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Menorah Lightings, Holiday Shows, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

Under the twinkling lights of our famous marquee, the Apollo invites audiences to bring the family to its Winter Wonderland. Photo courtesy of the Apollo
Under the twinkling lights of our famous marquee, the Apollo invites audiences to bring the family to its Winter Wonderland. Photo courtesy of the Apollo
12/8/23 - By Drew Kristofik

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

This weekend, Hanukkah menorahs are getting lit all across town, including the huge one in Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza, kids can make dreidels at CMOM, enjoy a chocolate-themed Hanukkah celebration at the South Street Seaport, and attend a teddy bear rave at Emanu-El Downtown.

Sinterklaas entertains tots at Brooklyn's Lott House, PaleyLand's weekend festivities include cuddles with Snoopy, and you can pose for FREE Santa photos at City Point! Holiday shows abound, too, with White Gold making its debut in Midtown and a modern take on Sleeping Beauty playing downtown.

If all that's not enough to get you in the holiday spirit, we've also got 53 completely FREE holiday events to tackle, too.

More Things To Do in New York City this Week with Kids

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Chabad of Park Slope lights the 32-foot-tall menorah in Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza. Photo
Chabad of Park Slope lights the 32-foot-tall menorah in Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza. Photo

Best Things To Do in NYC this Weekend with Kids

The Largest Menorah Lighting: Brooklyn

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn–FREE
Thursday, December 7-Thursday, December 14
Chabad of Park Slope hosts the 32-foot "Largest Menorah" in Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza. There's a kick off concert on Thursday, December 7, and each subsequent night of Hanukkah is celebrated with music, latkes, and gifts.  READ MORE

Menorah Lighting at Hudson Yards

Midtown West–FREE
Thursday, December 7-Friday, December 15
Visit the Public Square and Gardens in Hudson Yards for a menorah lighting, then snag eight days of special offers from participating shops.    READ MORE

White Gold

Midtown West
Opens Friday, December 8
Savor Cambodia’s artistic heritage with a circus celebrating healing, and joy…and rice, known throughout Southeast Asia as White Gold. Hypnotic dance, mesmerizing music, and dramatic live painting mix with juggling, tumbling, teeterboard, and other circus arts dating back 12,000 years. READ MORE

Hendrick I. Lott House Tree Lighting

Marine Park, Brooklyn–FREE
Friday, December 8
Along with the lighting of the tree, the historic Dutch-American farmhouse welcomes families to meet Sinterklaas. Children can sit with the Dutch version of Santa Claus to share their holiday wishes and pose for photos. READ MORE

Hanukkah at CMOM

Upper West Side
Friday, December 8-Sunday, December 10
Celebrate the start of Hanukkah by learning the origins of the dreidel game and its importance as it was used to protect freedom. Discover the songs and story books the game has inspired. READ MORE

Hasbro & Amazon Family Pop-Up

High Line–FREE
Friday, December 8-Sunday, December 10
Hasbro teams up with Amazon to present New Yorkers with a free pop-up event that includes fun-filled holiday-themed activities, photo opportunities, product displays, and more.    READ MORE

20th Annual Christmas Show

St. George, Staten Island
Friday, December 8-Sunday, December 10
Featuring an all-volunteer cast of over 100 performers, this annual Staten Island Christmas Show features an excerpt from The Nutcracker, and the fabulous Richmondettes, who are comprised of superstars from various dance companies across Staten Island. READ MORE

PaleyLand Holiday Weekend: Meet Santa, Snoopy, and More!

Midtown West
Saturday, December 9
Step into the happy hullabaloo of PaleyLand and enter a Peanuts paradise! Capture a picture-perfect moment with Snoopy and scoop up a FREE Snoopy keepsake (while supplies last). Then cozy up for an exclusive screening of the heartwarming new Snoopy holiday special, Happiness Is Holiday Traditions, and craft Snoopy-themed masterpieces at the arts and crafts station.  READ MORE

Emanu-El Downtown: Teddy Bear Rave this Hanukkah

Chelsea
Saturday, December 9
Get squishy, cuddly, and ready to let loose at Emmanuel Downtown's Teddy Bear Rave to celebrate Hanukkah. Spin like a dreidel on the dance floor and let all the energy out! The afternoon includes awesome crafting for Hanukkah, latkes, a doughnut robot, and more. READ MORE

Holiday Wreath Making

Harlem–FREE
Saturday, December 9
Learn how to create your own natural holiday wreath for indoors or outdoors. All supplies are provided, along with natural pine cones and ribbon to decorate your own handmade, festive wreath. Bring your favorite decorations to add as well! READ MORE

