Christmas in New York with Kids: 11 Magical Things to do
*This post features the best things to do for Christmas in New York with kids. It may contain affiliate links, meaning we may receive commissions for purchases made through those links, at no cost to you.
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New York is particularly magical at Christmas time. Every year, the Big Apple is transformed into a fairytale kingdom in the run-up to the festive season. The charm of Central Park under the snow, the tons of family activities specially organised for Christmas and the impressive decorations are just some of the reasons why visiting New York at Christmas is on many families’ travel bucket list.
In fact, the magic of Christmas in New York has been fascinating young and old alike for decades. Many memorable Christmas films are set in New York. The classics include “Home Alone II”, “Miracle on 34th Street” and “Elf”. All of these films bring New York Christmas to life on our screens.
To help you plan your next family getaway to this popular winter destination, we’ve identified the 11 best things to do for Christmas in New York with kids.
PSSST: If you plan on spending 3 days in NYC for Christmas, make sure to take a look at my family-friendly New York 3-day itinerary to help you plan your trip!
➡️ Read Next: THE ULTIMATE 10 BEST HOTELS FOR FAMILIES IN NYC (FOR EVERY BUDGET)
Is it worth visiting New York at Christmas with kids?
There are so many popular winter destinations that it can be hard to choose which one to prioritize. So it’s only natural to weigh up all the options and ask yourself: is it worth visiting New York at Christmas with kids? The answer is very simple: ABSOLUTELY!
New York City does everything it can to please families visiting during the festive season. For example, particularly impressive decorations are put up all over the city, the main tourist attractions are transformed into magical places and family activities are organised as early as November. And that’s not counting the Christmas-themed shows, the Christmas markets and the magical atmosphere that reigns throughout the city.
It’s for all these reasons that many families decide to spend the Christmas holidays in New York.
➡️ Read Next: 18 FUN AND USEFUL TRAVEL GIFTS FOR KIDS FOR CHRISTMAS
11 Magical Things to Do for Christmas in New York with Kids
1 – Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Admiring the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, especially in the evening when it is lit up, is probably the main attraction for families spending Christmas in New York with kids.
Over the years, the Rockefeller Center tree has indeed become a New York Christmas icon. A colourful lighting ceremony will take place on Wednesday November 29, 2023. For those who would like to enjoy the magical atmosphere of this evening, but who will not be in New York on that date, the lighting ceremony and show are usually broadcasted.
The tree will remain lit until mid-January – giving plenty of time to tourists and locals to enjoy this free winter attraction in New York.
One of the best spots for admiring the splendour of the tree and Christmas decorations is from the 5th Avenue. From there, you’ll see the angels lined up leading up to the tree above the ice rink – a thing of beauty!erent way, you can head to the 49th St. and buy a drink from the kiosk set up there. The staff will then take you for free to one of the pretty wooden cabins from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of the legendary ice rink at Rockefeller Center. The cabin will be yours for 15 minutes. It’s the perfect place to take a break, sip a drink and watch the skaters’ prowess while admiring the magical Christmas decor.
To enjoy the experience in a different way, you can head to the 49th St. and buy a drink from the kiosk set up there. The staff will then take you for free to one of the pretty wooden cabins from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of the legendary ice rink at Rockefeller Center. The cabin will be yours for 15 minutes. It’s the perfect place to take a break, sip a drink and watch the skaters’ prowess while admiring the magical Christmas decor.
Young and old alike are sure to be impressed by this most magical (and free!) activity to do in New York at Christmas with children.
To note: if you’d like to see the tree lit up in the evening, plan to arrive early and face a human tide of tourists all heading for the same place. Also, although the Rockefeller Center skating rink is pretty, we do not recommend skating there – it’s expensive and always full of people. Keep reading this post for better ice skating spots in New York.
Find out when the tree is lit and for more details on the activities organised at Rockefeller Center this Christmas.
2 – Christmas at Bryant Park
One of the most popular activities for families spending Christmas at New York with kids is ice skating at Bryant Park.
