At a Glance: Things to Do With the Kids This Weekend in NYC
- Holiday shows: Cirque du Soleil, Rockettes, Big Apple Circus, Gazillion Bubble Show
- Light displays: Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights, Lightscape, LuminoCity, Hudson Yards
- Museum fun: Space Glide at NYSCI, Holiday Train Show, hands-on art activities
- Kwanzaa events: Family-friendly celebrations at BCM, CMOM, and community centers
- Seasonal extras: Gingerbread City pop-up and Holiday Nostalgia Train rides
The best thing about winter break in NYC is that if you weren’t able to get to all the Christmas events in the city, there’s still time to make up what you missed. With several Christmas and holiday events still going on this week, there is still a lot of holiday fun to be had. And if the holidays aren’t your thing, or you’re simply holidayed out, there are great winter events all around town, too!
We have a full lineup of fun family activities in our Calendar of Event, but here are just a few great ones taking place this weekend!
‘Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil
The magic of ‘Twas The Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil is back for a limited run this holiday season. For years, Isabella and her father have read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” together, but this year Isabella feels like she’s outgrown the family tradition. Then the magic of the poem comes to life, and Isabella and her father are unexpectedly separated by a snowstorm that sends them on a fantastical journey. In a winter wonderland inspired by the poem, they discover whimsical characters, acrobats, children and reindeer who reunite father and daughter in the holiday spirit.
Dec. 26, 1 – 3 pm & 4 – 6 pm; Dec. 27, 1 – 3 pm, 4 – 6 pm & 7 – 9 pm; Dec. 28, 12 – 2 pm & 3 – 5 pm
The Theater at MSG, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
Kids can walk through multiple lantern-lit trails filled with glowing animals, or take a ride on the Holiday Train. Then explore the Enchanted Sea, and get in line for new attractions like snow tube slides and interactive snowball games. Plus, there’s food, warm drinks, and other hands-on activities.
Through Jan. 4, 2026
Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd.
Celebrate Kwanzaa
NYC’s largest Kwanzaa festival returns for its 18th year—a week-long celebration of African heritage and culture. Join daily candle lightings, watch youth performances, and take part in dance, drumming, and art workshops inspired by Kwanzaa’s seven principles.
Dec. 26 – 30 10 am – 5 pm
Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave.
Psst… Check Out Free Kid and Family Activities in NYC: 10 Free Things to Do This Week
Space Glide at the New York Hall of Science
“Space Glide”, an immersive skating experience set in deep space, has landed at the New York Hall of Science! The indoor rink is made of “Glice,” an eco-friendly, polymer-based, ice-like substance, which does not require skates. Visitors can glide in booties provided by NYSCI, making it fun and accessible to all ages and skill levels. The rink will feature projections onto the Glice and around the room to simulate floating through space.
Through Feb. 22, 2026, Wednesdays – Sundays 10 am – 5 pm; (Jan. 19, Feb. 16 & 17, 10 am – 5 pm)
New York Hall of Science, 4701 111th St., Corona
Children’s Kwanzaa Village 2025
Celebrate Kwanzaa with fun activities and learning opportunities. Enjoy a day filled with joy and celebration. Come together to honor African heritage and culture through various activities and performances. This event is a great opportunity for children to learn about the principles of Kwanzaa in a fun and interactive way.
December 27, 11 am
Brownsville Heritage House, 581 Mother Gaston Blvd., Brooklyn
Kwanzaa Celebration: Verses of Unity at CMOM
Learn and celebrate together the seven principles of Kwanzaa at CMOM! Every year families and communities come together to honor the ancestors and celebrate African and African American culture.
Dec. 28 & 29 10 am – 5 pm
The Tisch Building at CMOM, 212 West 83rd St.
Lightscape
Lightscape is back at Brooklyn Botanic Garden with a refreshed after-dark trail, new light installations, and a seasonal soundtrack. Along the way, you can grab festive treats, warm drinks, specialty cocktails, and kid-friendly snacks from pop-ups or enjoy sit-down dining.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Ave., Brooklyn
Through Jan. 4, 2026, 10 am – 6 pm
Christmas Spectacular Starring The Radio City Rockettes
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the world-famous Radio City Rockettes at this year’s Christmas Spectacular! Whether it’s your first time or your family’s annual tradition, this show never disappoints and is always a great holiday memory in the making.
Through Jan. 4, 2026
Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas
Holiday Train Show
The Holiday Train Show is back with holiday fun at the New York Botanical Garden. Model trains ride past nearly 200 handmade landmark replicas that have been built from pinecones, palm fronds, and cinnamon sticks.
New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx
Through Jan. 11, 2026, Tuesdays – Sundays 10 am – 6 pm
LuminoCity: Fantasy Winter Fairyland
Themed “Fantasy Winter Fairyland,” this year’s original light art designs turn frosty magic into reality. Journey with Lumi and be amazed as towering sculptures illuminate the park, transforming it into an immersive, dazzling fairytale world and a starry holiday dream. Make sure to check out the Snow Dream Slide, where you’ll journey through the Castle in the Sky, pass through glowing clouds of snow, and glide into a snow-white fairytale of ice and magic. New this year, the Lumi Express.
