# 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-29
- 4 places’ holiday hours; 15 dated outings
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/new-york-city/christmas-break/
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/new-york-city/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/new-york-city/llms.txt

## Open or closed: Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1

- **American Museum of Natural History**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day Dec 24: open; Dec 25: closed; New Year’s Day Open 10am–5:30pm. Their page says: “Open daily 10am–5:30pm; closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day” Source: https://www.amnh.org/plan-your-visit/hours (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Bronx Zoo**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day Dec 24: open; Dec 25: closed; New Year’s Day Closed on New Year’s Day. Their 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” Source: https://bronxzoo.com/hours (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Intrepid Museum**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day Dec 24: open; Dec 25: closed; New Year’s Day Open 10am–5pm. Their page says: “Daily and holidays 10am–5pm, last entry 4pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day” Source: https://www.intrepidmuseum.org/plan-your-visit (checked 2026-10-29)
- **New York Hall of Science**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day Dec 24: open 10am–5pm (special winter-break opening); New Year’s Day Open 10am–5pm (winter break, Dec 28–Jan 1). Their page says: “Wed–Sun 10am–5pm, last entry 4pm; also open Thu Dec 24 and Mon Dec 28–Fri Jan 1 for winter break” Source: https://nysci.org/visit (checked 2026-10-29)

## Christmas Eve

- **Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square** at Macy’s Herald Square, 8th floor, 151 W. 34th St., New York, NY 10001. 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. 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: https://www.macys.com/s/holiday-celebrations/nyc-santaland/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Breakfast with Santa at Stella 34 Trattoria** at 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. 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: https://www.stella34.com/breakfast-with-santa (checked 2026-10-29)

## Between Christmas and New Year’s (Dec 26–30)

- **Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights** at 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. 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: https://bronxzoo.com/holiday-lights (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Holiday Train Show at NYBG** at 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. 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: https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show-2026/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting** at Rockefeller Center, Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY. When: Dec 2, 2026; tree up through mid-January. Time: Lighting 7–10pm. Price: Free to see from the plaza. 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: https://www.rockefellercenter.com/holidays/rockefeller-center-christmas-tree/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- **The Rink at Bank of America Winter Village, Bryant Park** at Bryant Park, Between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues, New York, NY 10018. When: Oct 28 – Feb 28. Price: Free admission. 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: https://bryantpark.org/activities/the-rink (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Wollman Rink** at Central Park, 830 5th Ave, New York, NY 10065. When: Oct 28 – Mar 16. 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. Free community days Oct 31–Nov 1. Everyone signs a waiver; no re-entry. Official page: https://wollmanrinknyc.com/plan/ (checked 2026-10-29)

## New Year’s Eve and Day

- **Countdown to 12! at the Long Island Children’s Museum** at Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, NY 11530. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 10am–5pm; three ball drops. Price: $25 adults and kids; $23 ages 65 and up. Extended hours with a confetti bag for each kid, a dance party and themed crafts. Official page: https://www.licm.org/events/countdown-to-12/ (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Noon Year's Eve Rave at Hackensack's Johnson Free Public Library** at Johnson Free Public Library, Auditorium, 274 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–noon. Price: Free; registration required, opens Dec 1 at 9am. 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: https://bccls.libcal.com/event/16966517 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Noon Year's Eve Party at Englewood Public Library** at Englewood Public Library, Children's Room, Englewood, NJ. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11:15am–noon. Price: Free; registration required, opens Dec 17 at 11:15am. 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: https://bccls.libcal.com/event/17408997 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Noon Year's Eve Party at Nutley Free Public Library** at Nutley Free Public Library, Children's Room, Nutley, NJ. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–noon; ball drop at noon. Price: Free; no registration. Music, dancing and a craft for all ages before the noon ball drop. Dressing up is encouraged. Official page: https://bccls.libcal.com/event/17377735 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Noon Year's Eve Celebration at Summit Library** at Summit Free Public Library, Liss Meeting Room, Summit, NJ. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–12:30pm. Price: Free; registration required. Yosi plays a family concert and leads the count down to noon. If you register siblings with one email, use the Add Guest button so each child gets a spot. Official page: https://summitlibrary.libcal.com/event/17798604 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights** at 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. 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: https://bronxzoo.com/holiday-lights (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Holiday Train Show at NYBG** at 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. 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: https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show-2026/ (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting** at Rockefeller Center, Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY. When: Dec 2, 2026; tree up through mid-January. Time: Lighting 7–10pm. Price: Free to see from the plaza. 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: https://www.rockefellercenter.com/holidays/rockefeller-center-christmas-tree/ (checked 2026-10-28)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### What’s open on Christmas Day in New York City with kids?
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.

### What can we do with kids on Christmas Eve in New York City?
On the calendar: Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square and Breakfast with Santa at Stella 34 Trattoria.

### What’s open on New Year’s Day in New York City?
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)).

### What can we do with kids on New Year’s Day in New York City?
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.

### What is there to do with kids between Christmas and New Year’s in New York City?
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.

### How do you check these holiday hours?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).