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What Are the Best Things to Do with Kids Between Christmas and New Year’s in NYC?  

1. See A Christmas Carol at Perelman – Lower Manhattan 

Our pick for the best version of a Christmas Carol this season is the one playing at the Perelman Performance Arts Center, which is joyful, charming, and incredibly moving. For something a little more quirky, 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.

2. Run Away to the Big Apple Circus – Upper West Side

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 runs through Sunday, January 4, 2026, so get your tickets now!

3. Take in the Train Show at NYBG – The Bronx

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 at Artechouse – Chelsea 

Become immersed in an interactive art experience with Artechouse, which is hosting a special holiday ASMR-experience titled Spectacular Factory – The Holiday Multiverse through Sunday, January 4, 2026.

5. Watch the Animals Shine at the Bronx Zoo – The Bronx

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 Balanchine's The Nutcracker – Upper West Side

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. Catch a Showing of Wicked on Broadway – Midtown

See both movies? Christmas break is a perfect time to see the original Broadway production of Wicked. There are other family-friendly Broadway shows that are playing during winter break. 

8. Cirque du Soleil's Twas the Night Before… – Midtown West

Cirque du Soleil's Christmas extravaganza Twas the Night Before… returns. The show follows a young seasonal cynic named Isabella who's transported to a magical land where she meets characters from Clement Clarke Moore's beloved poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas." 

9. Celebrate Kwanzaa at BCM – Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

Head to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum for the 18th annual Kwanzaa celebration. Learn about Kwanzaa’s seven principles with live performances, workshops, art projects, and festive cuisine each day.

10. Experience Pinkmas at the Edge – Hudson Yards

Museum of Ice Cream’s beloved Pinkmas celebration takes to the sky for the first time ever — only at Edge.  Step into a whimsical world of vibrant pink installations, life-size ice cream pints, and a hanging banana jungle — all set against Edge’s breathtaking backdrop. 

11. Experience Merry Mayhem at the New Victory Theater – Midtown

Go see the Aussie circus show Merry Mayhem filled with slapstick comedy, aerial stunts, physical theater, and a live rock band. It's a circus like you've never seen. Through December 28, 2025. 

Top Family Events and Activities in NYC During Winter Break

12. 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.

13. Visit the Harry Potter New York – Flatiron

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!

14. 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.

15. Visit the Empire State Building – Midtown

During the holidays, play tourist and visit one of the observation decks in NYC. Last year, we went to the Empire State Building after my kids watched Elf where several key scenes take place in the iconic building. We went right when it opened to avoid crowds.

16. Visit NYSCI – Queens

There's always something new going on at the New York Hall of Science, where you can enjoy like CityWorks plus The Big Bubble Experiment, and Connected Worlds. 

17. Shop and Play at CAMP – Flatiron

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

18. Go Out for High Tea at the Plaza  – Upper East Side

Dress up and head to the Palm Court at the Plaza for high tea or go to anyone of our other top picks for the best places for high tea in NYC.

19. Create a Tasty Structure at Taste Buds Kitchen – Chelsea

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

20. Visit Queens County Farm – Queens 

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

21. Escape To A Tropical Holiday at Brookfield Mall – Battery Park City

Leave the cold of the city behind, at least in spirit, and visit the Winter Garden at Brookfield Place. Bask in the warm of 16 40-foot tall Washingtonia robusta palm trees. 

22. Day Trip to American Dream Mall – New Jersey

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 Sesame Learn and Play that's perfect for preschoolers.

23. Hit Mount Peter for Winter Sports

Now's the time for a quick snow tubing, snowboarding, skiing, or other winter sports adventure at Mount Peter, one of the friendliest slope for kids and beginners. 

24. Explore Industry City – Sunsent Park, 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 – Soho

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

26.Glide on Ice Skates under the Brooklyn Bridge – DUMBO, Brooklyn

Go ice skating under the Brooklyn Bridge at Glide. The breathtaking views alone are worth if even if you a bit shaky on skates. Take a twirl on other outdoor ice skating rinks in NYC.

27. Make Some Bucket List Memories

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

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28. Celebrate Hanukkah

The Festival of Lights kicks off on Sunday, December 14, and you can attend FREE nightly menorah lightings at Hudson Yards, Central Park, and Prospect Park.

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. Stroll the Windows

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

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. 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 Williamsburg Winter Village. 

37. 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?

What Indoor Activities Can Families Enjoy Between Christmas and New Year’s in NYC?

