Christmas & winter holiday events for kids in NYC

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.

Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem

Weekends: Nov 13–15, 20–22, 27–29; Dec 3–6, 10–13, 17–20 · see website for hours

SteelStacks, Bethlehem, PA (about 1.5–1.75 hr drive)

All ages

A huge German-style Christmas market beside old steel blast furnaces, with artisan stalls, holiday treats and family activities every weekend.

NYBG Holiday Train Show

Nov 14–Jan 10 · daytime, plus evenings to 8pm (last entry 7pm) Nov 27–29; Dec 5, 11–12, 18–20, 26–30; Jan 2

Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, New York Botanical Garden, Bedford Park

All ages

Model trains rumble past miniature New York landmarks crafted from bark, seeds and leaves inside the Garden's glass Conservatory.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker at Purchase PAC

Sat, Nov 14 · 7pm (2 hr 20 min with intermission)

The Purchase PAC, SUNY Purchase, Westchester (about 45 min drive)

All ages

Tchaikovsky meets hip hop as a dozen dancers, a DJ and a violinist move the Nutcracker story to modern-day New York.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker at State Theatre NJ

Sun, Nov 15 · 6:30pm

State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ (about 1 hr drive)

Ages 5+

Rap pioneer Kurtis Blow opens this street-dance Nutcracker, where Maria-Clara's adventure plays out amid digital graffiti and a live DJ.

Mary Poppins at Paper Mill Playhouse

Nov 18–Jan 3 · matinees 1:30pm, evenings 7 or 7:30pm; see website for schedule

Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, NJ (about 45 min drive)

All ages

Paper Mill's holiday-season family musical brings the flying nanny, dancing chimney sweeps and a spoonful of stage magic to suburban New Jersey.

A Christmas Carol at PAC NYC

Nov 20–Jan 3 · matinees and evenings; relaxed performance Wed, Dec 16 at 1pm

Perelman Performing Arts Center, World Trade Center, Lower Manhattan

Families (contains haze and loud noises)

Andy Karl stars as Scrooge in the Old Vic's joyful take on Dickens, with carols woven throughout and a relaxed performance Dec 16.

A Christmas Story: The Musical

Fri, Nov 20 7:30pm · Sat, Nov 21 2pm & 7:30pm · Sun, Nov 22 1pm

State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ (about 1 hr drive)

Ages 5+

Ralphie's quest for a Red Ryder BB gun becomes a toe-tapping touring musical from the songwriters behind The Greatest Showman.

Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Evenings, Nov 20–Jan 3 · timed entry; see website for nights

Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Prospect Heights

Adults $29–$44 depending on the night; babies 0–2 free

All ages

Follow an after-dark trail through the Garden past glowing tunnels, lit-up trees and light installations timed to music.

Barnaby Saves Christmas

Nov 21–Dec 27 · see website for times; sensory-friendly show Sun, Nov 22 at 11am

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

Kids and families

The littlest elf and his reindeer pal race to rescue Christmas in this kids' musical that also celebrates Hanukkah and the whole season.

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights

Select nights: Nov 21–22, 27–29; Dec 3–6, 10–13, 17–23, 26–31; Jan 2–3 · zoo from 1pm, lights on 4:30pm, last entry 8pm

Bronx Zoo, Fordham / West Farms

Adults $37.95, kids 3–12 $22.95 (cheaper on Dec 3, 10, 17); 2 and under free

All ages

Giant glowing animal lanterns line six themed trails, and this year the Children's Zoo farmyard with alpacas and goats stays open after dark.

A Magical Cirque Christmas

Fri, Nov 27 · 4:30pm & 7:30pm

State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ (about 1 hr drive)

Ages 5+

Acrobats, strongmen, comedy and magic set to holiday tunes make a festive family outing on the day after Thanksgiving.

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker (NYC Ballet)

Nov 27–Jan 2 · see website for showtimes

David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, Upper West Side

Ages 5+ (every child needs a ticket, including lap kids)

Watch the Christmas tree grow and snowflakes swirl in NYC Ballet's classic Nutcracker, danced to Tchaikovsky's score with a live orchestra.

Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND New York

Nov 27–Jan 2 on park operating days · check the park calendar for open dates

LEGOLAND New York Resort, Goshen, NY (about 1 hr 15 min drive)

Included with park admission

Best for ages 2–12

The LEGO theme park goes festive with holiday brick builds, a holiday dance party and a synthetic-ice skating rink for families.

NJ Ballet's The Nutcracker

Sensory-friendly show Sun, Nov 29 2pm (Rahway) · bergenPAC Dec 5–6 at 1pm & 4:30pm · Mayo PAC Dec 11–27

UCPAC Rahway, bergenPAC Englewood & Mayo PAC Morristown, NJ (30–60 min drive)

$8 sensory-friendly; $35–$65 Englewood; $45–$101 Morristown

All ages

New Jersey's long-running Nutcracker plays three stages, including live New Jersey Symphony music in Morristown and an $8 sensory-friendly matinee.

A Very SW!NG OUT Holiday

Dec 1–6 · evenings 7:30pm; matinees Sat–Sun 2pm (family matinee Sat, Dec 5)

The Joyce Theater, Chelsea

All ages

Lindy hop dancers swing to holiday classics played live by a big band, and the audience is invited to join a dance jam.

