Visiting New York City during the holidays with kids will leave you with a lifetime of cherished memories. But let’s get real, adequate planning is crucial because it’s no easy feat!
The expense, noise and crowds can turn the most beloved holidays tradition into a qualifier for Dante’s Inferno if you don’t know which landmines to avoid. That’s where I come in.
I’ve had the chance to experience the holidays in New York City with kids for five years. First with my nieces and nephews and now with my own daughter. Here’s a quick roundup of the best Christmas activities for kids in New York City, based on firsthand experience.
Celebrating Christmas in New York City With Kids
(Click Here for the Table of Contents)
Table of Contents: Things to Do at Christmas in New York City with Kids
- Celebrating Christmas in New York City With Kids
- Attend the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular
- Split a Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity
- Enjoy Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- Experience Macy’s Santaland
- Check Out the Bronx Zoo Holiday Light Show
- Go Shopping at FAO Schwarz
- Go Ice Skating
- Admire the Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show
- Visit the New York Botanical Garden
- Attend the Nutcracker Ballet
- Hop Aboard the North Pole Express
- Experience Dyker Heights
- Explore Central Park
- Things to Do with Kids in New York City at Christmas (Post Summary)
- Christmas in NYC with Kids (Map)
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The 10 Best Neighborhoods for First Timers & 3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Attend the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular
The talented Rockettes have been performing at Radio City Music Hall since 1930. It’s hard to think of a more iconic holiday tradition in New York City at this point. Expert choreography coupled with wildly talented dancers performing gravity-defying kicks, the 90-minute performance is leaves children awe-struck from beginning to end.
I highly recommend catching the performance if you’re visiting New York City during the holidays with kids. I took my 4-year-old niece to see the show last year and she raves about it to this day.
Split a Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity
There’s no shortage of great holiday treats to enjoy while visiting New York City for Christmas. One of my personal favorites is the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate (not a typo) from Serendipity.
Dating back to 1954, this iconic restaurant was a frequent hangout for celebrities like Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe and Joan Rivers. Heck, Jackie Kennedy once tried to buy the trademarked frozen hot chocolate recipe for a party at the White House.
I make time to enjoy the popular holiday treat every holiday season and always recommend it to my own family and friends. It doesn’t feel like Christmas in New York without one of these treats, indulge away!
Interested in holiday-themed restaurants? Read 15 Epic NYC Christmas-Decorated Restaurants Everyone in the Family Will Love.
Enjoy Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Visiting a botanic garden might not be the first thing that comes to mind when looking for the best things to do during Christmas in New York City with kids, but skipping Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden would be a mistake.
Seasonal treats and festive music are par for the course, everyone in the family will feel the holiday spirit in no time. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of the best Christmas experiences in New York City for kids, my five-year-old niece has a blast every time.
Address: 990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Note: Tickets sold out last year, be sure to book well in advance.
Experience Macy’s Santaland
A cherished holiday tradition dating back to 1862, the entire 8th floor of Macy’s at Herald Square is transformed into a mesmerizing winter wonderland, giving families a chance to wander through whimsical winter villages and meet Santa in person (for free)
Santaland kicks off the day after Thanksgiving and runs until Christmas Eve, experiencing the event is a must for anyone visiting New York City with kids. Read: Complete Guide to Macy’s Santaland in NYC (Tips for Keeping Your Sanity).
Good to Know: Attracting 170,000 visitors a year, Santaland is one of the most popular free activities in NYC for kids, so make reservations in advance.
Check Out the Bronx Zoo Holiday Light Show
At 265 acres, the Bronx Zoo is the largest metropolitan zoo in the country, reason alone to visit. But if you need an extra nudge, the zoo’s holiday show is among the best Christmas light displays in NYC. Visit during Holiday Lights to see the zoo’s beloved animals celebrated through festival handmade lanterns.
The roster is a roll call of everyone’s favorites, you’ll find lions, walruses, giraffes and penguins (to name a few). In addition to the breathtaking display of lights, there’s tons of entertainment, seasonal treats and a chance to ride the holiday train!
The interactive displays and animated light shows guarantee a great night, which is why many locals consider this one of the best Christmas activities in New York City for kids.
Address: 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY
Go Shopping at FAO Schwarz
It’s not every day you get a chance to pick out a toy from the oldest toy store in the country. Founded in 1862, FAO Schwarz is the most famous toy store in New York City. The original location closed in 2015 before reopening in a 20,000-square-foot location at Rockefeller Plaza.
Thankfully, all the top attractions made the move, from the popular dance-on piano (made famous by Tom Hanks in Big) to the beautiful clock tower. FAO Schwarz sparks the imagination and encourages families to participate in free daily activities like book readings, magic shows and music performances.
Anyone visiting New York City during the holidays with kids should make this iconic shop a priority.
You Might Enjoy Reading: 15 Charming New York City Toy Stores Locals Love
Go Ice Skating
If your kids are anything like my six-year-old niece or nine-year-old nephew, they give the Energizer Bunny a run for his money. Sometimes you need to find creative ways to burn off some energy while keeping sane, thankfully there’s no shortage of stunning ice skating rinks to choose from.
I always recommend adding an ice skating rink to the itinerary when visiting New York City during Christmas with kids. The kids will tire out and you’ll get tons of great photos to share with family and friends, it’s a win for all.
