‘Twas The Night Before Christmas: 8 Ideas For A Merry Christmas Eve

Before the kids set out Santa’s milk and cookies, enjoy one of these festive events from around the city. For even more light displays, trees, and Santas, check out our guide to the ultimate New York holiday.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular

What’s a better way to ring in the holiday other than seeing the Radio City Christmas Spectacular! Join the Rockettes, wooden soldiers, and Santa himself in this timeless performance. There are shows beginning at 11am and 2pm on Christmas Eve. Tickets start at $59.00. radiocitychristmas.com

Macy’s Santaland at Macy’s Department Store

10845898_859584560759076_5865043142384798238_n — Marvel at the Dyker Heights light displays on Christmas Eve.

Located on the 8th floor of Macy’s at Herald Square, Santaland will be open on Christmas Eve if you need to get a last minute picture with St. Nick before he heads out on his sleigh. With over 13,000 feet of North Pole to explore, complete with elves and giant toys, Santaland provides a great setting for photo opportunities. Doors open at 9am. visitmacysusa.com

Caroling at Washington Square Park

Beginning at 5pm, the Rob Susman Brass Quartet will perform under the arch at Washington Square Park. Bring the whole family to join in the celebration of Christmas through music. Song books will be distributed to all of the carolers courtesy of the Washington Square Association. Santa will also make an appearance! The festivities will end promptly at 6pm and admission is free. washingtonsquarenyc.org

Caroling at Gramercy Park

Gramercy Park opens its gates to the public on Christmas Eve for caroling beside its tree. Gates open at 6pm; bring a flashlight. gramercyparkblockassociation.org

Holiday Under the Stars at the Time Warner Center

The Time Warner Center’s amazing Christmas light display will be open from 5pm to 12am this Christmas Eve. With over a dozen 14-foot stars composed of flashing LED lights, Holiday Under the Stars is sure to amaze the entire family. theshopsatcolumbuscircle.com

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Don’t forget to stop by the city’s world-famous symbol of the Christmas season. In its 83rd year of tradition, the tree at Rockefeller Center stands at at a staggering 85-feet tall. Imported into the city from Bloomsburg, PA, you won’t want to miss the Norway spruce covered in thousands of LED lights! Visiting hours run from 5:30am-midnight. rockefellercenter.com

Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Creche at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Since 1957, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has displayed its dazzling tree and Neapolitan nativity scene from the 18th century. Accompanied by holiday music and candles, the display is a moving symbol of the Christmas season. Doors open at 10am, and viewing the tree is free with museum admission. metmuseum.org.

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights

After eating dinner on Christmas Eve, head over to Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights neighborhood to see dozens of homes decked out in Christmas spirit! With nearly every home impeccably decorated with lights, nativity scenes and even Santa Claus figures the spectacle is not to be missed! facebook.com/dyker-heights-christmas-lights

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 School at the Mark Morris Dance Center

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center offers year-round, community-based dance and music programming in a fully inclusive and nurturing environment, located in the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District. The School&rsquo;s diverse and professional faculty provides progressive and non-competitive instruction with all of our classes accompanied by live music. Though we are a non-recital school, there are opportunities for students to perform and for parents to see their dancers in action.

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp offers five daily rotating activities such as swimming, ice skating gymnastics, rock climbing, parkour, indoor/outdoor turf, and courts plus more in its ample 175,000 sq. ft. facility and 35-acre outdoor area. Aviator Summer Camp also offers off-site and on-site field trips such as a day at Green Meadows Farm, Launch Trampoline Park, and a Brooklyn Cyclones game. The summer camp runs from 9 am-5 pm with early drop off and late stay available. Bus transportation is also available throughout Brooklyn. Lunch and an afternoon snack are included. Sign up by February 28th to receive up to $300 off camp with early bird discounts.