Through Jan. 1, 2026, various times
Eisenhower Park, 1899 Park Blvd, East Meadow
Gingerbread City
This unique holiday pop-up features architect-designed workshops, a showcase of gingerbread installations themed “The Playful City,” and a gingerbread-themed café by Willett’s Café Spinone. The café will offer special holiday drinks with a gingerbread twist, and children participating in workshops receive complimentary hot chocolate.
Through Jan. 4, 2026, 9 am – 7 pm (except Dec. 24 and 1)
The Gingerbread City at The Seaport,19 Fulton St.
Gazillion Bubble Show: A Holiday Spectacular
The world-famous Gazillion Bubble Show returns with its first-ever holiday edition—packed with dazzling bubble artistry, immersive winter effects, Santa “snow globe” photos, and exclusive bubble toys perfect for gifting.
Through Jan. 4, 2026, Wednesdays – Sundays noon – 5:30 pm
New World Stages, 340 W 50th St.
Dream Of Kings
This holiday favorite uses traditional Latin American Christmas songs to tell us the story of the year in which, rather than following the Star, the Three Magi decided to use GPS. This leads them not to arrive at Bethlehem of Judea, but at the home of Jesús Rodríguez, a kid in the Barrio Belén of Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico.
Saturdays 3 – 4 pm through Jan. 5, 2026
Teatro SEA at The Clemente Center, 107 Suffolk St.
South Street Seaport Museum Holiday Collages
Inspired by the works on paper and collages of artist Robert Warner (1956–2023) on view in Maritime City and stored within the Collections of the Seaport Museum, the December family activity invites people of all ages to create seasonal letterpress collages and paper sculptures of their very own. Whether you choose to create a festive piece inspired by the holiday season or a reflective collage looking back at 2025 as the year comes to a close, let your imagination and creativity lead the way.
Saturdays 11 am – 4:30 pm, through Dec. 27
Saturdays and Sundays 11 am – 4:30 pm , through Dec. 28
South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St.
Holiday Nostalgia Rides
The Holiday Nostalgia Train features eight cars from the 1930s that served on lettered lines through the late 1970s. Hop aboard and celebrate the magic of New York City during the holidays. Rides are free with your subway fare! The Holiday Nostalgia Train departs from 2 Av–Houston St on the uptown F line and 96 St–2 Av on the Q line.
Sundays 10 am – 5 pm through Dec. 28
Holiday Nostalgia Ride, 2 Av–Houston St on the uptown F line
Shine Bright at Hudson Yards
Shine Bright at Hudson Yards brings the neighborhood to life with 115 miles of glittering holiday strings (over 2 million lights in total), 725 evergreen trees, and a 32-foot hot air balloon centerpiece suspended in the Great Room. Plus, the Vessel will be fully lit in holiday lights.
Through Jan. 7, 2026, all day
The Shops & Restaurants at Hudson Yards, 20 Hudson Yards
Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center
The Big Apple Circus is back in NYC with a new, high-energy show the whole family can get into. You’ll see Johnny Rico’s comedy, the Flying Maluendas on the trapeze, Ukraine’s Bingo Troupe stacking into wild human pyramids, and the Kung Fu Boys mixing martial arts with dance.
Through Jan. 4, 2026, various times
Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center, Amsterdam Ave & W 62nd St.
Psst… Meet Space Glide: A No-Ice, No-Blades Skating Alternative at the New York Hall of Science
Looking for even more family fun? Be sure to check out our comprehensive calendar of events, updated daily with the latest happenings across Brooklyn and beyond, from festivals and performances to free local activities for all ages.
The Lowdown on Kids’ Activities in NYC
Is it worth going to New York with kids?
Absolutely! Taking kids to New York City is always a great idea. The city is packed with kid-friendly things, and parks and playgrounds are plentiful. There are amazing museums and zoos, carousels to ride, and food on every corner. That said, it’s a busy place: it’s loud, there’s a lot of walking, and it can be overwhelming if you try to do everything.
It’s better to plan just one main activity each day, leave time for playgrounds and snacks, and not stress about seeing it all. Truthfully, the little moments are what kids tend to remember most, like riding the subway, running around Central Park, or spotting dinosaurs at the museum. These stick with them more than checking off every big landmark.
Where are good places to take a child in NYC?
When you’re visiting New York City with kids, the goal is to keep things easy and fun for everyone, including yourself!. If you want a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, Central Park is a go-to. Kids love Heckscher Playground, and there’s always something new to see at the Central Park Zoo.
Brooklyn Bridge Park is another favorite. It has big open spaces and playgrounds, and the views of Manhattan are stunning, plus you’re right by the water.
Rainy or cold day? The Children’s Museum of Manhattan and the American Museum of Natural History are both winners and stroller-friendly!. If you’re just looking to squeeze in some quick fun, hop on the SeaGlass Carousel, wander around Little Island, or visit a neighborhood playground (there are SO many). Then treat yourselves to authentic NYC pizza or ice cream nearby. Picking one main activity, planning for snack and bathroom breaks, and calling it a day before anyone gets tired is the real NYC parenting hack.
Looking for even more family fun? Be sure to check out our comprehensive calendar of events, updated daily with the latest happenings across NYC and beyond, from holiday events and new attractions to performances and free local activities for all ages.
