38th Annual Art Car Parade presented by Team Gillman. Photo courtesy of the event
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Earth Day Compost Demo photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
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Easter Sunday Brunch in downtown Houston. Photo courtesy of the Downtown Aquarium
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Levy Park in Houston has one of our favorite playgrounds. Photo courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture
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There are lots of farms offering berry picking near Houston. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms, Facebook
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NASA's Space Center is one of Houston's best science museums for kids. Photo by Pierce Ingram, courtesy of Travel Texas
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Easter Fest at P-6 Farms has hayrides, a cow train, and more. Event photo courtesy of the farm
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A field of bluebonnets near Houston. Photo by Phineas Adams, courtesy of Unsplash
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Two girls enjoying a fun gymnastics summer camp in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Gymnastics Academy
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One of the kid-friendly rides at the Rodeo Carnival. Photo courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
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Houston has several fun baseball summer camps. Photo courtesy of the Space Cowboys Baseball Camp
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Camp La Junta offers an overnight summer camp in Texas. Photo courtesy of Camp La Junta for Boys
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See animals up close at some of these farms near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
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Little Beakers has three locations near Houston. Photo courtesy of Little Beakers
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Firetruck Park in West University. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
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Children's Museum Houston is free every Thursday evening. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum Houston
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Discovery Green hosts free events like Arte en el Parque, where kids learn Spanish while making art. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green
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Pleasure Pier in Galveston is a top attraction near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
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John P. McGovern's state-of-the art playground is perfect for both younger and older children. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green.
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City Park Skate Park near Houston. Photo courtesy of the Sugarland Texas Govt.
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Stop at Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo for some cool photos on your roadtrip to the Texas Panhandle.
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Baywatch Dolphin Tours are a fun, kid-friendly tour near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
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Make dining out with kids more fun at one of Houston's themed restaurants. Photo courtesy of Rock N Roll Sushi
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Urban Air has quite a few trampoline parks near Houston. Photo courtesy of Urban Air Adventure Park
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Batting cage photo courtesy of the Bellaire Bats
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Houston's Walking Stick Brewing Company has plenty of outdoor space. Photo courtesy of the Walking Stick Brewing Company
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Plan a magical quinceañera with these dress shops and venues. Photo courtesy of Canva
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Photo courtesy of Big Air in North Houston
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Houston has many kid-friendly museums, and not all are children's museums. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
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In winter, visit Luminations at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Photo by Ann Alva Weiding Photography, at bigredmuse.com.
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New to fishing? Try a Galveston fishing boat tour.
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The outdoor pool at the Moody Gardens Hotel, photo courtesy of Visit Galveston.
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One of our favorite petting zoos near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
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Make it an unforgettable family getaway from Houston by hiking Enchanted Rock. Photo courtesy Passport to Texas.
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Fishing in Lake Somerville. Photo courtesy of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
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There's no shortage of fun baby activities in Houston.
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Treat your kid to one of these Houston spas with services for children. Photo courtesy of Float Baby
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Climb with your kids at one of these indoor rock climbing gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Texas Rock Gym
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Bowling is a fun indoor activity to add to your list this summer. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
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Fishing at Sea Center in Freeport, TX. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
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Round up the girls and head out for a kid-free night in Houston. Photo courtesy of Thirsty Bee Meadery
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Kids love the carousel on Kemah's boardwalk.
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San Antonio has a lot of budget-friendly things to do with kids. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Botanical Garden
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Birdwatching at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, photo courtesy of Houston Audubon
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Hero Headquarters is a birthday party entertainment company in Houston. Photo courtesy of Hero Headquarters
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Check out one of these breakfasts in Houston for a casual meal when the kids get up early. Photo courtesy of Snooze
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Free activities like feeding the ducks at Mary Jo Peckham Park are simple and still great fun for kids. Photo courtesy of Canva
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The Houston Zoo is a great stop for kids, and near other things to do in Houston, too. Photo by Jessica A., courtesy of the zoo
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Playgrounds Without Limits photo courtesy of Memorial Park, Facebook
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Take a look at one of these popular toddler dance classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Ballet preschool program.
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San Antonio is full of amusement parks, good food, and lots of other things to do with kids. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Riverwalk
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The St. Regis in Uptown is one of Houston's best family-friendly resorts.
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Toddlers can enjoy playing with the foam block structures at Exploration Park. Photo courtesy of Exploration Park
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The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids on Long Island

Eglevsky Ballet presents special performances of the timeless holiday classic
Eglevsky Ballet presents special performances of the timeless holiday classic "The Nutcracker." Photo courtesy of the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts
11/10/24 - By Jaime Sumersille

If your child is nuts about The Nutcracker, several top-notch companies perform the holiday favorite right here on Long Island, so ring in the holiday season by taking in a theatrical performance or two. Some of the standout shows this year include the New York Dance Theatre's staging at Hofstra, which features a cast of 80 children. Ballet Long Island's staging, meanwhile, includes select performances of only Act II of the ballet, and the abbreviated runtime is helpful if your kiddos sometimes get squirmy in their seats. 