Whatever time of year you’re planning a family getaway to New York, Bryant Park is a must. Indeed, this park is one of the most beautiful places in Manhattan – a small space of calm and beauty right in the middle of skyscrapers and typical New York bustle.
During the festive season, Bryant Park is transformed into a veritable Christmas village, the Bank of America Winter Village. At the heart of this enchanted village is the famous ice rink. You can put on your ice skates or rent a pair on site. Access to the ice rink is free, but you will have to pay to rent skates.
The Bryant Park Winter Village has lots of fun activities for young and old. In addition to the skating rink, you’ll find food and gift stands, an ice bumper car area, evening musical performances, and much more!
After a session of ice skating, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a hot chocolate with your family to the sound of Christmas music!
3 – Central Park at Christmas – the Magic of New York
Of course, Central Park is at the top of the list of places to visit in New York, whatever the season! But Central Park is particularly magical at Christmas. Make sure you include a stop there as part of your itinerary for visiting New York with your family: guaranteed fun!
Ice Skating in Central Park
During the festive season, Central Park offers a host of activities for all the family. The best known of them all is undoubtedly the Wollman Rink. This rink, located in the south-east of the park, has been attracting crowds since 1949. From here, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the New York skyline and its skyscrapers. It should be noted that access to the rink is subject to a charge – the price varies according to the date. Skate rental is also available on site.
As well as the ice rink, Central Park is also home to the annual Columbus Circle Christmas Market. Located at the entrance to the park, which is close to 59th St. and Central Park West, you’ll find traditional stalls selling handicrafts, original gifts, jewellery and much more. You’ll also find several food stalls. There’s sure to be plenty of fun to be had!
Snow tubing in Central Park
Snow tubing is another popular activity for children during the cold season. Central Park has two great places to enjoy this winter pleasure – and in the most enchanting of settings!
The first, Pilgrim Hill, is the most popular and busiest part. If you’re travelling with young children, we recommend Cedar Hill, where the slope is less steep. If you don’t have any sledges with you, you can buy them in nearby shops.
If you’re planning to do this winter sport with children, we strongly recommend that you buy a ski helmet to protect their heads on the way down. Our daughter LOVES sliding in the snow, so we bought her a helmet that she proudly wears every time she goes out on the slopes. As well as protecting her, it also keeps her ears warm, as most ski helmets are padded around the ears. We also bought her some ski goggles to keep the snow and wind out of her eyes on her runs – she feels particularly cool in her winter gear!
4 – Christmas shows
The holiday season in New York is a particularly good time for entertainment and shows. In fact, a number of family shows are usually added to the programme of the various theatres.
Depending on the age of your children and your family’s interests, here are a few options that are of interest if you are travelling to New York at Christmas with kids:
NYC Christmas Spectacular
This famous Christmas show has been drawing crowds to New York’s Radio City Music Hall for years. This annual show, as the name suggests, is utterly spectacular. In addition to the Radio City Rockettes, who are extremely impressive with their perfectly synchronised choreography, the show also features actors (many of whom play wooden toy soldiers), music, animals and modern 3D special effects.
The show is suitable for all the family: from the youngest to the oldest, everyone will enjoy this impressive Christmas spectacle.
Rockettes Christmas Spectacular performances are usually sold out. We therefore strongly recommend that you buy your tickets in advance for the date of your choice.
Cirque du Soleil – “‘Twas the Night Before”
From December 7 to 28, 2023, Cirque du Soleil presents its first Christmas show, ‘Twas the Night Before…, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. The show, inspired by the poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas”, presents a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of the holidays. This show is one of the best things to do in New York at Christmas with children. Young and old alike will be fascinated by the spectacular acrobatics, colourful characters and traditional Christmas music reinvented by Cirque du Soleil.
Children under the age of 2 can attend the show without buying a ticket – but they must be seated on the lap of an accompanying adult.
To avoid long queues, buy your tickets here.
The Nutcracker
For a traditional experience for Christmas in New York with kids, opt for one of the most famous ballet shows in the world: The Nutcracker. From November onwards, the New York City Ballet holds performances almost every day.
