Free Family Events This Weekend! (December 23-25)

Christmas Eve Caroling Under the Arch will take place this Saturday in Washington Square Park! Photo by Ilya Boyandin via Flickr.
Christmas Eve Caroling Under the Arch will take place this Saturday in Washington Square Park! Photo by Ilya Boyandin via Flickr.

Have an amazing weekend without opening your wallet! For even more activity inspiration, check out our Weekend Planner.

Through Saturday, December 24

Santa’s Corner
1-3pm
Bank of America Winter Village in Bryant Park
All Ages
Santa will be visiting midtown Manhattan, so don’t miss him! Come take a picture with old Saint Nick, either with your own phone/camera, or have it done by the elves and download it from their Flickr page. The elves will be handing out postcards and coloring supplies so kids can write last-minute letters to Santa! There will be special events on the first and last days of his visit too.

Friday, December 23

Friday Afternoon Movie: “The Secret Life of Pets”
3pm
Aguilar Library
All Ages
Spend the afternoon with your little ones at Aguilar Library watching “The Secret Life of Pets.” This animated comedy tells the story of how animals that live in a Manhattan apartment building spend their day and the adventures that they encounter along the way. With Kevin Hart playing a rebellious bunny, this comedy is sure to have the family in stitches.

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Beginning Saturday, December 24

Free Blue Marble Ice Cream
10am-6pm
Museum of the City of New York
All Ages
The Museum of the City of New York is celebrating the holidays by giving away Blue Marble ice cream to all visitors! Simply mention the “holiday ice cream promotion” or use the promo code “IScreamMuseum” when you arrive at the museum admission desk. There will also be lots of winter-themed activities for children. While supplies last. Runs through Saturday, December 31. Museum is closed on Christmas Day.

Lighting of the World’s Largest Menorah
Various times
Grand Army Plaza in Manhattan
All Ages
Celebrate Hanukkah with the lighting of one of the world’s largest menorahs at Grand Army Plaza in Manhattan. Weighing 4,000 pounds, the lighting of this 32-foot tall menorah will begin on Saturday, December 24 and end on Saturday, December 31.

Saturday, December 24

Christmas Eve Caroling Under the Arch
5-7pm
Washington Square Park
All Ages
Get into the Christmas spirit with some traditional caroling on the eve of the holiday. Gather in Washington Square Park to sing all of your old favorites, led by the Rob Susman Brass Quartet. Songbooks will be distributed upon arrival.

Relevant Directory Listings

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Monster Mini Golf

<p>Upon entering Monster Mini Golf, all perceptions of traditional mini golf will be spirited away by the indoor, 18-hole, monster-theme, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course! The locations in <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/">Deer Park</a>, and <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/gardencity/">Garden City, NY</a> invite guests to experience a host of family-oriented fun activities. Whether visiting for the first time or the one hundredth, mini golfers feel the excitement and adventure of playing mini golf amidst spooktacular monsters and custom, glow-in-the-dark, hand-painted artwork. While testing their skill on the fairways, lively music flows over the course from the unique “WEIRD Radio” station” and an interactive DJ entertains golfers with contests, awarding cool prizes for the wackiest reasons. While the course is challenging enough for adults, it is also quite playable for children. Monster Mini Golf is open year-round and frightfully fun for the entire family. In addition to miniature golf and thrilling arcade and redemption games, the locations offer additional attractions. <a href="https://monsterminigolf.com/deerpark/">Monster Mini Golf in Deer Park, NY</a> offers a Laser Maze and a Virtual Reality experience. The Garden City location offers a Laser Maze, Bowling, and a Virtual Reality Experience. Two very posh, private party rooms are also available and are perfect for any event. Monster Mini Golf looks forward to making it a monstrous success. Monster Mini Golf is indoors, ensuring that the event will always take place, regardless of the weather. It is a climate-controlled, affordable source of family entertainment. For more details please visit <a href="http://monsterminigolf.com">monsterminigolf.com</a> or find them on Facebook.</p>

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Looking for something to do with the kids in New York City that is fun, exciting, and educational? The Intrepid Museum offers family-friendly activities and programs all year long that keep children engaged, entertained, and curious about history and science. Fun rain or shine, the Museum offers both indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits and activities. With so many things to do and see, you’ll never hear “I’m bored,” when you climb aboard Intrepid. A non-profit, educational institution featuring the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world’s fastest jets and a guided missile submarine.<br /></span></p>

Saf-T-Swim

<p>For over 35 years, Saf-T-Swim Swim School has been teaching lifesaving swimming skills throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, and now Little Neck. The school is proud to be Long Island's #1 swim school and a leader in water safety education. With swim programs for infants as young as 4 months, beginners, and advanced swimmers, Saf-T-Swim offers swimming programs for every age and skill level. Discover why generations of Long Islanders have trusted Saf-T-Swim time and time again with equipping their little ones the essential skill of swimming.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>