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Free Holiday Events in NYC for Kids
Free Christmas Events in New York City this December
Tree Lighting Skate-tacular at Bryant Park
Midtown West
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park hosts its annual tree lighting, with a stellar lineup of live skate performances, and fireworks! Visit the website here.
Madison Square Holiday Tree Lighting
Flatiron District
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Gather around the Madison Square Holiday Tree for the 112th annual holiday tree lighting, complete with photo-ops, baked goods, and live music. Visit the website here.
Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2024
Midtown West
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
The 92nd Rockefeller Center Christmas tree illuminates for a national close-up. Families across the US can view the Christmas tree lighting from home, live on the national broadcast “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” on NBC. Visit the website here.
Broadway Under the Stars at the Shops at Columbus Circle
Midtown East
Wednesday, December 4 and Thursdays, December 5, 12, and 19, 2024
Broadway and The Shops at Columbus Circle team up for the annual return of Broadway Under the Stars, a four-week series of free public concerts and performances taking place this holiday season. Visit the website here.
28th Annual Central Park Holiday Lighting
Central Park
Thursday, December 5, 2024
See the flotilla of trees on the Harlem Meer get lit for the season at this annual Christmas tree lighting. Visitors can meet Santa and friends, watch a live ice-carving demonstration, sing carols on the plaza, and warm up with hot cocoa and cookies. Visit the website here.
Annual Wreath Interpretations Exhibit at the Arsenal
Midtown East
Weekdays from Thursday, December 5-Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Celebrate the holiday season at the 42nd annual exhibition of inventive, unconventional wreaths crafted by a diverse selection of fine artists, designers, and other creative contributors. Visit the website here.
Traditional Tree Lighting in Historic Richmond Town
Richmond, Staten Island
Friday, December 6, 2024
The return of the free annual tree lighting celebration kicks off with a performance by the Richmond County Orchestra Brass Quintet, followed by joyful songs from the GRACE-ful Glee Choir. Santa Claus makes a special appearance, spreading cheer before the tree lights up. Visit the website here.
Hasbro Toyland on the High Line
Chelsea
Friday, December 6-Sunday, December 8, 2024
Hasbro invites families to a free holiday pop-up bursting with toys, games, and activities, including photo-ops with Santa and Hasbro characters (Peppa Pig, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, and more). Grab a tote bag of goodies, too, while supplies last. Visit the website here.
Parade on Rockaway
Rockaways, Queens
Friday, December 6-Sunday, December 8, 2024
Queens' annual Parade on Rockaway provides three days packed with holiday cheer, from the biggest tree lighting in Queens to a gift giveaway (featuring Santa) and a lovely parade of lights on Rockaway Boulevard. Visit the website here.
23rd Annual St. Nicholas Day Celebration at Wyckoff Farmhouse
Flatbush, Brooklyn
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Families are invited to NYC's oldest house for an outdoor celebration packed with craft activities, a tree lighting, and a special visit from St. Nick (who arrives on horseback around 2:45pm). Kids can sip hot cider, try some colonial games, create a holiday pomander, decorate a Dutch clog for Sinterklaas, and dress the tree. Visit the website here.
Santa Studio at City Point
Downtown Brooklyn
Weekends from Saturday, December 7-Sunday, December 15, 2024
Capture the joy of the season with a free portrait at the Santa Studio, featuring the jolly man himself in a red suit with a holiday-inspired backdrop. Visit the website here.
A Christmas Carol Revisited at the National Arts Club
Gramercy
Monday, December 9, 2024
A small ensemble of talented actors read—and act out—an hour-long version of the classic novella that involves the ghosts of the past, present, and future. The highly original staging is augmented by “scenery” that depicts some of the key events in the story. Visit the website here.
Calypso, Carols, and Cocoa: The Dumbo Holiday Lighting
Dumbo, Brooklyn
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The Dumbo Improvement District hosts its annual Dumbo Holiday Lighting ceremony, with all the trimmings. Enjoy live music, carols, hot cocoa, and an appearance from Santa himself. Visit the website here.
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s WeBop Holiday Jazz Jam at the Shops at Columbus Circle
Midtown West
Select dates from Friday, December 13-Friday, December 20, 2024
WeBop, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s award-winning, early childhood education program, steps up to the holiday season with interactive, holiday-themed live jazz performances. These festive and free shows invite young music lovers and their caregivers to swing and sing along with talented musicians. Visit the website here.
Holiday Reading: The Gift of the Magi at Queens County Farm
Floral Park, Queens
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Grab your fleece, hats, gloves, coats, and woolies, and throw on your winter boots! The Queens County Farm Museum hosts a special outdoor holiday reading of O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi. Visit the website here.
Coca-Cola Winter Wonderland at the Apollo
Harlem
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Under the twinkling lights of its famous marquee, The Apollo Theater and Coca-Cola invite families to stop by for holiday-themed activities, including picture taking with Santa Claus and amazing performances from local choirs. Visit the website here.
51st Annual Merry Tuba Christmas at Rockefeller Center
Midtown West
Sunday, December 15, 2024
Hundreds of tenor and bass tuba players congregate at The Rink at Rockefeller Center to play Christmas carols and other crowd favorites. Visit the website here.
Unsilent Night 2024
West Village to East Village
Sunday, December 15, 2024
Each year, composer Phil Kline leads a massive chorus of boomboxes from the West Village to the East Village in the annual holiday presentation of Unsilent Night. Visit the website here.
