Holiday events for NYC kids

Amazing Maize Maze at Queens County Farm

Sat–Sun, Aug 29–Nov 1 (plus Mon Sep 7) · 11am–4pm

Queens County Farm Museum, Floral Park

$17 adults, $10 kids 3–11, under 2 free

All ages

Solve clue puzzles while winding through a three-acre corn maze, then climb Victory Bridge to look out over the whole labyrinth.

Fishkill Farms Fall Harvest Festival Weekends

Sat–Sun, Sep 12–Nov 1 (plus Mon Oct 12) · Farm store 9am–6pm, live music 12–4pm

Fishkill Farms, Hopewell Junction, NY (about 1.5 hours' drive)

Corn maze $5; picking priced on website

All ages

Pick your own apples and pumpkins, ride a wagon through the orchard and wander a sheep-themed corn maze with weekend live music.

Village Ghost Tours at Historic Richmond Town

Fri–Sat, Sep 12–Oct 31 (no tours Oct 17) · 7pm and 8:30pm

Historic Richmond Town, Richmondtown

Ages 8+

A one-hour candlelit walk through historic village houses, told as folklore storytelling rather than a jump-scare ghost hunt; best for older kids.

Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze

Select nights Sep 18–Nov 8, every night in October · Timed entry, see website for times

Van Cortlandt Manor, Croton-on-Hudson, NY (about 1 hour's drive)

All ages

Walk a half-mile evening trail lit by more than 7,000 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns arranged into giant glowing scenes set to music.

Halloween Harvest at Luna Park

Sep 18–Nov 1 · See website for park hours

Luna Park, Coney Island

Wristband price on website

All ages

Coney Island's amusement park adds a pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating, a spooky walkthrough and stage shows to its usual rides for the season.

Harvest Moon Farm Fall Festival

Weekends through October · Entry 9am–2pm, festival until 5pm

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard, North Salem, NY (about 1 hour 15 minutes' drive)

Admission on website; apple bags from $15; 3 and under free

All ages

A weekend farm festival with a pumpkin patch, apple picking, hayrides, a kids' inflatable fun zone, cider donuts and live country music.

Boo at the Zoo at the Bronx Zoo

Sat–Sun, Sep 26–Nov 1 (plus Mon Oct 12) · Activities until 4pm

Bronx Zoo, Bronx Park

Free with zoo admission

Toddlers to elementary age

Weekend Halloween fun at the zoo with a hay maze, candy trail, costume parade, magic shows, face painting and animal chats.

Hansel & Gretel Marionette Show at Puppetworks

Sat–Sun, Sep 26–Nov 1 (plus Mon Oct 12) · 12:30pm and 2:30pm

Puppetworks, Park Slope

Ages 3+

Hand-carved marionettes tell the Grimm tale of two siblings and a candy-loving witch, a good first spooky-season show for little ones.

AIA-NY Deepavali Festival & Fireworks

Sat, Oct 3 · 12–8pm, fireworks about 7:15pm

Overlook Beach, Babylon, Long Island (about 1 hr drive)

All ages

The long-running Seaport Deepavali festival now happens at a Long Island beach, with dance shows, rangoli and kids' art, clowns, food stalls and fireworks.

Diwali at Times Square

Sat, Oct 24 · See website for times

Broadway between 46th and 48th Sts, Times Square

All ages

Times Square hosts a huge free Diwali festival with dance performances, a dedicated kids' zone and a diya-lighting countdown on the One Times Square tower.

Dressup for Diwali Mela (Edison)

Sun, Oct 25 · 12–8pm

Akbar Banquet Hall, 21 Cortlandt St, Edison, NJ (about 45 min drive)

All ages

An indoor Diwali mela in Edison with Indian music, singing and dance performances plus food, a good indoor option if the weather turns.

Deepavali at the Hindu Temple Society (Ganesh Temple)

Sun, Nov 8 · See website for times

Sri Maha Vallabha Ganapati Devasthanam, 45-57 Bowne St, Flushing

All ages

On Diwali itself, visit one of the oldest Hindu temples in the country to see the Deepavali puja, then grab dosas at the temple's canteen.

Prospect Park November Weekend Nature Exploration

Sat–Sun, Nov 7–29, incl. Thanksgiving weekend · 10am–1pm

Prospect Park Audubon Center, Brooklyn

All ages

Drop in on any November weekend, including Thanksgiving weekend, for leaf art, leaf-litter bug hunts and easy citizen-science activities at the boathouse.