If you’d like my personal roundup of the best rinks in the city, read: 10 Impressive Ice Skating Rinks in New York City (Local’s Guide). Spending some time on the ice makes for an unforgettable family trip to New York City during Christmas, highly recommend!
Admire the Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show
Of all the impressive lights you’re bound to see while celebrating the holidays in New York City with kids, nothing tops the Saks 5th Avenue Light Show where synchronized lights play in tandem with classic Christmas music, dazzling children and adults alike.
To keep things interesting, Saks Fifth Avenue changes the display every year. In 2023, the department store collaborated with Dior to create the Carousel of Dreams, a unique display centered around the twelve zodiac signs.
I’m curious to see what the designers have up their sleeves in 2025! Most folks stick around and enjoy a few rounds of this popular Christmas light show in New York City, so prepare for crowds, especially after sunset.
Visit the New York Botanical Garden
Home to more than 12,000 plant species from around the world, the New York Botanical Garden is a sight to behold year-round, but the holidays feel extra special. From mid-November through the end of the year, the 250-acre garden is illuminated with some of the best Christmas lights in New York City.
Billed as New York City’s largest outdoor holiday light experience, you’ll be privy to synchronized light shows and festive art installations throughout the evening.
The best part? The epic Holiday Train Show features model trains running through replicas of famous NYC landmarks built from natural materials, it’s bound to keep your kids entertained for a while.
Address: 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY
Attend the Nutcracker Ballet
Experiencing George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is a timeless NYC holiday tradition many locals consider sacred. The enchanting production brings Tchaikovsky’s classic score to life with exquisite choreography, lavish sets and elaborate costumes.
Tickets clock in at $100-200 a piece, but considering the New York City Ballet is a world-class dance company the price is justified. Despite my initial skepticism, the performance left me awestruck. I consider The Nutcracker a must-see holiday performance while visiting New York City during Christmas with kids.
Address: 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY
Hop Aboard the North Pole Express
If your kids need a break from all that walking, consider booking tickets for The North Pole Express, a bus tour of Midtown Manhattan’s iconic Christmas light displays. Santa himself makes an appearance while you sip on hot chocolate and admire the dazzling decorations around you.
Experience Dyker Heights
When it comes to the best Christmas decorations in New York City, Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights neighborhood takes the cake. Outlandishly decked out for the holiday season, more than 100 houses participate in the annual tradition. Homeowners spare no expense trying to outshine (pun definitely intended) their neighbors.
You can opt for a professional tour of the neighborhood, but I don’t think that’s necessary. Try to visit during a weekday to avoid the crowds since this is one of the most popular things to do with kids in NYC for Christmas (especially for locals).
If you’re visiting New York City for the holidays with limited time, I’d say skip this event because it’s quite the trek! Traveling to Dyker Heights from Midtown Manhattan takes up to 1.5 hours each way, so it’s only worthwhile if you have time to spare.
Want more information? Check out Dyker Heights Christmas Lights 2022 (Everything You Need to Know)
Explore Central Park
Although snow isn’t guaranteed during Christmas, if you’re one of the lucky few who sees snow in the forecast during your trip, make a beeline for Central Park. Central Park is magical any time of year, but especially so during the first snowfall of the year. Throw snowballs, sled, and just enjoy the scenery!
If you’d like some guidance, here’s a roundup of the 20 Best Things to Do in Central Park.
Things to Do with Kids in New York City at Christmas (Post Summary)
- Catch The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes
- Check Out the Spectacular Bronx Zoo Holiday Light Show
- Visit Macy’s Santaland
- Experience the Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden
- Get a Souvenir at FAO Schwarz
- Burn Off Some Energy Ice Skating
- Hop aboard the Holiday Nostalgia Train
- Split a Frozen Hot Chocolate
- Enjoy Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- Admire the Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show
- And the City’s Most Iconic Christmas Tree
- Take Your Kids to the New York City Ballet’s Nutcracker
- Hop Aboard the North Pole Express
- Experience Dyker Heights
- Explore Central Park
Celebrating Christmas in NYC with Kids (Some Advice)
Book ahead: Christmas is the most popular time to visit the Big Apple so popular events are known to sell out. If you’re visiting NYC at Christmas with kids book activities, restaurants and events to advance to avoid disappointment.
Remember, “kids are kids.” It’s easy to stress every detail because you want the trip to be perfect. Give yourself some grace and remember that kids don’t care about details as much as adults. Relax and let us do the heavy lifting for you, we’ll keep this list focused on fun family memories everyone will enjoy.
Christmas in NYC with Kids (Map)
Helpful (Related) Links
- 20 MAGICAL Things to Do (And 5 to Avoid!)
- What to Wear in New York City in the Winter (+Packing List)
- 15 Charming Christmas Shows in New York City (2023 Guide)
- 20 Free Things to Do During Christmas in New York City
- New York Christmas Decorations: Where to Find Festive Decor in NYC
- The Complete Guide to Macy’s Santaland in NYC (Your Kids Won’t Want to Leave!)
Well that was a lot! I hope you found the article helpful and you’re better prepared to celebrate Christmas in NYC with kids. Until next time, happy holidays!
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