Family events in New York City in December 2026

Wednesday, December 2, 2026

• Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

  Rockefeller Center, Midtown, Manhattan · Free
  Subway: B/D/F/M to 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr

  The tree lighting ceremony is set for December 2, with the tree staying lit into early January. Rockefeller Center had not yet posted viewing details or the time when we checked. Organizer

Thursday, December 3, 2026

• Holiday Lights Sensory Inclusive Night

  Bronx Zoo, Fordham, The Bronx
  Subway: 2/5 to West Farms Sq-E Tremont Av

  A Holiday Lights night set up for sensory-inclusive visits, with advance ticket reservations required. Organizer

Saturday, December 5, 2026

• Christmas in Historic Richmond Town

  Historic Richmond Town, Richmond Town, Staten Island

  A one weekend only holiday celebration at the living history village, with demonstrations, crafts, treats, a horse drawn carriage and a visit from Santa. Check the museum for hours and prices. Organizer

• Intrepid Sleepover

  6pm, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan
  Subway: A/C/E to 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal, then the M42 bus west

  An overnight sleepover aboard the Intrepid, 6pm to 8am the next morning. Paid, and the museum's calendar lists it as a ticketed program. Organizer

Monday, December 7, 2026

• Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

  11am, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan
  Subway: A/C/E to 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal, then the M42 bus west

  A remembrance observance on the flight deck of the Intrepid, one hour long. Organizer

Thursday, December 10, 2026

• I'mPossible Holiday Wonders

  BAM Brooklyn Academy of Music, Fort Greene, Brooklyn
  Subway: 2/3/4/5/B/D/N/Q/R/W to Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr

  A holiday circus show from a company of multi-abled artists. Runs December 10 to 13. Organizer

Saturday, December 12, 2026

• Tilt! Sensory-Friendly Performance

  5pm, New Victory Theater, Midtown, Manhattan
  Subway: A/C/E, 1/2/3, N/Q/R/W, S or 7 to Times Sq-42 St

  A sensory-friendly performance of Tilt! An '80s Circus Thrill Ride. Organizer

Sunday, December 13, 2026

• Free Second Sunday

  Whitney Museum of American Art, Meatpacking District, Manhattan · Free
  Subway: A/C/E to 14 St or L to 8 Av

  Admission to the whole museum is free on the second Sunday of the month, and ages 25 and under are always free. Family programming on these days is not listed on the pages we checked. Organizer

Saturday, December 19, 2026

• Best of BAMkids Film Festival, Ages 9 and Up

  BAM Brooklyn Academy of Music, Fort Greene, Brooklyn
  Subway: 2/3/4/5/B/D/N/Q/R/W to Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr

  Films about brave characters standing out, chosen for older kids. Organizer

Thursday, December 31, 2026

• Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop

  Times Square, Theater District, Manhattan · Free
  Subway: N/Q/R/W/S/1/2/3/7 to Times Sq-42 St

  The annual ball drop with live music and celebrity hosts. It is a very long, cold and crowded night on the street, so it suits older children and a plan for restrooms. Organizer