Free Holiday Events and Christmas Activities
for Kids in New York City 2025

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Free Christmas Events in New York City in 2025

Tree Lighting Skate-tacular at Bryant Park
Midtown West
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park hosts its annual tree lighting, with a stellar lineup of live skate performances. Website

Annual Seaport District Tree Lighting
South Street Seaport
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Kick off the season in New York style at the Seaport District Christmas Tree Lighting. Prior to the big moment, visitors can enjoy holiday crafts, coloring, live performances, and more. Website

Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2025
Midtown West
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
The 93rd Rockefeller Center Christmas tree illuminates for a national close-up. Families across the US can view the Christmas tree lighting from home, live on the national broadcast “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” on NBC. Website

29th Annual Central Park Holiday Lighting
Central Park
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Watch the flotilla of trees on the Harlem Meer get lit for the season at this annual Christmas tree lighting. Visitors can meet Santa and friends, sing carols on the plaza, and warm up with hot cocoa. Website

Holiday Lights in Rockefeller Park
Battery Park City
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Kick off the holiday season in Rockefeller Park. The festive evening features lively carols, beverages and treats, and many special guest appearances including a visit from you-know-who! Website

Calypso, Carols, and Cocoa: The Dumbo Holiday Lighting
Dumbo, Brooklyn
Thursday, December 4, 2025
4:00pm to 7:00pm ET
Age: All ages
Price: FREE
Location:
The Archway Under The Manhattan Bridge
718-237-8700
Water St between Adams St and Anchorage Place , Brooklyn
The Dumbo Improvement District hosts its annual Dumbo Holiday Lighting ceremony, with all the trimmings. Enjoy live music, carols, hot cocoa, and an appearance from Santa himself. Website

NYSE 102nd Annual NYSE Christmas Tree Lighting
Financial District
Thursday, December 4, 2025
The New York Stock Exchange hosts an afternoon that includes performance by the Gay Men's Chorus, Kelsie Watts, and Deborah Cox. Performances begin at 2:30pm, and tree is lit at 5:15pm. Website

Broadway Under the Stars at the Shops at Columbus Circle
Midtown East
Thursdays December 4, 11, and 18, 2025
Broadway and The Shops at Columbus Circle team up for the annual return of Broadway Under the Stars, a four-week series of free public concerts and performances taking place this holiday season. Website

Annual Wreath Interpretations Exhibit at the Arsenal Gallery
Midtown East
Weekdays from Thursday, December 4, 2025-Friday, January 2, 2026
Celebrate the holiday season at the 43rd annual exhibition of inventive, unconventional wreaths crafted by a diverse selection of fine artists, designers, and other creative contributors. Website

Traditional Tree Lighting in Historic Richmond Town
Richmond, Staten Island
Friday, December 5, 2025
Historic Richmondtown's free annual tree lighting celebration kicks off with musical performances by local groups. Santa Claus makes a special appearance, spreading cheer before the tree lights up. Website

Parade on Rockaway
Rockaways, Queens
Friday, December 5-Sunday, December 7, 2025
Queens' annual Parade on Rockaway provides three days packed with holiday cheer, from the biggest tree lighting in Queens to a gift giveaway (featuring Santa) and a lovely parade of lights on Rockaway Boulevard. Website

Winter Wonderland at The Bronx Museum
Grand Concourse, the Bronx
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Celebrate the magic of the winter season at The Bronx Museum's annual Winter Wonderland event, with art-making activities, festive music, hot chocolate, and more. Website

Christmas Party at Washington Market Park
Tribeca
Saturday, December 6, 2025
At this annual Christmas party in Washington Market Park, the big, red-suited guest of honor rides into the park in style: sometimes by pedicab, sometimes peddled by an oversize elf. Website

Bronx Little Italy’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Belmont, Bronx
Saturday, December 6, 2025
The beloved annual tree-lighting ceremony is back at Ciccarone Park. Attendees can get into the holiday spirit by meeting Santa and an elf, singing along with holiday carols, and enjoying Italian cookies and hot chocolate from local businesses. Website

23rd Annual St. Nicholas Day Celebration at Wyckoff Farmhouse
Flatbush, Brooklyn
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Families are invited to NYC's oldest house for an outdoor celebration packed with craft activities, a tree lighting, and a special visit from St. Nick (who arrives on horseback around 2:30pm). Kids can sip hot cider, try some colonial games, create a holiday craft, and dress the tree. Website

Holiday on the Hudson at West Harlem Piers
West Harlem
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Hudson River Park's annual holiday tree lighting party invites families to celebrate the season with winter arts and crafts, hot chocolate, and live music. Website