This show is sure to delight audiences of all ages. The fairytale setting, the beautiful melody and the exceptional quality of the choreography – executed to perfection by immensely talented dancers – will captivate everyone!
The show lasts approximately 2 hours.
The Nutcracker is accessible to families: in addition to the usual later evening performances, New York City Ballet also schedules afternoon and early evening performances, accommodating parents who wish to share this wonderful artistic experience with their children.
Off-Broadway Christmas shows
The Playbill production company always includes a Christmas show in its annual programme. In 2023, from the end of November, performances of A Christmas Carol will be held at the Merchant’s House Museum.
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5 – Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – the original balloons
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – and its gigantic original balloons – is a Christmas tradition that has been drawing crowds in New York for almost 100 years!
It’s undoubtedly one of the best things to do for Christmas in New York with kids. Your little ones are sure to love it.
Find a spot along the route from which you can admire this magnificent parade – one of the most spectacular in the country.
For this traditional event that kicks off the festive season, it’s important to be aware that large crowds gather along the route – hours before the parade begins. This is an important factor to consider if your kids are younger and may not be able to wait for several hours before admiring the spectacle. If that’s the case, read on – we’ve got a super fun alternative for you!
If the crowds and the wait don’t scare you, your patience will be greatly rewarded. Young and old alike will be absolutely enchanted by the spectacle on offer. You’ll be able to admire no fewer than 25 gigantic inflated balloons with fun themes that will appeal to children (including a Bluey balloon!), 31 floats (including one featuring Baby Shark!), 18 artists who will get the crowd moving with their musical performances, majorettes, marching bands and much more! Of course, Santa Claus will arrive in New York during the parade, aboard his sleigh. Santa’s sleigh is sure to impress the crowds: it’s the biggest float in the entire parade.
Alternative to the parade: watch the balloons being inflated
If waiting as early as 6:00 AM to get a good spot along the route or facing the crowds isn’t a good option for your family, we have a fun alternative!
The day before the parade, the balloons are inflated at the start of the route, on Central Park West. This is a great event for the whole family: you can see the balloons up close. Volunteers and staff are on hand to answer your little ones’ questions about the balloons and the parade.
The event usually takes place between noon and 6pm. However, most of the balloons are inflated before 4pm. We therefore advise you to arrive early enough to make the most of the experience.
6 – Christmas shopping in New York
There’s no better way to get into the festive spirit than Christmas shopping… and New York is the place to do it! The options are almost endless.
In addition to the Christmas markets (including those in Bryant Park and Central Park), you can choose from a wide variety of beautifully decorated boutiques to do your shopping.
Macy’s is one of the shops that is particularly popular with NYC visitors, especially during the festive season. If you’re planning to shop there, take the time to check out the promotional codes and discount coupons available on their website, which you can apply at the checkout.
Another Christmas must, especially if you’re travelling with kids, is the famous FAO Schwarz. This toy shop is world-famous and attracts crowds all year round. However, it is at its busiest at Christmas time. As well as the toy paradise you’ll discover inside, a stop at FAO Schwarz is a must to admire its magnificent Christmas display at the front.
The shop is located right in Rockefeller Center. So be prepared to brave the crowds of tourists to get there.
7 – Santaland Santa at Macy’s
Every holiday season, the 8th floor of Macy’s, located at Herald Square (34th Street) in New York, is transformed into a magnificent Santa’s kingdom – the unique Santaland.
Santaland is sure to impress the whole family with its splendid decor! It’s definitely the ideal (and one of the most popular) places to take the traditional family photo with Santa. Admission to Macy’s holiday celebrations is free. However, photos taken with Santa must be purchased.
As well as meeting Santa, you can take a stroll around Santaland to admire the Christmas decorations.
Given the huge popularity of this event with families travelling to New York at Christmas with children, reservations are mandatory. Reservations must be made up to 5 days before your visit to Santa’s kingdom at Macy’s. Reservations open daily at 6:30 am.
