What's Open on Christmas Day in NYC: A List of Awesome Things To Do

Head to the Queens Botanical Garden to experience mysterious rainforests, underwater kingdoms, and ancient cultures as part of the Lektrik lantern festival. Photo courtesy of Fever

What's open on Christmas Day in New York City? Once the presents have been ripped open, the plastic packaging dismantled, and the batteries installed, you might need to get the kids out of the apartment. After all, dinner won't be ready for hours and the kids are full of holiday energy.

Some families have a Christmas Day tradition of enjoying Chinese food and a movie. But there are other fun things to do that are open on Christmas Day in NYC, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. Here are some fun things to do on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, in NYC. You can also pair an outing with a reservation at one of these restaurants open on Christmas—just make sure to book soon!

Find even more seasonal activities in our Holiday Fun Guide or Family Activity Calendar.

Birmingham with Kids: 20 Best Things To Do in Birmingham, Alabama

The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is a car and motorcycle lover's dream come true.

Birmingham, Alabama is perhaps best known for its role in the civil rights movement. While it remains an important center of civil rights history, Birmingham is also home to a thriving dining scene, fantastic urban green spaces, great cultural attractions, and plenty of other things to do with kids. Today, Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama.

Here are 20 top things to do in Birmingham, Alabama with kids, from the world-class Birmingham Zoo to family-friendly restaurants and hotels in Birmingham, AL. Visit our Southern States Vacation Guide for more cities in the south to visit with kids, like New Orleans and Charleston.

Christmas Vacation in NYC: 38 Staycation Ideas for Things To Do with Kids

One of the most spectacular holiday displays in NYC, Shine Bright features over 2 million holiday lights illuminating the entire neighborhood. Photo courtesy of Hudson Yards

Few places rival New York City for holiday activities, and the upcoming Christmas vacation in NYC offers families plenty of free time to sample them all. We’ve rounded up all of our favorite staycation ideas for Christmas vacation in NYC, most of which can be accessed with the swipe of a MetroCard.

Fill your kids' Christmas vacation in NYC with awesome museum outings, live holiday stage shows, fancy Christmas meals, and magical must-do holiday experiences. Your family might even be up for braving the crowds at popular tourist attractions like the Rockefeller Center tree and department store holiday windows.

NYC public school students are on Christmas vacation from Monday, December 23, 2024, through Wednesday, January 1, 2025, add in the preceding weekend, and this is the longest Christmas vacation in NYC in a while. If you need more fun things to do over the holiday break in NYC, bookmark our Family Activity Calendar, which is continuously updated as we learn about new, kid-friendly happenings.

Christmas Vacation in Atlanta: 50 Staycation Ideas for Things to Do With Kids

Head to the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds to walk through an outdoor maze of over 1,000 illuminated Chinese lanterns at the Winter Lantern Festival. Photo by Rebecca Ruffin Leffler

Christmas vacation is one of the best things about the holiday season for many Atlanta kids. Parents, on the other hand, may dread the thought of keeping their children entertained for the winter break. Have no fear! We've got some amazing Atlanta staycation ideas to enjoy the ultimate Christmas vacation.

Because kids can sleep in during holiday break, take advantage of evening activities like Christmas light displays and Atlanta holiday shows and Nutcracker performances. Try outdoor activities, such as ice skating and winter hikes, since Atlanta's weather is generally mild. Save money during Christmas vacation by getting an Atlanta CityPass for many of Atlanta's top attractions, including Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and more.

Christmas Vacation in Orlando: 20 Staycation Ideas for Things To Do With Kids

Enjoy the holidays during winter break at Legoland Florida Resort. Photo courtesy of Legoland Florida Resort

Most schools in Central Florida are closed for Christmas vacation between December 21, 2024 and January 5, 2025, leaving two weeks for family fun. This winter break is a great time to take day trips from Orlando, catch up on holiday events, and enjoy time to sleep in!

From the best holiday lights in Orlando to must-do Christmas activities, Mommy Poppins Orlando has you covered this winter holiday break! Here are some ideas below to help plan those school-free, staycation days, and be sure to check our Orlando events calendar for more things to do as they pop up. 

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