'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 is 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 17 holiday shows in NYC for families—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.

This holiday season, Santa has added a new spot in Midtown Manhattan with the opening of Passport to Santa at Columbus Circle. A brand-new NYC holiday experience, this seasonal pop-up is full of North Pole magic, festive characters, and fun activities that keep kids engaged from start to finish. It makes for a perfect family day out with younger children who are excited by holiday fun or new adventures.

Explore more festive and family-focused activities in our NYC Kids’ Ultimate Guide to Christmas, Hanukkah, and Holiday Fun, where we've got all our top picks for must-do holiday experiences in NYC and more festive places to take pictures with Santa.

Playgrounds are an important part of the fabric of NYC—and no one knows that better than the kids. That's why my daughter and I are so excited about the brand-new playground at Brooklyn's PS 197—aka her old school, Kings Highway Academy. What was once a large, gray blacktop with a small, faded jungle gym in one corner has had new life breathed into it with a much-needed upgrade that's colorful, varied, and, endearingly, designed by the kids of PS 197.

With these improvements, I could easily classify it as one of NYC's best playgrounds. Gone are the days my daughter and her classmates endured of having to make up games to play in the wide empty space, or hiding fence posts during attempted games of hide and seek. This bright new spot is a perfect place for a midday escape, and even better: Outside of school hours, it's open to the public.

Thanksgiving in New York City wouldn’t be what it is without the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you're eager to take your kids to glimpse those giant balloons and don’t want to rise before dawn, visit the area near the American Museum of Natural History on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, to watch the giants come to life during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation.

While the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation is far from crowd-free, it’s an only-in-New York event all its own—and one of our must-do holiday events for families. Read on for tips on when to go and where to eat. In need of more holiday inspiration? Visit our NYC Kids Thanksgiving Fun Guide.

A double-decker Christmas Carousel is set to start spinning in Midtown Manhattan this Christmas season, and we can't wait to give it a whirl! Located in Greeley Square, between 32nd and 33rd Streets, it's right outside Macy's Herald Square, and guaranteed to add more seasonal magic to one of NYC's most famous addresses.

Located just steps from Macy's Santaland, and surrounded by the enchanting Macy's Holiday Square Market that debuted last season, it's a magical addition to a holiday outing. Find all of our top picks for seasonal fun on our NYC Kids Guide to Christmas and the Holidays.