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From the NYBG Holiday Train Show to a date with the Radio City Rockettes, New York City serves up so many holiday activities, there's no way one family can see and do it all in a single holiday season. There are a few holiday activities that are extra special, extra big, and extra over the top or ones that can only be found in NYC, which we believe every kid ought to experience at least once in childhood. These include ice skating under the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and walking the illuminated streets of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, among other holiday delights. Whether you call NYC home or you're in town for a magical holiday visit, our list of 49 bucket list holiday activities for families represents the very best of Christmas in New York. Find more picks in our NYC Kids Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities. Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox. 1. Ice Skate at the Rockefeller Center Ice Rink Tie up your skates for a spin around the famous ice rink at Rockefeller Center, while the dazzling Christmas tree twinkles in the background. 2. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation Catch a sneak preview of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade's giant balloons as they're inflated outside the American Museum of Natural History. FREE RELATED: 3-Day Itinerary for a Magical NYC Holiday with Kids Santa ushers in the start of the holiday season when he arrives at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo by the author 3. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Get up at the crack of dawn to stake out your spot along the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route, or splurge on a hotel room overlooking the parade (Pro tip: book now for next year!) 4. Radio City Christmas Spectacular Splurge to see the high-stepping Rockettes do that famous kick line, and enjoy the live nativity finale during a production of the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes. 5. Winter Village at Bryant Park This outdoor winter wonderland is filled with holiday magic. Where else can you hit the ice for FREE, sip on hot chocolate, and peruse a charming selection of open-air shops? 6. Have High Tea Get the kids dressed up to enjoy a holiday high tea at one of these swanky spots. 7. Holiday Express Head to the New-York Historical Society to see its Holiday Express display, featuring toys and trains from its Jerni Collection dating back to the early 1900s. RELATED: Festive Family-Friendly NYC Hotels for Christmas and the Holidays You're never too old to feel the magic of Christmas at Macy's Santaland. Photo by the author 8. Macy's Santaland Visit with the "real" Santa at Macy's magical, elf-filled Santaland. Reservations are required. FREE if you can resist the photo package. 9. The Nutcracker Delight in a sumptuous show at the impressive Lincoln Center and see the famed New York City Ballet's The Nutcracker. 10. The Metropolitan Opera Catch the annual holiday production from the Met Opera, which offers The Magic Flute each season. 11. Alvin Ailey Family Matinees Enjoy a modern dance performance courtesy of the famed African American dance company, and stick around after the performance for a special Q&A with performers. 12. See a Holiday Show NYC's kid-theater scene never lacks variety, and that means the holidays bring tons of awesome, all-ages family shows playing at theaters all across town. 13. NYBG Holiday Train Show Marvel at the miniature trains and NYC landmarks made from botanical materials at the New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show. RELATED: 100 Things To Do in NYC with Kids Before They Grow Up The Tianyu Lights Show lets visitors experience an enchanting night walk at Citi Field. 14. Tianyu Lights Festival Delight in the dazzling, dynamic light trail at Citi Field. 15. Make Music New York Make a joyful noise in honor of the winter solstice at the annual Make Music New York lineup of events, which bring music to the streets in a communal celebration. 16. FAO Schwarz Salute the life-sized toy soldiers and play on the famous dance-on piano at the iconic toy store, FAO Schwarz, which offers a perfect view overlooking the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree! 17. Big Apple Circus The big top sets up shop for the season annually in Damrosch Park, and families can catch the beloved hometown troop in action from mid-November through early January. 18. Dyker Lights Gawk at the spectacularly decorated homes in Brooklyn's Dyker Heights neighborhood. FREE 19. Unsilent Night Join Unsilent Night, an NYC-born offbeat holiday procession of boom boxes (held by participants) that travels from Washington Square Park to Tompkins Square Park each December. FREE 20. Rolf's Restaurant Dine at Rolf's, the tiny German restaurant in Gramercy that goes all out with its Christmas decor. 21. Check Out a Holiday Pop-Up If you've already enjoyed a night out at Rolf's, try one of these other over-the-top decorated restaurants and holiday pop-ups in NYC. 22. All Aboard the Polar Express Some things are worth leaving the city for, and these Christmas trains near NYC are cool enough to get us into the 'burbs for a seasonal excursion. RELATED: NYC Restaurant Guide for Families The Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting is a must-do at least once! Photo courtesy of Tishman Speyer 23. Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting While we caution against the packed crowds, brave them at least once to watch the Rockefeller Center tree being lit for the season. FREE 24. Go Caroling in Washington Square Park Ring in the holiday by caroling around the Christmas tree near the historic Washington Square Arch on Christmas Eve. FREE 25. Grand Central Terminal Head to this commuter hub outside of rush hour for plenty of fun things to do, including a completely FREE Holiday Train Show and an enchanting holiday market. Celebrate Hanukkah with the lighting of the world's largest menorahs, at Grand Army Plaza in both Manhattan and Brooklyn. Photo by Julienne Schaer 26. See a Menorah Lighting Make plans to see larger-than-life menorahs get lit during the Festival of Lights. You can catch World's Largest Menorah lighting in Manhattan, or Brooklyn's Largest Menorah at Grand Army Plaza. 27. See the Animals Glow The Bronx Zoo takes visitors on an after-dark safari, complete with lanterns, light shows, and wildlife theater performers. 28. Holiday Windows Walk Pack a thermos of hot cocoa for the kids and a couple of candy canes and stroll the Midtown streets looking at the spectacular holiday windows and streetside decorations. FREE 29. Christmas in Historic Richmond Town Take a step back in time at Historic Richmond Town as it celebrates the season with a Dickens-style village complete with historical interpreters, old-school crafts, yummy treats, and horse-drawn carriage rides. 30. Holiday Nostalgia Rides Christmas shopping is even more fun when you catch one of these old-fashioned subway trains parading through the underground. 31. Broadway Under the Stars See the glittering light show at The Shops at Columbus Circle and catch Broadway stars crooning on select seasonal evenings. 32. Luna Park's Frost Fest Coney Island isn't just for summertime visits. The popular Luna Park gets a wintery makeover for Frost Fest with Santa visits, ice skating, seasonal eats, and select amusement park rides. RELATED: Toys for Tots Donation Spots in NYC and More Places to Donate Toys This magical origami tree is a stunning sight at the American Museum of Natural History. Photo by the author 33. See the Origami Tree Pose for a photo at one of the many magical-looking Christmas trees around the city. We love the American Museum of Natural History's origami-festooned tree. 34. Or the Angel Tree The Met's ode to the season is a towering tree bedecked in angels with an 18th-century Neopolitan nativity scene at its base. 35. North Pole Express If you're car-free and can't get away, the double-decker bus tour dubbed the North Pole Express is an excellent substitute within city limits! You'll be wined and dined by energetic elves, enjoy an above-the-crowds peek at Midtown's fabulous displays, and meet-and-greet with Santa aboard a festively decorated TopView Sightseeing bus as you sing carols all the way. 36. Legoland Holiday Bricktacular Enjoy a seasonal day trip to the Legoland New York Holiday Bricktacular to see special holiday shows, a 35-foot-Lego Christmas tree, and plenty of photo-ops with Lego Santa! 37. Dine with Santa When a short visit isn't quite enough to get your requests in, consider booking one of these brunches, cruises, or Santa teas for yummy eats and plenty of face time with jolly old St. Nick. 38. Celebrate Kwanzaa The Brooklyn Children's Museum celebrates the seven principles of this holiday with an action-packed week of programming that includes vibrant performances, art, workshops, and more. 39. Lightscape The Brooklyn Botanic Garden shines brightly with its twinkling display and the cathedral of lights is a jaw-dropping backdrop for a photo! 40. See Spectacular Holiday Houses While the Dyker Lights offers a concentration of spectacularly lit holiday houses, we've found a few more over-the-top homes worth visiting at least once. Many of these stunning displays give back to the local community, too. 41. New Victory Holiday Show If your kids aren't quite ready for a big-time production at Lincoln Center or Radio City, consider booking tickets to this kid-friendly spot, which stages the action-packed, festive Yuletide Factory this winter. 42. Harlem Meer Christmas Tree Flotilla Why go to one Christmas tree lighting when you can see a whole flotilla come to life on the Harlem Meer? If you missed the community-minded lighting, it's still worth stopping by to snap a picture of the sparkling trees during the season. FREE 43. Hudson Yards Holiday Lights This sky-high micro nabe shines brightly during the holiday season when more than 2 million twinkling lights and glittering hot air balloons fill the multi-level mall and public square with sparkling seasonal cheer. 44. The Museum at Eldridge Street This stunning Jewish institution—housed in a former temple—sponsors a Christmas Day concert annually. 45. Visit a Holiday Market We love the holiday markets that pop up during the Christmas season. Visit them to support some small businesses while you shop for the perfect gift. You'll find seasonal markets at Columbus Circle, Herald Square, Bryant Park, Union Square, City Point, Brooklyn, and beyond. 46. Enjoy a Cathedral Service Celebrate the holiday with a religious service at the Catholic St. Patrick's Cathedral or the Episcopal Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. 47. Hit Times Square If you've crossed off everything else on this list, it's time for the true test of holiday fortitude: Can you bear the crowds at Times Square on New Year's Eve? We did it once and can report that was (more than) enough. 48. Prospect Park New Year's Drone Show For a more low-key New Year's Eve experience, consider heading out to Brooklyn's Prospect Park to see the sky light up with a brand-new drone show as the clock strikes midnight. 49. Three Kings Day Parade Embrace the tradition of celebrating this post-Christmas holiday with a parade through East Harlem, complete with live camels and larger-than-life puppets of Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. A version of this post was published in 2017; it is updated annually. Stephanie Ogozalek contributed additional reporting.

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