last updated 12/19/2019

We've rounded up the best family-friendly Holiday Events in the Greater Bay Ridge Area & Beyond - we're talking Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas markets, tree lightings, Santa photo opps, Hanukkah events, New Year's Eve parties, Gingerbread House making, ice skating, Polar Express train rides, and MUCH MORE!!!

Sections are as follows:

1. One Day Events (sorted by date in two sections: Greater Bay Ridge & Beyond Bay Ridge)
2. Ongoing Markets, Festivals, & Shows
3. Santa Photo Opps
4. Ice Skating
5. Polar Express

Color codes:

• Santa appearances
• Tree Lightings
• Hanukkah Events
• *FREE* events.

Be sure to let us know if there's an event we missed (they're free to list!), sign up for publication updates here, and check out this page if interested in advertising with us!

1. KID-FRIENDLY FESTIVE WINTER EVENTS

GREATER BAY RIDGE AREA:

• ​​Fri, Nov 15 - Elf the Musical @ Fort Hamilton Army Base Theater @ 8 PM ($25 adult, $15 child)
• Sat, Nov 16 - Elf the Musical @ Fort Hamilton Army Base Theater @ 8 PM ($25 adult, $15 child)
• Sun, Nov 17 - Elf the Musical @ Fort Hamilton Army Base Theater @ 2 PM ($25 adult, $15 child)
• Fri, Nov 22 - Elf the Musical @ Fort Hamilton Army Base Theater @ 8 PM ($25 adult, $15 child)
• Sat, Nov 23 - Christmas Market @ St. Patricks Catholic Academy @ 9 AM - 5 PM
• Sat, Nov 23 - Breakfast with Santa @ Our Lady of Grace @ 9 - 11 AM
• Sat, Nov 23 - Christmas Fair @ Our Lady of Grace @ 10 AM - 7 PM (digital Santa photos @ 2 - 4)
• Sat, Nov 23 - Baking Mini Pies and Making Thankful Notes @ AJ's Bakeshop @ 6:30 - 8 PM ($15)
• Sat, Nov 23 - Elf the Musical @ Fort Hamilton Army Base Theater @ 8 PM ($25 adult, $15 child)
• Sun, Nov 24 - Christmas Market @ St. Patricks Catholic Academy @ 9 AM - 5 PM
• Sun, Nov 24 - Christmas Fair @ Our Lady of Grace @ 9 AM - 5 PM (digital Santa photos @ 2 - 4)
• Sun, Nov 24 - Operation Christmas Child Event @ Christ Central / Beyond Dance @ 9:30 - 11:30 AM 
• Sun, Nov 24 - Family Yoga with Gratitude @ Pure Life Movement @ 1 - 1:45 PM
• Sun, Nov 24 - Elf the Musical @ Fort Hamilton Army Base Theater @ 2 PM ($25 adult, $15 child)
• Fri, Nov 29 - "Buddy the Elf" Painting, Movie & Cocoa @ Pinot's Palette @ 12 - 2:30 PM ($38)
• Sat, Nov 30 - HUGE Lineup of Free Kids' Events for Small Biz Saturday on 5th Ave @ 10 - 6 *FREE*
• ​Sat, Nov 30 - Small Business Saturday (Trolley on 5th Ave from 67th - 85th Streets) @ 12 - 4 PM *FREE*
• Sat, Nov 30 - Grand Opening of IC ICE RINK @ 51 35th Street Courtyard 5/6 @ 12 - 6 PM 
• Sat, Nov 30 - German Christmas Market (1:30-2:30 kids can make Gingerbread People) @ Schnitzel Haus @ 12 - 4 *FREE*
• Sat, Nov 30 - Free Holiday Trolley (making B63 bus stops from 39th St. - 65th St) @ 1 - 5 PM *FREE*
• Sun, Dec 1 - NYC Holiday Half Marathon @ 69th Street Pier @ 9 AM Start, 10:15 AM awards​
• Sun, Dec 1 - SantaPaws Photo @ Beyond at Liberty View @ 12 - 4

