Weekend Fun for NYC Kids: Christmas Tree Lightings, Holiday Festivals, Santa Sightings, Laurie Berkner Concert December 7-8

Submitted by Stephanie Ogozalek on

Santa is hearing wish lists, Christmas trees are lighting up, Nutcrackers are twirling and holiday department store windows are attracting crowds. Yup, the holiday season is in full swing in NYC!

This weekend brings some of our favorite annual tree illuminations, the New York Public Library's Holiday Open House and the premiere of the New Victory Theater's holiday-themed circus spectacle Mother Africa. If you're not quite ready to dive into the season, there's non-holiday fun like the Great Randall's Island Treasure Hunt and FREE family films, too.

All of our best bets for the weekend are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Holiday Fun Guide. And if you're looking to plan ahead, our December NYC Go List highlights the absolute best things to do with kids throughout the month.

Mostly Free & Fun Things To Do With NJ Kids This Weekend Dec 7-8: Country Christmas, Santa Fly-In, Winter Bird Walk & More!

Submitted by Sasha Muzzarelli on

By now, you’ve probably had your fair share of turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce leftovers- not to mention tons of latkes! With Thanksgiving and Hanukkah already over, Christmas events are taking center stage in New Jersey. Meet the Big Man himself at Alstede Farm’s Country Christmas or at the Santa Fly-In at the Aviation Hall of Fame. And of course, you can check out the awesome annual holiday lights at Turtle Back Zoo. And if you’re not quite ready for a full on dose of the holidays, you can engage your inner geologist at Newark Museum’s Dynamic Earth or even Meet a Penguin at Manasquan Reservoir. And remember, you can find a full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

Christmas in Dublin: Old World Charm and Family Fun in Ireland

Submitted by Anna Fader on

What I love about Christmas in New York is that the holidays bring out the old world charm of the city. So, last year we planned a December visit to the actual Old World to soak up some holiday charm first hand. Dublin, Ireland celebrates Christmas in a big way and it is a great place to get into the festive spirit.

Dublin is a small, pretty city. The city center is very manageable to walk and many of the central shopping streets are car-free. In December, the streets twinkle with holiday lights wishing you a Merry Christmas in Gaelic. Carolers line Grafton St, the main pedestrian shopping drag, on weekends sending their seasonal songs into the air. Christmas markets pop up on side streets selling crafts and sometimes even have carousels.

The Irish take on Christmas with gusto and you will see many people walking around with Santa hats and light-up Christmas sweaters. There’s even a pop-up shop selling “Deadly Christmas Jumpers,” jumpers being the word for sweater. You’d have to be a serious Scrooge to not get into the holiday spirit in Dublin.

A Night Out at Lake Compounce Holiday Lights in Bristol, CT

Submitted by Pam Hegner on

If you haven't been to Lake Compounce, the oldest continuously-operating amusement park in North America, you are missing out. This gem has been entertaining families since 1846, mostly as a summer retreat May through September in Bristol, CT.

However Holiday Lights is a special event during select weekends in November and December. Located in Hartford County, the park is adorned with thousands of lights and decorations, and winter-themed activities abound. 

Scarsdale Shopping for Kids: Best Toy Stores and Children's Boutiques

Submitted by Judith Frost on

We wrap up our month-long focus of Scarsdale with the best places to shop for kids in the area. We've mentioned the best kid-friendly eateries in Scarsdale; now we've got the scoop on the best toy shops and boutiques for kids in the neighborhood. Many have been in business for quite some time, owing to their great customer service and knowledge of customer preferences. Each has a unique, local feel and seems to know what you’re looking for before you enter the store. Read on for more info about these Scarsdale gems.  

Saratoga & North Creek Railway Polar Express: No-Car Santa Train Getaway

Submitted by Anna Fader on

The Polar Express book and film have spawned lots of holiday train rides that bring the story to life. There are several of these special seasonal train trips in New Jersey and Connecticut where kids can meet Santa. And this year, we discovered another Polar Express train in upstate New York that you can get to via public transportation. So now you can create holiday magic and memories whether you have a car or not. You can find more seasonal day trip ideas in our Holiday Fun Guide.

Free & Cheap Indoor Fun for Boston Kids (While You Get Your Shopping Done)

Tara D's picture Submitted by Tara D on

Shopping with kids (groan). It can be a drag, both for the children and the adults. But sometimes it is necessary, especially during the holidays. Some Boston stores really go out of their way to make kids and families happy, and we love ‘em for it. Many offer free activities, a few have play spaces, and others are like theme parks! Check out these places to take the kids during your shopping excursions to add a little (or lot of) fun to running errands.

Want more ideas for free things to do with kids in Boston? Take a look at my posts about visiting museums for free in the city of Boston and in Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline. 

Historic Holidays in NJ: a Revolutionary Christmas, a 1920s Farmhouse Holiday, and More

Submitted by Anonymous on

The Christmas holiday season is already in full swing. The shopping, music, decorating, parties, potlucks…your list of “to-dos” and “must-attends” is building exponentially!

Before you bust at the seams, visit one of the historic holiday events in New Jersey. It will transport you to a more simple, yet festive time. Many of New Jersey's local museums, homes, venues and towns are celebrating the holidays in the spirit of yesteryear. Whether you are a history buff or a holiday fiend, we’re sure you will find many ways to go back in time to experience the Historic Holidays here in the Garden State.

Pages