Orlando Top Things to Do Between Christmas and New Years with Kids

Enjoy the holidays during winter break, running through New Year's Eve, at Legoland Florida Resort. Photo courtesy of Legoland Florida Resort

Most schools in Central Florida are closed for Christmas vacation between December 22, 2025 and January 6, 2026, leaving two weeks for family fun. This winter break is a great time to take day trips from Orlando, catch up on holiday events, and enjoy time to sleep in!

From the best holiday lights in Orlando to must-do Christmas activities, Mommy Poppins Orlando has you covered this winter holiday break! Here are some ideas below to help plan those school-free, staycation days, and be sure to check our Orlando events calendar for more things to do as they pop up. 

New York City's Top Things to Do Between Christmas and New Year’s with Kids

The Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo shine brightly into the new year. Photo by Terria Clay/Bronx Zoo

Few places rival New York City for holiday activities, and the upcoming Christmas vacation in NYC offers families plenty of free time to sample them all. We’ve rounded up all of our favorite staycation ideas for winter break in NYC, most of which can be accessed with a subway ride.

Fill your kids' winter break in NYC with awesome museum outings, live holiday stage shows, fancy Christmas meals, and magical must-do holiday experiences. Your family might even be up for braving the crowds at popular tourist attractions like the Rockefeller Center tree and department store holiday windows.

NYC public school students are on Christmas vacation from Wednesday, December 24, 2025, through Friday, January 2, 2026. If you need more fun things to do over the holiday break in NYC, bookmark our Family Activity Calendar, which is continuously updated as we learn about new, kid-friendly happenings.

Westchester and the Hudson Valley's Top Things To Do Between Christmas and New Year's with Kids

Make tracks to a train show during the holiday break. Photo by the author

If you are staying in town during Christmas vacation, you may find yourself wondering what to do to get out of the house while school's out.

Fortunately, there are tons of fun events and activities in Westchester and the Hudson Valley to keep your family entertained well into the New Year, from holiday light shows to kid-friendly New Year's Eve countdowns.

Long Island's Top Things To Do Between Christmas and New Year's with Kids

Head to an arcade like Lucky Strike for some post-Christmas thrills. Photo by Jennifer Voit

With Christmas vacation for Long Island kids swiftly approaching, you may be looking for fun things to do to over winter break to keep the festivities going. For many Long Island students, winter break this year runs from Monday, December 22, 2025, until Friday, January 2, 2026. 

We've rounded up 30 family-friendly holiday break activities to make your staycation merry and memorable. From must-do holiday events to pop-ups and incredible museum exhibits, we've got you covered. 

For even more fun things to do with kids on Long Island this season, check out our Holiday Fun Guide and our Ultimate Winter Bucket List

New Jersey's Top Things to Do Between Christmas and New Year’s with Kids

The twinkling lights at Turtleback Zoo sparkle into the new year. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner

As soon as that first crisp December day arrives, I get excited about planning the kids' holiday break. Choosing just a couple of activities for the week is the tough part! The state is packed with must-do Christmas vacation fun—from dazzling light displays to classic cold-weather adventures.

Read on for the best things to do with kids during winter break in NJ, and check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for NJ Families for even more ideas. 

Top Things To Do This Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley with Kids

Take in the show at the Ridge Hill menorah lighting. Photo courtesy of Ridge Hill

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this weekend? Here are our editors' picks for the best family-friendly events and activities!

The holiday spirit is in full swing this weekend with multiple festive events for families. Kids are invited to Brunch with Santa at the Royal Regency Hotel in Yonkers, which also includes fun activities like face painting, balloon art, and gingerbread cookie decorating. Or, if they prefer the grumpy green one, you can check out Grinch-A-Palooza at the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown.

Other fun holiday events include a unique Hanukkah Laser Light Show at the Ark in Tarrytown and Kwanzaa 2025 at Hudson Hall, featuring arts and crafts, dancing, drumming, a candle-lighting ceremony, and more.

The Nutcracker, Dinosaurs, and More Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend

Festival of Games is a holiday gaming and shopping event at the Cradle of Aviation. Photo courtesy of Festival of Games

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

This weekend, Long Island is serving up family fun that leans hard into holiday merriment, from a free performance, Holiday on Ice Show at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center, to the roaring opening of the Dinosaur Carnival at the Center for Science Teaching & Learning.

And because no December is complete without a Nutcracker moment, you’ve got three options: Eglevsky Ballet’s at the Tilles Center, the New York Dance Theatre at Hofstra University, or the kid-friendly The Nutcracker Act II at Ballet Long Island.

Santa Sightings, Holiday Farm Fun, and More Things To Do this Weekend in New Jersey

All-aboard for holiday fun at during the Brookhollow Barnyard Under the Stars. Photo courtesy of Brookhollow

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

It's a very merry almost-Christmas weekend. Grab some last minute quality time with Santa at events like Mill Race Holiday Village, where guests can meet Santa and The Grinch while enjoying a bounce house and petting zoo, and at Liberty Science Center's Santa's PJ Pajama Party with a sock skating rink and live entertainment.  

Plus, dance classes, storytelling and a candle lighting ceremony are all part of the fun at Newark's Kwanzaa Festival and Marketplace

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