Few places rival New York City for holiday activities, and the upcoming Christmas vacation in NYC offers families plenty of free time to sample them all. We’ve rounded up all of our favorite staycation ideas for winter break in NYC, most of which can be accessed with a subway ride.

Fill your kids' winter break in NYC with awesome museum outings, live holiday stage shows, fancy Christmas meals, and magical must-do holiday experiences. Your family might even be up for braving the crowds at popular tourist attractions like the Rockefeller Center tree and department store holiday windows.

NYC public school students are on Christmas vacation from Wednesday, December 24, 2025, through Friday, January 2, 2026. If you need more fun things to do over the holiday break in NYC, bookmark our Family Activity Calendar, which is continuously updated as we learn about new, kid-friendly happenings.

We may be biased when we say Christmas in NYC is the most magical season of all. One reason: The city is bustling with activities and adventures for the entire family, including the Gingerbread City pop-up at the South Street Seaport. Filled with spicy aromas and spectacular, candy-coated, architectural creations, it's worth visiting if you find yourself downtown this season.

If you’re looking for unique, local gifts for your kids, NYC is brimming with possibilities. It feels great to think outside the box—and the big box retailers—by shopping local. Read on for suggestions that will delight your favorite little scientist, gamer, superhero, bookworm, card collector, or candy lover. And for more ideas, check out our Local NYC Kids' Guide to Shopping, which includes picks for top toy stores, clothing shops, and our favorite baby boutiques.

Tired, holiday-weary parents: This list of family-friendly restaurants open on Christmas in NYC is a gift to you. In the craziest of seasons, booking a reservation at one of these family-friendly NYC restaurants takes one thing off your to-do list. Most of these NYC restaurants are serving scrumptious Christmas meals in-house, but if you'd prefer to dine in the comfort of your own home, we've got you covered there, too, with a handful of restaurants that happily cater your Christmas feast.

Find plenty more seasonal picks in our NYC Kids' Guide to Holiday Fun and kid-friendly eats for any occasion—or none at all—in our Family-Friendly NYC Restaurant Guide.

If you've got a high school senior who is into the arts, listen up: TDF, the not-for-profit performing arts org, is offering FREE year-long TDF memberships to graduating high school seniors from NYC public and charter schools. So, if your kid can't wait to see everything from Broadway shows to off-Broadway performances, dance, and more—all at deeply discounted prices—read on for details on how the Class of 2026 can score this special gift.

New York City sparkles with Christmas trees on every corner, but some standouts go way beyond twinkling lights and classic ornaments. From dazzling museum creations to quirky neighborhood wonders, these are the most unique Christmas trees in NYC that families flock to each year. Each is as photogenic as it is imaginative.

Whether you’re hunting for an off-the-beaten-path Christmas tree in NYC, planning a festive family itinerary, or just looking to refresh your holiday photo roll, the city is packed with unexpected delights—think intricate origami, vintage toys, and even construction cones turned into holiday magic. Read on for the most creative, must-see NYC Christmas trees that make the season shine a little brighter.

Rockefeller Center is a top NYC attraction for families and home to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, NBC Studios, Radio City Music Hall, and many stores. It especially comes alive during the holiday season when the famed Rockefeller Center Christmas tree goes up.

While food options have near Rockefeller Center have traditionally been limited, the area has undergone a bit of a culinary renaissance, and this list of the best family-friendly restaurants near Rockefeller Center is proof that it now has a little something for everyone.

Whether you're there over the holidays to see tree, ice skate, check out the holiday windows, or enjoy one of the other fun experiences in this action-packed complex, there are a number of family-friendly dining options within a quick walk.

Here are our top picks for family-friendly restaurants near Rockefeller Center. To find more family-friendly dining options in NYC, check out our NYC Kids' Guide to Restaurants.