Stearman Santa photo courtesy of the Lone Star Flight Museum
Mistletoe Market, Carols on the Green, and More Things to Do in Houston This Weekend with Kids
Take a road trip to play in the snow. Photo courtesy of Canva
Snow Near Houston? 6 Places in Texas Where You Can See Snow This Holiday Season
Bass Pro Shops Present Santa's Wonderland. Photo courtesy of the event.
27 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Houston for Kids
Dickens on the Strand in Galveston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
19 Best Things to Do in Houston December 2024 with Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Houston Families
Go Rio Riverboat at Hilton Palacio del Rio San Antonio during Christmas. Photo by Nan Palermo via Flickr 2.0
The Best Family Christmas Getaways in Texas
Christmas trains near Houston 2024. Photo courtesy of The Polar Express Train Ride at the Texas State Railroad
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Houston
It's time to get your annual picture with Santa, and we know just where to go. Photo courtesy of the Houston Galleria
Pictures with Santa Claus in Houston: From Malls to Rodeos
Photo by Mommy Poppins
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Outdoor Activities Guide for Houston Kids
There are so many ways to see The Nutcracker in Houston this season. Photo courtesy of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Houston
Holidays at Moody Gardens. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
19 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Houston for Kids
Beautiful neighborhood Christmas lights are all around Houston. Photo courtesy of the Franck's Christmas Light Show
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Houston
Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Best Budget-Friendly (Cheap) Birthday Party Places for Houston Kids
See animals up close at some of these farms near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
Best Farms in Houston with Family Entertainment
Pleasure Pier in Galveston is a top attraction near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
Best Attractions and Things To Do in Houston that are Kid-friendly
Stop at Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo for some cool photos on your roadtrip to the Texas Panhandle.
Best Texas Road Trips for Families
Baywatch Dolphin Tours are a fun, kid-friendly tour near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
Best Kid-Friendly Tours in Houston
Make dining out with kids more fun at one of Houston's themed restaurants. Photo courtesy of Rock N Roll Sushi
Themed Restaurants in Houston for a Fun Night Out With Kids
City Park Skate Park near Houston. Photo courtesy of the Sugarland Texas Govt.
Kid-Friendly Skate Parks in Houston
Urban Air has quite a few trampoline parks near Houston. Photo courtesy of Urban Air Adventure Park
Fun Trampoline Parks Near Houston for Kids to Jump in the AC
Batting cage photo courtesy of the Bellaire Bats
Indoor Batting Cages Near Houston Where Kids Can Practice Their Swings
Houston's Walking Stick Brewing Company has plenty of outdoor space. Photo courtesy of the Walking Stick Brewing Company
Family-Friendly Houston Breweries Where Kids Can Play, Too
Plan a magical quinceañera with these dress shops and venues. Photo courtesy of Canva
Quinceañeras in Houston: The Best Dress Shops and Venues for Your Teen Birthday
Photo courtesy of Big Air in North Houston
17 Coolest Indoor Activities for Houston Teens
In winter, visit Luminations at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Photo by Ann Alva Weiding Photography, at bigredmuse.com.
Austin with Kids: 35 Best Things To Do in Austin, Texas
New to fishing? Try a Galveston fishing boat tour.
Best Kid-Friendly Tours in Galveston For Your Family Trip
The outdoor pool at the Moody Gardens Hotel, photo courtesy of Visit Galveston.
Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Galveston, TX
One of our favorite petting zoos near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
The Best Petting Zoos Near Houston
Make it an unforgettable family getaway from Houston by hiking Enchanted Rock. Photo courtesy Passport to Texas.
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Houston Day Trips and Family Getaways Guide
Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn Waterparks
20 Top Things To Do in Galveston with Kids
Photo by author Rebecca Matheson Ortiz for Mommy Poppins.
Tips and Secrets to the Houston Zoo with Kids
Little girl playing at an indoor play space in Houston. Photo courtesy of Frogs, Snails and Fairy Tales
Top Indoor Playgrounds & Play Spaces in Houston
Houston has many kid-friendly museums, and not all are children's museums. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
Best Museums in Houston for Kids and Families
John P. McGovern's state-of-the art playground is perfect for both younger and older children. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green.
20 Things To Do in Downtown Houston With Kids
Ice at the Galleria provides year-round ice skating in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Galleria
Best Indoor and Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Houston for Kids and Families
MKT has great family-friendly restaurants! Photo courtesy of @mendocinofarms and MKT
Best Things to Do in The Houston Heights with Kids
Fishing in Lake Somerville. Photo courtesy of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
10 State Parks Near Houston With Lakes, Beaches, and Hiking
There's no shortage of fun baby activities in Houston.
Best Things To Do with Babies in Houston Before They Turn 1
Your little learner will love the variety of toddler classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Fun Preschool and Toddler Classes in Houston for Little Learners
Houston's bucket list for kid activities
100 Things To Do In Houston Before Kids Grow Up
Treat your kid to one of these Houston spas with services for children. Photo courtesy of Float Baby
Kid-Friendly Salons and Spas Near Houston
Climb with your kids at one of these indoor rock climbing gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Texas Rock Gym
Best Indoor Rock Climbing Gyms in Houston for Kids
