The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a must-see holiday destination in NYC. Photo courtesy of the New York Botanical Gardens
Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New York City for Kids
Until January 4th, The Paley Museum has been transformed into a five-story winter wonderland.
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Celebrate the shortest day of the year at Marine Park's Festival of Lights. Photo courtesy of the Marine Park Alliance
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Santa is a busy man, so reservations are required to visit Santland at Macy's Herald Square in New York City in 2025. Photo by Marisa Iallonardo
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Sit on Santa's lap at Historic Richmond Town, which transforms into an old-time Dickens Village for the holidays. Photo courtesy of Historic Richmond Town
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Don’t Miss Holiday Circus Spectacular Merry Mayhem at the New Victory Theater
Hundreds of tuba players converge on Rockefeller Center each December for a merry afternoon of carol playing. Photo courtesy of Tishman Speyer
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The stunning Peace, Love, and Lights drive-thru at Bethel Woods returns for another season of bringing visitors joy.
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The Met Opera returns to the stage with The Magic Flute this holiday season. Photo by Richard Termine/courtesy of the Met Opera
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Enjoy the magic of Christmas in Dyker Heights as the neighborhood lights up for the festive season. Photo courtesy of Dyker Heights Lights
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Meet Santa aboard The Polar Express chugging along the Morristown and Erie lines. Photo courtesy of the Morristown and Erie Railway
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Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden has become an enchanting holiday tradition for many families. Photo courtesy of the garden
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Kids as young as 14 can apply for an eco-focused internship at Alley Pond Park in Queens. Photo courtesy of the Alley Pond Environmental Center
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The 2025-2026 public school year for NYC kids starts on Thursday, September 4.
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See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
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Stranger Things: The First Shadow plays at the Marquis Theatre and gives the popular Neflix show a prequel. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
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The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
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Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Vinland Playground got a fresh upgrade in Bay Ridge. Photo by NYC Parks/Daniel Avila
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Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
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Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
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Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
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For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
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The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
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The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
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Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
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Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
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The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
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Kids can enjoy hands-on Hanukkah fun at the Children's Museum of Manhattan. Photo courtesy of CMOM
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Things To Do in Boston this Weekend: Parkour, Weatherfest, Dinosaurs

Dinosaur World Live brings the thrills with huge dinos. Photo by Robert Day
Dinosaur World Live brings the thrills with huge dinos. Photo by Robert Day
1/8/20 - By Lucie T

It's a new year, so how about trying some new things? Boston has so much to offer anyone looking for a new experience, whether that is taking a parkour workshop or ice skating, or maybe going on a Family Animal Tracking Adventure?

Schoolhouse Rock Live is in town to show just how cool school can be, and speaking of live, check out some dinos up close and personal in Dinosaur World Live on Sunday. For all things rain, snow, wind, and sunshine, head to the American Meteorological Society's Weatherfest 2020 and learn all about the elements (for free!).

Also on Mommy Poppins this week:

Need more family fun ideas? Check out our full events calendar.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Things to Do All Weekend

Magnificent Monster Circus

Brookline
Encounter magnificent creatures from the wilds of your imagination as their quirky human caretaker tries to teach them new tricks. READ MORE

CATS

Boston
Winner of 7 Tony Awards®, CATS tells the story of one magical night when an extraordinary tribe of cats gathers for its annual ball to rejoice and decide which cat will be reborn. READ MORE
Spot some tracks (and maybe some animals) at the Family Animal Tracking Adventure. Photo courtesy of Blue Hills Trailside Museum
Spot some tracks (and maybe some animals) at the Family Animal Tracking Adventure. Photo courtesy of Blue Hills Trailside Museum

Things to Do Saturday

Celebrate Smoky and Bubba’s Birthday

Stoneham
Black bears Smoky and Bubba are celebrating their 14th birthday in January, and guests are invited to join in on the festivities. READ MORE

Family Animal Tracking Adventure

Milton
Become a "Nature Detective" and learn about stories in the snow and many other signs that wildlife leave behind as clues to how and where they travel to find food, water, and shelter. READ MORE

Josh and the Jamtones

Brookline
Josh and the Jamtones are an ultra-powered dance party machine, making fun and interactive music for kids and grownups. READ MORE

Celebrate National Skating Month at WIA

Brighton
Warrior Ice Arena has teamed up with the Boston Bruins Kids Club for National Skating Month full of fun, including special guests, Blades. READ MORE

Little Voices, Big Change: What is Racism?

Dorchester
Join Wee The People for a workshop that asks a question many parents struggle to answer: What Is Racism? READ MORE
You and your kids will earn major cool (and fitness) points by learning this sport. Photo courtesy of Parkour Generations Boston
You and your kids will earn major cool (and fitness) points by learning this sport. Photo courtesy of Parkour Generations Boston

Things to Do Sunday

Dinosaur World Live

Boston
Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for all the family. READ MORE

Parkour Workshop

Hyde Park
This class is for children of all ability and fitness levels and includes instruction in the basic movements and techniques of parkour, as well as exercises designed to improve general fitness and ensure the long-term practice of parkour. READ MORE

Schoolhouse Rock Live!

Cambridge
Schoolhouse Rock Live!, the stage show based on the popular educational cartoons, is coming to Harvard Square.  READ MORE

Weatherfest 2020

Boston
The American Meteorological Society’s 19th Annual WeatherFest is a cool, fun, and fascinating look at all things weather, water, and climate. READ MORE

Free Ice Skating Fun

Foxboro
Enjoy some free ice skating fun for the whole family. READ MORE

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