• Wed, Dec 4 - Christmas Tree Lighting (with Santa) @ Dyker Park (86th & 14th) @ 6:30 PM *FREE* 
• Thu, Dec 5 - Christmas Tree Lighting (with Santa) @ Shore Road Park (90th & Shore) @ 6:30 PM *FREE* 
• Fri, Dec 6 - Holiday Market & Tree Lighting (reg. required) @ Fort Hamilton Army Base @ 4 - 9 PM (tree lighting @ 5:30), free photo with Santa *FREE*
• Fri, Dec 6 - Christmas Tree Lighting (with Santa) @ Investors Bank (7414 13th Ave) @ 6 - 8 PM *FREE* 
• Fri, Dec 6 - 7th Annual Gingerbread Party @ The Art Room @ 6 - 8 PM ($55)
• Sat, Dec 7 - Nutcracker Bake Sale @ Bay Ridge Ballet @ 9 AM - 3 PM
• Sat, Dec 7 - Christmas Boutique (with Santa Workshop) @ St. Mary's @ 9 AM - 4:30 PM 
• Sat, Dec 7 - Brunch with Santa  @ Beyond at Liberty View @ 9 & 10 AM ($24.95 adults, $21.95 kids, under 2 free)
• Sat, Dec 7 - Elf on the Shelf Pictures & Face Painting & Lunch @ Lombardo's @ 12-1:15 & 1:30-3 PM
• Sat, Dec 7 - Winter Wonderland (FREE Santa Photo) @ Beyond at Liberty View @ 11 - 4 PM  *FREE*
• Sat, Dec 7 - Coat & Toy Drive (with Live Music & Kids Activities) @ Salty Dog @ 2 - 6 PM (visit from Santa @ 3:30) ($10 suggested entry)
• Sun, Dec 8 - Breakfast with Santa @ St. Pats @ 10:30 AM ($15 per person)
• Sun, Dec 8 - Breakfast with Santa @ St. Ephrem Catholic Academy (RSVP by 11/27) @ 11:30 - 2 PM ($25 adults / $20 kids)
• Sun, Dec 8 - Brunch with Santa  @ Beyond at Liberty View @ 9 & 10 AM ($24.95 adults, $21.95 kids, under 2 free)
• Sun, Dec 8 - Winter Wonderland (FREE Santa Photo) @ Beyond at Liberty View @ 11 - 4 PM  *FREE*
• Sun, Dec 8 - Christmas Boutique (with Santa Workshop) @ St. Mary's @ 12:30 - 3:30 PM 
• Sun, Dec 8 - Christmas Concert @ Union Church of Bay Ridge @ 2 PM
• Sun, Dec 8 - Children's Chorus of Bay Ridge Winter Concert @ Good Shephard Church @ 3 PM ($10 per family)
• Tue, Dec 10 - Kids' Holiday Party (kids eat free, crafts & goodie bag, visit from Santa) @ UNO's Pizzeria @ 5 - 7 PM
• Tue, Dec 10 - A Very Merry Singalong @ Vesuvio @ 6 - 8 PM 
• Wed, Dec 11 - Winter Art Show & Concert @ Fort Hamilton High School @ 7 PM ($10)
• Thu, Dec 12 - Winter Art Show & Concert @ Fort Hamilton High School @ 7 PM ($10)
• Fri, Dec 13 - Christmas Fair @ Visitation Academy @ 9 - 3 PM
• Fri, Dec 13 - 7th Annual Gingerbread Party @ The Art Room @ 6 - 8 PM ($55)
• Sat, Dec 14 - Brunch with Santa  @ Beyond at Liberty View @ 9 & 10 AM ($24.95 adults, $21.95 kids, under 2 free)
• Sat, Dec 14 - Pancakes with Santa @ St. Anselm @ 9:30 - 12:30 PM ($20)
• Sat, Dec 14 - Winter Bazaar @ PS 503 @ 11 AM - 3 PM *FREE*
• Sat, Dec 14 - Winter Wonderland (FREE Santa Photo) @ Beyond at Liberty View @ 11 - 4 PM  *FREE*
• Sat, Dec 14 - Winter Wonderland Christmas Fair (Santa Photos @ 2  - 4 PM) @ St. Anselm @ 11 AM - 5 PM *FREE*
• Sat, Dec 14 - Santa in Lobby of One 74th St @ 12 - 3 PM *FREE*
• Sat, Dec 14 - Holiday Spectacular & Tree Lighting (Trolley on 5th Ave from 67th - 85th Streets) @ 12 - 4 PM *FREE*
• Sat, Dec 14 - Bay Ridge Ballet's The Nutcracker @ Holy Angels @ 4 - 5 PM ($15)
• ​Sat, Dec 14 - A Glorious Night of Christmas Music @ St. Patricks @ 7:30 - 10 ($25)
• Sun, Dec 15 - Winter Fun with Yoga Classes for Kids @ Young Love NYC @ 10 - 10:45 AM
• Sun, Dec 15 - Breakfast with Santa @ Fort Hamilton Army Base @ 11 AM - 3 PM ($40 adults, $20 children)
• Sun, Dec 15 - Winter Wonderland Christmas Fair (Santa Photos @ 2  - 4 PM) @ St. Anselm @ 11 AM - 5 PM *FREE*
• Sun, Dec 15 - 7th Annual Gingerbread Party @ The Art Room @ 12 - 2 PM ($55)
• Sun, Dec 15 - Santa & His Horse & Carriage @ 7902 5th Ave @ 1 PM
• Wed, Dec 18 - Joffrey Dance Academy Presents The Nutcracker @ Fort Hamilton High School @ 5 PM ($10)
• Thu, Dec 19 - Joffrey Dance Academy Presents The Nutcracker @ Fort Hamilton High School @ 7 PM ($10)
• Thu, Dec 20 - Joffrey Dance Academy Presents The Nutcracker @ Fort Hamilton High School @ 7 PM ($10)
• Sat, Dec 21 - Winter Fun with Yoga Classes for Kids @ Young Love NYC @ 10 - 10:45 AM
• Sat, Dec 21 - A Day with Santa & The Grinch @ 4906 5th Ave @ 10 - 12 *FREE*
• Sat, Dec 21 - Making Reindeer Cake Pops @ AJ's Bakehouse @ 6:30 - 8 PM ($15)
• Sun, Dec 22 - Hanukkah Party @ Bay Ridge Jewish Center @ 2 - 5 ($15/family)
• Tue, Dec 31 - Kids' New Year's Party (reservation only) @ UNO Pizzeria (reservations required) @ 4 & 6 PM
• Tue, Dec 31 - Family Friendly Dinner, Music & Early New Year (Berlin Time) @ Schnitzel Haus @ 5 - 8 PM
• Tues, Dec 31 - Family New Year's Eve Party @ St. Patrick Catholic Academy (RSVP by 12/15) @ 8 PM - 1 AM (adults $65, kids $20, 4 + under free)

