15 Best Things to Do in Houston December 2023 with Kids

It's beginning to look a lot like Zoo Lights! Photo courtesy of the Houston Zoo

Christmas lights and holiday activities are back this December in Houston, and that's just the beginning of things to do in Houston with kids this month. It really is the most wonderful time of the year! This December 2023 has a host of amazing Santa brunches happening all over the city, a variety of Nutcracker performances, and kid-friendly New Year's celebrations like New Year's Eve Family Celebration at Kemah Boardwalk. Let's embrace all of the amazing festivities this month and make it a December to remember.

To find more December 2023 fun, check out our lists of the top must-do Holiday and Christmas events in Houston and the best Holiday lights and drive-throughs.

22 Best Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley December 2023 with Kids

Untermyer Garden's Grand Holiday Illumination runs nightly from Friday, December 8, 2023-Monday, January 1, 2024. Photo courtesy of Untermyer Gardens

Christmas lights and holiday activities are back this December, and that's just the beginning of all there is to see and do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this month.

Westchester and the Hudson Valley are going all out for the holidays with the return of festive annual traditions like Santa's sensational helicopter arrival at Museum Village in Monroe. Meanwhile, all are invited to celebrate Hanukkah at the Fire on Ice Menorah Lighting and Gelt Drop on the Dobbs Ferry waterfront. 

Be sure to bookmark our Holiday Activity Guide, which features tons of articles on things like our favorite Christmas and holiday events.

17 Best Things To Do in New Jersey December 2023 with Kids

Check out more than 50 illuminated winter scenes and animal characters at Turtle Back Zoo's holiday lights display.  Photo courtesy of the zoo

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey in December? Christmas lights and holiday activities are among our top picks this month. 

The last month of 2023 boasts full-on holiday fun in the Garden State, and we can't wait to see the holiday lights at drive-thrus and walk-throughs like Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights in West Orange. Santa Claus is also all over town in December– catch him at festive events like his stroll through Chester.

Find more top December fun in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events in New Jersey, like our guide to the top New Jersey Christmas Towns.

Visit National Parks in 2024 on Free National Park Entrance Days: Yellowstone, Zion, Acadia, and More

Visit Joshua Tree National Park on one of the free admission days!

For a budget-friendly getaway, check out the upcoming FREE admission days at some of the country's largest and most gorgeous national parks. Courtesy of the National Park Service, there are six free national park days in 2024.

Those waiving admission in 2024 include some iconic, bucket list spots like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion, Rocky Mountain, the Everglades, Acadia, Shenandoah, Cape Cod Seashore, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree National Park. Find even more kid-friendly park trips with our U.S. National Parks Travel Guide.

25 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Atlanta for Kids

Lace up those running shoes for the Jingle Jog Fun Run in Virginia-Highland. Photo courtesy of the event

We've gathered the best free holiday activities and Christmas events in Atlanta happening this season. Let's face it —the holiday season in Atlanta is magical but creating family memories isn't always cheap (like holiday showsphoto keepsakes with Santa, and more). Mommy Poppins to the rescue! There are lots of great FREE Christmas events in Atlanta. Our list has lightings (both menorahs and Christmas trees), festivals, and holiday markets. We even found free places to pose with Santa and drive-thru light shows!

For more seasonal highlights, be sure to check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for Atlanta Kids, and of course, our always-up-to-date Family Activity Calendar.

63 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Orlando for Kids

The holidays have arrived at Disney Springs! Stroll through the Tree Trail and nightly snow flurries for free. Photo courtesy of Disney

Take a break from holiday spending with FREE Christmas events in Orlando! The holidays in Orlando are absolutely magical, with nice weather and festive decor all over town, and sometimes no money is needed! From tree lightings and holiday parades to Christmas movies and Hanukkah events, get in the spirit with these free holiday events suitable for all ages. Read on for all the details about these awesome free holiday and Christmas events in Orlando!

For more holiday activities, visit our Orlando Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for countless ideas to spend quality time with your family this holiday season. We've got everything from Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows and Breakfast with Santa in Orlando to The Nutcracker and Holiday Performances.

A Guide to Wollman Rink in Central Park: What to Know Before Ice Skating with Kids

An evening ice skating session at Central Park's Wollman Rink makes for a fun winter outing. Photo by Jody Mercier

When it comes to winter fun in NYC, ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park is a timeless classic. As soon as the seasons start to change, my kids can't wait to conquer our winter fun list. Of course, many of these activities involve ice and snow, and if you know anything about the past few NYC winters; Mother Nature hasn't exactly delivered.

The good news is Central Park’s iconic Wollman Rink—one of our favorite outdoor ice skating rinks in NYC—is available no matter what Mother Nature sends our way. Here, locals and tourists alike can go ice skating all winter long. A trip also puts visitors smack dab in the activity-packed Central Park, so a day of ice skating can turn into an entire afternoon of family fun.

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