Drew Kristofik

Drew Kristofik's early career editing teen magazines somehow morphed into a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a very long sojourn at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick online and then Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com local. She was a founding member of the WebbyAward winning GoCityKids, has written for Family Fun Magazine, Vanity Fair, and New York, and her novel for middle schoolers, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. She strives to keep the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar packed and accurate, and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.

Latest posts by Drew

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2024 in NYC: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and More Things To Do

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Tue, 11/26/2024 - 1:10pm

Experience a kaleidoscope of photo-ops, plus acrobatic shows, tasty food, craft cocktails, live music, and more at the captivating light festival, Lektrik, at the Queens Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy of Fever

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

We're grateful for so much this weekend, including two behind-the-scenes Thanksgiving Day Parade peeks: the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation and Marching Bands Practice at the Seaport Museum. Then, Thursday brings the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Macy's Santaland opens Friday, serving as the gateway to the sparkly NYC holiday season.

We're anticipating classic holiday fun, like the New York City Ballet's Nutcracker at Lincoln Center, plus new holiday happenings, including the brilliant Lektrik light show setting the Queens Botanical Garden aglow. Read on for all our top picks for Thanksgiving Day weekend fun in NYC.

Best Christmas Tree Lightings in NYC with Fun Activities for Kids, Plus Menorah Lightings, Too

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Tue, 11/26/2024 - 12:32pm

Celebrate the start of the holiday season at Calypso, Carols, and Cocoa: The Dumbo Holiday Lighting. Photo by Hassan Mokaddam

Good news for the crowd-averse: You don't have to brave the commotion of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting to witness a fabulous Christmas tree lighting in New York City. We've rounded up a collection of local NYC Christmas tree lightings that are much less crowded and every bit as lovely, from Brooklyn and Queens to the Bronx and everywhere in between, including the biggest living tree, a tree made of traffic cones, and a ceremony with fireworks!

This year, Hanukkah begins on Wednesday, December 25, and upcoming menorah lightings include the two biggies, in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

We've got more fun things to do this holiday season in our NYC Kids' Guide to the Christmas and the Holidays, including our list of 12 must-do holiday activities and our favorite holiday lights displays across the five boroughs.

Holiday Light Shows, Luna Luna, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 11/22/2024 - 10:05am

The Bronx Zoo lights up at night during the 2024 holiday season. Photo by Ally Noel

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

NYC is lighting up for the holidays already, as the Bronx Zoo flips the switch on its traditional, gorgeous Holiday Lights show filled with custom, animal-shaped Asian lanterns. Across town, Lightscape shimmers at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Kids can scale some scaffolding at the Brooklyn Children's Museum's new exhibit, In the Works, or take in fantastical, large-scale, interactive art at Luna Luna. The New Victory is holiday-ready as the circus-inspired Yuletide Factory takes over its stage.

Christmas Tree Farms Near DC

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Tue, 11/19/2024 - 11:13am

Find the perfect tree for your family at Snickers Gap Tree Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm

Want to fill your home with the smell of fresh pine, balsam, fir, or spruce this holiday season? Head to one of several festive Christmas tree farms near DC, where you can cut your own Christmas tree for a truly authentic holiday experience and photo opportunity.

If you're not up to the challenge of chopping down a tree, no worries—many of the Christmas tree farms on our list also offer fresh-cut trees ready to be wrapped up and wrangled into your living room. So, you'll get the experience of visiting a Christmas tree farm without all the extra work.

Most of these Christmas tree farms in Maryland and Northern Virginia open the day after Thanksgiving and close when they run out of trees, so be sure to call or check the website before you go. And if you're looking for more holiday fun, see our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids, which includes our ultimate list of must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in DC. Here's to making holiday memories with your family!

Breakfast with Santa in NYC

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 11/15/2024 - 9:09am

Share a special holiday experience with your child at American Girl New York's Santa brunch. Photo courtesy of American Girl

Breakfast with Santa—or a tasty Santa brunch—might be in order if your child wants a hearty visit with the big red guy. We've found the best spots for families to enjoy a special holiday meal with Santa Claus in New York City, ranging from the extravagant Radio City Breakfast Spectacular to a lavish breakfast with Santa at Macy's, sweet treats during Santa brunch at American Girl New York, and even FREE fare at Empire Outlets on Staten Island. You can even hop on a cruise with Santa!

Keep in mind that all of these breakfasts with Santa in NYC require reservations and sell out quickly. No matter which one you choose, bring your camera—and your appetite. Be sure to bookmark this page, as we'll be adding more NYC breakfast with Santa options as we find them. You'll find all our seasonal picks for family fun in our Holiday Guide for New York City Families.

Big Top Comes to the Big Apple: Big Apple Circus and More High-Flying Shows in NYC

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Mon, 11/11/2024 - 10:38am

The Big Apple Circus has pitched its big top in Damrosch Park for a fun-filled show that's an ode to its hometown. Photo by Jody Mercier

It's easy to run away to the circus in NYC—we have so many big tops passing through town each year that you can snag a seat in the stands in any season. A trip to the circus is an exercise in joy and a great introduction to live performances for little kids. High-flying acrobats and glittering costumes are great attention grabbers!

The beloved Big Apple Circus holds its annual holiday season run, dazzling audiences at Lincoln Center with acrobats, trained poodles, magic, and more. Circus newcomer Flip Circus makes multiple stops for audiences in Forest Park and McCarren Park, while the Grand Shanghai Circus brings a taste of China to St. George on Staten Island. Come spring, Cirque du Soleil's Luzia lights up Randall's Island, and the New Victory Theater has a pair of circus troupes on its docket this season, too.

Read on for all the touring circus acts you can catch in NYC, and book your tickets for your favorite big top now to ensure you don't miss out on the action.

The Best Nutcracker Ballets in NYC for Kids

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Sun, 11/10/2024 - 7:13am

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 there are now so many versions of The Nutcracker ballet in NYC, that a parent could go sugar plum crazy trying to figure out which one is best for their family.

We've found more than a dozen variations of The Nutcracker ballet playing this season across all five NYC boroughs, from the New York City Ballet's classic iteration at Lincoln Center to a 92Y production complete with a fabulous afterparty. We've also found a preschool-friendly Nutcracker performance starring stunning marionettes and three performances that are completely FREE.

Read on for 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.

Veterans Day Weekend 2024 in NYC: 15 Best Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Drew Kristofik on Fri, 11/08/2024 - 10:13am

The visionary Omnium Circus returns to the Queens Theatre with "I'm Possible!" Photo courtesy Omnium Circus via Queens Theater

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

Monday is Veterans Day, and that means it's time for the biggest celebration of service in the United States: the NYC Veterans Day Parade. You can also salute our military at the Intrepid Museum's wreath ceremony.

The Big Apple Circus is back at Lincoln Center and early holiday fun arrives with the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. You can also climb aboard the North Pole Express for a chat with Santa or celebrate the American Wing's 100th birthday at The Met.