A Very New York Family Christmas: all holiday events, activity guide and more!

A Very New York Family Christmas: all holiday events, activity guide!
Pixel Stock/Uriel Mont

A Very New York Family Christmas: holiday events, activity guide!

Welcome, to Christmas in NYC, the MOST wonderful time of the year! Here at New York Family, we could not love the holidays more. The twinkling lights, the glittery decorations, the joy in the air… It’s truly a magical time, especially here in NY. That’s why we are here to help you and your family get in the holiday spirit! We’ve got everything you need to make it your family’s best holiday ever.

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2023 Holiday Shows and Events

Is it just us, or is this holiday season even more jam-packed with family-friendly holiday events and activities than ever before? We will keep updating our holiday event roundups throughout the season, so keep checking back for more holiday family fun!

NYC

Christmas Events Around New York City

Christmas Tree and Holiday Tree Lightings

Nutcracker Performances Around New York

Christmas and Holiday Performances 2023

 

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2023 Gift Guide & Holiday Shopping

Not sure where to start when it comes to holiday shopping? We can help! Check out this year’s Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide featuring the hottest toys for all ages, plus gift ideas for Mom and Dad too, carefully curated by New York Family editors.

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide

The Best Gifts and Toys for Babies 0-18 months

The Best Toys for Preschoolers/Little Kids 18 months to 3 years

The Best Toys for 4-8 Years-Olds

The Best Toys for 8+ Year Olds

The Best Gifts for Tweens to Teens

10 Best Holiday Gifts for Moms

Gifts for Dad

Best Cookbooks for Families

Gifts That Honor New York City

Westchester Holiday Gift Guide

Last Minute Toys for Every Budget Gift Guide

Gift Ideas from Nintendo

Holiday Markets and Shopping

Festive Holiday Markets in NYC

2023 Westchester Holiday Markets and Craft Fairs

Downtown White Plains 2023 Holiday Market

 

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Where to See Santa 2023

If you have young children, the Christmas season is not complete without a visit to see the Big Man in Red! From photo ops to holiday brunches, here’s where your family can see Santa in NYC and beyond.

Dine with Santa Events in NYC

Where to Take Santa Photos in NYC

Where to See Santa in Westchester: Pictures, Breakfast with Santa, and More

Dining with Santa on Long Island 2023

15 Spots To See Santa On Staten Island

 

Hanukkah 2023

Hanukkah is from Thursday, December 7 through Thursday, December 14 this year. Grab your dreidels, fry up some tasty latkes and celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights at a Menorah lighting or other Hanukkah event.

Chanukah Events and Menorah Lightings in New York 2023

Long Island Chanukah Events 2023

2023 Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Events in Westchester

Hanukkah Books for Children of All Ages

Menorah Lightings In Staten Island

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Holiday Light Shows & Experiences

One of the best parts of the holiday season is the overwhelming sense of tradition. Every year, families celebrate old traditions and create new ones as well. These can’t-miss holiday experiences are sure to be ones your family will return to year after year.

Polar Express & Holiday Train Rides

The Best Holiday Family Experiences Around New York 2023

Holiday Light Shows Around New York 2023

Spectacular Holiday Light Drive-Thru Attractions in NYC and Nearby

Best Holiday Window Displays in NYC

Best Neighborhood Holiday Light Displays in Westchester and Beyond

Illuminated Holiday Experiences In and Around Westchester

Christmas Lights In Staten Island, NJ, And NYC

Special Holiday Experiences

Macy’s Santaland

Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes

Holiday Train Show And NY Botanical Gardens GLOW

‘Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil

PaleyLand 

Coney Island Frost Fest

Holiday Wish Express

Holiday Lane at American Christmas

Winter Fun

With the holiday season comes the cooler temperatures and the start of winter. There’ll be plenty of time to curl up by the fireplace when the blustery January weather begins, so you should take advantage of the cold-weather fun now while you’re surrounded by twinkling lights and holiday magic.

Ice Skating in Westchester

Ice Skating Long Island

Magical Outdoor Ice Skating Experiences in NYC This Winter

Ice Skating in Staten Island

Best Hot Chocolate and Teas in NYC

Where to Get The Best Hot Chocolate In Staten Island

The 17 Best Places to Go Snow Tubing Near NYC for Families

Winter Bucket Lists

NYC

Westchester

Staten Island

 

Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Farms

Sure, you can head down to Home Depot to buy a real tree. But why not make a day of it? Take your family to a cut-your-own tree farm where you can pick your tree right from the ground, then sip some hot chocolate and listen to holiday music on the trip home. Some farms offer special Christmas experiences, too.