BEYOND BAY RIDGE

• Sat, Nov 16 - Thanksgiving with the Beasts @ Staten Island Zoo @ 12 - 3 PM
• Wed, Nov 27 - Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Prep (Manhattan) - watch the balloons get blown up! @ 3 - 10 PM *FREE*
• Thu, Nov 28 - Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (Manhattan) @ 9 AM - 12 PM (or watch on NBC) *FREE*
• Thu, Nov 28 - Turkey Trot 5-Miler @ Prospect Park (Brooklyn) @ 10:30 
• Sat, Nov 30 - Thanksgiving Kitchen Tours @ Historic Richmond Town Staten Island @ 1 - 5 PM ($8 adults, $4 kids)
• Sat, Nov 30 - Tree Lighting @ Park Slope @ 4 - 6 PM *FREE*
• Sun, Dec 1 - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer @ Kings Theater (Brooklyn) @ 1 & 4:30 PM 
• Sun, Dec 1 - Santa Comes to 5th @ Park Slope @ 5 PM
• Mon, Dec 2 - Winter's Eve Tree Lighting @ Lincoln Square @ 5:30 - 6 PM
• Wed, Dec 4 - Washington Square Tree Lighting @ 6 - 7 PM *FREE*
• Wed, Dec 4 - 87th Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting @ 8-10PM on NBC *FREE*
• Thu, Dec 5 - Tree Lighting Singalong @ Bryant Park @ 6 - 6:45 PM *FREE*
• Fri, Dec 6 - Grand Illumination @ Great Lawn Staten Island @ 7 - 8 PM *FREE*
• Sat, Dec 6 - The Nutcracker @ Brookfield Place (Manhattan) @ 7 PM *FREE*
• Sat, Dec 7 - Christmas Bazaar Extravaganza @ Aviator @ 10 AM - 4 PM *FREE*
• Sat, Dec 7 - Holiday Market @ Brooklyn Navy Yard @ 12 - 6 PM *FREE*
• Sat, Dec 7 - The Nutcracker @ Brookfield Place (Manhattan) @ 1 & 7 PM *FREE*
• Sat, Dec 7 - Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker @ Kings Theater (Brooklyn) @ 2 & 7 PM
• Sat, Dec 7 - Holiday on the Hudson @ Riverside Park @ 4:30 - 6:30 PM *FREE*
• Sun, Dec 8 - Conference House Colonial Christmas (visit from Father Christmas) @ Staten Island @ 10 AM - 4 PM ($3 donation)
• Sun, Dec 8 - Holiday Market @ Brooklyn Navy Yard @ 12 - 6 PM *FREE*
• Sun, Dec 8 - Christmas in Richmond Town (with Santa & Tree Lighting) @ Staten Island @ 12 - 6 PM 
• Sun, Dec 8 - The Nutcracker @ Brookfield Place (Manhattan) @ 1 PM *FREE*
• Thu, Dec 12 - A Christmas Carol @ Morris-Jumen Mansion (Manhattan) @ 8 - 9:30 PM ($25)​

