Christmas break 2026New York City · The Big Apple

Christmas break with kids in New York City, 2026.

What to do with kids in New York City over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by four museums, zoos and play places: four say they’re open on Christmas Day and four on New Year’s Day. Plus seven dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.

The quick answersChecked
Open on Christmas Day?American Museum of Natural History, Bronx Zoo and 2 more.4 of 4 openAnything on Christmas Eve?2 dated outings.2 outingsDec 26–30?Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights and 4 more.5 runningNew Year’s Day?Open: American Museum of Natural History, Bronx Zoo.4 open

Last checked · 4 places checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

Dec 24 · Dec 25 · Jan 1

What’s open over Christmas in NYC

Holiday hours from each place’s own page, side by side. Many are standing rules (“closed Christmas Day”) that hold year to year, but a quick check that morning is worth it.

PlaceDec 24Dec 25Jan 1Source
American Museum of Natural HistoryTheir page says: “Open daily 10am–5:30pm; closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day”Christmas EveNot postedChristmas DayOpenDec 24: open; Dec 25: closedNew Year’s DayOpenOpen 10am–5:30pmHours page ↗ · Oct 29
Bronx ZooTheir page says: “Nov 1–March: daily 10am–4:30pm, last entry 45 minutes before closing; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and MLK Day”Christmas EveNot postedChristmas DayOpenDec 24: open; Dec 25: closedNew Year’s DayOpenClosed on New Year’s DayHours page ↗ · Oct 29
Intrepid MuseumTheir page says: “Daily and holidays 10am–5pm, last entry 4pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day”Christmas EveNot postedChristmas DayOpenDec 24: open; Dec 25: closedNew Year’s DayOpenOpen 10am–5pmHours page ↗ · Oct 29
New York Hall of ScienceTheir page says: “Wed–Sun 10am–5pm, last entry 4pm; also open Thu Dec 24 and Mon Dec 28–Fri Jan 1 for winter break”Christmas EveNot postedChristmas DayOpenDec 24: open 10am–5pm (special winter-break opening)New Year’s DayOpenOpen 10am–5pm (winter break, Dec 28–Jan 1)Hours page ↗ · Oct 29

“Not posted” means the place’s own page doesn’t say. Call or check the morning of.

Day by day

The break, one day at a time

Pick a day to see what’s on. Many places close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31, so check each card’s times.

Christmas Eve

Thursday, Dec 24. Many places close early, so check each card’s times.
Nov27to Dec 24

Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square

Macy’s Herald Square, 8th floor · 151 W. 34th St., New York, NY 10001

Free
When
Nov 27 – Dec 24, 2026
Time
Book a time; reservations open daily at 6:30am, 7 days ahead
Price
Free with a reservation; photo packages from $44.99; Premium Experience $250 per group

Good to know: A new Santaland this year, with a North Star Express ride to the North Pole before you meet Santa. Free reservations open Nov 20; waits after check-in run 30 to 90 minutes. Dec 2 and Dec 9 are sensory-friendly days.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov27to Dec 24

Breakfast with Santa at Stella 34 Trattoria

Stella 34 Trattoria, Macy’s Herald Square (6th floor) · Macy’s Herald Square, enter at 35th Street & Broadway, New York, NY

When
Nov 27–29 and Dec 4–6, 11–24, 2026
Time
10am on Nov 27 and Dec 4, 11, 14–18, 21–22; 8:30 or 10:30am on Nov 28–29 and Dec 5–6, 12–13, 19–20, 23–24
Price
From $65 kids, $85 adults, plus 8.875% tax and 20% gratuity; varies by date and seating

Good to know: Family-style breakfast looking out at the Empire State Building, carolers, a visit with Santa and elves, and a family photo with Santa. Reservations can’t be refunded, so arrive on time.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

The days in between

Saturday, Dec 26 to Wednesday, Dec 30. Light displays and holiday rinks still running.
Nov21to Jan 3

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights

Bronx Zoo · 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460

When
Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Time
Select evenings; timed tickets
Price
See the ticket page

Good to know: A walk through the zoo lit up for the holidays. There’s a sensory-inclusive night; check the event page for the date.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov14to Jan 10

Holiday Train Show at NYBG

New York Botanical Garden · 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY

When
Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027
Time
Garden hours; evening hours on select nights
Price
Timed tickets; see the event page

Good to know: Model trains run past New York landmarks built from bark, leaves and other plant parts. Evening hours run 5–8pm on Nov 27–29 and select December dates.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec2to Jan 15

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

Rockefeller Center · Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY

Free
When
Dec 2, 2026; tree up through mid-January
Time
Lighting 7–10pm
Price
Free to see from the plaza