Riverside Church Turkey Trot & Youth Turkey Dash

Sat, Nov 7 · from 9am

Randall's Island Park, East Harlem

Youth dash from $27.50; 5K from $48.70

Youth dash ages 2–13; 5K all ages with guardian

Little runners get their own turkey dash, a 100-yard sprint for ages 2–5 or a half-mile for ages 6–13, while grown-ups do the 5K.

NSRF Manhattan Turkey Trot & Free Kiddie Dash

Sun, Nov 15 · Kiddie Dash 9:30am, 5K 10am

Randall's Island Field #10

Kiddie Dash free; 5K from $38.98

All ages

An early turkey trot on Randall's Island where kids can run a free dash before parents set off on the 5K loop.

1863 Thanksgiving Day Celebration at Old Bethpage Village

Sat–Sun, Nov 21–22 · 10am–4pm (last entry 2:15pm)

Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Old Bethpage, Long Island (about 1 hr drive)

$15 adults, $12 kids 5–12, free 4 and under

All ages

Step into a Civil War-era Thanksgiving with hearth cooking demos, period customs and costumed reenactors across a whole 19th-century village.

Hearth & Harvest Festival at Historic Richmond Town

Sat, Nov 21 · 11am–4pm

Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave, Richmondtown

All ages

Watch Indigenous dance and storytelling, try crafts, and see 18th- and 19th-century dishes cooked over open hearths in the village kitchens.

Stamford Giant Balloon Inflation Party

Sat, Nov 21 · 3–6pm

Hoyt St at Summer St, Stamford, CT (about 1 hr drive)

All ages

The night before Stamford's parade, see giant character balloons get inflated up close, with live music, performers and a Santa visit.

Head for the Hilltop Kids' Fun Run

Sun, Nov 22 · Kids' Fun Run 9am, 5K trail run 9:30am

Hilltop Hanover Farm, Yorktown Heights, Westchester (about 1 hr drive)

Kids' run $10; 5K $40 (early-bird prices through Sept 30)

Kids' run ages 6 and under; 5K ages 7+

Preschoolers race through a working farm's fields while older kids and parents run a scenic 5K trail loop past crops and hills.

Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular

Sun, Nov 22 · 12–2pm

Downtown Stamford, CT (about 1 hr drive)

All ages

A smaller, easier-to-see alternative to Macy's, with giant helium balloons, marching bands and dance troupes filling downtown streets the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Brooklyn's Largest Menorah Lighting

Nightly, Fri Dec 4 – Fri Dec 11 · exact times posted in late November

Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park entrance, Park Slope

All ages

Chabad of Park Slope lights its giant menorah each night with live music, hot latkes and small gifts for kids.

Riverdale Giant Menorah Lighting

Nightly, Fri Dec 4 – Fri Dec 11 · see website for times

Bell Tower Park (Riverdale Monument), W. 239th St & Riverdale Ave, Riverdale

All ages

Chabad of Riverdale lights a big public menorah at the neighborhood's bell tower monument every night of Hanukkah.

World's Largest Menorah Lighting (Manhattan)

Nightly, Fri Dec 4 – Fri Dec 11 · exact times posted in late November (Fri lighting is before sundown, Sat after Shabbat)

Grand Army Plaza, Fifth Ave & 59th St, Midtown

All ages

Watch a crane lift the rabbi up to light the 36-foot Agam menorah by Central Park, a Hanukkah tradition since 1977.

Festival of Lights: Chanukah in Marine Park

Sun, Dec 6 · See website for times

Marine Park (held at the Carmine Carro Community Center, 3000 Fillmore Ave, in past years)

All ages

A free NYC Parks Hanukkah get-together in Marine Park, usually hosted by the Marine Park Alliance with a menorah lighting and treats.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

Opens Sat, Oct 10 for the 2026–27 season · 60-minute sessions; hours and closing date TBA

Rockefeller Center, Midtown (enter on 49th St between 5th & 6th Aves)

General Skate from $22; VIP Skate from $131

All ages

Skate a one-hour session on the famous sunken rink, right below where the giant Christmas tree goes up each winter.