Bowling is a fun indoor activity to add to your list this summer. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
Kid-Friendly Bowling Alleys in Houston
Fishing at Sea Center in Freeport, TX. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Freeport with Kids: Best Things To Do in Freeport, Texas
Photo courtesy of Osprey Cruises
30 Things To Do Near South Padre Island, TX with Kids
Round up the girls and head out for a kid-free night in Houston. Photo courtesy of Thirsty Bee Meadery
Mom's Night Out in Houston: 5 Fun Itineraries for a Kid-Free Evening
Kids love the carousel on Kemah's boardwalk.
Top Things to Do at Kemah Boardwalk with Kids
San Antonio has a lot of budget-friendly things to do with kids. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Botanical Garden
Fun Budget Weekend Getaways for Houston Families
Birdwatching at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, photo courtesy of Houston Audubon
Best Things to Do in Memorial, West Houston with Kids
Photo courtesy of Cypress Academy
Ninja Warrior Gyms, Obstacle Courses, and Parkour in Houston for Kids
Hero Headquarters is a birthday party entertainment company in Houston. Photo courtesy of Hero Headquarters
15 Fun Houston Birthday Party Entertainers Who Will Come to Your House
Check out one of these breakfasts in Houston for a casual meal when the kids get up early. Photo courtesy of Snooze
Best Breakfasts in Houston for Kids and Families
Free activities like feeding the ducks at Mary Jo Peckham Park are simple and still great fun for kids. Photo courtesy of Canva
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Photo courtesy of Threadfare Children's Boutique
Best Baby Stores in Houston, From Clothes to Gear to Resale
The Houston Zoo is a great stop for kids, and near other things to do in Houston, too. Photo by Jessica A., courtesy of the zoo
3 Days in Houston with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Families enjoying a night out. Photo courtesy of Paradigm Brewing in Tomball
25 Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Houston: Where Kids Can Play While Parents Eat
Montessori preschools focus on hands-on learning. Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Montessori School
13 Top-Notch Montessori Preschools in Houston
Levy Park in Houston has one of our favorite playgrounds. Photo courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture
Best Playgrounds in Houston: Destination Playgrounds Worth the Drive
Playgrounds Without Limits photo courtesy of Memorial Park, Facebook
Accessible Playgrounds in Houston: 14 Places Where All Kids Can Play
Take a look at one of these popular toddler dance classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Ballet preschool program.
Toddler Dance Classes in Houston for your Tiny Dancer
Baby music classes are a great way to bond and learn. Photo courtesy of Musik Garden
Baby and Toddler Music Classes in Houston
Photo courtesy of Texas Health Resources
Pregnancy Classes and Parenting Classes in Houston
Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
Exploring The Children's Museum Houston
Birthday party places near Houston include arcades, escape rooms, climbing gyms, and more. Photo courtesy of The Main Event
Teen Birthday Party Ideas in Houston: 10 Cool Party Places for Teens and Tweens
There are a variety of fishing lakes near Houston to fish with your kids. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Fishing Lakes Near Houston and More Kid-Friendly Places To Go Fishing
San Antonio is full of amusement parks, good food, and lots of other things to do with kids. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Riverwalk
San Antonio with Kids: 26 Best Things To Do in San Antonio, Texas
Try fishing for the first time in Lake Livingston. Photo courtesy of Lake Livingston State Park, Facebook
Fun Things to Do in Lake Livingston State Park with Kids
Kids eat Free at Dickey's on Sundays with each adult purchase of $10 or more. Photo courtesy of Dickey's
13 Kid-Friendly Barbecue Restaurants in Houston
The St. Regis in Uptown is one of Houston's best family-friendly resorts.
Best Family-Friendly Spa Resorts And Hotels Near Houston
Photo courtesy of Lake Conroe KOA Campground, Facebook
Camping in Houston: Best Campgrounds in Texas for Families
Hiking at Garner State Park in the Texas Hill Country. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Texas Hill Country with Kids: Where to Go, Eat, and Stay
Fresh air is one of the best antidotes to a grumpy toddler or baby. Photo courtesy of Bigstock
Top 10 Stroller Hikes in Houston and the Suburbs
Come for the queso, stay for the ice cream at these Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston.
Best Tex-Mex Restaurants in Houston with FREE Ice Cream
Explore the 21 miles of trails around the park, of varying lengths and difficulty to suit your family’s needs.
20 Things to Do in Huntsville State Park with Kids
Kids can learn about Robotics at the Houston Space Center. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Ortiz.
Top Attractions in Houston for Kids and Families: Museums, Theme Parks, & More
Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Best Budget-Friendly (Cheap) Birthday Party Places for Houston Kids
Samuel Sykes, owner of Trill Taco, photo courtesy of Samuel Sykes
10 Black-Owned Restaurants Near Houston to Try with Kids
Calling all space lovers! NASA’s Space Center Houston, photo by Rebecca Matheson Ortiz
17 Fun Things to Do with Kids in Clear Lake and Webster
Toddlers can enjoy playing with the foam block structures at Exploration Park. Photo courtesy of Exploration Park
Best Houston Playgrounds and Parks for Toddlers
The Menil Collection is a free art museum in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Menil Collection
Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Houston
​Galveston's Schlitterbahn is an indoor waterpark near Houston. Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn in Galveston Island
The Best Indoor Waterparks in Texas
Reaching for Butterflies at the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
Best Things to Do at the Houston Museum of Natural Science with Kids
Horseback riding is a favorite kid activity in Conroe
20 Things To Do in Conroe with Kids

