You don’t need us to tell you that New York City is magic (and mayhem) over the holidays, and catching all the yuletide buzz around town is definitely worth it with kiddos. Here’s where to go to make the most of mistletoe madness in NYC.
A winter wonderland
Sugarplums and sparkle await at Pier 15 once again at Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Watermark, presented by the experience collating platform, Bucket Listers. There you’ll find 10,000 square feet of lights, over-the-top decor and delights, including a candy cane tunnel, and 12 heated glass houses with cinematic views of Brooklyn.
Santa will be bringing the ho-ho-ho seven days a week, and adults can extend their patience with spiked hot chocolate and cider or jumbo cocktails. Satiate a sweet tooth by roasting s’mores, or dig into a winter kale and squash salad in the cocktail chalet. Guests who purchase seating in glass houses (from $55 per person, or the chalet, from $50) receive an entrée as part of their ticketed experience. Or, simply purchase food and drinks from the outdoor bar and food station.
78 South St., Pier 15; until Dec. 31; $17
Light fantastic
Everyone has been yapping about this whole Hudson Yards thing, so now is the time to actually go. Shine Bright is the sixth annual lighting display, boasting some 2 million twinkling links, 725 evergreen trees and a 32-foot hot air balloon centerpiece.
Expect six pop-up Toy Soldiers performances, Santa and his sleigh and the Hanukkah menorah lighting with the Chabad of Midtown on Dec. 15. Stroll around with little ones, ideally with a hot chocolate from the La Maison du Chocolat pop-up.
Later, walk to the Edge for Pinkmas at Edge, ($45 adults, $40 children, $43 seniors) where the Museum of Ice Cream is taking over the indoor sky deck to, well, deck it out in lights and bold hues, complete with life-size interactive ice cream pints, a banana jungle exhibit, ice cream delights and more (until Jan. 5).
20 Hudson Yards; main events run until Jan. 7; free.
Songs of the season
Bask in the blizzard of holiday cheer that is Little Maestros, an award-winning early childhood music program. Their Holiday Celebration and Sing-A-Long features performers with Broadway-worthy chops who run the shows, complete with instruments, puppets, interactive storytelling and classic holiday songs.
Chiotes Hall, 337 E. 74th St. and multiple locations citywide; Runs Dec. 15 to 19, from $40 per class.
Join the choir
This year, St. John the Divine’s annual Christmas concert, presented by the combined Cathedral Choirs and Orchestra, will feature Bach’s Magnificat in D Major, as well as Handel’s Organ Concerto in B Flat performed by Daniel Ficarri. You can also look forward to works by composers Alison Willis, Emily Hazrati and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor while singing along to beloved Christmas carols.
1047 Amsterdam Ave.; Dec. 13, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. From $55 per person.
Track this down
All aboard for Grand Central Terminal’s annual holiday fair, a bustling hub for 35 artisan vendors and small businesses including the viral Inciardi Mini-Print Vending Machine, offering 30-plus new prints, and an Uncommon Goods pop-up.
The Grand Central Gift Shop and Holiday Train Show is pretty neat too.
Grab a bite at the Grand Central Oyster Bar or snag a coveted balcony booth overlooking the main terminal at newcomer Palladino’s Steak & Seafood, where the sundae is a must.
89 E. 42nd St; through Dec. 24. Free.
Christmas in the city
What’s the best way to experience NYC holiday magic? By foot. Skip the sleigh and venture around town with Empire Tours’ two-hour NYC Christmas holiday tour that will make you fall in love with your hometown all over again.
Animated guides will share stories of the city’s holiday history, and you’ll indulge in treats from Myzel Chocolates before ending up at Bryant Park Winter Village.
Starts at 764 Doris C Freedman Plaza. Runs until Jan. 4. Cost is $35 for adults, $29 for children.
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