Annual Park Avenue Tree Lighting at Brick Church
Upper East Side
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Park Avenue's illuminated trees—dotting on the Park Avenue Malls between 54th and 97th Streets—switch on for the season. Website

Holiday Tree Lighting at Carl Schurz Park
Upper East Side
Sunday, December 7, 2025
This cherished family tradition features carols, the Cantori choir, Orbital Brass, candlelight, candy canes, and hot chocolate. Website

Santa at the NY Stock Exchange
Financial District
Monday, December 8, 2025
6:00am to 9:00am ET
Age: All ages
Price: FREE
Location:
New York Stock Exchange
11 Wall Sreet, New York, NY
Early birds can meet up with Santa Claus at the New York Stock Exchange and watch him roll into the financial district on a John Deere Tractor! The team at John Deere (and Santa) host a side street celebration with free coffee and hot chocolate, goodies from Santa, live music, and photo opps. 

Madison Square Holiday Tree Lighting
Flatiron District
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Gather around the Madison Square Holiday Tree for the 112th annual holiday tree lighting, complete with photo-ops, baked goods, and live music. Website

Jazz at Lincoln Center’s WeBop Holiday Jazz Jam at the Shops at Columbus Circle
Midtown West
Wednesdays and Fridays from Wednesday, December 10-Friday, December 19, 2025
WeBop, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s award-winning, early childhood education program, steps up to the holiday season with interactive, holiday-themed live jazz performances. These festive and free shows invite young music lovers and their caregivers to swing and sing along with talented musicians. Website

Winter Wonderland at Williamsbridge Oval
Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center, Norwood, the Bronx
Friday, December 12, 2025
Williamsbridge Oval hosts an evening of celebration with the lighting of the holiday tree, arts and crafts, caroling, and a visit from St. Nick. Website

Lenfest Kids: Klaus
Lenfest Center For the Arts, Morningside Heights
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Netflix's 2019 Santa-origin-story shines on the big screen. Stick around after the movie for entertainment and fun hosted by Columbia Artist/Teachers (CA/T)! Activities may include storytelling, poetry, songwriting, and maybe clowning around with Loony Lenny. Website

Sutton Seasonal Sing Along
Sutton Place Park at E 57th St, Midtown East
Saturday, December 13, 2025
The Sutton Place Parks Conservancy hosts its fifth annual seasonal sing-along. All are invited to lift their voice in song, lift a cup of hot chocolate, lift their eyes to the twinkling light show, and lift your spirits. Website

Cookies, Crafts and Cocoa with Santa at McDonald Playground Field House
West Brighton, Staten Island
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Enjoy a warm cup of hot cocoa while you customize sugar cookies with colorful toppings and sprinkles and create holiday keepsakes to hang on the tree at home. Make sure to bring your phone or camera to get a picture with Santa Claus! Website

Merry Tuba Christmas at Rockefeller Center
The Rink at Rockefeller Center, Midtown West
Sunday, December 14, 2025
3:30pm to 4:00pm ET
Age: All ages
Price: Free
Location:
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
212-332-6868
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City, NY
Hundreds of tenor and bass tuba players congregate at The Rink at Rockefeller Center to play Christmas carols and other crowd favorites. Website

Holiday Open Streets on Fifth Avenue
Midtown East
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Fifth Avenue showcases spectacular lights, holiday decor, live entertainement, and one of a kind activities. Entertainment includes performances from the LaGuardia High School Show Choir, The New School, Brooklyn United, Sing Harlem, and choirs from Fifth Avenue Presbyterian, The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys, and Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. Website

Unsilent Night 2025
West Village to East Village
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Each year, composer Phil Kline leads a massive chorus of boomboxes from the West Village to the East Village in the annual holiday presentation of Unsilent Night. Website

Santa's Photo Corner at Bryant Park
Monday, December 15-Friday, December 19, 2025
Winter Village at Bryant Park
917-438-5166
Between 40th and 42nd Streets & Fifth and Sixth Avenues., New York, NY
Santa stops by Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park for free photo opportunities. Website

A City Singing at Christmas at St. Patrick's Cathedral
Midtown East
Thursday, December 18, 2025
The Young People's Chorus returns for this holiday tradition, singing carols in the majestic setting of St. Patrick's Cathedral and welcoming everyone to join in. Website

Cookies, Cocoa, and Crafts with Santa at DeMatti Park
DeMatti Park Fieldhouse
430 Tompkins Ave, Staten Island, NY, 10304
Friday, December 19, 2025
For Ages 1-5 -- 10 am - 12 pm -- Website
For Ages 5-13 -- 3 pm to 5 pm -- Website
Unleash your inner artist and decorate delicious sugar cookies with a variety of colorful toppings and sprinkles, get crafty and create unique ornaments, enjoy a warm and comforting cup of hot cocoa, and meet Santa Claus himself and take a picture. 

