Family Fun Guide to the Holidays in Brooklyn | Festive Things to do with kids throughout NYC
The 2024 Holiday Season in New York
Celebrating the holiday season in New York City can be magical. It can also be every New Yorker’s nightmare. We are built to avoid throngs of tourists, and that can be tricky. I tried to build a comprehensive guide with both bucket list ideas that will attract everyone and more curated local ones.
I will continue to update as more tickets are released. Follow my Instagram, Saturdaymorninfever, for real-time updates.
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Santa Photos Throughout NYC
Free Santa Pictures for Kids
Santa Studio at City Point in Downtown Brooklyn: On December 7th-8th and December 14th-15th, Citypoint in Downtown Brooklyn offers free pictures with Santa. Reservations are required, so grab a free ticket early, as the calendar is already fairly booked!
Photos with Santa Claus at Hudson Yards: Bring your camera to snap a free picture with Santa on most evenings throughout November and December. No reservations are required. I always get nervous about crowds, so I’d aim for a weeknight early in the season if possible!
Selfies with Santa @ Brookfield Plaza: Bring your camera for these free photos. The schedule is a bit confusing, so make sure to check the link. There is lots of availability, and no reservation is required for families.
Santa’s Corner at Bryant Park Winter Village: Tickets have not been released yet, but the week before Christmas last year, there were free photos at the Winter Village. Stay tuned and follow my Instagram for updates on the release.
Family Santa Pictures
Pictures with Santa at Old Stone House: This event is organized by Park Slope Parents. On the PSP message board, they’ve shared this will be on December 7th.
Santa Land @ Atlantic Terminal Mall: Bookings are available now, with Santa visits starting on November 30th. Santa picture Package start as low as $20. Family Portraits and special pet days are available, too.
Paleyland at the Paley Museum: These photos are affordable- only a $10 add-on to museum admission. Admission is $20, and kids under 12 are free. I think this will be my family adventure in December- stay tuned.
Santaland at Macy’s: Tickets are released 5 days in advance at 6:30 am (Monday morning, they will be released for Saturdays). These are on a rolling basis from November 29th to December 24th. Even with a reservation, they warn you could wait 30-90 minutes (especially on the weekend).
Santa Photos at the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Plaza: Combine your Santa photos with a bucket list item of family activities. Santa is available during select weekend dates in December and is included in the price of admission.
Santa’s Wonderland at Frost Fest Luna Park: Take photos with Santa and write Letters to Santa with ticketed access to Luna Park.
Kings Plaza Mall: Kings Plaza Mall in Mill Basin has the traditional Santa Mall Experience. These tickets will be released on November 21st. There is a cost involved, and various options are available.
Staten Island Mall: Reservations are available now for pictures starting as early as November 8th.
Santa at Nordstrom Midtown: Right now, it’s just the press release, but starting on Black Friday, there will be a Santa Snow Show and the ability to leave letters for Santa at Nordstrom in NYC. Has anyone been to the bar here yet? I am very curious…
Bloomingdales Santa: There has been a Santa in previous years, but I don’t see any information yet. I will update you when I can find more information!
Brunch with Santa
Santa Brunches at Chela: Chela in Park Slope is duper decked out for the holidays and is doing brunch with Sant on December 8th, 15th, 21st, & 22nd. Reservations will sell out so book now!
Santa Fun Cruise with Kids Activities: These run every Saturday and Sunday starting November 30th. They are a bit pricey starting at $69/child but include letters to santa, hot chocolate, and many other holiday treats for your children. The cruise departs from Pier 40 on the West Side of Manhattan.
Santa Brunch at the American Girl Doll Store: On December 8th, 15th, and 22nd, book a Santa Brunch for all the young children in your family. (I couldn’t link directly but click on events and scroll til you see the event.) Prices start at $60 for adults–I’ve eaten here before and the food is pretty good.
Radio City Santa Breakfast Spectactular: This is an expensive one but includes a premium experience for the show. (I also love a 12pm showtime for a kids activity- these people know what they’re doing.)