Christmas Weekend 2023 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do

The Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza returns to Kensico Dam Plaza bigger and better than ever. Photo courtesy of the event
The Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza returns to Kensico Dam Plaza bigger and better than ever. Photo courtesy of the event
12/22/23 - By Katherine Dhurandhar

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

Kids can enjoy lots of holiday festivities this weekend, including cookie decorating with Santa, holiday ice skating on a pop-up rink perfect for first-time skaters, or the holiday train show at the Horace Greeley House.

The whole family can enjoy the spectacular holiday lights displays, many of which are open even on Christmas day, including the Grand Holiday Illumination at Untermyer Gardens and The Wonderland of Lights in Rhinebeck.

More Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this Week with Kids

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

A Frosty Fest features a drive-thru display of holiday lights and animations with music, actors, and animatronics! Photo courtesy of the fest
A Frosty Fest features a drive-thru display of holiday lights and animations with music, actors, and animatronics! Photo courtesy of the fest

Top Things To Do Christmas Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Polar Express Train Ride in Kingston

Kingston
Friday and Saturday, December 22-23
Once on board, the conductors walk through the coach to punch your golden ticket as you’re served hot chocolate and a cookie by dancing chefs, while passengers read the classic children’s book. READ MORE

A Frosty Fest

Ulster Park
Friday and Saturday, December 22-23
A Frosty Fest is the Hudson Valley's Largest holiday lights spectacular. Enjoy a drive-thru experience in the comfort of your vehicle, then park and walk inside to visit Santa and dance with the characters.  READ MORE

Celebrate the Holidays at PaleyLand!