Despite reservations, queues can sometimes be long. If this option works well with your travel dates, we recommend that you choose a time in the middle of the week and, if possible, avoid the weekend.
For more information or to book a time slot with Santa, click here.
8 – Christmas decorations on the 5th Avenue
A visit to New York is incomplete without a stroll down the 5th Avenue, one of the world’s best-known streets for luxury shopping.
At Christmas, the 5th Avenue takes on an even more special cachet. Luxury boutiques transform their windows into Christmas masterpieces. Thousands of Christmas lights illuminate the shop fronts, providing a dazzling spectacle for passers-by. Depending on the year, different themes are chosen to inspire the shop decorations.
Along the way, you’ll see the rivalry of the beauty of the decorations at the Plaza Hotel and the Tiffany, Cartier and Bergdorf’s boutiques.
Although it’s not on 5th Avenue, but rather on 34th Street, Macy’s is also worth a visit for its Christmas displays. The Macy’s facade has some of the most beautiful holiday decorations, some with interactive elements, to fascinate young and old alike.
9 – The New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show
Every year during the holiday season, the New York Botanical Garden offers a fun Christmas experience for families visiting New York at Christmas with children.
During the day, visitors can admire the lovely Botanical Garden’s model train show. The train follows a route that takes it past more than 175 of New York’s top attractions, including the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. What makes this setting special is that these attractions are all made from natural resources such as seeds and pine cones.
In the evening, the Botanical Garden is transformed into an illuminated festival: NYBG GLOW. As part of this event, the botanical garden’s historic buildings are lit up with thousands of coloured bulbs. Shows and food stalls are also on the menu around the garden!
To avoid queues, buy your tickets here.
10 – Christmas decorations in Dyker Heights
For a real New York experience, head to Brooklyn to visit Dyker Heights. This neighbourhood is renowned for its incredible Christmas decorations. What’s interesting about this activity is that you’re visiting a real neighbourhood. These are real houses, fully decorated by their owners, which fascinate visitors.
Many houses, spanning on many streets and blocks, take part in this unique Christmas event. You’ll be able to admire breathtaking Christmas decorations: gigantic inflatable Christmas decorations, thousands of twinkling lights and Christmas carols projected onto the streets using loudspeakers. Houses are decorated from floor to chimney!
It’s an event that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists (and probably locals!) who are fascinated by this joyous Christmas spectacle. It’s definitely one of the best things to do for Christmas in New York with kids.
If you’re taking the subway to get there, take the D train and get off at 71st Street in Brooklyn. From there, it’s a 15-minute walk to the action.
11 – The RIDE New York Bus Tour
If you’d like to discover all the attractions of New York this Christmas while staying warm, The RIDE interactive guided bus tour is a great option!
This huge bus has been transformed into a theater on wheels. The bus’s seats are arranged sideways, so that passengers can easily admire the scenery in front of them. The sides of the bus are entirely made of windows – there’s nothing to block your view.
This tour, which lasts around 75 minutes, is a fun and entertaining way to discover New York at Christmas with children. Please note that children under the age of 6 are not permitted on this bur tour.
Wrapping Up the Best Christmas Activities in New York with Kids
New York City truly shines during the holiday season, and these 11 activities will help you and your family experience the magic of Christmas in the Big Apple. From the iconic Rockefeller Center tree and dazzling light displays to ice skating in Central Park and visiting Santa at Macy’s, there’s no shortage of holiday cheer to enjoy with your kids.
To make the most of your trip, plan ahead, dress warmly, and leave plenty of time to soak in the festive atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for classic holiday traditions or unique winter fun, New York has something for every family to enjoy during the Christmas season.
So, grab your hats and mittens, and get ready to create unforgettable holiday memories with your little ones in one of the most magical cities in the world!
Planning a family trip to NYC? Read these posts next:
– THE ULTIMATE 10 BEST HOTELS FOR FAMILIES IN NYC (FOR EVERY BUDGET)
– 3 Days in New York with Kids: The Ultimate Itinerary for Families
– HOP INTO FUN: BEST EASTER ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS IN NEW YORK!
