Curtain’s Up on Kid-Friendly Theater as New Season Unfolds in New York

New York City theaters are rolling out a fall slate of family-focused performances, with returning favorites and new productions spanning venues from the Upper East Side to Broadway. The Perelman Performing Arts Center is staging the Old Vic’s Tony-winning A Christmas Carol in a holiday run that promises a visually immersive take on the Dickens classic, while more kid-friendly programming is taking shape at 92Y's Theater for Young Audiences and the New Victory Theater. Across town, Broadway will present a mix of new works and beloved stories designed for families, and hotels are weaving in musical-themed experiences that extend the season beyond the stage. The lineup underscores a broader push to offer engaging, accessible theater for kids and their grown-ups this fall.

92Y’s Theater for Young Audiences is delivering nine shows this season—the most performances in a single season in its history. Opening with Red Riding Hood (Sept. 14–Oct. 12), the lineup also features Junie B. Jones, The Musical (Sept. 27–Oct. 26) and Alice in Wonderland (Oct. 25–Nov. 9). The department aims to bring engaging productions to children, while also inviting parents to revisit familiar stories in fresh, stage-ready formats. In addition, New Victory Theater will host Mario the Maker Magician 2.0, a lively collaboration in which a self-styled mad scientist orchestrates playful pranks and sleight-of-hand illusions.

Celebrating its 30th season this fall, the New Victory Theater has three new productions on its slate. Snow White runs Nov. 1–9 and centers on a heroine who—along with a cast of forgetful vegan forest friends—must outwit a wicked stepmother. Mario the Maker Magician 2.0 follows Nov. 15–30, pairing science-inspired tricks with storytelling. The season closes with Merry Mayhem from Circus Oz, a touring circus that blends acrobatics with humor, running Dec. 5–28.

On the off-Broadway and off-Broadway curve, New World Stages will host The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, returning Nov. 17 and running through Feb. 15. The smart, fast-paced musical has drawn audiences since its Broadway debut in 2005, with Grammy-nominated star Kevin McHale of Glee fame headlining the production.

Broadway will also welcome the illusionist Rob Lake for a limited engagement at the Broadhurst Theatre, starting Nov. 6 and running through Jan. 18. Lake’s show features original illusions and includes appearances by Kermit the Frog and other Muppet friends, offering a family-friendly blend of magic and whimsy.

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) lands at the Longacre Theatre, starring Christiani Pitts and Sam Tutty. The new musical explores New York City's rhythms through the eyes of two young people as they run a last-minute errand for a fraught family wedding, weaving in scenes from across the city as the pair navigates culture, humor, and the pressures of growing up. The show opens Nov. 20.

The Dickens classic A Christmas Carol returns to New York this fall in a limited Broadway-season run at the Perelman Performing Arts Center. The Old Vic production, which has sold out in London for nine holiday seasons, runs from Nov. 23 to Dec. 28 with a staging that emphasizes theatricality and Dickensian atmosphere while staying faithful to the beloved tale.

Across hospitality venues, Hyatt Regency Times Square is offering a Mamma Mia! Experience designed to immerse guests in the musical’s sunny Greek world. The room, perched on the hotel’s 44th floor, features a fully transformed space with white-washed walls, stone-like accents, and a private dressing of a costume from the original Broadway production. Guests can even shout “Dancing Queen” to trigger a playful light and sound sequence as sequined curtains reveal a disco-ready setup. Rates start at about $599 per night.

Together, the fall lineup reflects a broader push to make theater accessible and appealing to families, with staged adaptations of favorite tales for younger audiences and more ambitious shows for older kids and teens who want depth, humor, and a sense of city life on stage. The season’s cross-venue reach underlines New York’s role as a year-round destination for family entertainment, offering something for every age and interest.