Your Guide to the 2024 Christmas and Holiday Season in NYC

New York Family Christmas and Holiday Guide — Photo by Pexels

A Very Merry New York Family Holiday Guide

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 New York. We’ve got everything you need to make 2024 your family’s best holiday ever: Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa events, tree lightings, holiday light shows, gift guide, holiday shopping ideas, books, movies, elf ideas and so much more!!

Click on a category to jump down to that section:

Holiday Shows, Tree Lightings and Events
Shopping and Dining
Where to See Santa
Hanukkah
Kwanzaa
Holiday Light Shows & Experiences
Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Farms
Winter Fun
Holiday Crafts, Books, Movies, Recipes and Elf on the Shelf

Holiday Shows, Tree Lightings and Events

Does it seem like there are more holiday events and activities than ever before? We think so too! We’ll keep updating our holiday event roundups throughout the season, so stay tuned for more family fun!

Shopping and Dining

Feeling lost in the holiday shopping maze? Looking for dining out opportunities on Christmas Day? We’ve got your back!

Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Top Toys for Kids of All Ages

16 Festive Holiday Markets in NYC

Staten Island Holiday Markets and Fairs

Westchester Holiday Markets and Craft Fairs

7 Great Secondhand Marketplaces to Shop This Holiday Season

19 NYC Metro Area Toy Drives

17 Restaurants To Eat Christmas Dinner In NYC

13 Restaurants Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Westchester

Where to See Santa

A visit to Santa is a holiday must-do for families with young children! Discover the best places to meet the Big Man in Red, both in NYC and beyond, from cozy photo ops to festive brunches.

16 Awesome Spots for Dining with Santa in New York City

28 Places to Take Photos with Santa in New York Area 2024

Santaland Returns to Macy’s at Herald Square

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

14 Places for Dining With Santa on Long Island

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a time of joy, light, and togetherness. From spinning dreidels and frying up delicious latkes to the nightly candle lighting, Here are some ways to celebrate the festive season in NYC with family and friends.

27 Festive Hanukkah Events for Families in New York City

19 Great Family-Friendly Hanukkah Events on Long Island

Hanukkah Books for Children of All Ages

Menorah Lightings In Staten Island

2024 Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Events in Westchester

Kwanzaa

What Is Kwanzaa? Everything You Need to Know About the Seemingly Forgotten Holiday

Celebrate Kwanzaa Is Back at Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Where to Celebrate Kwanzaa in Westchester and Beyond

Holiday Light Shows & Experiences

New York City’s holiday magic is undeniable. From twinkling lights to iconic ice rinks, every moment is a memory in the making. NYC has a way of turning every tradition into a one-of-a-kind experience your family will remember year after year.

Polar Express and Holiday Train Rides in the NYC Area

10 Spectacular Holiday Light Drive-Thru Attractions in the NY Area

35 Fun Holiday Family Experiences Around New York 2024

Island of Warmth New Holiday Installation

Dazzling Light Show in Brooklyn Returns to BBG

Winter WonderLights Annual Holiday Light Show Drive Thru

2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in NYC – Sneak Peek at What Families Can Expect

8 Magical Holiday Window Displays in NYC

Family-Friendly Holiday Train Shows in Westchester

Neighborhood Holiday Light Displays in Westchester and Beyond

Holiday Light Shows In and Around Westchester

Santaland Returns to Macy’s at Herald Square

Iconic Saks Holiday Light Show Will Not Happen This Year

Winter Fun

The holidays are almost here, and the weather is cooling down! Before the winter chill sets in, make the most of the festive season. Bundle up, grab your favorite holiday drink, and enjoy the winter wonderland that is New York City!

11 Great Spots for Ice Skating in NYC

Where to Go Ice Skating in Westchester

17 Awesome Rinks for Ice Skating on Long Island

14 Great Hot Chocolate Spots in NYC

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.

16 Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Farms Near NYC

9 Cut-Your-Own Tree Farms in Long Island

Christmas Tree Farms In and Around Westchester

14 Christmas Tree Delivery Services in NYC

Top 14 Christmas Tree Farms in NJ: Cut Your Own Christmas Trees Near Staten Island

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.

18 Great Holiday Books for Kids of All Ages

15 Family-Friendly Holiday Movies to Stream This Year

12 Scrumptious Holiday Cookies to Make with Your Kids

12 Christmas Recipes From Around the Globe

Easy and Funny Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Parents

11 Holiday Hacks for Busy Parents

Here’s Why Kids Are Begging Parents for Elf on the Shelf Pets this Holiday Season

