EXPLORE · HOLIDAYS
Last updated: October 30, 2026
Celebrating the holidays in New York City can be magical. It can also be every New Yorker's nightmare, because we are built to avoid crowds of tourists. This guide mixes bucket-list ideas with the more local Brooklyn ones my family actually does, with 2026 dates and prices wherever they've been announced.
I post more ideas every week on Instagram at @katiekeatejohnson.
Quick overview
My Brooklyn short list for 2026:
Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, November 20 to January 3
Free Santa photos at City Point, likely December 5-6 and 12-13 (not officially posted yet, so verify closer to the date)
The giant menorah at Grand Army Plaza, likely nightly December 4 to 11 based on Hanukkah’s 2026 dates (not officially posted yet, so verify closer to the date)
The Brooklyn Nutcracker, December 12 to 20
Ice skating at LeFrak Center in Prospect Park, open from October 31
Jump to: Santa · Brunch with Santa · Hanukkah · Tree lightings · Shows · Holiday lights · Movie parties · Ice skating · Camps · FAQ
Where can kids see Santa in Brooklyn and NYC in 2026?
For free photos, my Brooklyn pick is City Point in Downtown Brooklyn, likely on the first two December weekends. Hudson Yards and Bryant Park are free too. Macy's is free but you need a reservation.
Free Santa photos
Santa Photo Studio at City Point
Downtown Brooklyn · Likely Dec 5-6 and 12-13, 11am to 3pm (not officially posted yet) · Free
First come, first served, with craft tables too. Arrive early, this one gets crowded.
Photos with Santa at Hudson Yards
Hudson Yards, Level 3 · Nov 27, then weekdays through Dec 23, 5 to 8pm · Free
Bring your own camera.
Santa's Corner at Bryant Park Winter Village
Midtown, behind Le Carrousel · Dec 14 to 18 · Free, no tickets
Wait in line for free photos, then walk the holiday shops.
Selfies with Santa at Brookfield Place
Battery Park City · 2026 dates not posted yet (last year Nov 28 to Dec 24) · Free last year
The schedule has gaps, so check before you go. You can walk around while you wait for your number.
Paid Santa visits
Santa Land at Atlantic Terminal Mall
Downtown Brooklyn · 2026 dates not posted yet (last year started Nov 30) · Packages from $5 last year
Family portraits and pet days too. Easy if you live nearby.
Macy's Santaland
Herald Square · Free reservations open Nov 20, released 7 days ahead · Free
Even with a reservation, expect a wait on weekends.
Kings Plaza Mall
Mill Basin · Nov 20 to Dec 24, closed Thanksgiving · Free visit, photo packages extra
The traditional mall Santa experience.
Paleyland at the Paley Center
Midtown · 2026 dates not posted yet · Santa photo was a $10 add-on to admission
Movie screenings and character pop-ups too. Kids under 12 were free last time.
Santa at Top of the Rock
Rockefeller Center · 2026 dates not posted yet · With admission
Combine Santa photos with a bucket-list view.
Bloomingdale's Santaland and Staten Island Mall
2026 dates not posted yet
Bloomingdale's has a festive display and a pricier photo package.
Where can you have brunch with Santa in 2026?
In Brooklyn, Chela in Park Slope is the one I'd book. In Manhattan, American Girl Place has four Santa brunches and Radio City has one big breakfast before the show.
Santa Brunch at Chela
Park Slope · 2026 dates not posted yet (last year Dec 14, 20 and 21) · Last year $40 adults, $25 kids, 2 and under free
Chela goes all out decorating for the holidays. Reservations sell out, so watch for dates.
Santa Brunch at American Girl Place
Midtown · Nov 29, Dec 6, 13 and 20, 8:45 to 10am · $55 per guest, ages 3 and up
I've eaten here before and the food is pretty good.