Tree Farms in the NYC Area

Tree Farms in Long Island

Tree Farms in Westchester

Tree Farms in Staten Island

Best Christmas Tree Delivery Services in NYC

All About the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree 2023

 

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Holiday Books, Movies, Recipes and Elf on the Shelf

What is Christmas without an abundance of delicious food and classic movies? Check out some yummy holiday recipes, our favorite holiday movies, plus some hacks and traditions we just had to share. And of course, for those running out of ideas for their magical little North Pole visitor, we’ve got a TON of must-try Elf on the Shelf ideas for you.

12 Best Holiday Books for Kids of All Ages

Top Holiday Movies to Stream This Year

Family Holiday Traditions

Best Holiday Cookies to Make with Your Kids

International Christmas Recipes

53 Best Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Parents

Holiday Hacks for Busy Parents

 

Psstcheck out 11 Tips from Top photographers for Taking Kid and Family Photos

Relevant Directory Listings

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Super Soccer Stars

<p>Soccer Stars is New York’s most popular youth educational soccer program! With 24 years of experience under our cleats, we have positively impacted over one million kids in our local community by putting the FUN in FUNdamentals in our weekly classes and camps.</p> <p>At Soccer Stars, we use the soccer ball as a vehicle to help children not only improve their soccer skills, but develop self-confidence and physical literacy, improve gross motor skills, build teamwork, and hone socialization skills. Our highly trained coaches and early childhood experts lead an age-specific curriculum with a low kid-to-coach ratio so every child gets individual attention and can grow at their own pace.</p> <p>Kids ages 1-12+ can join our seasonal programs, including Parent & Me, FUNdamentals, Development Training, and Travel Soccer. Join us at one of over 80 locations in neighborhoods across across Westchester County, Connecticut and New York, available 7 days-a-week:</p> <p><strong>Connecticut:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Cos Cob</li> <li>Greenwich</li> <li>Port Chester</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>Westchester:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Briarcliff</li> <li>Eastchester</li> <li>Mt. Kisco</li> <li>New Rochelle</li> <li>Ridgefield</li> <li>Scarsdale</li> <li>White Plains</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>New York City:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bronx</li> <li>Inwood</li> <li>Upper West Side</li> <li>Upper East Side</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>Can’t find a class or location that fits your schedule? Soccer Stars also offers private classes for small groups or individual training. Let our coaches come to you with a completely customizable program, anytime, anywhere. Birthday parties are also available! </p>

Steps on Broadway Youth Programs

<p class="m_6201101365486487057m_1751229968981391907gmail-m-6447730382188674378msonospacing" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For 40 years, the Youth Programs at the internationally celebrated Steps on Broadway have nurtured young dancers, ages 18 months to 18 years.  Whether seeking a fun dance experience or comprehensive pre-professional training, there is a program suited for everyone.  Classes include ballet, tap, jazz, theater dance, hip hop, contemporary, modern, pointe and more.  Taught by a faculty of internationally-recognized concert, ballet, Broadway and celebrated guest artists, every student is encouraged to discover their artistic uniqueness, deepen their passion for the art form, while growing as dancers and individuals. </span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">Classes are offered throughout the academic year and summer.</span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">First Steps (ages 18 mos – 5 yrs)</span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">Kids & Teens (ages 6-18 yrs)</span><u></u><u></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px 0px 10pt; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #5a5a5a;">Pre-Professional Program (ages 7-18 yrs, by audition only)</span></p>

Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens

<p dir="ltr">With more than 35 years of experience, Broadway Dance Center Children & Teens provides young movers ages 3-18 with exceptional training. BDC delivers the finest all-around dance experience for students by offering a wide variety of styles and levels, performance opportunities, and the highest caliber dance instruction that only New York City and BDC Children & Teens can provide.</p> <p dir="ltr">This studio is so much more than a training course for young dancers; it is a diverse, family-friendly community for budding creatives. It has an exemplary faculty who follow the vision to not only develop a dancer’s love and ability in dance, but to do so in a nurturing and supportive way.</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-16583089-7fff-d8a9-61c2-8f689f7348b2"></span></p>