December 2026New York City · The Big Apple

December in New York City with little kids.

13 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around New York City in December 2026, sorted by week. Each listing links to its own page and to the organizer’s page, and we add more as new dates are posted.

13 listings · 8 free

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

2 listings

Dec 1 to Dec 6

1 listing

Dec 7 to Dec 13

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

5 listings

Dec 28 to Dec 31

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

5 listings

Open for weeks at a time

Light displays, exhibits and other runs that last longer than a week. Check each page for the nights or days they’re closed.

Dec1to 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

Santa
When
Nov 27 to Dec 24
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
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 24

Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square

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

SantaFree
When
Nov 27 to Dec 24
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
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

Guides

More December guides for NYC

Santa visits in NYCBreakfasts, photos and Santa trainsChristmas lights in NYCDrive-thru and walk-through displaysEvery year in NYCAnnual events by month, with last year’s dates

Keep planning

More for little kids in NYC

November: 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 hoursChristmas break in NYCWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1This week in NYCDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

December in NYC: the FAQ

13 dated listings so far, including Dumbo Holiday Tree Lighting (Dec 3), Sunday with Santa at Our Lady of the Snow (Dec 6), Washington Square Tree Lighting (Dec 8) and Countdown to 12! at the Long Island Children’s Museum (Dec 31). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.

6 start this December: Sunday with Santa at Our Lady of the Snow (Dec 6), Holiday Train Show at NYBG (Nov 14 to Jan 10), Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights (Nov 21 to Jan 3), Breakfast with Santa at Stella 34 Trattoria (Nov 27 to Dec 24) and Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square (Nov 27 to Dec 24), plus 1 more below.

Yes, at the same address. After Dec 31, 2026 it switches to December 2027, starting with the events that come back every year.

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 30, 2026, and we recheck them every Monday and Thursday. How we choose and check.

The checked list, every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in NYC that weekend.

New York City skyline