Santa's Breakfast Spectacular at Radio City
Midtown · Sun Nov 29, 11am breakfast, 1pm show
An expensive one, but it includes premium seats for the show. A 1pm showtime for kids is smart.
Very Merry Santa Brunch at the Marriott Marquis
Times Square · Dec 19 and 20
Face painting, crafts and photos with Santa. Not cheap, but there are mimosas.
Santa Fun Cruise
Manhattan waterfront · 2026 dates not posted yet (last year weekends from Nov 29)
Letters to Santa, hot chocolate and treats on board. Pricey, but memorable.
Where are the Hanukkah events for families in Brooklyn in 2026?
Hanukkah starts at sundown on Friday, December 4, 2026. The giant menorah at Grand Army Plaza will likely be lit every night from December 4 to 11.
Largest Menorah at Grand Army Plaza
Grand Army Plaza · Likely nightly Dec 4 to 11 (not officially posted yet) · Free
Go the first night for the full celebration, or any night after for the lighting.
Family Hanukkah at Kane Street Synagogue
Cobble Hill · 2026 dates not posted yet
A family fest and dreidel celebration.
Light It Up Brooklyn at Hannah Senesh
Carroll Gardens · 2026 date not posted yet (last year Sun Dec 14, 1:30 to 4pm)
An annual Hanukkah arts festival at the school.
When are the Brooklyn tree lightings in 2026?
None of the Brooklyn tree lightings have posted 2026 dates yet. Most land in the first two weeks of December, so here's what they did last year.
Dumbo Archway Tree Lighting
Dumbo · Last year Thu Dec 4, 4 to 7pm, lit at 5:30pm · Free
Hot chocolate and festivities before the lighting.
Fort Greene Park Tree Lighting
Fort Greene, Myrtle Ave and St. Edwards St · Last year Fri Dec 5, 5 to 6pm · Free
Grand Army Plaza Tree Lighting
Grand Army Plaza · Last year Mon Dec 8 · Free
Hosted by the Diocese of Brooklyn. The plaza looks so much better now that construction is done.
Brooklyn Heights Promenade Tree Lighting
Brooklyn Heights, Montague St entrance · Last year Wed Dec 17, 5:30pm · Free
What are the best holiday shows for kids in 2026?
The Brooklyn Nutcracker is the local pick, with four shows in mid December. For a bucket-list day, the Rockettes run through January 4.
The Brooklyn Nutcracker at Brooklyn Ballet
Downtown Brooklyn, 275 Jay St · Dec 12 at 7pm, Dec 13, 19 and 20 at 3pm
The classic reimagined with ballet, hip-hop and dance styles from around the world.
Tilt! at the New Victory Theater
Times Square · Dec 5 to Jan 3 · Ages 5 and up
An '80s-themed circus show. New Victory's holiday shows are always a good fit for kids.
The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center · Nov 27 to Jan 2, sensory-friendly show Jan 3
A bucket-list show, but a long one. Last year's one-hour family Saturday sold out early, so plan ahead.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Midtown · Nov 4 to Jan 4
Go early in the season for the best prices. We went on Veterans Day last year and paid $48 a ticket.
Where can you see holiday lights with kids?
Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden opens November 20 and is my favorite. The Bronx Zoo and NYBG are worth the trip too.
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Prospect Heights · Nov 20 to Jan 3, evenings · Adults $29 to $44, kids 3 to 11 $15 to $28, under 3 free
We went over Thanksgiving last year and it was phenomenal, with great music. A little tricky with a stroller, but my kids loved it.
Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo
Bronx · Select nights Nov 21 to Jan 3, from 4:30pm · Dated tickets
Holiday Train Show at NYBG
Bronx · Nov 14 to Jan 10
Where are the holiday movie parties?
Alamo Drafthouse Brooklyn
Downtown Brooklyn · 2026 dates not posted yet
Elf, Polar Express and Christmas Vacation movie parties sell out fast, so book as soon as they post.
