What's Still On The Calendar For Holiday Season 2020!
/Well yes, almost a full year into a global pandemic, this holiday season is going to be very different. This year, there will be less socializing, less pictures with Santa, less in person activities, and probably, more presents for your loved ones to make up for all the rest.
COVID is on the rise and this is not the time to gather in big groups indulging in holiday merriment. But the holiday spirit CAN still exist in a global pandemic. I’ve rounded up a bunch of ways that, with masks on and at least six feet of distance kept, you and your cohort can nevertheless celebrate the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!
HOLIDAYS IN NEW YORK CITY
HOLIDAY LIGHTS, BRONX ZOo, BRONX, NY
Last year the Bronx Zoo brought back its beloved Holiday Lights tradition, and we were unfortunately just too busy to get there. We are not making that same mistake this year - we already have tickets for Holiday Lights 2020. The theme for this run is Five Lantern Safaris and it will feature, as you might expect, five different safari areas filled with animal lanterns. Guests will walk the grounds, all bundled up and wearing masks, exploring the many dazzling holiday lights. As you walk around, be on the look out for ice-carving demonstrations, costumed characters, stilt walkers, wildlife theater and holiday treats.
Holiday Lights are turned on select dates through Sunday, January 10th.
GLOW, NEW YORK BOTANTICAL GARDEN, BRONX, NY
Usually the Botanical Garden is a “must do” holiday visit for its famous Holiday Train Show. While the train show is still on for 2020, attendance this year is limited to just NYBG Members, Patrons and Bronx Community Partners in order to adhere to limited capacity restrictions….which makes now a great time to become a NYBG member!
For the general public, NYBG has announced a brand new (yet familiar, given the many other light filled options this holiday season) all outdoor holiday event, NYBG GLOW. GLOW will allow guests to indulge in a world of color and light as they explore thousands of dazzling light installations around the grounds of NYBG, with the exterior of the Haupt Conservatory acting as the centerpiece for the action. Also, expect ice carvings, roving dancers and musicians during your visit.
NYBG GLOW will take place on select evenings from 5pm to 10pm beginning Friday, November 27th through Saturday, January 9th. Advanced, timed tickets and masks are required.
BANK OF AMERICA WINTER VILLAGE, BRYANT PARK, NEW YORK, NY
Usually three different Urbanspace Holiday Markets pop up in Manhattan during the holiday season, each featuring merchants selling festive gifts and delicious eats to give you the fuel you need to shop. This year, there is just one (and luckily, it’s the best one) holiday market open and it’s in Bryant Park. Because of COVID-19, there are also less vendors there this year than normal to allow for greater distancing and less crowding.
This time of year, Bryant Park is also home to the Bank of America Winter Village, which features, among other things, a pop up ice skating rink. Skating for 2020 requires advance reservations and masks be worn while on the rink. While the Urbanspace Holiday Market ends on Sunday, January 3rd, the Winter Village continues through Sunday, March 7th!
LUMINOCITY FESTIVAL, RANDALLS ISLAND, NEW YORK, NY
If you are in need of further bedazzling (and who ISN’T in 2020?!), head to the LuminoCity Festival on Randalls Island. This year’s event is titled Lumi’s Adventure, and will feature acres of brand new art installations inspired by nature, history and magic. Advanced timed tickets, masks and social distancing are required. The action will happen nightly from Friday, November 27th to Sunday, January 10th.
DYKER HEIGHTS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, DYKER HEIGHTS, NY
Somehow, the show will go on in Dyker Heights this Christmas! Each holiday season, a stretch of residential houses in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn go ALL OUT with insane decor for the holiday season. The word has gotten out after so many years of spectacle and so, in present day, crowds usually FLOCK to Dyker Heights each December. Last year, we went via bus tour with A Slice of Brooklyn and even in an organized group and visiting early in the season, it was quite crowded.
Alas we also saw a big police presence in the area last year, so my guess and hope is that with proper security and masks required, the crowds can possibly be kept at bay so to ensure the safety of all visitors. It’s a sight to see - just not sure if this is the best year to see it.
HOLIDAYS IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY (AND SLIGHTLY BEYOND)
Winter Wonderland Drive Thru, Kensico Dam, Valhalla, NY
My beloved Westchester's Winter Wonderland is BACK for 2020, but due to our ongoing pandemic, it has been transformed into a brand new Drive Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza! I’m so excited about this idea because, as a drive in event, it’s far more likely that, even as our COVID numbers increase and our weather patterns decrease, this event will be safe from cancellation!
The 1.2 mile dazzling drive through fun-fest is happening nightly from Friday, November 27th through January 3rd at Kensico Dam in Valhalla. Tickets are on sale now for a specific night and entry time. The entire experience is estimated to take about 20 minutes.
NORTH KENSICO CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW, WHITE PLAINS, NY
Just about 3 miles from Westchester’s Winter Wonderland is the FREE North Kensico Christmas Light Show. Each night from 5:30pm to 11:30pm beginning on Saturday, November 28th and going through Friday, January 1st, a group of neighboring houses on North Kensico Avenue come together to decorate their homes in 10,000 lights that blink synchronized to holiday music which you access from your own car. Santa even makes an appearance! A perfect 2020 holiday activity!
Note that the lovely residents behind this light show have indicated that this will be their last year, so be sure not to miss!
