Best Holiday Shows in NYC for Kids

Annie takes over the stage at The Theater at Madison Square Garden this holiday season. Photo by Matthew Murphy

'Tis the season to get the gang all dressed up to see some holiday shows in NYC! While the city is lucky to have amazing Broadway shows for kids all year-round, during the holidays there are a range of joyous seasonal productions for families, from inexpensive, low-key offerings perfect for fidgety preschoolers, to over-the-top spectacles that are worth the investment.

From live stage adaptations of classics to amazing circus, dance, and impossible-to-describe performances, here are our top 14 holiday shows in NYC for families, and that's in addition to all those beautiful Nutcrackers. You can find additional show picks in our Guide to Children's Theater in NYC and more seasonal outings in our Holiday Fun Guide for NYC Kids.

Your Holly Jolly Guide to Visiting Santa's Christmas Tree Farm with Kids

Find the perfect tree for your family at Santa's Christmas Tree Farm.

A visit to one of Long Island's local Christmas tree farms is a perfect holiday adventure to enjoy this season, and a day at Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm in Cutchogue on the North Fork is magical for the whole family. Enjoy festive entertainment at every turn and memorable experiences to share.

Our family visits this East End gem every year. My kids cannot get enough of the interactive, seasonal activities. From a visit with Santa to ice skating under twinkling lights to choosing our own Christmas tree, the destination-worthy farm has it all.

Read ahead for all the details to plan your own holly, jolly trip to Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm. For even more merry festivities, check out our Long Island Guide to Holiday Fun, which includes our gift to you: this bucket list of Christmas events and holiday activities on Long Island.

Sesame Street’s Learn and Play Experience Now Open at American Dream Mall

Play and pose with Oscar the Grouch and many other popular character at Sesame Street Play and Learn.

Young fans of the beloved show Sesame Street can now step into the iconic neighborhood thanks to Sesame Street Learn and Play, a brand new educational play space just opened at American Dream Mall.

Little ones can immerse themselves in the world of Sesame Street—and all its famed, furry and feathered characters—thanks to this first-of-its kind play space, which is destined for a spot on our list of the best Northern New Jersey play spaces.

Orlando Christmas Bucket List for Kids: 25 Things to Do in Orlando This Holiday Season

Spend time with Mrs. Claus and more Christmas characters at Gaylord Palms' amazing holiday attraction. Photo courtesy Gaylord Palms & Marriott

Fill up your Christmas bucket list in Orlando, while Santa works on his naughty or nice list! We've rounded up some of our favorite must-do Christmas activities and events in Orlando that families will definitely want to hit up this holiday season. From the twinkling magic of holiday lights to exciting Christmas events at Orlando theme parks, we've got awesome ideas to finish the year with a bang!

Stone Mountain Christmas Creates Lasting Memories for Atlanta Families

Take a stroll through the Musical Frosted Forest during a Stone Mountain Christmas.

Stone Mountain Christmas always makes our annual list of Must-Do Christmas Events in Atlanta. It’s no wonder since the holiday extravaganza includes visits with Santa Claus, walk-through holiday light displays, entertaining performances, nightly tree lightings, a parade, and drone show. Stone Mountain Christmas pulls out all the stops for a magical family event—be prepared for fun shows and attractions, including the new Magical Flight to the North Pole. Add that to all the regular outdoor activities offered at Stone Mountain Park, and your family is in for a treat through January 5, 2025!

Spectacular Neighborhood Christmas Lights and Holiday Light Displays in the Hudson Valley

Peace, Love & Lights at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts features lots of groovy displays. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar

Christmas light displays are shining brightly in the area, and we’ve found some great ones for you to check out in the Lower Hudson Valley. The displays range from individually decorated houses—including one with more than a half million lights—to a drive-thru Christmas wonderland.

We've got plenty more holiday light displays for you to consider in our roundup of the brightest drive-thru installations in the tri-state area.

For more holiday fun, be sure to check our Holiday Fun Guide and Family Activity Calendar.

Best Things To Do with Kids this Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Celebrate the magic of the holiday season at The Lighting of Ridge Hill!  Photo courtesy of the event

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

This weekend, families can marvel at the giant balloons as they take flight in the annual New Rochelle Thanksgiving Day Parade, reportedly the largest New York parade outside of the big Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC.

Other festive holiday openings this weekend include Holiday on the Hudson at Monteverde, Lumina at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard, and Westchester's Winter Wonterland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza.

Read on for lots more standout events happening this weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley.

Jones Beach Magic of Lights and More Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids

Join Santa, Barnaby, Franklynne, and all of their friends as the tale of Barnaby Saves Christmas unfolds on the Theatre Three stage. Photo courtesy of Theatre Three

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

We're full steam ahead toward the holiday celebrations on Long Island and one of our favorite annual traditions—the Jones Beach Magic of Lights Drive-Thru Show—opens this weekend and features an animal display this year!

Sayville Falls debuts a new holiday attraction we can't wait to check out, transforming its mini-golf course into a Holiday Light Show and Winter Garden, complete with igloos.

Theater is in full swing as well, with Frosty at The Engeman Theater and Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus at the Staller Center for the Arts.

Read on for more great events across LI this weekend.

Elf, The Grinch, Holiday Lights, and More Things To Do with Kids in New Jersey this Weekend

See the Grinch on stage at State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick in New Brunswick. Photo by Jeremy Daniel

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

Holiday magic arrives at Six Flags Great Adventure this weekend with the seasonal debut of Holiday in the Park, complete with dazzling lights, entertainment, and Santa visits. For some free, festive fun, take a stroll through Turtle Back Zoo in the evenings for its Holiday Light Display, with more than 50 illuminated animals and winter scenes.