• Fri, Dec 13 - The Christmas Show @ St. George's Theater (Staten Island) @ 7 PM
• Sat, Dec 14 - Breakfast Beastly Feast with Santa @ Staten Island Zoo @ 9 - 11 AM (adult $30, child $20)
• Sat, Dec 14 - Winter Wonderland (visit from Santa) @ Williamsbridge Oval (Bronx) @ 12:30 - 2:30 PM *FREE*
• Sat, Dec 14 - Lunch Beastly Feast with Santa @ Staten Island Zoo @ 1 - 2:30 PM (adult $30, child $20)
• Sat, Dec 14 - The Christmas Show @ St. George's Theater (Staten Island) @ 3 PM
• Sat, Dec 14 - Candlelight Tours @ Historic Richmond Town @ 5 - 8:30 PM
• Sat, Dec 14 - Brooklyn Nutcracker @ Kings Theater (Brooklyn) @ 2 & 7 PM
• Sun, Dec 15 - Santa Rescue at NYC Fire Museum (Manhattan) @ TBA (tickets on sale Nov 12)
• Sun, Dec 15 - Breakfast with Santa @ Applebees Atlantic Terminal @ 8 - 10 AM ($15)
• Sun, Dec 15 - Brunch with Santa @ Aviator (Brooklyn) @ 9 - 11 AM (adults $34, kids $32)
• Sun, Dec 15 - Brunch with Santa @ Aviator (Brooklyn) @ 12 - 2 PM (adults $34, kids $32)
• Sun, Dec 15 - Hip Hop Nutcracker @ Kings Theater (Brooklyn) @ 2 & 6:30 PM
• Fri, Dec 20 - Fun Winter Wonderland (pix with Santa) @ Hamilton Fish Rec Center (Manhattan) @ 3 - 7 PM *FREE*
• Sat, Dec 21 - Candlelight Tours @ Historic Richmond Town @ 5 - 8:30 PM
• Sun, Dec 22 - VSPAC Nutcracker @ St. George Theater (Staten Island) @ 1 PM ($19~)
• Sun, Dec 22 - 1st Night of Chanukah Kick Off Concert & Menorah Lighting @ "The Largest Menorah in Brooklyn" in Grand Army Plaza (Brooklyn) @ 4 PM
• Sun, Dec 22 - Chanukah On Ice @ Lasker Rink Central Park @ 5 PM
• Sun, Dec 22 - VSPAC Nutcracker @ St. George Theater (Staten Island) @ 6 PM ($19~)
• Tues, Dec 24 - Christmas Caroling @ Washington Square Park @ 5 - 6 PM

• Sat, Dec 28 - Kwanzaa Festival @ American Museum of Natural History (Manhattan) @ 12 - 5 PM​ *FREE* (with museum admission, which is suggested/donation)
• Tues, Dec 31 - ​​​New Year's Even Fireworks @ Prospect Park (Brooklyn)
• Tues, Dec 31 - ​​​​​​New Year's Even Fireworks @ Coney Island (TBA; see 2017's event info here) (Brooklyn)
• Tues, Dec 31 - ​​​​​​​New Year's Even Fireworks @ Times Square (Manhattan) - or watch on TV