Santa's Photo Corner at Bryant Park
Midtown West
Monday, December 16-Friday, December 20, 2024
Santa stops by Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park for free photo opportunities. Visit the website here.
Nut/Cracked at the National Arts Club
Gramercy
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
The Bang Group’s beloved response to The Nutcracker merges tap, vaudeville, ballet, disco, contemporary dance, and genre-nonconforming glee with bubble wrap and Chinese takeout noodles. Visit the website here.
Brunch with Santa at the Greenbelt Recreation Center
Greenbelt, Staten Island
Saturday, December 21, 2024
NYC Parks hosts a light brunch filled with holiday magic. Visit the Greenbelt's beautiful holiday-themed rooms for family-friendly games, cookie decorating, and arts and crafts. Visit the website here.
Make Music Winter Event: The Mobile Hallelujah
Midtown West
Saturday, December 21, 2024
The always popular “Mobile Hallelujah” returns this season, in which the most dramatic four minutes of Handel’s famed oratorio Messiah are distilled into “pop-up” style performances that take place in seven iconic Manhattan locations, including Times Square and Lincoln Center. Visit the website here.
Holiday Caroling Under the Washington Square Arch
Greenwich Village
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Join The Rob Susman Brass Quartet for a holiday celebration under the Washington Square Arch. The annual Christmas carol event fills the city streets with the sweet sounds of holiday carols. Visit the website here.
Macy's Santaland
Herald Square
Daily through Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Santa swoops back over to Macy's for visits with his littlest fans! Wander the rainbow road to his workshop, where you'll meet jolly old St. Nick. Share your wishlist before receiving a special gift and posing for a keepsake photo. Visit the website here.
Free Hanukkah Events in New York City this December
Hanukkah at Brookfield Place
Battery Park City
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Enjoy a live klezmer band performance and therapeutic art-making activity led by art therapist, Tova Speter and create a mini candle holder. Visit the website here.
The Largest Menorah Lighting: Brooklyn
Park Slope, Brooklyn
Wednesday, December 25, 2024-Thursday, January 2, 2025
Chabad of Park Slope hosts the 32-foot "Largest Menorah" in Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza. There's a kick off concert on Wednesday, December 25, and each subsequent night of Hanukkah is celebrated with music, latkes, and gifts. Visit the website here.
The World's Largest Hanukkah Menorah: Manhattan
Midtown West
Wednesday, December 25, 2024-Thursday, January 2, 2025
Gather around the 32-foot-high, gold-colored, 4,000-pound steel holiday icon at Grand Army Plaza (Fifth Avenue and West 59th Street, across the street from The Plaza hotel) to kick off the annual Jewish Festival of Lights. Visit the website here.
Menorah Lighting at Hudson Yards
Midtown West
Wednesday, December 25, 2024-Thursday, January 2, 2025
Visit the Public Square and Gardens in Hudson Yards for a menorah lighting, then snag eight days of special offers from participating shops.Visit the website here.
Light Up the Night: 14Y's Downtown Hanukkah Celebration
Union Square
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Celebrate Hanukkah with mesmerizing LED light juggling, holiday-themed crafts for kids, music curated by DJ Jonathan Cohen, a soulful Yiddish music performance by Broadway singer Joanne Borts, and an Insta-Choir experience. Visit the website here.
Chocolate Hanukkah at the Seaport
South Street Seaport
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Light the menorah and celebrate Hanukkah with crafts for kids and goodies for all. Visit the website here.
Community Menorah Lighting at Chabad of Windsor Terrace
Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn
Sunday, December 29, 2024
Windsor Terrace's annual community menorah lighting features a fire juggling performance, latkes, gifts for children, and the grand gelt drop by an FDNY fire truck! Visit the website here.
Hanukkah on Ice under the Brooklyn Bridge
Dumbo, Brooklyn
Monday, December 30, 2024
Chabad of Dumbo hosts a Hanukkah celebration under the Brooklyn Bridge, complete with ice skating and the lighting of the menorah. Visit the website here.
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day Fun for Kids and Families in New York City
New Year's Countdown Party with Fyütch at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library
Midtown West
Monday, December 30, 2024
Grammy-nominated music artist Fyütch pops into the library to perform high-energy songs about social justice and environmental health with affirming chants and dances. Visit the website here.
New Year's Craft at the South Beach Library
South Beach, Staten Island
Monday, December 30, 2024
Create a party hat and a confetti popper, and design your very own 2025 banner using craft materials at the library. Visit the website here.
Happy Noon Year at Highlawn Library
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
Monday, December 30, 2024
Ring in 2025 with Highlawn Library...in the daylight! Listen to some New Year-themed stories, learn about different cultural New Year celebrations, have a countdown to noon, do a balloon drop, and dance! Visit the website here.
New Year's Rockin' Eve in Times Square
Midtown West
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
America’s go-to annual New Year’s tradition celebrates the year’s very best in music and rings in the new year with more than 5½ hours of dynamic performances. At midnight, the ball drops to welcome 2025. Visit the website here.
Central Park New Year's Eve Fireworks
Central Park
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Central Park's 15-minute-long New Year's Eve fireworks take flight at the stroke of midnight. The show, put on in conjunction with the NYRR Midnight Run, is visible to the general public south of 72nd Street. Visit the website here.
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