There’s nothing more magical than the holiday season in the Big Apple, and nothing more stressful than planning out the fun. But don’t worry — let KidPass do all the work for you, so you can focus on the FUN! From chocolate Christmas trees to make your own dreidels to an improv Santa, we’ve got a holy jolly list of activities for you and your fam this season.
A Christmas Carol the Musical & Pre-Show Family Workshop
December 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th, 10 AM / Greenwich Village / 3 – 17 years old
Your family can attend a pre-show workshop to meet and interact with members of the cast and creative team. Your kiddos will get to see first-hand how the theater brings Dickens’ novel to life onstage and are invited up onto the stage to create an art project that they can keep as a souvenir. After going behind the scenes, grab a seat and watch this classic tale live on stage!
Breakfast with Santa at Improv 4 Kids
December 8th, 9th, 15th, & 22nd, 10 AM / Hell’s Kitchen / 24 months – 17 years old
Sure, introducing your little ones to Santa can be hilarious, but this is an intentionally funny way to meet the big guy in red! Admission includes an interactive musical comedy show (we hear the elves have an amazing sense of humor!), continental breakfast, and of course, pictures with Santa.
Challah Tots at Town & Village Synagogue
December 7th, 14th, & 25th, 10 AM / East Village / 2 months – 4 years old
Pop into this baking class where your little ones can whip up their own challah! Along with baking, the class also features music, singing with the cantor, and a Shabbat story. And at the end of class, take home freshly baked challah!
Christmas Tree Making at Chocolate Works
December 18th & 19th, hourly from 11 AM to 4 PM / Upper West Side / 3 – 12 years old
You’ve decorated the tree and strung the lights, so what’s left? How about decorating some chocolate! Little chocolatiers will learn how to mold, build, and decorate their own CHOCOLATE Christmas tree for the holidays! With assortments of candy and chocolate icing, you won’t want to leave.
Cookie Decorating at Agata & Valentina
December 11th & 18th, 4 PM / Upper East Side / 3 – 12 years old
With the holidays right around the corner, junior chefs are invited to decorate some festive holiday-themed cookies! They will learn how to ice their own cookies and get to choose from a variety of fun toppings and decorations. After this fun-filled class, kids will get to take home their delicious, hand-decorated cookies!
FunikiJam’s Holiday Beat: Family Musical
December 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th, 11 AM / Midtown West / Birth – 17 years old
Holiday traditions in New York are as diverse as its residents, but only one holiday show gives audiences the chance to see so many celebrations in one place. Part live concert and part stage show, FunikiJam is NYC’s only Off-Broadway show this season to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Chinese New Year, and Shichigosan – for kids!
Gingerbread Ornaments at Sugarsuckle Studio
December 8th, 3 PM / Hoboken / 24 months – 7 years old
This is a fun AND edible arts and crafts workshop where your little ones can create a magical set of hanging tree ornaments. Each participant will receive a set of freshly baked gingerbread cookies to decorate. The decorated cookies will be packed in a box and taken home to display on your tree or to share with friends and family.
Holiday Craft Workshops at the Craft Studio
December 7th, 8th, 9th, & 15th, various times / Tribeca / Upper East Side / 3 – 17 years old
Whether your kiddos want to make a dreidel, Christmas ornaments, holiday gift bags, or delicious cookies, this art studio has got you covered throughout the holiday season with speciality workshops sure to keep every little elf busy.
Ice Skating at Aviator Sports and Events Center
Weekdays, 11 AM / Marine Park / 24 months – 11 years old
Home to two NHL-sized ice rinks, your kids will have plenty of room to find their balance. This arena also has a tasty food court to enjoy a snack after working up an appetite on the ice!
Ice Skating at Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
Daily, various times / Chelsea / 3 – 17 years old
Whether you’re a skating pro or just want to go for some fun, Chelsea Piers has twin rinks to fit every ability. Not to mention, while you and your kids are gliding along, you can also enjoy a gorgeous view of the Hudson River.
Learn to Skate USA Group Class at Gregory and Petukhov Skating
December 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, & 23rd, various times / Battery Park City / 24 months – 17 years old
In this 30 minute group class, you and your little skaters can learn to glide, cut, twist, and turn on the ice together! Founded by Olympian ice skaters, these classes are the real deal! Each class includes 30 minutes of free skating time to show off your new moves.
Meet and Greet Santa at ACD Play Space
December 16th, 10 AM / Astoria / 6 months – 8 years old
Santa Claus himself will be meeting and greeting all good little girls and boys at this play space. And along with snapping a pic with Saint Nick, there will be lots of other festive fun! Little elves can get their faces painted, sing and dance to music, play games, and enjoy delicious snacks.
Mozarts for Munchkins with Holiday Favorites!
December 15th, 4:30 PM, Cobble Hill / December 13th, 10:30 AM, Greenwich Village / December 8th, 4 PM, Murray Hill / December 6th, 10:30 AM, Upper West Side / Birth – 17 years old
These wildly popular classes get a seasonal twist with an addition of classic holiday songs. Children of all ages are welcome to roll, crawl, squeal, and dance to their hearts’ content, while parents, grandparents, and caregivers can sit back and unwind. From Bach to Bernstein, Beethoven to Barber, Mozart for Munchkins features outstanding works performed by exceptional musicians.
Music & Movement Holiday Spectacular at Juliette & Ella’s Play Date
December 6th, 8th, 15th, 20th, 22nd, & 24th, various times / Upper East Side / Upper West Side / 6 months – 3 years old
This class is 45-minutes of singing, dancing, and festive fun! Expect lots of surprises for you little one including bubbles, puppets, balls, and a parachute at this special holiday version of an already super popular class.
Pop-Up: Make a Sock Snowman at Recess D.U.M.B.O.
December 10th, 10 AM / Dumbo / 24 months – 7 years old
Want to build a snowman? Whether there’s snow outside or not, your little one will get their chance to build their very own Olaf at this workshop. Using socks, buttons, and ribbons, kids will make an adorable snowman, a great holiday gift certain to melt hearts!