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2. ONGOING MARKETS, FESTIVALS & SHOWS:
​​
GREATER BAY RIDGE AREA: 

• Studio Holiday Photos (with or without Santa) @ Young Love NYC
• IC Ice Rink @ Industry City (51 35th St) Courtyard 5/6 @ Wed - Sun, Nov 30 - ??
• Buddy the Elf Visits @ 268 36th Street (December 13-15 & 20-22)
• Dyker Heights Christmas Lights (best displasy 83rd - 86th Streets & 11th - 13th Avenues)

BEYOND BAY RIDGE:

• Demarest Farms Orchard of Lights in northern New Jersey
• LuminoCity in Randall's Island
• Winter Village at Bryant Park (Manhattan) - shops, (FREE) ice skating, tree lighting, Oct 31 - Jan 5

• ​"Yeti, Set, Snow!" @ Swedish Cottage Marionette, Central Park @ Nov 12 - 30 ($8 - 12)
• Grand Central Holiday Fair (Manhattan) @ Nov 18 - Dec 24
• ​NYC Winter Lantern Festival @ Snug Harbor (Staten Island) - Nov 20 - Jan 12
• Union Square Holiday Market (Manhattan) - Nov 21- Dec 24
• Magic of Lights at Jones Beach (Queens) - Nov 22 - Jan 4 ($25-30 per vehicle)
• GingerBread Lane @ New York Hall of Science (Queens) - view or make your own @ Nov 23 - Jan 12
• ​Holiday Train Show @ New York Botanic Gardens (Queens) @ Nov 23 - Jan 26
• Christmas Underwater @ Adventure Aquarium (Camden NJ) @ (Nov 29 - Dec 30)
• ​Hello Panda Festival @ Citi Field (Queens) @ Dec 6 - Jan 26
• 'Twas the Night Before by Cirque du Soleil @ MSG (Manhattan) @ Dec 12 - 29​​
• The Elki-USA Show @ Brighton Beach @ Dec 14 - 31

3. SANTA PHOTOS (BEYOND BAY RIDGE):

• ​Staten Island Mall @ through Dec 24
• Kings Plaza (Mill Basin, Brooklyn) @ Nov 7 - Dec 24
• Brookfield Place (Manhattan) @ Nov 29 - Dec 24
• Macy's Santaland (Manhattan) @Nov 29 - Dec 24
• Santa at Brookfield Place (Manhattan) @ Nov 29 - Dec 24
• Santa's Corner at Bryant Park Winter Village (Manhattan) @ Dec 14 - 22 *FREE*
• ​Santa @ Bloomingdales (Manhattan)
• Demarest Farms Orchard of Lights in northern New Jersey

4. ICE SKATING (BEYOND BAY RIDGE):

• Lefrak Center at Lakeside (Prospect Park, Brooklyn) @ Nov 5 - Mar 31
• WW2 Veterans Memorial Ice Skating Rink (Staten Island) 
• The Rink at Brookfield Place (Manhattan) 
• ​Winter Village at Bryant Park (Manhattan) - free to skate (rentals extra)
• Rockefeller Center (Manhattan) @ Oct 12 - Jan 1
• ​Wollman Rink (Central Park, Manhattan)
• JFK Runway Rink @ Nov 30~

5. POLAR EXPRESS (BEYOND BAY RIDGE):

• Catskill Mountains Polar Express @ Kingston, NY @ Nov 15 - Dec 23
• The Christmas Express with Santa Clause @ Wall Township, NJ @ Nov 29 - Dec 22
• Northern Lights Limited & Santa Express @ Thomaston, CT @ Nov 29 - Dec 22
• North Pole Express @ Essex, CT @ Nov 15 - Dec 29
• The Polar Express Ride @ Whippany, NJ @ Nov 16 - Dec 30
• Santa's Paradise Express @ Ronks, PA @ Nov 23 - Dec 22 (see our review here)
• Tri-State Santa Train @ Wayne, NJ @ Dec 14

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