You can also check out some other great holiday-themed shows hitting Long Island stages this season, like The Happy Elf and Frosty. 

Read on for amazing holiday show options for families on Long Island in 2024. And be sure to check out our events calendar and Holiday Guide for more seasonal family fun.

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Join Santa, Barnaby, Franklynne, and all of their friends for
Join Santa, Barnaby, Franklynne, and all of their friends for "Barnaby Saves Christmas" at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson. Photo courtesy of Theatre Three

The Nutcracker and Other Holiday Shows for Kids on Long Island in 2024

The Happy Elf at The Argyle Theatre

Babylon
Select Dates Saturday, November 16-Sunday, January 5, 2025
The Happy Elf is a musical comedy that follows Eubie, the happiest elf at the North Pole. More than anything else, Eubie longs to be a part of Santa's sleigh team. Watch this holiday tale unfold on The Argyle Theatre stage. READ MORE

Barnaby Saves Christmas at Theatre Three

Port Jefferson
Select Dates: Saturday, November 23-Friday, December 27, 2024
Join Santa, Barnaby, Franklynne, and all of their friends for a holiday treat. The littlest elf and his reindeer friend set off on their journey to save Christmas, meeting some new friends along the way and learning the true meaning of Christmas, Hanukkah, and the holiday season. READ MORE

Frosty at The Engeman Theater

Northport
Select Dates: Saturday, November 23-Sunday, December 29, 2024
Join Jenny and Frosty on an adventure as they try to save Chillsville from the mean old Ethel Pierpot and her evil machine that melts all the snow. Watch as the chilly tale unfolds on the Engeman Theater stage.  READ MORE

It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts

Smithtown
Select Dates: Saturday, December 7-Sunday, December 29, 2024
This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life on the Smithown Center for the Performing Arts stage as a live 1940s radio broadcast.  READ MORE

Fairytale of New York: The Ultimate Irish-Inspired Christmas Concert at the Patchogue Theatre

Patchogue
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Take a festive journey through the heart of Ireland with the ultimate Irish-inspired Christmas concert right at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts. READ MORE

Posey School of Dance Northport Nutcracker Ballet

East Islip
Friday, December 13-Sunday, December 15, 2024
Join us for Posey Dance Company's Northport Nutcracker Ballet. This beloved holiday tradition, featuring the timeless melodies of Tchaikovsky, promises to warm your heart. Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season and be captivated by this awe inspiring production of the Nutcracker Ballet./p> READ MORE

Hampton Ballet Theatre School Presents The Nutcracker

East Hampton
Friday, December 13-Sunday, December 15, 2024
The Hampton Ballet Theatre School (HBTS) presents its 15th annual production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beloved Nutcracker. READ MORE

The Nutcracker at Ballet Long Island

Ronkonkoma
Select Dates: Saturday, December 14-Saturday, December 28, 2024
Audiences at Ballet Long Island's Nutcracker will marvel at this ballet. Follow Clara as she embarks on a journey filled with brave soldiers, dancing snowflakes, and excitement. READ MORE

Twas the Night Before Christmas at The Showplace

Bellmore
Sunday, December 15 & Monday, December 23, 2024
“‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” But wait! A mouse is stirring - because Santa missed his house last year. Watch this tale unfold on The Showplace Theater stage. READ MORE

Frozen Jr. at Studio Theatre

Lindenhurst
December 21, 22, 23, 27, 28 & 29, 20204
The heartwarming holiday show Frozen, Jr. is an outing for the entire family at Studio Theatre Long Island. READ MORE

The Nutcracker - New York Dance Theatre

Hempstead
Saturday, December 21-Sunday, December 22, 2024
This full production of "The Nutcracker" features guest artists from leading companies, a cast of 80 children, and semi-professional and professional dancers. READ MORE

Eglevsky Ballet's The Nutcracker

Greenvale
Saturday, December 21-Sunday, December 22, 2024
Eglevsky Ballet presents special performances of the timeless holiday classic The Nutcracker. It promises to delight with visions of a Sugar Plum Fairy, her dashing Cavalier, angels, dolls, and a Christmas tree that grows right before your eyes. READ MORE

Frozen Jr. at The Showplace

Bellmore
Saturday, December 28-Monday, December 30, 2024 & Sunday, January 5, 2025
Frozen Jr. brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life onstage in Bellmore. The show features all of the memorable songs from the animated film with a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, humor and love. READ MORE

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About the Author

Jaime Sumersille
Jaime Sumersille, a mom of two boys in Bellmore, has been writing for Mommy Poppins for over a decade. She’s always exploring Long Island’s beaches, parks, and new attractions, and loves sharing those experiences on the site. Jaime enjoys adding her family’s perspective to Mommy Poppins’ mission.
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