When it comes to holiday activities in NYC, locals know that even though there's a week of Kwanzaa, eight nights of Hanukkah, and 12 days of Christmas, the holiday season in NYC really lasts from early November through New Year's Eve. That's almost two months of only-in-NY holiday activities and special Christmas events.

Of course, not all Christmas events and holiday activities are created equal. That's why we've rounded up the absolute best ways to get into the spirit of the season. Here is our curated list of must-do holiday activities and Christmas events in NYC in 2024. Consider this seasonal bucket list our gift to you. Below, we're detailing a dozen NYC Christmas events and holiday activities sure to give your family a season of happy memories.

Our picks for New York City's top holiday activities are a mix of classic favorites, like the star-studded Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and newcomers, including a revival of Annie starring Whoopi Goldberg at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. You'll find plenty more family-friendly seasonal celebrations in our New York City Holiday Guide, which includes picks for everything from holiday day trips to the best Nutcracker ballets for kids, and more sweet seasonal treats.

There's nothing like the holiday season in NYC, from glittering holiday windows and the towering Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to classic holiday shows and timeless traditions, the city sparkles during the holiday season. If you're ready to plan a magical holiday itinerary, you're going to need an equally magical place to lay your head at night and these family-friendly NYC hotels go all out to make you feel like you're home for the holidays.

With prime locations and fun festive touches, these local NYC hotels pull out all the stops to ensure your Christmas in New York is a core memory for years to come. Find more tips for your holiday vacation in our NYC Kids Guide to Christmas and the Holidays and our Visitors Guide, which is chock full of need-to-know information for navigating the Big Apple with kids in tow.

Thanksgiving in New York City wouldn’t be what it is without the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you're eager to take your kids to glimpse those giant balloons and don’t want to rise before dawn, visit the area near the American Museum of Natural History on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, to watch the giants come to life during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation.

While the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation is far from crowd-free, it’s an only-in-New York event all its own—and one of our must-do holiday events for families. Read on for tips on when to go and where to eat. In need of more holiday inspiration? Visit our NYC Kids Thanksgiving Fun Guide.

New York City's outdoor ice skating rinks are ready for a new season, and we've rounded up our favorite outdoor ice skating rinks in NYC. Whether you want to take a twirl on some long-running classics, like the Rockefeller Center Ice Rink and the always-free Bryant Park rink, or explore new favorites like the waterfront rink coming to Domino Park, our list of family-friendly outdoor ice skating rinks in NYC continues to grow.

Read on for our top picks for outdoor ice skating rinks for beginners and experienced skaters alike. And, if it ever gets too cold to glide outside, know you can always hit one of NYC's indoor ice skating rinks.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade celebrates its 98th anniversary this November, taking over the streets of Manhattan on Thursday, November 28, 2024, exhilarating the city with its boisterous marching bands, extravagant floats, and giant balloon characters. 

If you're planning to attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with kids (and millions of others!), read on for the most up-to-date information on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route, best viewing locations, and other highlights. Looking for where to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024 on TV instead? Read on for that, too. You'll find more holiday inspiration in our Thanksgiving Fun Guide for NYC Families.

Enthusiastic paradegoers know the family fun actually begins the day before as the trademark giant balloons receive their annual helium injections—in fact, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon inflation is even included in our list of 100 things to do with your kids in NYC before they grow up. Check out our in-depth Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade inflation post for an overview of the Wednesday night festivities.

When it comes to celebrating the power of play, there’s no place more dedicated to the childhood pastime than The Strong National Museum of Play. Located in the heart of downtown Rochester, New York, The Strong National Museum of Play might be one of the best children’s museums in the United States, but it’s far more than a kids-only space.

Fresh off a 90,000-square-foot expansion that debuted in 2023, The Strong Museum is home to plenty of hands-on exhibits guaranteed to entertain kids for a day or more—and it’s also the largest collections-based museum in the world. This combination makes it a great all-ages destination as adults are guaranteed to find plenty of nostalgia in its galleries, which include the National Toy Hall of Fame and the World Video Game Hall of Fame.

Read on to learn why The Strong National Museum of Play is a must-visit Upstate New York attraction and why it makes a perfect jumping-off point to explore the region from the Flower City to the Finger Lakes, and nearby Buffalo and Niagara Falls beyond.

When it comes to finding the best birthday party places in Manhattan for preschoolers, parents of the under-5 crowd know that the little ones seem to have boundless energy. Fear not: These preschool party spots can keep them engaged and keep the fun coming.

We've rounded up the best Manhattan birthday party places for your preschooler's next party below and have even more options for NYC birthday party places in our NYC Kids Guide to Birthday Parties and Directory, including these indoor birthday party destinations with mega playgrounds.

With September behind us, we're focused on finding the best fall activities in NYC for families because it's official: The seasons are shifting. So, instead of lamenting the summer that was, we're looking forward to all the fall activities that await.

With that in mind, here's our season-long look at the best things to do this fall in NYC. After all, we've got assorted school holidays, plus a few long weekends to fill before the weather really changes. Without further ado, here is our fall bucket list, chock full of 35 things to do in NYC with kids.

Now that we've got you dreaming of fall, find our top picks for family-friendly fall day trips and more seasonal fun in our Guide to Fall Fun in NYC.