38. Explore AMNH – Upper West Side

The American Museum of Natural History never disappoints and is always pay what you want for the permanent exhibits. While you're there check out the Gilder Center, peruse the Impact The End of the Age of Dinosaurs exhibit, and introduce yourself to its newest star dino, Apex. Don't forget to see the amazing origami Christmas tree.  

American Museum of Natural History - origami holiday tree

39. Bounce Around at Urban Air  – Sunset Park

Have kids beat the winter doldrums by jumping on the trampolines at Urban Air or at one of these other indoor trampoline parks.

40. Catch a Showing of the SpongeBob Movie

Watching a movie in theaters is a perfect winter vacation activity. This year, kids will flock to the new SpongeBob movie. 

41. Browse Books at Your Local Bookstore

Head to your local bookstore and find the perfect book to cozy up. In my neighborhood, I love going to Books Are Magic where the kids' section even has a little nook kids to squirrel away with a book.

Are There Holiday Light Shows and Outdoor Attractions Still Open After Christmas in NYC?

42. Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden  – Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

The illuminated spectacular, Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of my favorite lightshows. The garden come alive at night with light, color and sound. 

43. Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights – The Bronx

Holiday Lights, is a beloved annual tradition where the entire grounds are filled with custom Asian lanterns, wildlife-themed LED displays, and aminated light shows. 

44. Holiday Under The Stars – Columbus Circle 

Holiday Under the Stars features 300,000 twinkling lights and 44 illuminated star that ransforms the center into a dazzling kaleidoscope of color. In the Great Room, color-changing stars perform choreographed light shows every 30 minutes from 5PM to midnight, set against a backdrop of shimmering garlands. FREE

45. Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show – Upper East Side

The Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show is an iconic NYC holiday light show. The light show starts at 5pm and ends at 11pm, repeating every 10 minutes. It goes through early 2026. FREE

Are There Any New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Weekend Events for Kids in NYC

YES!  Celebrate 2026 in style by creating wearable artwork, time capsules, and tissue snowflakes during the Children's Museum of Manhattan's New Year's Eve Extravaganza.  There's also Prospect Park New Year's Eve Fireworks which is festive way to bring in the new year for the whole family. 

Tips for Enjoying Winter Break in NYC

The time between Christmas and New Year's tends to be quiet so enjoy the fact that most people are out of town. Many holiday attractions and activities are still open and will be a lot less crowded.  Here are some tips to enjoy your winter break:

• Dress for right weather especially if you're outside with the right accessories like hats, scarves, and gloves.
• Even with smaller crowds, you want to buy tickets for big name attractions and arrive early.
• Plan parking and public transportation routes before heading out.
• Always check holiday hours as many businesses and attractions may close early.

More Family Holiday Guides for NYC 

Find all the information, advice, and tips you need to have the best holiday in NYC at Mommy Poppins.

• Best Christmas Lights in NYC
• Must-Do Holiday Activities and Events in NYC
• NYC's Most Unusual Christmas Events
• Winter Getaways Near NYC

FAQ – Things to Do Between Christmas and New Year’s in NYC

Q: What are the best family-friendly events between Christmas and New Year’s in NYC
A: We've rounded up the best family-friendly events between Christmas and New Year's like watching a Christmas Carol, going to the holiday train show at NYBG, and seeing Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Q: Are there any free things to do with kids after Christmas in NYC.
A: There are quite a few free things to do with kids after Christmas in NYC such as going to the American Museum of Natural History, hanging out at bookstores, and strolling the holiday windows.

Q: What indoor activities are open between Christmas and New Year’s in NYC?
A: Some indoor activities that are open between Christmas and New Year’s in NYC include trampoline parks, movie theaters, and museums.

Q: Do holiday light displays stay open after Christmas in NYC?
A: Yes. LIghscape, the Bronx Holiday Lights, Holiday Under the Stars, and the Safs Fifth Avenue light show are all open until early January 2026.

Q: What family events are happening on New Year’s Eve in NYC
A: Some family events happening on New Year's Eve include the Children's Museum of Manhattan's New Year's Eve Extravaganza and the Prospect Park New Year's Eve Fireworks.

Q: Are museums, zoos, or attractions open during winter break in NYC?
A: Yes, museums, zoo, and family-friendly attractions are open during winter break in NYC but make sure to check their holiday hours.

Q: What’s the best day trip from NYC during Christmas break with kids?
Some of the best day trips from NYC during Christmas break include indoor water parks, skiing resorts, and the American Dream Mall in New Jersey.

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