Marriott Marquis Very Merry Santa Brunch: This Santa Brunch includes face painting, crafts, and photos with Santa. Tickets aren’t cheap at $159 per adult but there are free mimosas and bellinis at least.
Hanukkah Family Events
This year, Hanukkah is December 25, 2024- January 2, 2025. I am publishing this complete guide early because so many things book up! I am a little too early for some of the Hanukkah kids' activities in Brooklyn because of this year’s dates. I’ll try to check back in weekly to revise dates and links; another plug to follow my Instagram for all the updates too.
Hanukkah Family Celebration at Kane Street Synagogue: RSVP for the family fun on December 15th in Cobble Hill.
Largest Menorah in Grand Army Plaza: Start the first night of Hannukah, and enjoy the festivities every night. Full calendar with detailed activities here.
Eight Nights of Lights with Park Slope Jewish Center: Lots of engaging crafts and
Hanukkah Arts Festival at Hannah Senesh: This school in Carroll Gardens hosts an annual Hanukkah arts festival. Grab tickets here for the event on December 15th.
Ice Menorah Light in Industry City: Chabad of Sunset Park creates an ice menorah at Industry City every year. Likely light on the first night of Hanukkah. Check back for more dates.
Hanukkah Sunday Funday: Join the Chabad of Dumbo for a Sunday Funday in Dumbo on December 15th.
Christmas Tree Lighting Festivities
Downtown Brooklyn Gets Lit: Head to Downtown Brooklyn for their tree lighting on Tuesday, November 26th.
Park Slope Tree Lighting: On Saturday, November 30th, the tree lighting at JJ Byrne will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Grand Army Plaza Tree Lighting: The Diocese of Brooklyn will be lighting the tree on Friday, December 13th.
Dumbo Tree Lighting: On Wednesday, December 11th, head to the classic arch for tree lighting at 5:30 pm. Festivities and hot chocolate will be served starting at 4:30 pm.
Brooklyn Heights Promenade Tree Lighting: Brooklyn Heights Promenade tree lighting will take place on Wednesday, December 18th at 5:30pm.
I love that the space car- Prospect Heights landmark- has made it onto Unsplash! (My favorite site for professional photos.)
Holiday Shows for Kids of All Ages
The Hard Nut at Brooklyn Academy of Music: This is the Mark Morris Dance Center’s interpration of The Nutracker. It’s Family Friendly with discounted family pack tickets through November 27th and a special family party on December 15th.
Yuletide Factory at New Victory Theater: Running November 23rd -December 29th, this show is recommended for Ages 5+. It includes performers from Cirque Mechanics with acrobatics, mechanical marvels, and a bit of clowning around.
The Brooklyn Nutcracker at Brooklyn Ballet: A re-imagined holiday classic, The Brooklyn Nutcracker fuses ballet, hip-hop, and a rich tapestry of global dance genres to create a new family tradition for the modern era. This theater is in downtown Brooklyn.
The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center: The classic Nutracker is a bucket list item for your children at some point. It’s a long one, so plan accordingly. There is a special family Saturday on December 21st with a one-hour performance. When I looked on November 7th, it appeared to be sold out. It’s one to try and plan for next year!
Radio City Rockettes: This is another bucket list show performance. The Radio City Rockettes one runs at least once a day now through December 29th. If you book tickets before November 11th, there is a 30% discount on many shows!
Holiday Movies for Families
Alamo Drafthouse: Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn (and lower Manhattan) has Elf Movie Parties throughout November and December. There are also several Polar Express Move Parties and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation Movie Parties in December. Warning: These really sell out, and seats are limited for the Elf parties already.
NiteHawk Holiday Show Spectacular: The dates have not been officially announced yet, but Nitehawk Cinema will have holiday movies at both locations, Park Slope and Williamsburg.
It’s a Wonderful Life at IFC Center: This classic will be presented annually at IFC Center starting on December 6th, 2024.
