...Besides shop. Merry Christmas, btw.

While the family is in town and spirits are high, wanting to celebrate the holiday season is at the top of everyone’s Christmas list. Although Christmas day might be spent entirely at home with new presents to enjoy and a homecooked dinner waiting to be shared, figuring out what to do on Christmas Eve might be more challenging, though, full of opportunities. To help expand on the seasonal possibilities, here are 4 ways you and your family can embrace a Christmas Eve best spent together.

• Seeing Christmas Light Shows

Whether you’re driving through neighborhoods, jamming out to Christmas music while enjoying the craft and effort households have put into bringing light and joy to their home, or, you go to a drive-through light show, this holiday activity is sure to bring magic to your Christmas Eve. 

In CNY, two notable light shows that will be open on Christmas Eve are the Winter Wonderland of Lights, located at The Wild Animal Park, 7621 Lakeport Road, Chittenango, and Lights on the Lake located at 6790 Onondaga Lake Pkwy, Liverpool, NY 13088. Both of these shows are spectacular in the CNY area and are sure to brighten up your holiday season!

• Attending a Candlelight Services

Candlelight services brighten up your Christmas Eve through a different light as it can give you and your family the opportunity to share space and community. Spiritually connect to the gratitude and love that marks the holiday season. As many local churches across the CNY area conduct Candlelight Services on December 24th, joining in on this spiritual festivity can be a truly magical way to prepare for Christmas Day. 

• Making Dinner Reservations

While cooking and sharing a homemade dinner is traditional for Christmas day, saves time on preparing and cleaning for the holiday’s Eve. Make dinner reservations at a spot you and your family will love so that while others prepare your holiday meal, you can all be present at the dinner table and simply enjoy each other’s company over a delicious Christmas Eve feast!

• Going to the Movie Theaters 

As movie theaters are iconically opened during the holiday season, attending a showing with the entire family can be an exciting and memorable shared experience this Christmas Eve!

This year, there are so many fun movies that you can be seated for on December 24th, including Wonka, The Boy and the Heron, The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Poor Things, and The Iron Claw.

Mona Chahfe contributed to this article.