Feel the holiday spirit in Garden City! Discover all the exciting festive happenings with our guide. For those born and raised in Garden City and those just discovering it, our guide is your festive companion.
Popular events abound this season, starting with the iconic Radio City Christmas Spectacular, showcasing stunning performances and holiday cheer. Then there's the enchanting New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show, featuring model trains traversing a stunning display of botanical wonders. And the Roc Holiday Village Winter Festival is something you definitely don’t want to miss, offering a vibrant blend of festive activities and local artisans. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Garden City
- Radio City Christmas Spectacular (New York City)
- New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show (New York City)
- Roc Holiday Village Winter Festival (Rochester)
- “It’s a Wonderful Life” Festival (Seneca Falls)
- Christmas in Clayton (Clayton)
- Christmas in Lake Placid (Lake Placid)
See these and even more events listed below!
Garden City Holiday Markets and Shopping
Roc Holiday Village Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Cozy winter igloos and free ice skating.
Description:
Roc Holiday Village is a festive event in downtown Rochester, NY, featuring visits with Santa, ice skating, a shopping village, food and drink options, tree lighting, Santa’s workshop, hand-crafted goods, pop-up restaurants, winter igloos, special events, live music, and more.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Roc Holiday Village Winter Festival
Garden City Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
What to Expect:
High-kicking precision dance routines by the Rockettes.
Description:
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a 90-minute holiday stage show featuring over 140 performers, including the world-famous Rockettes. The show combines singing, dancing, and humor with traditional scenes, including the iconic "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and "Living Nativity." It showcases intricate choreography, high kicks, and special effects, making it a classic holiday tradition.
Where: New York City | More Info: Radio City Christmas Spectacular
New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show
What to Expect:
Miniature cityscape made from plant parts with G-scale model trains.
Description:
The New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show features over 30 years of tradition, showcasing nearly 200 New York landmarks made from plant parts, with G-scale model trains navigating through the Haupt Conservatory. The event includes both daytime and nighttime displays, with colorful lighting and festive food options available.
Where: New York City | More Info: New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show
Garden City Other Holiday Activities
Christmas in Clayton
What to Expect:
Community-funded holiday parade with a competitive float theme.
Description:
The 2024 Christmas Parade in Clayton features a festive holiday theme, "Sportin' the Holiday Spirit – May the Best Float Win!" The event is completely funded by community donations, and attendees are encouraged to support the cause by making cash or check donations.
Where: Clayton | More Info: Christmas in Clayton
“It’s a Wonderful Life” Festival
What to Expect:
Celebrates the real-life inspiration behind Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" with family activities and cast member appearances.
Description:
The "It's a Wonderful Life" Festival in Seneca Falls, NY, celebrates the real-life inspiration behind Frank Capra's fictional Bedford Falls. The event features family-oriented contests, a 5k run, special presentations about the film, and regular appearances by cast members.
Where: Seneca Falls | More Info: “It’s a Wonderful Life” Festival
Christmas in Lake Placid
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday activities in a picturesque winter setting.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season in Lake Placid with a family-friendly weekend featuring a skating party, Santa photos, a free movie showing, and a scavenger hunt. Enjoy festive activities, holiday crafts, and live music throughout the village.
Where: Lake Placid | More Info: Christmas in Lake Placid
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Hempstead (2 miles)
- Franklin Square (3 miles)
- Uniondale (3 miles)
- East Meadow (4 miles)
- Elmont (4 miles)
- Rockville Centre (5 miles)
- Baldwin (5 miles)
- Freeport (5 miles)
- Queens Village (6 miles)
- Valley Stream (6 miles)
- Cambria Heights (6 miles)
- Oceanside (6 miles)
- Merrick (6 miles)