BRIC’s Winter Wonderland

Fort Greene, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, December 9
BRIC House unveils a wintry realm brimming with family fun, where guests can craft winter-themed cookies, embark on a festive scavenger hunt bursting with snowy surprises, and move to the electrifying beats of teen DJ Annie Red.  READ MORE

Coca-Cola Winter Wonderland at the Apollo

Harlem–FREE
Saturday, December 9
Under the twinkling lights of its famous marquee, The Apollo Theater and Coca-Cola invite families to stop by for holiday-themed activities, including picture taking with Santa Claus and amazing performances from local choirs. READ MORE

Holiday Family Event with Santa & Ice Skating Rink

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Saturday, December 9
Hit the rink and skate around with Santa at the Park Slope Armory Y.  READ MORE

Holiday Hornucopia

Park Slope, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, December 9
Head to Old Stone House for a program of original arrangements highlighted by a family-friendly sing-along. READ MORE

Chickenshed Players Presents Jack

Lower East Side
Saturday, December 9-Sunday, December 10
Chickenshed Players presents Jack;  an updated, high-tech version of the Jack and the Beanstalk story.   READ MORE

Photos with Santa at City Point Holiday Hub

Downtown Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, December 9 and Saturday, December 16
Holiday Portraits with Santa are a snap as City Point's in-house shutterbug photographs kids with Santa in front of an Instagram-ready backdrop. Each family receives one free digital print with the option to purchase additional photos and holiday card packages. READ MORE

Winter Family Fair

Midtown East
Sunday, December 10
Celebrate the holiday season with The Morgan’s annual display of the original manuscript of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and enjoy crafts and activities themed to The Morgan's current exhibitions. READ MORE

Hanukkah Children's Carnival

Flatbush, Brooklyn
Sunday, December 10
The Hanukkah Children's Carnival features game booths, crafts, cotton candy, doughnut decorating, face painting, and a spectacular juggling and fire show.  READ MORE

Ice Menorah Lighting at Industry City

Industry City, Brooklyn–FREE
Sunday, December 10
Chabad of Sunset Park invites families to celebrate Hanukkah at the Industry City ice rink. Skating is offered at a special discounted rate. Holiday foods, games, and activities are provided. READ MORE

Hanukkah Festival: Bring in the Light

Upper East Side
Sunday, December 10
92Y's annual celebration is bursting with crafts, entertainment, make-your-own holiday treats, a live Hanukkah Game Show, a special Hanukkah Israeli folk dance performance, opportunities to give back, and more. READ MORE

The Rock and Roll Playhouse Presents the Music of Taylor Swift for Kids

Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Sunday, December 10
Kids can rock out to the music of Taylor Swift at the Brooklyn Bowl's Rock and Roll Playhouse. READ MORE

Chocolate Hanukkah

South Street Seaport–FREE
Sunday, December 10
Light the menorah and celebrate Hanukkah with crafts for kids and goodies for all. READ MORE

Menorah Lighting in Park Slope

Park Slope, Brooklyn–FREE
Sunday, December 10
Chabad Park Slope lights a big outdoor menorah on the corner of 3rd Street and Fifth Avenue. Stop by for doughnut decorating, giant games, music, and more,  READ MORE

50th Annual Merry Tuba Christmas at Rockefeller Center

Midtown West–FREE
Sunday, December 10
Hundreds of tenor and bass tuba players congregate at The Rink at Rockefeller Center to play Christmas carols and other crowd favorites. READ MORE

Hanukkah Celebration 2023

Park Slope, Brooklyn
Sunday, December 10
The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music partners with The Neighborhood: An Urban Center for Jewish Life for this year's annual Hanukkah party, featuring klezmer music, Hanukkah karaoke, latkes, and more. READ MORE

ElfCon 2023 Hot Cocoa Crawl

Union Square
Sunday, December 10
Have fun, drink hot cocoa, and raise money for charity. Oh, and dress like an elf, please! ElfCon welcomes all children and families (and adults too!) with holiday joy to roam NYC on a hot cocoa crawl while dressed as elves. The charity event has donated $5,000 combined to The Trevor Project and the Making Headway Foundation. READ MORE

Holiday Hub at City Point

Downtown Brooklyn–FREE
Weekends through Sunday, December 17
Mommy Poppins and Brooklyn Bridge Parents host three weekends of holiday happenings that include Santa portraits, menorah making, cookie decorating, holiday crafts, elf selfies, and more. READ MORE

Sleeping Beauty

Lower East Side
Select dates through Sunday, December 24
The Abrons Arts Center presents this new take on the classic. This is the most woke Sleeping Beauty you'll ever see, with the princess and her pals defeating Evil Queen Karen with 40 pies in the face! This over-the-top, vaudevillian version of the fairy tale is a crowd-pleaser. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Industry City Courtyard
Brooklyn Conservatory of Music