Good to know: This year’s 76-foot Norway spruce comes from West Edmeston, New York, and gets more than 50,000 lights. The lighting night is packed, so with small kids, visit on a weekday morning after Dec 2.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Oct28to Feb 28

The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village, Bryant Park

Bryant Park · Between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues, New York, NY 10018

Free
Time
Not listed
Price
Free admission

Good to know: Open daily, weather permitting. Reserve a time slot online. Bags aren’t allowed on the ice; shoe check is free and bag check is $6.24 an item.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Oct28to Mar 16

Wollman Rink

Central Park · 830 5th Ave, New York, NY 10065

Time
Mon–Tue 10am–2:30pm; Wed–Thu and Sun 10am–9pm; Fri–Sat 10am–10pm
Price
Kids 4–12 $12; 3 and under free (each child admits one free non-skating chaperone); adults $16 off-peak, $28 peak, $40 prime

Good to know: Free community days Oct 31–Nov 1. Everyone signs a waiver; no re-entry.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

New Year’s Eve

Thursday, Dec 31. Noon countdowns and early celebrations (the full list is on our Noon Year’s Eve page).
Dec31Thu

Noon Year's Eve Rave at Hackensack's Johnson Free Public Library

Johnson Free Public Library, Auditorium, 274 Main Street · Hackensack, NJ

Free
Time
11am–noon
Price
Free; registration required, opens Dec 1 at 9am

Good to know: The auditorium becomes a kid-size dance floor with sensory-friendly lights and kid techno for ages 6 and under. It wraps up with a countdown and a balloon drop at noon. Neon or glow clothing is encouraged.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec31Thu

Noon Year's Eve Party at Englewood Public Library

Englewood Public Library, Children's Room · Englewood, NJ

Free
Time
11:15am–noon
Price
Free; registration required, opens Dec 17 at 11:15am

Good to know: A short party for ages 4 to 8 that counts down to noon. Register each child separately, and arrive on time because late arrivals aren't admitted after 10 minutes.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

New Year’s Day

Friday, Jan 1.
Nov21to Jan 3

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights

Bronx Zoo · 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460

When
Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
Time
Select evenings; timed tickets
Price
See the ticket page

Good to know: A walk through the zoo lit up for the holidays. There’s a sensory-inclusive night; check the event page for the date.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov14to Jan 10

Holiday Train Show at NYBG

New York Botanical Garden · 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY

When
Nov 14, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027
Time
Garden hours; evening hours on select nights
Price
Timed tickets; see the event page

Good to know: Model trains run past New York landmarks built from bark, leaves and other plant parts. Evening hours run 5–8pm on Nov 27–29 and select December dates.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec2to Jan 15

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

Rockefeller Center · Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY

Free
When
Dec 2, 2026; tree up through mid-January
Time
Lighting 7–10pm
Price
Free to see from the plaza

Good to know: This year’s 76-foot Norway spruce comes from West Edmeston, New York, and gets more than 50,000 lights. The lighting night is packed, so with small kids, visit on a weekday morning after Dec 2.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

Open on New Year’s Day: American Museum of Natural History, Bronx Zoo, Intrepid Museum, New York Hall of Science.

Rainy-day backup

Indoor places to try

These don’t post holiday hours yet, so check before you go. More on our indoor play page.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Upper West Side

Holiday hours not posted
Official site ↗

Staten Island Children’s Museum

Snug Harbor, Staten Island

Holiday hours not posted
Official site ↗

Keep planning

More for little kids in NYC

November: things to do in NYCEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in NYCEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in NYCFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in NYCIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesIce skating in NYCHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in NYCParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in NYCKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in NYCParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in NYCPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in NYCBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in NYCChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursThis week in NYCDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Christmas break in New York City: the FAQ

American Museum of Natural History (Dec 24: open; Dec 25: closed), Bronx Zoo (Dec 24: open; Dec 25: closed), Intrepid Museum (Dec 24: open; Dec 25: closed), New York Hall of Science (Dec 24: open 10am–5pm (special winter-break opening)) post that they’re open on Christmas Day.

On the calendar: Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square and Breakfast with Santa at Stella 34 Trattoria.

American Museum of Natural History (Open 10am–5:30pm), Bronx Zoo (Closed on New Year’s Day), Intrepid Museum (Open 10am–5pm), New York Hall of Science (Open 10am–5pm (winter break, Dec 28–Jan 1)).

On the calendar for Jan 1: Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights, Holiday Train Show at NYBG and Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights, Holiday Train Show at NYBG, Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village, Bryant Park and Wollman Rink. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 29, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. How we choose and check.

Holiday plans every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in NYC, through the holidays.

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