Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in the Hudson Valley

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"Peace, Love & Lights" brings a drive-thru light experience on the site of the Woodstock Festival. Photo courtesy of Bethel Woods

This year's must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in the Hudson Valley include a wintry mix of spectacles, tree lighting ceremonies, Santa sightings, and other fun. 

Whether you’re looking for a drive-thru holiday lights display or a Christmas event outside in frosty air, we’re highlighting can't-miss holiday activities in the Hudson Valley below. Enjoy Lego-themed holiday festivities at Legoland New York's Holiday Bricktacular or dance and sing with the holiday characters at A Frosty Fest.

For an unforgettable family holiday experience, put on your pajamas and take a Polar Express-themed train ride with Santa through the Catskill Mountains.

Find even more ways to celebrate the season in our curated Christmas and Holiday Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Families. We also populate our Family Activity Calendar with loads of fun throughout the holidays, so keep close tabs to stay informed.

Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Hottest Toys and Christmas Gifts for Kids

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Cookeez Makery is one of the hottest new toys of 2024!

Looking for the best Christmas gifts for kids? Check out our ultimate holiday gift guide 2024, with the hottest toy suggestions for kids of all ages.

'Tis the season—it’s time to get serious about Christmas gifts for kids. The holidays will be here before you know it, and that means shopping. Lots of shopping. To help you find the perfect gift, we've talked to kids, toy experts, and parents to fill our gift guide for 2024 with some of the hottest toys of the season.

Whether your toddler loves Ms. Rachel or your teenager is dying for the latest Percy Jackson book, we’ve got the perfect gift for kids of all ages and interests.

For more gift ideas, check out the Mommy Poppins Holiday Gift Guide 2024, which has suggestions for cool stocking stuffers, baby's first Christmas gift, and more.

Best STEM Classes in New Jersey for Kids

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Robot Revolution in Summit focuses on competitive robotics.

If your child is interested in exploring the "hows," "whys," and "what-ifs" of the world around them, STEM classes in New Jersey can be a wonderful way to foster curiosity and critical thinking. We've rounded up 15 STEM classes for kids in the Garden State that teach coding, robotics, architecture, engineering, chess, and more.

For more kids' activities, check out our guide to the Best Kids Classes and Activities in New Jersey.

Big Top Comes to the Big Apple: Big Apple Circus and More High-Flying Shows in NYC

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The Big Apple Circus has pitched its big top in Damrosch Park for a fun-filled show that's an ode to its hometown. Photo by Jody Mercier

It's easy to run away to the circus in NYC—we have so many big tops passing through town each year that you can snag a seat in the stands in any season. A trip to the circus is an exercise in joy and a great introduction to live performances for little kids. High-flying acrobats and glittering costumes are great attention grabbers!

The beloved Big Apple Circus holds its annual holiday season run, dazzling audiences at Lincoln Center with acrobats, trained poodles, magic, and more. Circus newcomer Flip Circus makes multiple stops for audiences in Forest Park and McCarren Park, while the Grand Shanghai Circus brings a taste of China to St. George on Staten Island. Come spring, Cirque du Soleil's Luzia lights up Randall's Island, and the New Victory Theater has a pair of circus troupes on its docket this season, too.

Read on for all the touring circus acts you can catch in NYC, and book your tickets for your favorite big top now to ensure you don't miss out on the action.

Easton Farms: Christmas Tree Capital of Connecticut

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See if you can track down the perfect tree in Easton, the Christmas Tree capital of Connecticut! Photo by author Kelly Patino

Did you know Easton, Connecticut was declared the Christmas Tree Capital of Connecticut last December? Sounds like a Hallmark movie right? The town has several farms with a variety of Christmas trees located right off the Merritt Parkway or Route 25. Easton is convenient for Connecticut and Tri-State residents, and there's even road signage for each Christmas tree farm. Additionally, all the farms are family-run with so much heart. Check out our list of Christmas tree farms in Easton, Connecticut to pick the right one for you!

Whether you cut-your-own or chose a pre-cut Christmas tree, the cherished memory of picking out the perfect tree is a calender event that can be an afternoon or an entire day! Looking for more family fun? Sign up for our newsletters, check out our Event Calendar, and follow us on Facebook! Stay updated on family holiday events during the 2024 holiday season and keeping check our Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide to make the most of your holiday calendar.  

The Nutcracker Ballet and More Holiday Shows for Atlanta Families

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One of the most popular takes on The Nutcracker comes from Atlanta Ballet, performed at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Photo by Kim Kenney

The Nutcracker ballet and other holiday shows in Atlanta bring families together for memory making and festive fun. Atlanta offers plenty of holiday shows and options for The Nutcracker, including those with cool twists on the story, like Hip Hop Nutcracker at The Fox and Once Upon a Holiday in Roswell. 

Some holiday shows are so kid-friendly (especially the ones with puppets) that even the wiggliest of children are mesmerized! Take a look at our comprehensive list of The Nutcracker performances and holiday shows to choose which will add theatrical magic to your family this holiday season!