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Announces a Wide Range of Family-Friendly Activities Throughout Winter Break

The New York State Museum is celebrating winter break with more than two weeks of festive, family-friendly programs featuring seasonal crafts, live animals, and cultural traditions. Beginning this Saturday, visitors can enjoy everything from a live reading of the original 1823 printing of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and a community Kwanzaa celebration to hands-on 18th century games and winter animal encounters with the Utica Zoo.

Jennifer Saunders, Museum Director, said, “Winter break provides the perfect opportunity for families to enjoy a piece of the educational programming we offer year-round at the New York State Museum. We are honored to be able to offer a welcoming space where new holiday memories can be made through learning and exploration. Whether it’s your first time at the Museum or you’re a regular, we look forward to seeing you as we wrap up the holiday season!”

The Muppet Christmas Carol Holiday Screening & Family Activities
Date: Saturday, December 20
Time: 10:30 a.m. Crafts | 11 a.m. Film Screening    
Location: Huxley Theater

Bring the whole family to a festive celebration featuring a special screening of The Muppet Christmas Carol! Enjoy this beloved holiday classic on the big screen and continue the fun with a Muppet-themed scavenger hunt through the exhibits, hands-on seasonal crafts, and a Letters to Santa station to spark young imaginations.

A Visit from St. Nicholas: A Holiday Reading and Historic Treasure
Date: Sunday, December 21
Time: 11 a.m.––12 p.m.
Location: Adirondack Hall

Celebrate the magic of the season with State Librarian Lauren Moore and Assemblymember Gabriella Romero for a read-aloud of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas! This cherished holiday tradition comes to life as you explore the original 19th century Troy Daily Sentinel featuring the first-ever printing of this iconic story, courtesy of the NYS Library’s Manuscripts and Special Collections. After the reading, young visitors can enjoy festive crafts and letter writing to celebrate the holiday spirit.  

Special Screening: Craft in America: Holiday
Date: Tuesday, December 23
Time: 12:00 pm
Location: Huxley Theater

This festive episode of Craft in America highlights the artists and traditions that make the holidays uniquely handmade. Explore iconic holiday creations at the National Gingerbread House Competition, Biltmore House, and the John C. Campbell Folk School, and discover how both familiar and new traditions come to life through craft.

Annual Capital Kwanzaa Celebration
Date: Friday, December 26
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: 4th Floor Terrace  

Kick off the Kwanzaa season with an inspiring celebration of Umoja (Unity), the first principle of Kwanzaa. This annual event invites the community to honor African American culture, history, and values through a variety of engaging activities. Explore the African Marketplace, enjoy live drumming, and take part in engaging activities for all ages. Admission is free, and we invite you to bring a fruit for the community fruit basket.

18th-Century Toys and Games: Play Like the Past
Date: Saturday, December 27
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Discovery Place

Step back in time and discover how children and families played hundreds of years ago! Join Shari Crawford for a hands-on, family-friendly program exploring 18th-century toys, games, and pastimes. Participants of all ages can try their hand at tops, clay marbles, and even writing with a feather quill pen.

It Got Cold: Winter Animal Adaptations with Utica Zoo
Date: Sunday, December 28
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Adirondack Hall    

Bundle up and explore the wild side of winter with the Utica Zoo at the New York State Museum! During this fun and interactive presentation, a zoo educator will bring amazing live animals and cool biofacts to the museum. Discover how animals survive and thrive in the cold—from furry coats to fantastic freeze-fighting adaptations. Perfect for kids and families looking for a wild winter break adventure!

Holiday Traditions: A Twelfth Night Celebration Preview
Date: Tuesday, December 30
Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: Adirondack Hall

Step back in time and discover the festive traditions of the 17th and 18th centuries! Join Schuyler Mansion and Crailo State Historic Sites at the New York State Museum for a special daytime program exploring Twelfth Night—the lively holiday that marked the close of the Christmas season in early New York. Through stories, music, and hands-on activities, families can learn how Dutch and English communities celebrated with feasting, music, games, and merriment.

New Year’s Eve Mid-Day Celebration
Date: Wednesday, December 31
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.  
Location: Adirondack Hall

Ring in 2026 in spectacular style at the Museum’s mid-day countdown celebration! This family-friendly event is the perfect way to jumpstart your New Year’s festivities with creative crafts, engaging activities, and plenty of countdown excitement. Designed especially for little ones who can’t stay up until midnight, the celebration features multiple thrilling “ball drops” throughout the day, ensuring everyone gets to experience the joy of ringing in the New Year. Gather with loved ones to create lasting memories and welcome 2026 with laughter, cheer, and plenty of festive fun!

In addition to the Museum’s public programs, families are invited to visit Barbie™: A Cultural Icon, a new exhibition highlighting sixty plus years of fashion, inspiration, and pop culture. The exhibition expands on Barbie’s world with an intimate look at dolls throughout the years, career milestones and iconic fashion trends that defined each era. The exhibition was created by Illusion Projects and curated by Karan Feder, in collaboration with Mattel, and includes 150+ vintage dolls, artifacts, and life-sized fashion pieces that come to life through tastefully custom-themed displays.
 

A full list of Museum programming and exhibitions can be found at nysm.nysed.gov.

About the New York State Museum  

Established in 1836, the New York State Museum is the oldest and largest public museum in the United States. Home to leading scientists, historians, archeologists, and anthropologists, its collections represent the State’s rich cultural and natural heritage from the past and present, including a staggering 20+ million artifacts spanning 1.1 billion years ago to today. Located at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Admission is free. For additional information, visit the New York State Museum website and subscribe to our newsletter.    

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