Tree Lighting at Historic Richmond Town

Fri, Dec 4 · 5–6pm (tree lit at 6pm)

Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave, Richmondtown

All ages

Local groups sing, Santa stops by to say hello, and the village tree flickers on at 6pm in Staten Island's historic town.

Christmas in Historic Richmond Town

Sat–Sun, Dec 5–6 · 12–4pm

Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave, Richmondtown

All ages

Ride a horse-drawn carriage, visit Santa, shop handmade crafts and watch costumed interpreters demonstrate old-time skills across the historic village.

Tilt! An '80s Circus Thrill Ride

Dec 5–Jan 3 · see website for times; sensory-friendly show Sat, Dec 12 at 5pm

New Victory Theater, Times Square

Ages 5+

Acrobats turn retro amusement-park rides into circus acts, including a human-powered Ferris wheel, over the holidays and winter break.

I'mPossible Holiday Wonders at BAM

Thu–Sun, Dec 10–13 · see website for times; 1 hr 15 min

Howard Gilman Opera House, BAM, Fort Greene

Adults from $35; kids from $17.50 (plus fees)

All ages

Omnium Circus's multi-abled performers fly, flip and balance to live music in a holiday show where every performance is sensory-friendly.

Candlelight Tours at Historic Richmond Town

Fri–Sat, Dec 11–12 · tours 5–10pm, 90 minutes each

Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave, Richmondtown

Price on website (tickets coming soon)

All ages (lots of walking and standing in dim rooms)

Costumed guides lead candlelit walks through historic houses showing three centuries of holiday customs, finishing with warm wassail and refreshments.

The Magic Flute Holiday Presentation at the Met

Dec 11–Jan 2 · see website for performances

Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, Upper West Side

Kids and families

The Met's shortened, English-language Magic Flute is packed with giant puppets, and matinees add free face painting and kids' activity books.

The Brooklyn Nutcracker

Sat, Dec 12 7pm · Sun, Dec 13 3pm · Sat, Dec 19 3pm · Sun, Dec 20 3pm

The Theater at City Tech, 275 Jay St, Downtown Brooklyn

All ages

Brooklyn Ballet gives Clara's holiday adventure a proudly local spin across four weekend performances in Downtown Brooklyn.

Two Nutcrackers: NJ Youth Symphony

Sun, Dec 13 · 2pm

UCPAC, Rahway, NJ (about 35 min drive)

Free (reserve tickets in advance)

All ages

Young musicians play Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite alongside Duke Ellington's jazzy version, a free and fun way to compare the two.

American Repertory Ballet's The Nutcracker

Thu–Fri, Dec 17–18 7pm · Sat, Dec 19 2pm & 7pm · Sun, Dec 20 1pm & 5pm

State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ (about 1 hr drive)

Venue lists ages 12+; under 18 must sit with an adult

New Jersey's American Repertory Ballet brings snowy forests and the Land of Sweets to a grand old theater in downtown New Brunswick.

Santa's Circus

Fri, Dec 18 · 8pm (doors 7pm)

UCPAC Main Stage, Rahway, NJ (about 35 min drive)

Adults $59–$77; kids 14 and under $37–$55 (fees included)

All ages

A Christmas circus mixes stunts, magic and comedy, and kids can meet characters and write letters with Mrs. Claus.

Staten Island Ballet's The Nutcracker

Fri, Dec 18 7:30pm · Sat, Dec 19 3pm · Sun, Dec 20 2pm & 5pm

Williamson Theater, College of Staten Island, Willowbrook

All ages

Staten Island's hometown Nutcracker returns for four performances the weekend before Christmas at the College of Staten Island.

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas: Popcorn & Pajamas

Sat, Dec 19 · 10am and 1pm screenings

Hamilton Stage, UCPAC, Rahway, NJ (about 35 min drive)

All ages

Come in pajamas for Jim Henson's cozy Christmas film on the big screen, with free popcorn and a take-home craft.

The Great Holiday Rock Show for Kids

Sat, Dec 19 · 12pm

Studio Theater, Queens Theatre, Flushing Meadows Corona Park

Ages 1–7 (all welcome)

A live band plays rock favorites with a holiday twist while little ones dance, play games and make plenty of joyful noise.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker at Kings Theatre

Wed, Dec 23 · 7pm (doors 6pm)

Kings Theatre, Flatbush

All ages

Catch the hip hop Nutcracker two days before Christmas inside Flatbush's restored movie palace, with a DJ spinning Tchaikovsky remixes.

The Polar Express in 35mm

Wed, Dec 23 · 7pm film; doors and holiday organ concert 6pm

UCPAC Main Stage, Rahway, NJ (about 35 min drive)

$17 in advance, $22 day of show

All ages (rated G)

See the Polar Express on real film in a grand old theater, with a pre-show organ concert and photos with Santa.

Sensory-Friendly Nutcracker at NYC Ballet

Sun, Jan 3 · 1pm (tickets on sale Sep 28)

David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, Upper West Side

Ages 5+

A relaxed Nutcracker with softer lights and sound, break areas and a come-and-go policy for kids with sensory needs.