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Best Things To Do with Kids During Christmas Vacation in NYC

1. Go to Governors Island

See Governors Island in a whole new season and explore the Island's 172-acres, gorgeous views, and cozy food and drink options.

2. Run Away to the Big Apple Circus

Get tickets to the Big Apple Circus to see the cutest poodles, high-flying acrobats, and many other daring and dazzling feats. This season's show, Hometown Playground, runs through Sunday, January 5, 2025, so get your tickets now!

3. Take in a Train Show

Though the New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show is the main event; you can also see trains at the New-York Historical Society and the Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal, which is FREE.

4. Explore an Interactive Art Exhibit

Become immersed in an interactive art experience with Artechouse, which is hosting a special holiday ASMR-experience titled Tingle Bells through Sunday, January 5, 2025.

5. Watch the Animals Shine

Visit the animal-inspired lanterns at the Bronx Zoo. The much-loved holiday tradition returns, lighting the grounds with wildlife-themed LED displays, custom Asian lanterns, and animated light shows.

6. Be Enchanted by The Nutcracker

Catch a live performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at the David Koch Theater at Lincoln Theater or any of the other wonderful versions of the ballet that are available for viewing this holiday season.

7. Visit the Harry Potter New York

This themed Flatiron District store has gotten a special holiday makeover with a Christmas tree scavenger hunt, plenty of last-minute gift ideas, and fun in-store experiences for the Harry Potter fans in your life!

8. Play Tourist at the Statue of Liberty

If you haven't been to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island lately, it's time to make the trek. The Statue of Liberty Museum is worth the visit alone. Pro tip: Head there straight from the boat while everyone else beelines for the statue, and you'll have the run of the place.

9. Visit an Observation Deck

Brave the lines at one of the soaring observation decks in NYC to get a new perspective on the city.

10. See A Christmas Carol

Enjoy a captivating one-hour performance created from Dickens’ own script of A Christmas Carol at Merchant's House Museum—all while surrounded by 19th-century holiday decorations, flickering candles, and richly appointed period furnishings.

11. Go on a Hot Chocolate Crawl

Warm up with a cup of frothy, chocolatey goodness at one of Manhattan's best hot chocolate spots.

12. Visit NYSCI

There's always something new going on at the New York Hall of Science, where you can enjoy seasonal installations, like SciSkate, plus The Big Bubble Experiment, and the temporary Building Imagination, Brick by Brick exhibit that's leaving at the end of the year. There are plenty of old favorites, too.

13. Go on a Tropical Adventure

Citi Field's parking lot has undergone a dazzling transformation courtesy of the Tianyu Lights Festival, which whisks visitors away on a journey to the Amazon with brightly colored lanterns, dazzling LED displays, and plenty of brilliant interactive elements, including an infinity room!

14. Shop and Play at CAMP

Explore CAMP's flagship Flatiron store, which is currently hosting an interactive Bluey x Camp experience with all your kids' favorite characters from the show.

15. Go Out for High Tea

Dress up and head to one of our top picks for the best places for high tea in NYC.

16. Create a Tasty Structure

Bring the whole family to Taste Buds Kitchen for a gingerbread house decorating workshop, where you can make a delicious treat and delightful memories.

17. Visit NYC's Only Farm

Visit the Queens County Farm Museum for a step back in time at NYC's only working farm.

18. Catch a Showing of a Broadway Show

Laugh along with the adventures of Buddy in the family-friendly holiday show Elf on Broadway, or check out one of these other family-friendly Broadway shows.

19. Escape To A Tropical Holiday

Leave the cold of the city behind, at least in spirit, and visit Holiday Under the Palms at Brookfield Place. Enjoy a tropical spin on Christmas with the family with attractions like Santa’s Sandcastle as Brookfield Place turns into a "sandy wonderland."

20. Day Trip to American Dream Mall

Dedicate a day to exploring the massive American Dream Mall in New Jersey, which is packed with family-friendly destinations like the Nickelodeon Universe theme park, DreamWorks Water Park, and the brand-new Sesame Learn and Play that's perfect for preschoolers.

21. Celebrate Kwanzaa at BCM

Head to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum for the 17th annual Kwanzaa celebration. Learn about Kwanzaa’s seven principles with live performances, workshops, art projects, and festive cuisine each day.

22. Hit the Slopes for Winter Sports

Now's the time for a quick snow tubing, snowboarding, skiing, or other winter sports adventure.

23. Ring in the New Year

Celebrate 2025 in style by creating wearable artwork, time capsules, and tissue snowflakes during the Children's Museum of Manhattan's New Year's Eve Extravaganza.

24. Explore Industry City

Browse everything Industry City has to offer, including the alfresco ice skating rink, the curated book collection at Powerhouse@IC, and the indoor games room.

25. Visit Sloomoo Institute

Get messy during a visit to the Sloomoo Institute in Soho for an over-the-top sensory experience.

26. Check Out a Museum

There are plenty of exhibitions and programs to explore at the American Museum of Natural History, including Apex, its massive new Stegosaurus fossil, now on display. Find even more options on our list of the best museums for kids in NYC.

27. Go Ice Skating

Check out one of NYC's outdoor ice skating spots, including the stunning new Domino Square rink in Williamsburg.

28. Make Some Bucket List Memories

Start working through our roundup of 100 things to do in NYC with kids before they grow up.

Fun Free Things To Do on Christmas Vacation in NYC

29. Celebrate Hanukkah

The Festival of Lights kicks off on Wednesday, December 25, and you can attend FREE nightly menorah lightings at Hudson Yards, Central Park, and Prospect Park.

30. Enjoy Kids Week

The Urban Park Rangers are putting on fun, FREE programming in all five boroughs all week long. So, bundle up and get outside to enjoy everything from campfire storytimes to seal exploration and more.

31. Be Dazzled in Dyker Heights

Take a trip to the outer boroughs to check out the over-the-top holiday light displays, including Brooklyn's famously decked-out houses in Dyker Heights.

32. Snap a Photo Beneath a Christmas Tree

Rockefeller Center isn't the only go-to spot. You can find a stunning tree in Bryant Park and countless other Christmas trees around town.

33. Sing Your Holiday Heart Out

Go caroling on Christmas Eve in Washington Square Park, where The Rob Susman Brass Quartet leads a traditional sing-along.

34. Stroll the Windows

Take a holiday windows walk and marvel at stunning department store Christmas windows and other awesome seasonal sights in Midtown Manhattan.

35. Breathe the Fresh Air

Bring the whole family to the winter recess program in Prospect Park, which features seasonal discovery stations and nature-themed activities that introduce families to the plants, insects, and animals that call the park home.

36. Catch Some FREE Culture

Reacquaint yourself with a favorite museum or discover somewhere new when you use your library card to get into over 60 NYC museums and gardens free of charge.

37. Stroll Through a Holiday Market

Take a stroll through one of the city's cozy Holiday Markets before they're gone for the year. Some of our favorites include the Bryant Park Holiday Village, the Union Square Holiday Market, the Holiday Fair at Grand Central Terminal, and the brand-new Herald Holiday Market inside and outside Macy's Herald Square!

38. Find More Free Things

We made a list so you can check it twice: How many of our free holiday events have you checked off?

This article, originally published in December 2012, is updated annually.