That's Mandarin

That's Mandarin is one of the oldest Chinese language schools in China. With a unique approach to language learning and our own in-house teaching methodologies; we aim to be not only the most experienced, but also one of the best Mandarin schools in China! We focus on providing the smoothest service and the best teaching experience to all our students; no matter whether they are studying Chinese online with our innovative online language learning system or at one of our Chinese language schools in China. Founded in 2005, That&rsquo;s Mandarin has been delivering excellence in Chinese teaching for over 15 years to more than 30,000 students of different nationalities. We now have schools in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen with plans to open more locations in more cities soon.&nbsp; &nbsp; COURSE INFO&nbsp; Learn Chinese online and enjoy private online classes with our professional native Chinese teachers anytime, anywhere. Our Online Chinese Course is perfect for students abroad who want to learn Chinese remotely. Besides, online Chinese classes are also a great opportunity for those who don&rsquo;t have enough time to come to our Mandarin school. By using That&rsquo;s Mandarin special learning platform, you can have online Mandarin classes with our teachers anytime and anywhere.&nbsp; &nbsp; We Offer：&nbsp; &bull; Standard Chinese Course&nbsp; &bull; HSK Preparation Course&nbsp; &bull; Chinese Course for Kids&nbsp; &bull; Chinese Course for Corporate Clients&nbsp; &nbsp; All lessons are private Chinese classes with certified native Chinese teachers with 24/7 access to our online system.&nbsp; For every new student we offer a free trial lesson with us.&nbsp; &nbsp; Online Classes Content:&nbsp; &nbsp; REAL-LIFE PRACTICE&nbsp; &bull; Communication skills&nbsp; &bull; Speaking practice&nbsp; &bull; Real-life situations&nbsp; &bull; Modern Chinese expressions&nbsp; &nbsp; LANGUAGE LEARNING&nbsp; &bull; HSK Vocabulary&nbsp; &bull; Daily Vocabulary&nbsp; &bull; Useful Grammar&nbsp; &bull; Set Phrases&nbsp; &bull; Slang &amp; Idioms&nbsp; &nbsp; CULTURAL ELEMENTS&nbsp; &bull; Chinese culture&nbsp; &bull; Natural wonders&nbsp; &bull; Famous sights&nbsp; &bull; Festivals &amp; traditions&nbsp; &bull; Classic literature, opera &amp; art&nbsp; &nbsp; HEATED DISCUSSIONS&nbsp; &bull; Discovering interesting topics&nbsp; &bull; Discussing global topics&nbsp; &bull; Social phenomena&nbsp; &bull; Cultural differences&nbsp; &nbsp; How&nbsp;much?&nbsp; The price starts at $24. &nbsp; When?&nbsp; The schedule depends on your availability as the course is fully customized.&nbsp; &nbsp; Where?&nbsp; We use our in-house digital platform NihaoCafe to help you connect with your teacher, review class notes, and schedule classes.&nbsp; &bull; Online Chinese Class content and teacher&rsquo;s notes automatically get recorded into the system, so it&rsquo;s easy to review your classes&nbsp; &bull; There&rsquo;s a huge teaching resource database, so you can prepare for your future online Chinese classes in advance&nbsp; &bull; There is an online course arrangement system that manages your booked Chinese classes &ndash; to guarantee that wherever you are, you and your teachers can stay informed about the online Mandarin class schedule and changes&nbsp; &bull; Teachers can also add their own courseware including webpages, PowerPoint presentations, videos, etc. into the system anytime&nbsp; &nbsp; &bull; Our professional IT team is online 24 hours a day, ready to solve any unexpected issues&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; CONTACT: &nbsp; Website: https://www.thatsmandarin.com&nbsp; Email: info@thatsmandarin.com&nbsp; &nbsp; Phone: +86 10 8448 9799&nbsp;

Speakitaly NYC

SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.&nbsp; Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress.&nbsp; Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge. Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City&hellip; Who doesn&rsquo;t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history &amp; in the arts? Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor&rsquo;s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"

The Wild Center

The Wild Center, nestled within the breathtaking landscape of New York's Adirondack Park, offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature. As visitors approach the Center, they are greeted by the Adirondack Mountains towering in the distance, setting the stage for an immersive adventure. Upon entering the 34,000-square-foot exhibit hall, guests are enveloped in a world of wonder and discovery. Interactive exhibits like Planet Adirondack and Climate Solutions invite exploration, allowing visitors to delve into the rich biodiversity of the Adirondack region. The indoor experience also includes an opportunity to soar on Birdly--a one-of-a-kind VR experience. Also, get up close with an animal ambassador during one of many live animal encounters throughout the day. In addition to its indoor exhibits and programs, the Wild Center also boasts 115-acres of extensive outdoor amenities. One of the highlights in the award-winning Wild Walk. Visitors walk up a trail of bridges to the treetops of the Adirondack forest, 40 feet off the ground. Along the way, interactive exhibits provide insights into the flora and fauna that call the Adirondacks home, from songbirds to black bears. The rest of the campus features more ways to explore. Check out Patrick Dougherty&rsquo;s Stickwork sculpture, an all natural installation of woven sticks that will spark your imagination and nostalgia. Immerse yourself in Forest Music, take a naturalist-lead canoe trip, or get your roll on with Raquette River Roll, a brand-new, oversized, all-natural ball run experience opening in June 2024.

A Very Merry New York Family Holiday Guide

A Very Merry New York Family Holiday Guide

Holiday Shows, Tree Lightings and Events

NYC

Long Island

Westchester

Staten Island

Shopping and Dining

Where to See Santa

Hanukkah

Kwanzaa

Holiday Light Shows & Experiences

Winter Fun

Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Farms

Holiday Books, Movies, Recipes and Elf on the Shelf

About the Author

Danielle Ramos

Relevant Directory Listings

That's Mandarin

Speakitaly NYC

The Wild Center

Things to do with kids in NYC

Holiday Train Show
New York Botanical Garden

Horizon of Khufu: An Immersive VR Expedition to Ancient Egypt
Eclipso NYC

Decadent Desserts: A Winter Wonderland
Decadent Desserts

Camps ’R‘ Us Winter Reunion
Camps ‘R’ Us Farmingdale

Brooklyn Family Ultimate Camp Fair & Activity Expo – Industry City
Industry City Building 5, 2A

New York Family Ultimate Camp Fair & Activity Expo- Upper West Side
Trevor Day School – Lower School

New York Family January 2025

A Very Merry New York Family Holiday Guide

A Very Merry New York Family Holiday Guide

Discover Family Fun

Holiday Shows, Tree Lightings and Events

NYC

Long Island

Westchester

Staten Island

Shopping and Dining

Where to See Santa

Hanukkah

Kwanzaa

Holiday Light Shows & Experiences

Winter Fun

Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Farms

Holiday Books, Movies, Recipes and Elf on the Shelf

About the Author

Related Articles

Relevant Directory Listings

That's Mandarin

Speakitaly NYC

The Wild Center