To help you plan your busy weekend, we have partnered with Mommy Poppins, the NO COST online resource curating the best things to do for kids and families in NYC. Each week they will provide us with their top weekend picks for events and activities in New York City.
This weekend officially kicks off the holiday season and there are plenty of ways for families to get into the spirit (besides hitting a Black Friday sale). The New York Botanical Garden’s beautiful Holiday Train Show is up and running, Santa is setting up shop at Macy’s and other spots starting on Friday, and the big department stores have all unveiled their over-the-top holiday windows.
All Weekend:
Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square – Midtown West
Santa Claus flies in to the famed department store on the heels of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Macy’s mounts an entire North Pole village with live elves, an enchanted forest featuring animatronic toys and a train display. Even if you do end up on a long line, there’s so much to gawk at the kids don’t mind the wait (much). And the lines tend to be shorter the earlier you go in the season. Friday-Sunday. Admission is free; photo packages are $20-$60
Jim Henson’s Dinosaur Train—Live – Greenwich Village
PBS Kids’ popular series hits the stage in this family musical sure to wow preschool paleontologists. The show boasts some top-notch behind-the-scenes talent, notably director and cowriter John Tartaglia (of ImaginOcean, Shrek the Musical and Johnny and the Sprites fame). Plus the hybrid puppet costume characters and full-size replica of the Dinosaur Train sound pretty impressive. Friday-Sunday only. $22-$49 but you can save 25% on tickets with this Mommy Poppins discount code
Saturday
The Red Balloon & White Mane – Fort Greene
Head to BAM for a pair of French director Albert Lamorisse’s famous shorts for kids: the enchanting fantasy The Red Balloon and the award-winning fable White Mane. $9 for adults, $7 for children under age 13
Holiday Tree Lighting – Park Slope
Celebrate the holidays and Small Business Saturday by watching the tree light up at local cafe S’Nice. Families can also hang with Santa; catch performances by Puppetry Arts, Brooklyn family band Rolie Polie Guacamole and the Middle School 51 chorus; and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and candy canes.
Sunday
Winter on a Flatbush Farm – Prospect Heights
Find out how 19th-century NYC families prepared for winter at Prospect Park‘s Lefferts Historic House. Kids can try quilting and spinning, enjoy period treats made on an open hearth, and get up close and personal with Old Saint Nick, who’ll pop by to say hello (make that, ho-ho-ho). $3 suggested donation
Visit Mommy Poppins to find more events, activities and things to do with your kids this weekend.
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