Wollman Rink in Central Park

Daily, Oct 24–Mar 16 · Mon–Tue 10am–2:30pm; Wed, Thu, Sun 10am–9pm; Fri–Sat 10am–10pm

Wollman Rink, Central Park (near 59th St & 6th Ave)

Adults $16–$40 depending on time; kids 4–12 $12; under 3 free; skate rental $12

All ages

Glide around Central Park's classic outdoor rink with the Midtown skyline rising above the trees on every side.

Holiday Shops at Bryant Park

Daily, Oct 28–Jan 3 · see website for shop hours

Bank of America Winter Village, Bryant Park, Midtown

All ages

Wander rows of glass kiosks selling toys, gifts and warm snacks around the rink, an easy stop between Midtown holiday sights.

Winter Village Ice Rink at Bryant Park

Daily, Oct 28–Feb 28 · 8am–10pm (until midnight Nov 19–Jan 3)

Bryant Park, Midtown (6th Ave & 42nd St)

Free admission with your own skates; rentals $18.72–$64.48

All ages

Skating is free if you bring your own blades, so families can do laps under Midtown towers and grab cocoa nearby.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Nov 4–Jan 4 · several shows most days; 90 minutes, no intermission

Radio City Music Hall, Midtown

All ages

The Rockettes kick through a record 230 performances of their 90-minute holiday revue, adding a brand-new scene and fresh stage technology this year.

A Christmas Carol at Theatre Three

Nov 7–Dec 27 · evenings at 7pm plus Wednesday matinees

Theatre Three, Port Jefferson, Long Island (about 1.5 hr drive)

Adults $45; kids 5–12 $30; all November shows and Wed matinees $30

Ages 5+ (no children under 5)

This Long Island village theater stages Dickens' ghost story for the 42nd year running, packed with music, carols and Scrooge's big change of heart.

Grand Central Holiday Fair

Nov 9–Dec 16: Mon–Sat 10am–7pm, Sun 11am–6pm · Dec 17–23: 10am–8pm · Dec 24: 10am–6pm · closed Thanksgiving

Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Terminal, Midtown East

All ages

An indoor artisan market fills Vanderbilt Hall with handmade jewelry, pottery and art, a warm option on cold or rainy December days.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

Nov 12–Dec 27 · see website for times

John W. Engeman Theater, Northport, Long Island (about 1 hr 15 min drive)

All ages

Max the dog narrates this Dr. Seuss stage musical, where the Grinch sneers through 'You're a Mean One' before Whoville wins him over.

Kwanzaa Celebration at Beczak (Yonkers)

Sat, Dec 26 · 2pm–4pm

Beczak Environmental Education Center, 35 Alexander St, Yonkers (about 30 min drive)

All ages

An afternoon Kwanzaa gathering by the Hudson River with music, food and a friendly community feel for families.

Kwanzaa Celebration at Brooklyn Children's Museum

Sat–Wed, Dec 26–30 · 10am–5pm

Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave, Crown Heights

All ages

NYC's biggest Kwanzaa festival returns for a 19th year with daily candle lightings, drumming, dance and art workshops.

Kwanzaa: Unity in the Community (Staten Island)

Sat, Dec 26 · 6:30pm–10:30pm

Central Family Life Center, 59 Wright St, Stapleton

All ages

A community Kwanzaa night with African drumming, dance, candle lighting, a small marketplace and a shared Karamu feast.

New Year's Eve Fireworks in Prospect Park

Thu, Dec 31 · fireworks at midnight (live music beforehand; 2026 times posted closer to date)

Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park

All ages

Brooklyn's 45-year tradition of live music and midnight fireworks over Grand Army Plaza; best for older kids who can stay up late.

Lunar New Year at Long Island Children's Museum

Sat–Sun, Jan 30–31 · See website for times

Long Island Children's Museum, Garden City, NY (about 45 min drive)

All ages

A weekend of hands-on Lunar New Year traditions, stories and crafts for young kids at a big Long Island children's museum.

Lunar New Year Firecracker Ceremony

Sat, Feb 6 · 11am–3:30pm

Sara D. Roosevelt Park at Grand St, Chinatown

All ages

Chinatown greets the new year with loud firecrackers, lion dancers and cultural performances; bring ear protection for little ones.

Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown

Sun, Feb 21 · 1pm

Chinatown streets (see website for route)

All ages

Lion and dragon dancers, marching bands and colorful floats wind through Chinatown in one of the city's liveliest parades.