. Contact Jazz Forum Arts at 914-631-1000. www.jazzforumarts.org

WorldFest 2011 in Yonkers

Go all around the world at WorldFest 2011, a concert, dance and theater series at Untermyer Park overlooking the Hudson River in Yonkers. July 23: The Yonkers Philharmonic "European" Tour; July 30: Zikrayat/Music and Dance from Egypt; Aug. 6: Connecticut Ballet; Aug. 13: An Evening of Asian Culture; Aug. 20: Actors Conservatory Theater presents "All Shook Up"; Aug. 27: The Culture and Tradition of India, and Sept. 3: The McLean Avenue Band. 

Details: All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Bring chairs and blankets. In case of rain, call the number below to check for cancellation. 345 North Broadway, Yonkers. 914-375-3435. www.untermyer.com 

Friday night Jazz at Patriots Park in Tarrytown 

August brings jazz concerts to the park Friday nights in August: Gerry Malkin Quartet, featuring George Colligan on Aug. 5, Le Pompe Attack "Gypsy Jazz" on Aug. 12, Laura Dreer Quartet on Aug. 19, and Glacomo Gates Quartet on Aug. 26. 

Details: All concerts are 6:30-8 p.m. Patriots Park, North Broadway (Route 9), Tarrytown. Contact Jazz Forum Arts at 914-631-1000. www.jazzforumarts.org. 

Brazilian Jazz in West Harrison 

Spend your lunch break at Jazz at CHASE!, featuring Mark Morganelli and The Jazz Forum All Stars Brazil Project. The group will perform Brazilian music by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Marcos Valle, Luiz Bonfa and others, including music from the film, "Black Orpeus." Concert is rain or shine. 

Details: Aug. 19, noon-1 p.m. Chase Bank, 106 Corporate Park Drive (off of westbound Westchester Avenue). Contact Jazz Forum Arts at 914-631-1000. www.jazzforumarts.org.

Women in Jazz at Beczak Environmental Education Center in Yonkers 

Celebrate women jazz musicians every Tuesday in August. Performances include Ginetta's Vendetta on Aug. 2, Karolina Strassmaer and Drori Mondlak Quartet on Aug. 9, Jill McCarron Quartet on Aug. 16, and Kim Clarke and the group, MAGNETS! with Rob Scheps, Bryan Carrott and George Gray on Aug. 23 

Details: All concerts 6:30-8:30 p.m., rain or shine. 35 Alexander St., Yonkers. Contact Jazz Forum Arts at 914-631-1000. www.jazzforumarts.org.