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

Check out the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County's Holiday Light Show and Enchanted Forest before it closes on Sunday. Photo courtesy of the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County

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.

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

Get on your feet for the lively celebration of Kwanza at Hudson Hall. Photo courtesy of the Historic Hudson  Opera House

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.

MOFAD's New Exhibit Lets Families Go Behind the Cart—and Kids Love Every Bite

MOFAD's Street Food City explores the history of NYC's vending culture.

New York City’s street food scene is legendary—from hot dogs and pretzels to tamales, ice cream trucks, roasted nuts, and the halal carts that have become part of the city’s rhythm. But families who love exploring NYC’s food culture now have a brand-new way to dig in. Street Food City, a major new exhibition at the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) in Dumbo, opened earlier this month, and it’s packed with hands-on discovery, big-kid appeal, and plenty of heart.

Street Food City invites families to step behind the cart and meet the people who’ve shaped NYC’s food landscape for centuries. It’s a thoughtful, sensory-filled exhibit perfect for curious eaters, budding historians, and kids who think a snack break is the best part of any outing. Afterward, you can enjoy food from several vendors at the Time Out Market nearby. For even more fun in the neighborhood, check out our list of 50 fun things to do in Dumbo with kids.

24 Best Winter Day Trips from New Jersey for Families

Check out ice skating, go-karts, bumper cars, and the marketplace at Newark Winter Village. Photo courtesy of Newark Winter Village

Freezing weather can lead to stir-crazy kids and parents, so we've pulled together this list of great winter day trips in and near New Jersey for families. My family is always up for a visit to the Liberty Science Center, Adventure Aquarium, or an indoor play center.

Other options include bundling up for a day of snow tubing or, if you're dreaming of summer, splashing the day away at an indoor water park. Whether your crew loves outdoor adventures or prefers indoor pursuits, read on to find the perfect winter activity for you from this list of two dozen winter day trips from New Jersey for families.

Find all our picks for seasonal fun in our Winter Fun Guide and bookmark our Day Trips Guide for all-seasons destinations.

We Slept on the Intrepid—Here’s Everything to Know About Operation Slumber

Touring the flight deck after dark during Operation Slumber is a highlight my daughter and I won't soon forget.

The Intrepid Museum is a long-time favorite at my house. Though my son is grown and in college, it's still his favorite NYC museum given its collection of military history and the unique vessel it calls home—a decommissioned Essex-class aircraft carrier dating to the Second World War. So, when my younger daughter and I were invited to join a recent Operation Slumber overnight experience, we excitedly packed our bags and shipped out for an all-night adventure at one of the handful of museums offering sleepover experiences in NYC.

Why Waterdrinker Family Farm's Winter Wonderland Is a Must for Long Island Families

Waterdrinker's Winter Wonderland creates a magical outdoor atmosphere for families to walk through.

A visit to Waterdrinker Family Farm's Winter Wonderland on Long Island is a fun-filled day bursting with holiday cheer, as the Manorville farm undergoes an exciting holiday transformation for the Christmas season. 

My family had never visited for the holidays, and my kids loved every minute of merriment. From a giant blow-up snow globe to ice skating under twinkling lights to roasting marshmallows by a cozy fire pit, this farm is a true holiday destination. The experience is a welcome addition to our annual list of Christmas traditions. 

Read ahead for all the details to plan your own Christmas adventure to Waterdrinker's Winter Wonderland. For even more merry festivities, check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Long Island Kids and our Guide to Pick Your Own Farms on Long Island. 

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