New York City is a multicultural hub with dozens of museums, hundreds of parks and millions of people. The number of potential things to see and do can feel overwhelming, but NY1 has you covered with some of the highlights taking place this weekend across the five boroughs.

Good Riddance Day

  • Saturday, Dec. 28 from noon to 1 p.m.
  • Times Square, Manhattan
  • Free and open to the public

An annual city tradition ahead of New Year's Eve, Jonathan Bennett and the Times Square Alliance host the event for New Yorkers to say "Good riddance!" to any unwanted or unpleasant experiences from 2024 to help create the feeling of a fresh start for 2025.

This year, Bennett will "wipe away" the things you want to leave behind. In past years, a magician has burned notes and participants have completed an obstacle course.

Register in advance for a chance to win a $100 Times Square gift card.

(AP Photo/Robert Bumsted)

Kwanzaa at the Children's Museum

  • Saturday, Dec. 28 and Sunday, Dec. 29 throughout the day
  • Children's Museum of Manhattan
  • Ticket and activity information here

The Children's Museum of Manhattan will host various Kwanzaa-related activities for kids throughout both Saturday and Sunday.

Organizers say the aim is to celebrate and educate children on the Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles, of the holiday. Activities include storytelling, an interactive concert and screenprinting.

Stamp A Dreidel

  • Sunday, Dec. 29 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • South Street Seaport Museum, Manhattan
  • Free and open to the public

Organizers invite those celebrating Hanukkah in the city to stamp their own wooden dreidel as part of festivities at the Seaport. Special letterforms will be available to hot-foil stamp onto a dreidel.

There will also be a menorah lighting on site. More information, including optional but encouraged registration, is available here.

For more Hanukkah celebrations, including other menorah lightings in the city, check here.

Subway Inn's Last Day

  • Saturday, Dec. 28
  • 1154 Second Ave., Manhattan
  • Free and open to the public

After multiple moves, an 87-year-old Manhattan bar is closing its doors on Saturday.

The Subway Inn first opened its doors in 1937 at East 60th Street and Lexington Avenue — famously playing host to celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio.

The establishment relocated in 2014 and 2022, but the bar's owner announced earlier this month it would be shutting down. 

Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo

  • Nov. 22 to Jan. 5
  • Bronx Zoo
  • Ticket information here

The Bronx Zoo's seasonal tradition continues this year for its 125th anniversary. Millions of holiday lights line the park as visitors are invited to check out the hundreds of wildlife lanterns representing dozens of plant and animal species.

Organizers say the event also includes a light tunnel, a holiday train, illuminated performers and a roast-your-own-s'mores station.

There are also light shows to check out at Citi Field and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

holiday lights
(Credit: Bronx Zoo)

Frost Fest at Luna Park

  • Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 23 to Jan. 1
  • Also on select weekdays and holidays
  • Luna Park, Brooklyn
  • Ticket information here

Coney Island's Luna Park is transformed for the holidays. The park's website says guests can enjoy up to 20 rides "in a new festive atmosphere."

A holiday market with hot cocoa and Santa's Wonderland are part of the experience as well.

NYBG Holiday Train Show

  • Open through Jan. 20
  • New York Botanical Garden, the Bronx
  • Ticket information here

The New York Botanical Garden's annual Holiday Train Show returns for its 33rd year. Visitors have the opportunity to see nearly 200 replicas of New York City landmarks — all created from plant parts.

Toy trains wrap around the recreations, including the city's iconic skyscrapers, Yankee Stadium and the New York Public Library. The garden runs both day and night availabilities, with seasonal food and drink offerings as well.

New York Transit Museum Holiday Train Show

  • Open through February 2025
  • New York Transit Museum Gallery, Grand Central Terminal
  • Free and open to the public

Another train show for the holiday season, the New York Transit Museum's offering is smaller than what's on display at the New York Botanical Garden, but no tickets are required.

Celebrating its 20th year, the exhibit features model trains running through a 34-foot-long display — departing from a miniature Grand Central and passing by other iconic New York City landmarks like the Brooklyn Bridge and Empire State Building. The Transit Museum's collection of model trains includes Metro-North, Polar Express and vintage subway train sets.

Gingerbread NYC: The Great Borough Bake-Off

  • Up through Jan. 12
  • Museum of the City of New York, Manhattan
  • Ticket information here

The Museum of the City of New York hosts gingerbread creations from bakers across the boroughs for its third annual bake-off.

The theme this year was “Iconic New York,” inviting artists to create pieces that represented distinct sights in their communities. Visitors can see the finalists on display, all made of entirely edible materials, then cast their vote for “People’s Choice.” 

Bryant Park Winter Village

  • Open through March 2, 2025
  • Bryant Park, Manhattan
  • Free and open to the public

Bryant Park's Winter Village is open for the season.

The annual holiday staple in the city features a variety of local shops, a rink for ice skating, and an indoor lodge with food and drink options.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center

  • Open through March 2025
  • Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan
  • Ticket information here

Ice skating is open for the season at The Rink at Rockefeller Center. The center's website calls it one of the city's "quintessential winter activities."