Hit one of the amazing beaches in NYC, by train, ferry, bike, or car. Photo by Sara Marentette

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See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo

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Make a splash at Coney Island when you need to beat the heat in NYC. Photo by author

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Enjoy the popular Movies With a View series at Brooklyn Bridge Park in July and August. Photo by Etienne Frossard

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Noshing on a funnel cake on the Coney Island boardwalk is a sweet ending to an epic day of summer fun.

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Coney Island's shores are easy to get to, and action packed from the rides to the waves. Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

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Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier

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Enjoy a wild visit to the Philadelphia Zoo during a weekend getaway to the City of Brotherly Love. Photo courtesy of the zoo

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The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium

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The Brooklyn Children's Museum offers three floors of rotating and permanent interactive exhibits perfect for warding off the rainy day blues. Photo courtesy of BCM

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Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum

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& Juliet turns Shakespeare's classic tale on its head with plenty of girl power. Photo courtesy of Matthew Murphy

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The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier

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No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird

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Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier

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37 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in NYC for Kids

The most extravagant Christmas light displays in the country are located in Brooklyn's Dyker Heights, aka “Dyker Lights.” Photo courtesy Dyker Heights Lights

12/4/22 - By Drew Kristofik

When it comes to holiday gifts, we've found the perfect one for you, dear reader: This list of FREE holiday and Christmas events in NYC. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve are all fast approaching, but between Nutcrackers, family-friendly holiday shows, and meals with Santa, things can get expensive. So, we've rounded up 37 FREE holiday and Christmas events in NYC to enjoy now through New Year's Eve.

For more things to do in New York City this season, bookmark our Guide to Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in NYC and our always-up-to-date Family Activity Calendar.

Keep in mind, reservations are required for many of these events, so plan your outings in advance, and be sure to click through to our listings for all the details, including address, time, and recommended ages.

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