Make Music Winter Event: Harmonica Holiday Jam
Gansevoort Plaza at Washington Street, West Village
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Harmonica virtuoso Jiayi He leads a crash course in how to play the harmonica and then leads participants in a jam session to showcase their new skills with performances of holiday classics such as Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls, Here Comes Santa Claus, Silent Night, and more. Website

Winter Solstice Festival of Lights in Marine Park
Seba Playground in Marine Park, Brooklyn
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Celebrate when our hemisphere tilts furthest away from the sun, making the shortest day of the year. Dress warm in layers. Bring binoculars and a telescope if you have them to view Jupiter and the rings of Saturn. Website

Holiday Caroling Under the Washington Square Arch
Greenwich Village
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
5:00pm to 6:00pm ET
Age: All
Location:
Washington Square Park
5 Ave, Waverly Pl., W. 4 St. and MacDougal St., NY, NY,
Join The Rob Susman Brass Quartet for a holiday celebration under the Washington Square Arch. The annual Christmas carol event fills the city streets with the sweet sounds of holiday carols. Website

Macy's Santaland
Herald Square
Daily through Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Santa swoops back over to Macy's for visits with his littlest fans! Wander the rainbow road to his workshop, where you'll meet jolly old St. Nick. Share your wishlist before receiving a special gift and posing for a keepsake photo. Website

Free Hanukkah Events in New York City in 2025

Hanukkah in Marine Park
Carmine Carro Community Center, Marine Park, Brooklyn
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Rabbi Heidi Hoover shares the story of a miracle and its eight-day celebration. Enjoy holiday festivities and sing-alongs. Website

The World's Largest Hanukkah Menorah: Manhattan
Grand Army Plaza 
Fifth Avenue and West 59th Street, New York, NY
Sunday, December 14-Monday, December 22, 2025
Gather around the 32-foot-high, gold-colored, 4,000-pound steel holiday icon at Grand Army Plaza (Fifth Avenue and West 59th Street, across the street from The Plaza hotel) to kick off the annual Jewish Festival of Lights. Website

Menorah Lighting at Hudson Yards
Midtown West
Monday, December 15-Monday, December 22, 2025
Visit the Public Square and Gardens in Hudson Yards for a menorah lighting, then snag eight days of special offers from participating shops. Website

The Largest Menorah Lighting: Brooklyn
Grand Army Plaza 
Flatbush Ave., Eastern Pkwy. and Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY,
Sunday, December 14-Sunday, December 21, 2025
Chabad of Park Slope hosts the 32-foot "Largest Menorah" in Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza. There's a kick off concert on Sunday, December 14, and each subsequent night of Hanukkah is celebrated with music, latkes, and gifts. Website

Hanukkah in Lego Land at the Seaport
South Street Seaport
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Chabad Jewish Center of FiDi welcomes the holiday with a 6-foot-tall Lego menorah, latkes, face painting, cotton candy, hot cocoa, a Lego master workshop, and more. Website

Free 2025 New Year's Eve Fun for Kids and Families in New York City

Noon Year's Eve 2026 Celebration at the Adams Street Library
9 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY, 11201
Monday, December 29, 2025
Celebrate 2026 a few days early at Adams Street Library with a Noon Year's Eve celebration that includes a countdown, craft, and dance party. Website

Make Noisemakers at the South Beach Library
41 Father Capodanno Boulevard, Staten Island, NY
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Prep for New Year's Eve by creating noise makers. Website

NYE Origami Fortune Cookies at the Stavros Niarchos Library
455 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Teens can set their goals for 2026 by making origami fortune cookies with inspirational messages for the New Year.  Website

Noon Year's Eve Family Celebration at the Tremont Library
1866 Washington Avenue, Bronx, NY
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Children's staff at the Tremont library host a special family-friendly celebration of the New Year that includes a special storytime, followed by crafts, snacks, and a countdown to noon to rival even the biggest midnight ball drop. Website

New Year's Rockin' Eve in Times Square
Midtown West
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
America’s go-to annual New Year’s tradition celebrates the year’s very best in music and rings in the new year with more than 5½ hours of dynamic performances. At midnight, the ball drops to welcome 2025. Website

Prospect Park New Year's Eve Fireworks
Grand Army Plaza
Southeast corner of Central Park, near 60th St., New York, NY,
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
The annual fireworks display includes live entertainment by Quintessential Playlist starting at 10pm. Fireworks begin at midnight, lighting up the skies above Brooklyn’s Backyard. Website