Nitehawk Holiday Show Spectacular
Park Slope and Williamsburg · 2026 dates not posted yet
It's a Wonderful Life at IFC Center
West Village · 2026 dates not posted yet (last year Dec 5 to 25)
Where can you go ice skating in Brooklyn this winter?
LeFrak Center in Prospect Park opens October 31, Domino Park on November 9 and Roebling Rink on November 14. In Manhattan, Wollman Rink is less crowded and cheaper than Rockefeller Center.
LeFrak Center at Prospect Park
Prospect Park · Opens Oct 31, free Oct 31 and Nov 1 · 2026 rates not posted yet
Two big rinks for every ability, with skate helpers for kids. Watch for Skate with Santa sessions on December weekends.
Domino Park Rink
Williamsburg · Nov 9 to Feb 21 · NYC residents $13 weekdays, $17 weekends, rental $13
Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Dumbo · Nov 14 to Jan 31 · NYC residents $16 plus $8 rental, first two sessions free on opening day
Almost under the Brooklyn Bridge. Reserve the free opening-day sessions online.
The Rink at Brookfield Place
Battery Park City · Opens in November, date not posted · Last year $15 weekdays, $17 weekends
A friend's go-to. Real ice, outdoors and rarely crowded.
Wollman Rink in Central Park
Central Park · Oct 28 to Mar 16 · Adults from $16, kids 4 to 12 $12
The iconic NYC skate, and far less touristy than Rockefeller Center.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Midtown · Open now, closed Dec 1 and 2 · From about $22
Surge pricing by time slot, so plan accordingly.
Where can kids go to holiday camp or drop-off in Brooklyn?
NYC public schools are off December 24 to January 1. These are my go-to camps for those days, plus drop-off spots so you can get some holiday shopping done.
Holiday camps: Court 16, Gotham Gymnastics, Treasure Trunk Theater, Chelsea Piers, Creatively Wild and NY Kids Club. Most run almost every day of the break.
Drop-off for parents: CREA Date Night Drop Off on Friday and Saturday evenings in Industry City, My Gym parents' nights out, NY Kids Club Friday pajama parties, and the Chelsea Piers Brooklyn Field House movie night on the first Friday of the month (December 4 this year).
Good to know
Book early. Lightscape, Santa brunches and the Alamo movie parties sell out, especially on weekends.
Macy's Santaland reservations open November 20 and are released 7 days ahead.
School break: NYC public schools are off December 24, 2026 through January 1, 2027.
Free Santa photos are first come, first served. Arrive at opening.
Dates marked "not posted yet" haven't been announced for 2026. I'll update this guide as they come out.
Holiday FAQ
When is Hanukkah in 2026?
Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, December 4 and ends on Saturday, December 12. The menorah at Grand Army Plaza will likely be lit nightly from December 4 to 11, though it hasn’t been officially posted yet.
Where can kids see Santa for free in Brooklyn?
City Point in Downtown Brooklyn will likely have free Santa photos on December 5-6 and 12-13, 2026, from 11am to 3pm. It’s first come, first served, and the dates aren’t officially posted yet, so check before you go.
When does Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden open in 2026?
Lightscape runs from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Kids' tickets start at $15 and children under 3 are free.
Where can you go ice skating in Brooklyn?
LeFrak Center in Prospect Park opens October 31, Domino Park in Williamsburg on November 9, and Roebling Rink in Brooklyn Bridge Park on November 14, 2026.
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If you only do three things this season: Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden on a weeknight, the first night of Hanukkah at Grand Army Plaza on December 4, and a morning skate at LeFrak Center before the crowds.
Curious what it costs to live near your favorite holiday spots?
Love being a walk from Lightscape, the Grand Army Plaza menorah or the LeFrak rink? Tell me the spot and I'll send a custom report: what homes nearby actually sell and rent for, monthly carrying costs, and how fast they move. Real numbers, no sales pitch.
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