Midtown Manhattan, NYC
Saturday, December 23
The Paley Center's must-see holiday extravaganza fills five floors of the Paley with holiday fun and winter wonderland magic. Enjoy free hot chocolate, watch past and present holiday family specials on the big screen, discover the magic of a classic model railroad display, and so much more. READ MORE

Sugar Loaf Holiday Festival

Chester – FREE
Saturday, December 23
Celebrate Christmas weekend at Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center's first holiday festival. Free festivities include a fire truck parade, horse and carriage rides, holiday crafts, a free holiday show, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more. Food is available for purchase from Graze Restaurant. Enjoy a hot chocolate bar and holiday treats.  READ MORE

Holiday Sing-Along

Peekskill
Saturday, December 23
Peek-a-Boo Family Music hosts a series of festive sing-alongs to celebrate the holidays! All traditions are welcome.  READ MORE

Family Holiday Happening : The Little Red Hen

Pound Ridge – FREE
Saturday, December 23
Back by popular demand, Matthew Leonard from The Lionheart Puppet Company entertains families with a holiday-themed version of The Little Red Hen. Holiday refreshments follow this show at the Pound Ridge Library.  READ MORE

Cookie Decorating with Santa

Bethel
Saturday, December 23
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts invites kids to decorate unique sugar cookies with instruction from Santa himself, plus enjoy hot cocoa.  READ MORE

Watt Christmas Wonderland

Goshen
Daily through Saturday, December 30
Pile in the car for a visit to this holiday staple. This drive-thru exhibit features an assortment of inflatables, hundreds of lights, and other seasonal displays to enjoy. READ MORE

The Wonderland of Lights in Rhinebeck

Rhinebeck
Daily through Saturday, December 30
This spectacular drive-thru holiday light experience returns to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. The attraction features dozens of illuminated exhibits along a mile-long route.  READ MORE

Cross County Center Pop-Up Holiday Ice Skating Rink

Yonkers
Daily through Saturday, December 30
Closed on Christmas Day
Cross County Center’s popular pop-up ice skating rink is located right in the heart of the center. The pop-up rink is not made of real ice, it is a synthetic floor that glides slower than real ice making it perfect for first-time and young skaters.  READ MORE

Peace, Love & Lights at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Bethel
Daily through Sunday, December 31
This drive-thru light experience on the site of the Woodstock Festival returns with even more lights, with themed displays depicting New York and holidays around the world plus special rock-n'-roll-themed displays honoring the site's history.  READ MORE

Legoland New York Holiday Bricktacular

Goshen
Daily through Sunday, December 31
Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Experience the holidays at Legoland New York, where the entire resort is bursting with holiday cheer. Visit the new Lego City Elf Extravaganza, sing and dance at one of the seasonal shows, take “elfies” with your favorite holiday Lego characters, and more. READ MORE

Westchester’s Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza

Valhalla
Daily through Sunday, December 31
Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
This holiday lights extravaganza returns to Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla for its 11th season. The interactive holiday event is bigger and better than ever, with two 100-foot light tunnels, a live Santa Claus, and thousands of electrifying lights that create magical vignettes.  READ MORE

Holiday on the Hill Train Show at Lasdon Park & Arboretum

Somers
Select dates through Sunday, December 31
Celebrate the season at this festively decorated train show at Lasdon Park. Stroll through the outdoor exhibits, then explore the elaborate train show featuring festive flower displays, waterfalls, characters from Frozen, and more. Afterward, meet with Santa! READ MORE

Lumina Magical Lights Experience at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard

North Salem
Daily through Sunday, December 31
Closed on Christmas Day
Immerse yourself in the warmth and magic of an enchanting, illuminated forest as Harvest Moon's light trail returns. More than half a million brilliant lights create a cozy and inviting glow, filling the air with holiday cheer. READ MORE

Grand Holiday Illumination at Untermyer Gardens

Yonkers–FREE
Daily through Monday, January 1, 2024
Inaugurated in 2015, the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy's Grand Holiday Illumination has quickly become a Yonkers tradition, and thousands of visitors come to enjoy the spectacle. Come for FREE and see the Walled Garden lit with more than 100,000 lights and listen to holiday music from many traditions.  READ MORE

Legoland Discovery Center Westchester | Holiday Bricktacular

Yonkers
Daily through Monday, January 1, 2024
Closed Christmas Day
Come explore an indoor winter wonderland filled with Lego holiday-themed creations made up of thousands of Lego bricks. Festivities include cookie decorating with the Lego gingerbread man, Lego ornament building, giant holiday Lego builds, and more! READ MORE

The Great Holiday Train Show

Chappaqua
Select dates through Sunday, January 7, 2024
The New Castle Historical Society brings community together with the return of a cherished holiday tradition: The Great Holiday Train Show. Back for its third year, The Great Holiday Train Show welcomes the young and the young at heart into the enchanting world of model trains amidst an intimate, historical setting. READ MORE

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