Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in the Fairfield Area

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Most Connecticut businesses are closed on December 25th, but lucky for parents looking for an excuse to get out of the house for a few hours (did I say that?), these family-friendly Fairfield County restaurants are open for Christmas day. You'll want to make reservations soon, particularly if you have a large group, and take note that not all prix fixe menus offer a lower-priced children's alternative.

To top off dessert, maybe plan to check out the Christmas lights in one of these towns, or take advantage of these events happening on Christmas day.

CAMP Store and Play Space Opens in Downtown Brooklyn

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Sing songs around the campfire at the new Camp store in Downtown Brooklyn. Photo by Jody Mercier

Brooklyn parents just got a cool new indoor play space, right in time for the long winter months ahead. CAMP, one of our favorite toy stores in NYC (and one of our favorite places where kids can play for free), opened its newest outpost at City Point in Downtown Brooklyn this week.

Take a few steps inside, and you'll quickly realize you're not in an average toy store. A seemingly ordinary wall displaying jars of candy swings opens to reveal a world of interactive fun that is sure to be a hit with children all ages. I stopped by with my kids the other day to check out the new space: Read on for a peek inside.

Empire State Building Debuts New and Improved Visitor Experience

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Take kids on an adventure to the revamped 80th floor of the Empire State Building. Photo by Evan Joseph

In the age of gleaming skyscrapers and daring new observation decks in NYC, it's easy to forget the grand dame of them all: the Empire State Building. The art deco beauty and iconic landmark has just finished a four-year, $165 million project to reimagine and refurbish the experience for visitors to the Observation Decks, including a completely redesigned 80th floor, which opened to the public last week. Read on for a look at the breathtaking new space, plus tips for planning a visit to the Empire State Building observatory with kids.

Things To Do in Westchester this Weekend: Sinterklaas Festival, Laurie Berkner, Holiday Train Show

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Head to Rhinebeck for Sinterklaas Festival Day on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the Sinterklaas Festival

With Thanksgiving so late this year, the holiday fun that would otherwise have been spread across two weekends is now jam-packed in the weekend ahead! There are Santa sightings, breakfasts with Santa, craft fairs, tree and menorah lightings, and a host of other seasonal attractions throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley. How to optimize each weekend this month requires some strategy.

Many of the recurring holiday events we've previously listed are now supplemented with a fresh batch of festive fanfare, including the large-scale Sinterklaas Festival Day, Holiday on Huguenot Street (which takes place Friday, as well), and a Dutch celebration of St. Nicholas Day—all of which are FREE. Several holiday performances are scheduled, including Laurie Berkner's holiday concert and an interpretation of The Nutcracker performed by marionettes. 

If you were hoping to catch the stage production of Peter Pan, both performances are sold-out.

Read on for all our top picks—then be sure to consult our Event Calendar for the full panoply of options (and there are many!), including alternatives to holiday-themed activities. Don’t forget to check out our Holiday Fun Guide to plan the remaining days of the season and our December GoList for our top picks for the month. 

Be sure to sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on all kinds of fun!

Things To Do 0n Long Island this Weekend: Dickens Festival, Laurie Berkner, Tree Lightings

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Thrill to the Girl Scouts Of Suffolk County's Holiday Light Show. Photo courtesy of Mass Mutual of Greater Long Island

Experience the Chandlery of the 1800s as the Village of Port Jefferson magically transforms into the Dickensian era. Children can learn what it was like to live the privileged life during the 1930s in a Gold Coast mansion – and have fun doing it at the Vanderbilt Museum. 

View more than 60 trees decorated by different organizations as they light up Stony Brook Village. Best-selling artist Laurie Berkner will perform holiday hits at The Paramount. The unique Holiday Boat Parade showcases festively decorated vessels along Freeport's Nautical Mile.

Santa comes to Greenport; arriving at noon aboard a LIRR Greenport Scoot at the Railroad Museum of Long Island, as part of the village's month-long Holiday Festival.

See our Holiday Family Fun Guide for the best in seasonal entertainment, including our Christmas tree cutting guide, breakfast with Santa events, Hanukkah fun roundup, ice skating rinks and plenty of FREE events and activities. As always, our Event Calendar and December GoList are loaded with fun, daily happenings for Long Island kids.

CAMP SoNo Opens for Indoor Play and Shopping for Connecticut Kids

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CAMP combines shopping and play into one kid-friendly experience.

Just in time for some holiday fun: CAMP, a favorite of our NYC readers, opened its first Connecticut location in the new shopping and entertainment center, The SoNo Collection. At first glance, CAMP may seem like your regular toy shop, but there's a secret world of art and adventure behind the cheery storefront. With free interactive play areas, arts and crafts programs, and even a canteen to satisfy kids' cravings, CAMP is a place where kids can have a blast while you sneak in some shopping.

For more ideas to keep kids busy when the weather is chilly, check out our guide to indoor play areas around Fairfield.

Things To Do in NJ this Weekend: Holiday Lights, PJ Masks, Skate with Santa

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Six Flags Great Adventure lights up this weekend for Holiday in the Park. Photo courtesy of Six Flags!

There's holiday spirit happening throughout New Jersey this weekend, from seasonal shows to Santa visits.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of holiday prep to take in a kid-friendly show, including Elf: The Musical, Angelina Ballerina, and PJ Masks Live. Santa's popping in this weekend at Kale's Garden Center, Terhune Orchards, and Warinanco Sport Center, and he'll be making appearances in towns like Chester and Warren.

Celebrate Christmas past this weekend at Wassail Day, Dutch Christmas, and Sinterklaas Day, and on horse and buggy in Red Bank and at Maplewood's Dickens Village.

Find even more weekend options in our Holiday Guide, including Where to Take Pictures with Santa in NJ and Spectacular Holiday Light Displays. And look to our December GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

Mommy Poppins Launches in Orlando and Atlanta for the Holidays

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We at Mommy Poppins get almost as excited about the holidays at this time of year as your kids do—in fact we're so excited that we want you to unwrap our two new Mommy Poppins city sites right now! Welcome to Mommy Poppins Orlando and Atlanta!

Our two new sites join our growing family of cities that includes Washington, DC, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Houston, as well as NYC, Long Island, New Jersey, Westchester, and Connecticut.

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