The holiday season is here, and we’ve compiled a bucket list for families to make the most of it this year in Brooklyn. Go ice skating, check out a light show, eat at a festive restaurant, stay warm at an indoor play space, celebrate at a tree lighting, meet Santa, treat mom to some much needed self care, find a hotel for visiting family, shop local at a holiday market and much more this year!
Our new Events Calendar is here featuring convenient filters by category, location, ages, dates and more to make your Brooklyn social life as fun and meaningful as possible this holiday season.
Have you checked out CONNECT – where families find what matters? Whether you are looking for a meal delivery service for the holidays, photographers for holiday photos, self-care for Mom & Dad during the stressful holiday season, pet sitters while you’re traveling, or day camps while school is out, CONNECT is your one-stop solution.
Family-Friendly Holiday Experiences
Our overview of family-friendly holiday and winter activities includes free and fee-based experiences in Brooklyn and beyond, including light shows, special dance and circus performances, unique holiday experiences, and more.
Give back this holiday season
As the holidays approach, there are many ways for Brooklyn families to volunteer time or resources locally, whether donating holiday toys, crafting ornaments, wrapping gifts, delivering holiday meals, and so much more.
Tree Lightings
Kick off the holiday season with your neighborhood’s tree lighting. Enjoy live performances, seasonal drinks and bites, appearances from Santa, and the thrilling countdown as the lights come alive!
Meet Santa
Santa’s coming to town! Get your camera ready, we’ve rounded up all the spots to find jolly Old Saint Nick across Brooklyn and lower Manhattan this season. Start with the FREE Santa Studio at City Point’s Bklyn Holiday-Topia in Downtown Brooklyn, offering family and pet photos, crafts, and more festive fun.
Holiday Caroling
‘Tis the season for carolers to spread holiday joy! Get your hot cocoa ready, we’ve rounded up all the most festive caroling events happening across Brooklyn this season. Catch one of these holiday performances, or join your neighbors in a sing-along!
Festive Restaurants
Looking for a festive Brooklyn spot bursting with holiday cheer and over-the-top décor? We’ve rounded up the borough’s most festive restaurants and bars, complete with dazzling decorations, cozy bites, and warming cocktails for the season.
Ice Skating
Ice skating season is here, with rinks reopening across Brooklyn and lower Manhattan. Our overview includes opening dates, locations, hours, admission, and skate rental information.
Holiday Markets
Shop for family, friends, or even yourself at one of the festive holiday markets in Brooklyn this year. Our roundup covers locations, dates, times, and highlights, including festive food and drink, family-friendly activities, and appearances from Santa!
Drop-in Indoor Activities
When your apartment feels too small or the weather is too cold, check out our overview of indoor activities in Brooklyn. This guide of nearly 100 indoor spots includes drop-in activities including play spaces, story times, arts and crafts, adventure parks, rock climbing, mini golf, bowling and more for all ages, from babies to teens!
Day Camps for when schools are closed
Need child care over winter break or looking for a unique experience to keep your child busy? These camps are open when public schools are closed, offering programs for children ages 2 to 14. Also check out CONNECT for even more offerings.
Urgent Cares
Feeling sick during the holiday season? Keep handy our helpful overview of urgent care options for kids in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, including dedicated pediatric emergency rooms, inpatient pediatric units, and services for all types of urgent care needs, from X-rays to stitches to treatments for colds and other common illnesses.
Holiday Date Nights
Parents’ night out? Yes, please! Call the babysitter, dust off your date-night outfit, and treat yourself to a special holiday evening out, with delicious food, craft cocktails, and uninterrupted conversation. Check out our delicious round up of the best bars and restaurants for date nights in Brooklyn.
Hotels in Brooklyn for family & friends visiting
Whether you’re planning a holiday staycation or helping visiting family or friends find accommodations, Brooklyn has a hotel for every vibe—boutique charm, budget-friendly basics, or rooftop-pool luxury. Our guide will help you find the perfect place to stay or recommend for the holiday season.
Coffee Shops for some quiet time away from the crew
Need to get work done over the winter break? Our guide of Brooklyn coffee shops features peaceful, laptop-friendly spots with cozy vibes—perfect for getting things done or unwinding.
Family-Friendly Restaurants for the holiday season
Have family visiting from out of town, meeting up with friends to exchange gifts, or just looking for a kid-friendly holiday meal out? Check out our overview of family-friendly restaurants across Brooklyn, complete with kids menus, high chairs, and lots of space for strollers.
Bakeries for your festive treats
Looking for festive sweets and treats to accompany your holiday meal? Our guide to Brooklyn’s best bakeries features not-to-be-missed cookies, pies, cakes, donuts, pastries, and breads, and more, so you can treat yourself this holiday season!
Chanukah Fun
Hanukkah falls between December 14 and 22 this year, and Brooklyn will celebrate the Jewish Festival Lights with eight days of family-friendly events. Check out our roundup of Chanukah events for families, featuring menorah lightings, story times, live performances, arts and crafts, and more!
New Year’s Eve Dance Party
Calling all parents with a sitter lined up, parents of older kids, and single parents looking for a night out! The Scenario 90s Dance Party is locked in with a New Year’s Eve takeover in Cobble Hill and a midnight dive into 90s and 2000s hip hop, pop, reggae and everything that moves the room! Headline DJ TY-Michelle joins DJ Marc Bars for the night. 21+ only. Tickets are $50 and include a glass of champagne at midnight. Space is limited at Le Boudoir on Atlantic Avenue, so get your tickets now.
More New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day fun
Whether you’re planning a family-friendly daytime celebration or a kid-free night out, we’ve rounded up the best ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Brooklyn! Head to a family-friendly party, plan a New Year’s Eve date night, or watch the fireworks over Prospect Park. And on New Year’s Day, catch the daring swimmers plunging into the Coney Island surf, join a Super Hike in Prospect Park, or ease into 2026 with arcade games and brunch.
Sledding
Will Brooklyn get snow this holiday season?! Be prepared for any winter storms that come our way with our sledding guide, featuring hills in Fort Greene Park, Prospect Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and beyond.
CONNECT: Your one-stop survival kit for the holiday season!
Have you checked out CONNECT – where families find what matters? Whether you are looking for a meal delivery service, photographers for holiday photos, self-care for Mom & Dad during the stressful holiday season, pet sitters while you’re traveling, or day camps while school is out, CONNECT is your one-stop solution.
- Meal Delivery Services
- Photographers
- Personal Wellness
- Pet Sitters
- School Holiday Camps
- And more here!
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Updated: December 11, 2025. Main photo: Lightscape at Brooklyn Botantic Garden.
