Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2024 in New Jersey: Light Shows, Tree Lightings, and Santa's Arrival

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Spend the day at Van Saun Park and bask in seasonal fun like ice skating. Photo by Kaylen Chiarello Ebner

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this Thanksgiving Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

Thanksgiving has arrived, so gobble up all the fun and festivities this long weekend has to offer. Annual winter festivals kick off the weekend, including Bergen County Winter Wonderland, featuring ice skating, train rides, and bumper cars. Santa makes his grand arrival at tree-lighting celebrations in Red Bank and Point Pleasant Beach.

Check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for NJ Families for more holiday season happenings this weekend, including Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in New Jersey.

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2024 in NYC: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and More Things To Do

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Experience a kaleidoscope of photo-ops, plus acrobatic shows, tasty food, craft cocktails, live music, and more at the captivating light festival, Lektrik, at the Queens Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy of Fever

Looking for the best things to do in New York City on Thanksgiving weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this Thanksgiving weekend.

We're grateful for so much this weekend, including two behind-the-scenes Thanksgiving Day Parade peeks: the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation and Marching Bands Practice at the Seaport Museum. Then, Thursday brings the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Macy's Santaland opens Friday, serving as the gateway to the sparkly NYC holiday season.

We're anticipating classic holiday fun, like the New York City Ballet's Nutcracker at Lincoln Center, plus new holiday happenings, including the brilliant Lektrik light show setting the Queens Botanical Garden aglow. Read on for all our top picks for Thanksgiving Day weekend fun in NYC.

19 Best Things to Do in Los Angeles December 2024 with Kids

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Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars glides into DTLA. Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment.

December brings plenty of things to do in Los Angeles with Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve. Don’t miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Los Angeles this month.

Top things to do in Los Angeles and unwrap this December include Wicked at the Pantages, Manhattan Beach Annual Holiday Fireworks Festival (snow and fireworks!), an entire fleet of boat parades, including Dana Point's Boat Parade of Lights, and LA County's Annual Holiday Celebration. Mirabel, Tiana, and Moana skate into the Southland with a new Disney on Ice show that finds the Magic in the Stars. 2024 brings us a true Chrismukkah miracle as the first night of Hanukkah coincides with Christmas Day. However, some local celebrations occur earlier, such as the Skirball's annual Hanukkah Festival.

To end the month in style, ring in the New Year at Gloria Molina Grand Park—or Noon Year at the Southern California Children's Museum—depending on your bedtime, as we look forward to all the fun we'll have in 2025. Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Los Angeles this December.

For even more fun things to do in LA this season, check out our Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide for LA Families—which includes a roundup of the Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus, Walk-Thrus, and Christmas Light Shows in Los Angeles, where to see The Nutcracker and other holiday shows in LA, and more. 

Slime Day, Llama Day, and More Holidays & Activities for December 2024 (Like Christmas!)

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Get gooey for Slime Day! Make your own at home, or get that goop out of your house at a local slime museum. Photo by Kylie Williams

With Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve, December is the holiday-est month of the year. But wait, there’s more! Here are celebratory, and sometimes surprising, things to do with kids each and every day in December!

In addition to the major holidays, you can also celebrate Slime Day, Walt Disney Day, Llama Day, and more — all this month. Plus, we’ve sprinkled in plenty of ways to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah leading up to the actual day!

Check this list, and you’ll find the perfect thing to do with your kids each and every day. For more ideas for Christmas activities, check out our Christmas Activities Guide for Families.

Family-Friendly Restaurants near Lincoln Center for Pre-Show Eats

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The Brooklyn Diner is the perfect place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Photo courtesy of the diner

Though many of the restaurants and cafés surrounding Lincoln Center might seem too upscale for family dining or a quick, inexpensive snack, there are plenty of affordable, family-friendly restaurants near Lincoln Center hidden in plain sight. Most of these restaurants cater to the pre-theater crowd, know local productions and schedules, and are more than happy to make sure you're in and out with time to spare before the curtain rises.

Whether you're in the neighborhood for a concert, to see the Big Apple Circus, The Nutcracker, or just to check out the famous fountain, here are our favorite family-friendly restaurants near Lincoln Center to grab a bite without breaking the bank—or your patience.

Find more great kid-friendly eateries in our NYC Kids' Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants.

Why a Visit to the Legoland New York Holiday Bricktacular Is a Seasonal Must-Do

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Legoland New York has gotten a seasonal makeover with plenty of festive fun, food, and attractions during its Holiday Bricktacular.

The holiday season is officially here, and there's no better place to celebrate than Legoland New York in Goshen! This festive destination is a must-visit for your family during the season. The park has kicked off its annual Holiday Bricktacular, transforming the park into a winter wonderland for the off-season. Running through Saturday, January 4, 2025, the spectacular Legoland New York brings the fun with rides, shows, and character appearances, all sprinkled with a little holiday magic.

An added perk: Tickets are available at a discounted rate since it's the off-season. Located less than an hour from New York City, Legoland is a perfect holiday season day trip or overnight destination thanks to its on-site Legoland New York Hotel.

Read on to discover why the Holiday Bricktacular is the perfect time to visit Legoland New York, and if you're looking to explore the area, be sure to check out our guide to the best things to do in Goshen.

Turtle Back Zoo's Holiday Lights Spectacular Returns for 2024: What to Know Before You Go

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Turtle Back Zoo is all decked out for the holiday season, which means there are lots of great photo ops.

Step into a magical wonderland of twinkling lights at NJ's Turtle Back Zoo this holiday season at the annual Holiday Lights Spectacular. On select evenings in November and December, visitors can stroll through a fantastic display of holiday lights and scenes throughout the Essex County zoo. There's lots to see and do for FREE, though some activities require extra fees.

So bundle up the kids and get ready for a memorable night at the zoo: Here's everything you need to know about this special event. Read more about all the great things to do at Turtle Back Zoo in our review, and check out our post on 21 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New Jersey for Kids for other can't-miss NJ events. 

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