Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in San Francisco

Submitted by Sandra Lee on

Glowfari is an otherworldly and amazing experience. Photo courtesy of the Oakland County Zoo

Admiring holiday lights is a timeless tradition and is a fantastic way to get families in the holiday spirit. Twinkling lights shine brightly throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area, adding extra shimmer and sparkle to an already magical holiday season. 

Choose your holiday lights adventure from walking through glowing gardens to driving through immersive Christmas light shows. Crank up the holiday tunes, enjoy the twinkle in your children's eyes as their face lights up from the glimmer, and bask in the best holiday lights in San Francisco. 

For more holiday magic, climb aboard Polar Express trains near San Francisco, don't miss the top holiday activities and Christmas events in the Bay Area, and discover more holiday happenings in our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for San Francisco Bay Area Kids.   

3 Days in Seattle with Kids: Your Ultimate Itinerary

Submitted by Meghan Rose on

Pike Place Market is the beating heart of Seattle and a perfect place to start exploring. And eating!

Seattle is a city you fall in love with instantly. While there are so many things to do with kids in Seattle, I promise you that in three short days, you can explore enough of the city to feel like a native. It's a vibrantly green, friendly, walkable, delicious, coffee-tinged, slightly weird, and yes, rainy city. It's also a city that knows how to handle the rain: with a smile, no umbrella, fabulous coffee, and plenty of fun things to do indoors.

Let's also not forget the gorgeous summers, stunning views when sun peeks through, and great sports teams. It's such a welcoming, easy city, that if at any point tired kids make you ditch your well-thought-out itinerary (see below) and just play, shop, eat, and walk around, you won’t regret that for a second.

For more things to do in Seattle, check out our list of 35 Things To Do in Seattle With Kids. To explore more of the great Pacific Northwest, explore 50 Things To Do in Portland, OR With Kids and more in our West Coast Family Travel Guide.

Boston Ballet Nutcracker and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Boston 2023

Submitted by Alyson Young Gregory on

Head to Boston for the Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, and more holiday shows for kids in 2023! Urban Nutcracker photo by Peter Paradise, courtesy of the production.

The holiday season is finally upon us, bringing the Boston Ballet Company's The Nutcracker and more holiday shows for kids to Boston. The Nutcracker is a timeless treat that takes you on an enchanting journey through a winter wonderland and beyond. From the Boston Ballet classic to the high-energy adaptation of the Urban Nutcracker's diverse, upbeat choreography, there are dancers performing all around Boston.

Want to keep things merry and bright for your family all season long? Tchaikovsky's beloved confection is hardly the only holiday-themed stage performance. Holiday shows are delighting kids across Boston and New England, this month and next. At Boston's 2023 holiday shows, families can carol with the Boston Pops and delight in Scrooge's journey in A Christmas Carol. Tickets will sell out for these must-see performances faster than cookies go on Christmas Eve! We advise booking sooner than later.

If you are looking for more holiday and Christmas activities, we've also rounded up the 25 Top Holiday and Christmas Activities in New England. When you've had enough of dashing through the snow, enjoy a night in with 20 Fun Christmas Games for the Whole Family.

The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in New Jersey

Michelle Vames's picture Submitted by Michelle Vames on

New Jersey Ballet's "The Nutcracker" brings magic to the stage at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood. Photo courtesy of the Bergen PAC

The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol are among the seasonal classics to look forward to over the holidays, when New Jersey theaters come alive with dancing sugar plum fairies, singing elves, and more than a few Christmas ghosts. 

If your child is nuts about The Nutcracker, you don't have to go to New York City to see a superb production—several top-notch companies perform the holiday favorite right here in New Jersey, including Roxey Ballet and New Jersey Ballet. For a fun twist on the classic, don't miss The Hip Hop Nutcracker at NJPAC.

In fact, there are so many top-notch productions, we couldn't list them all here, so be sure to check out our Activity Calendar for more, and bookmark our Guide to the Holidays in New Jersey for family-friendly Christmas activities all season long.

30 Performances of The Nutcracker Ballet for Kids in Chicago

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on

The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine presents The Nutcracker. Event photo courtesy of the Harris Theatre.

Taking kids to The Nutcracker Chicago this holiday season? We have a list of 30 performances of The Nutcracker in the Chicago area.

Do you have little ballerinas or danseurs with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads? Then it might be time to pirouette to a production of The Nutcracker ballet near Chicago this holiday season. Presented by students and professionals all across Chicagoland, the holiday classic of The Nutcracker ballet tells the story of a little girl who dreams that her toy nutcracker comes to life.

Where to See The Nutcracker Ballet in NYC in 2023

Drew Kristofik's picture Submitted by Drew Kristofik on

The Yorkville Nutcracker stars talented local dancers in an NYC-centric version of the classic tale. Photos by Eduardo Patino

The Nutcracker ballet is a classic holiday experience for kids and parents, and we're excited to see old favorites and new versions of The Nutcracker ballet in NYC in 2023.

Many children are captivated by the energy and drama of The Nutcracker—from the sweet Sugar Plum Fairy visit to the frantic battle with the Rat King—but the full-length ballet can be long for some. We've found more than a dozen variations of The Nutcracker ballet playing this season across all five NYC boroughs, from Lincoln Center's iconic classic iteration to abbreviated just-for-kid versions. We've also found one Nutcracker ballet performance featuring stunning marionettes and three performances that are 100% FREE!

Read on for all our picks for the best Nutcracker ballets in NYC for families, and find more holiday-must do's and Christmas activities in our Guide to the Holidays in NYC.

The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Orlando

Submitted by Melanie Preis on

Enjoy Central Florida Ballet's classic Nutcracker production for a fun family event. Photo courtesy of the ballet

The Nutcracker ballet is the quintessential holiday event for families, and luckily Orlando has several productions to choose from. Families may prefer to attend the classic version of The Nutcracker, performed by professionally trained dancers from Orlando Ballet or Orlando Metropolitan Ballet, or something a bit more modern, like this pyrotechnic version or the Nutty Nutcracker. 

Besides The Nutcracker, there are many holiday shows for every age group and interest. As theaters and venues open doors for holiday shows and events, lucky Orlando residents and tourists have their pick in choosing some of the best holiday shows around!

Best Museums for Kids in Connecticut: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums

Jennifer Coe's picture Submitted by Jennifer Coe on

By land, by sea, by river—however!— families are coming to the best Museums in Connecticut! Connecticut River Museum photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins

Local families love the best museums for kids in Connecticut; children's museums that are interesting, fun, and always hands-on! Connecticut offers all sorts of special places to take your kids. There is STEM-related fun in Hartford, historical exploration in Mystic, and CT children's museum excitement in Niantic, Norwalk, and beyond. So whatever your child is interested in, you can find interactive fun to fill up an entire day. Many of the museums offer regular classes and meet-ups that will become a part of your week. Some turn down the lights and music and offer sensory-friendly hours. 

Be sure to look through our list of Free Museums in Connecticut to Visit with Kids for bargain-priced museum fun. And be surte to explore our Connecticut Museums Guide and Indoor Fun Guide for family activities in any kind of weather!

Pages