- Hicksville (6 miles)
- Rosedale (7 miles)
- Hollis (7 miles)
- Laurelton (7 miles)
- Bayside (8 miles)
- Springfield Gardens (8 miles)
- Hillside (8 miles)
- Fresh Meadows (8 miles)
- Massapequa (9 miles)
- Jamaica (9 miles)
- Glen Cove (9 miles)
- Plainview (9 miles)
- Briarwood (10 miles)
- Long Beach (10 miles)
- Kew Gardens Hills (10 miles)
- South Ozone Park (10 miles)
- Richmond Hill (10 miles)
- Far Rockaway (11 miles)
- Whitestone (11 miles)
- Queens (11 miles)
- Forest Hills (11 miles)
- Rego Park (11 miles)
- Ozone Park (12 miles)
- Howard Beach (12 miles)
- Throgs Neck (12 miles)
- College Point (12 miles)
- Corona (12 miles)
- Woodhaven (12 miles)
- East Elmhurst (12 miles)
- Copiague (13 miles)
- Elmhurst (13 miles)
- Middle Village (13 miles)
- Unionport (13 miles)
- Jackson Heights (13 miles)
- Glendale (13 miles)
- East New York (14 miles)
- Cypress Hills (14 miles)
- Lindenhurst (14 miles)
- Parkchester (14 miles)
- Woodside (14 miles)
- Ridgewood (14 miles)
- Hunts Point (14 miles)
- Huntington Station (15 miles)
- Maspeth (15 miles)
- Van Nest (15 miles)
- West Babylon (15 miles)
- The Bronx (15 miles)
- Bushwick (15 miles)
- Canarsie (15 miles)
- Brownsville (16 miles)
- East Tremont (16 miles)
- Sunnyside (16 miles)
- Astoria (16 miles)
- Morrisania (16 miles)
- Melrose (16 miles)
- Mott Haven (16 miles)
- Deer Park (16 miles)
- East Flatbush (16 miles)
- Wakefield (16 miles)
- Dix Hills (17 miles)
- Long Island City (17 miles)
- Tremont (17 miles)
- Fordham (17 miles)
- Greenpoint (17 miles)
- Mount Vernon (17 miles)
- Williamsburg (17 miles)
- East Harlem (17 miles)
- University Heights (17 miles)
- Morris Heights (17 miles)
- Harlem (17 miles)
- Harrison (17 miles)
- West Islip (17 miles)
- Brooklyn (17 miles)
- Flatlands (17 miles)
- Kings Bridge (18 miles)
- Flatbush (18 miles)
- Manhattan (18 miles)
- Washington Heights (18 miles)
- Morningside Heights (18 miles)
- Gramercy Park (18 miles)
- Kensington (18 miles)
- East Village (18 miles)
- Sheepshead Bay (19 miles)
- Park Slope (19 miles)
- Hell's Kitchen (19 miles)
- Brooklyn Heights (19 miles)
- Chinatown (19 miles)
- Port Chester (19 miles)
- East Northport (19 miles)
- New York City (19 miles)
- Gravesend (20 miles)
- Fort Lee (20 miles)
- Commack (20 miles)
- Cliffside Park (20 miles)
- Financial District (20 miles)
- Yonkers (20 miles)
- Brighton Beach (20 miles)
- Borough Park (20 miles)
- West New York (20 miles)
- Bay Shore (20 miles)
- North Bergen (20 miles)
- Sunset Park (21 miles)
- Brentwood (21 miles)
- Union City (21 miles)
- Bensonhurst (21 miles)
- Palisades Park (21 miles)
- Hoboken (21 miles)
- Dyker Heights (21 miles)
- Englewood (21 miles)
- Bath Beach (21 miles)
- Coney Island (21 miles)
- Fort Hamilton (22 miles)
- White Plains (22 miles)
- Central Islip (23 miles)
- Stamford (23 miles)
- Teaneck (23 miles)
- Jersey City (23 miles)
- Bergenfield (24 miles)
- Hauppauge (24 miles)
- Greenburgh (24 miles)
- Hackensack (24 miles)
- Smithtown (24 miles)
- Bayonne (25 miles)
- Darien (26 miles)
- Lodi (26 miles)
- Kearny (27 miles)
- Garfield (27 miles)
- Lake Ronkonkoma (27 miles)
- Passaic (27 miles)
- Belleville (27 miles)
- Paramus (28 miles)
- Elmwood Park (28 miles)
- Newark (28 miles)
- Nutley (28 miles)
- North Stamford (29 miles)
- Staten Island (29 miles)
- East Norwalk (29 miles)
- Clifton (29 miles)
- New Springville (29 miles)
- Bloomfield (29 miles)
- Centereach (29 miles)
- Great Kills (30 miles)
- Holbrook (30 miles)
- Fair Lawn (30 miles)
- East Orange (30 miles)
- Elizabeth (31 miles)
- Ridgewood (31 miles)
- Montclair (31 miles)
- Paterson (31 miles)
- Hillside (31 miles)
- Irvington (31 miles)
- Orange (31 miles)
- West Orange (32 miles)
- Westport (32 miles)
- Woodrow (32 miles)
- Ossining (32 miles)
- Linden (33 miles)
- Carteret (33 miles)
- Union (33 miles)
- Roselle (33 miles)
- Maplewood (33 miles)
- East Patchogue (34 miles)
- Medford (34 miles)
- Spring Valley (34 miles)
- Middletown (34 miles)
- New City (34 miles)
- Coram (35 miles)
- Fairfield (35 miles)
- Rahway (35 miles)
- Long Branch (35 miles)
- Millburn (35 miles)
- Cranford (35 miles)
- Livingston (36 miles)
- Wayne (36 miles)
- Perth Amboy (36 miles)
- Mahwah (37 miles)
- Westfield (38 miles)
- Summit (38 miles)
- Bridgeport (39 miles)
- Scotch Plains (40 miles)
- Shirley (40 miles)
- Sayreville Junction (41 miles)
- Plainfield (41 miles)
- Stratford (41 miles)
- Peekskill (42 miles)
- South Plainfield (42 miles)
- North Plainfield (42 miles)
- Trumbull (42 miles)
- Sayreville (42 miles)
- Parsippany (42 miles)
- Marlboro (43 miles)
- Piscataway (43 miles)
- Edison (43 miles)
- South Old Bridge (44 miles)
- Old Bridge (44 miles)