Ice Skating
Brooklyn Children’s Museum ArtRink: The ArtRink will return to the roof of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum later this month. The ice skating will be on synthetic ice and the rink is a bit small. Regardless, this is a great easy introduction for younger children.
Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park: Roebling Rink opens almost under the Brooklyn Bridge this year. Last year’s rink in a similar location was quite touristy. This year they are offering two free skate sessions for locals (Brooklyn residents) which absolutely makes it worth checking out- Sundays from 10-11 AM and Mondays from 5-6 PM.
Lefrak Center at Prospect Park: There is no date set yet for the ice skating rink to open in Prospect Park. (This crazy warm Fall isn’t helping.) I highly recommend this ice skating rink, it has two large rinks depending on ability and easy skate assists for children who need it.
Brookfield Place Ice Skating Rink: This is one of my mom friends’ go-to ice skating rink. She says it’s never too crowded, it’s real ice, and because it’s outside it leads to a more authentic experience.
Domino Square Ice Skating Rink: New this year is an ice skating rink at Domino Park in Williamsburg.
Wollman Rink in Central Park: If you’re looking for an iconic New York City experience, my vote is to visit Wollman Rink. This is one of the largest ice skating rinks available and will be far less crowded than Rockefeller Center with tourists, plus tickets are only $15/adult!
Rockefeller Center Ice Skating: Rockefeller Center charges surge pricing depending on the time of your visit. (I guess this is better than a crowd of tourists while my seven year old is trying to skate.) The max price is $114/adult so plan accordingly.
Holiday Camps
If you’re working or local this holiday and need sometime back to yourself, here are some of my favorite camp vendors that run camps almost every day during the holiday:
Drop-off activities: for parents to have time to get festive
CREA Date Night Drop Off: Every Friday and Saturday evening in Industry City, Brooklyn.
Creatively Wild: Every Saturday morning at 9am with drop-off art in Dumbo, Brooklyn.
My Gym: My Gym has a parents night out on Saturday, December 14th at locations in Downtown Brooklyn and Cobble Hill.
NY Kids Club: On Friday evenings, NY Kids Club has pajama parties at multiple locations throughout Brooklyn.
Fashion Squad School: Drop in Classes at 10am or 1pm Saturday in Lower Manhattan.
Chelsea Piers: The first Friday of every month, Chelsea Piers as a movie night drop off at the Field House in Brooklyn, NY. Brook now for December 6th if you’re ready to wrap early!
Family Winter Experience Pop-Ups
Paleyland: Paleyland at the Paley Museum in midtown has a holiday extravaganza with Santa and a wide array of meet and greets with holiday characters. A magical holiday train and free hot chocolate is included too.
390 Social: This bar in Park Slope is an easy, festive experience for Brooklyn families. They have a holiday cocktail pop-up with a festive drink menu all through the month of December.
The Santa Clauses’ Winter Wonder at Pier 17: I’ve heard this gets a bit touristy but that it’s cute to bring the children to for a festive nyc activity on less crowded nights.
Santa Parade from Santa Land at Atlantic Terminal: This event leaves from Atlantic Terminal on December 7th. There is a parade with inflaables that meanders around Prospect Heights. My children went last year and it was a bit kitschy but super easy for us. Not worth a trek but an easy thing to have on the list if you’re nearby.
Frost Fest at Luna Park: So far this fall has been unseasonalby warm. Take advantage of that at Coney Island for this years’ Frost Fest at Luna Park. Pcitures with Santa, rides galor, and hot chocolate. Luna Park has great rides for kids of all ages if you’ve never been!
I am a Brooklyn Mom. I help families with where to wake up on their Saturday Mornings and how to spend them.
I love exploring everything the city has to offer with my children. (Now 4 & 7 years old, I just love that photo.). I work full-time as a realtor at Corcoran and share weekly ideas of things to do to help all families enjoy this amazing city we call home.
Send me an email or a DM if you’ve got any feedback on what I missed or want to chat about making a move.