Grand Holiday Illuminations, Untermyer Gardens, Yonkers, NY
Beginning the evening of Saturday, December 12th and happening nightly thereafter until Sunday, January 3rd, guests can view the Grand Holiday Illumination at the Walled Garden at Yonker’s Untermyer Gardens between 4:30pm and 8pm. This event is FREE but advanced, timed tickets are required and the gardens will only be open to ticket holders. Per Untermyer’s website, tickets will become available on a weekly basis beginning in December.
WHITE PLAINS HOLIDAY MARKET, WHITE PLAINS, NY
The City of White Plains, in partnership with 914PopUps, is putting on a COVID friendly outdoor, open air holiday market this season that will feature over 40 local vendors set up on Waller Avenue in Downtown White Plains (between Maple Avenue and Lyon Place). The market will be open from Thursday, December 3rd through Sunday, December 13th - perfect for getting your holiday shopping done safely and while supporting local business. Shopping will happen from 11am to 9pm Thursdays to Saturdays and from 11am to 7pm Sundays to Wednesdays.
HOLIDAYS ON THE HILL TRAIN SHOW, LASdon PARK, KATONAH, NY
Thursdays through Sundays beginning Friday, December 4th through Thursday, December 31st, Lasdon Park and Arboretum will put on its annual Holidays on the Hill Train Show where beautiful model trains chug along a dazzling winter wonderland in Lasdon’s Conservatory.
Tickets are available now and will be sold ONLY in advance. Masks must be worn and though Santa will be there to greet families, extra precautions are being taken this year. At the time of writing this, tickets are 50% off with code “sparkle20”.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL, CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS, RHINEBECK, NY
Rhinebeck’s Center for Performing Arts will again be presenting A Christmas Carol this holiday season, but for 2020, the performance will take place on an outdoor raised stage with guests viewing the performance from the comfort of their own cars. The show is appropriate for all ages. Performances will take place at 7pm on select nights now through Sunday, December 20th. Advanced tickets are required.
holiday spirit festival, wappinger falls, ny
Kevin McCurdy’s Holiday Spirit Festival is all new for 2020 and that means, its all outdoors this year. Guests will walk - with masks on - through several themed holiday areas such as the Legend of the Frost Fairies, the Enchanted Forest of Lights and meeting Freddy the Christmas Bear in Santa’s Barn. Besides selling limited and timed advanced tickets, this event will encourage safety by only allowing one group at a time to enter the attraction. The fun starts on Friday, November 27th and will happen weekends through Sunday, December 27th.
a frosty fest, ulster park, ny
A similar (competing?) event is happening just a bit up north in Ulster Park. Catch A Frosty Fest, an all outdoor, part walk through and part drive through holiday festival. This event includes professional stage shows, a Candy Cane Lane, Frosty’s Animated Musical Light Show, a 3D walk through Frosty Magical Adventure and more. Then head into your car to experience Frosty’s Enchanted Forest. Frosty will be in town beginning Friday, November 27th and then each weekend thereafter through Sunday, December 27th.
HOLIDAYS IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY
reindeer festival, sam bridge nursery, greenwich, ct
While the Greenwich Holiday Stroll has gone virtual and Santa is sticking around the North Pole for the health and safety of all families in 2020, three of Santa’s beloved reindeers will still be visiting Sam Bridge Nursery in person! The 12th annual Reindeer Festival will feature Dasher, Dancer and Vixen all hanging out in an outdoor pen. Come by to say hello and then head into the greenhouse (with masks on) to shop Sam Bridge’s festive Christmas Shop.
Winter wonderland walk, beardsley zoo, bridgeport, CT
This year Bridgeport’s Beardsley Zoo will transform into a Winter Wonderland from Saturday, November 28th through Wednesday, January 6th, offering guests ten festive vignettes, from Fairy House Lane to custom artist and children-designed snowmen, a Hanukkah Plaza, and Nutcracker Place. Admission to Winter Wonderland is during normal zoo hours and the event is included in your regular zoo admission price.
christmas playtime at the mansion, lockwood-mathews mansion, norwalk, ct
Now through Sunday, January 3rd, Norwalk’s Lockwood-Mathews Mansion has a festive exhibit on display titled, Christmas Playtime at the Mansion. After undergoing a recent restoration, the Mansion’s doll collection and vintage toys will be exhibited, along with Christmas trees adorned with period-appropriate ornaments and more ,in an attempt to recreate the playful spirit of the Victorian era. Timed tickets are available now for guided 45 minute tours happening at 12 and 2pm Wednesdays through Sundays.
wonderland at roseville, fairfield, ct
For 20 years, the folks at 226 Roseville Terrace in Fairfield have gone ALL out with Christmas lights and decor each holiday season as part of Wonderland at Roseville. It appears the show will go on for 2020. Visit anytime between 5pm to 10pm (until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays).
mill river park outdoor skate rink, stamford, ct
The Steven and Alexandra Cohen Skating Center is an outdoor only skating rink that’s even larger than the rink at Rockefeller Center and for 2020, it’s a great, safe way to spend a crisp winter day outdoors. The rink will open for the season on Saturday, November 21st. If you plan your visit for a Sunday from 12 to 2pm, your kiddies can skate with a special character!
