Editor's note: Remember, several places close early on Christmas Eve, so click through to the full listing or website to confirm times before heading out. Reservations are required for many of these events.

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1. Buy Your Christmas Tree

My family often waits until Christmas Eve to purchase our tree. You can negotiate a better price, and decorating the tree on Christmas Eve is a wonderful way to spend time as a family. Want to cut your own? Try these nearby Christmas tree farms. Most close early on Christmas Eve, so call ahead.

2. See the Light

The stunning Lightscape display shines brightly on Christmas Eve at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The Amaze Light Festival sets Citi Field's parking lot aglow. You can also enjoy the eye-popping NYC Winter Lantern Festival: Journey to the East on Staten Island or Illuminate the Farm at the Queens County Farm Museum for killer photo-ops.

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The rink at the Governors Island Winter Village returns for a second season. Photo by Julienne Schaer

3. Go Ice Skating

Many of New York City's outdoor rinks are open on Christmas Eve, although most close early. The no-cost rink at Bryant Park is open until midnight, but you must book your session in advance. Ditto for the FREE Ice Rink at the Seaport. You can also hop on the ferry for some festive fun at the Governors Island Winter Village and Ice Skating Rink or check out the Brooklyn Children Museum's rooftop addition, ArtRink.

4. Visit Santa

The big guy in red is still holding court at many spots around town, but he'll probably leave early, given the big night ahead. Go in the morning if you have any last-minute requests.

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Holiday decor gets a makeover with the American Museum of Natural History's annual Origami Holiday Tree. Photo by Jody Mercier

5. Explore a Favorite Museum

Many museums are open on Christmas Eve, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art with its angel tree and Neapolitan Baroque Creche. Likewise, the American Museum of Natural History hosts an ultra-cool Origami Holiday Tree.

6. Attend a Religious Service

The lottery is closed for the midnight mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, but the 5:30pm Christmas Eve family mass is open to the public. Also, anyone can join the live stream of both Christmas Eve masses. The Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine hosts its Service of Lessons and Carols at 4pm and tickets can be reserved online in advance.

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Saks Fifth Avenue lights up the night with its holiday window display. Photo by Jody Mercier

7. Revel in the Holiday Decor

In Manhattan, gawk at massive twinkling Christmas trees and amazing department store windows. Or head to the outer boroughs to see other truly spectacular holiday displays. Consider Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, or head further afield to view the awesome holiday light displays in Westchester, New Jersey, and on Long Island.

8. Belt Out Some Carols

Every Christmas Eve, revelers gather under the Washington Square Arch next to the illuminated tree to sing traditional holiday songs at 5pm. Join in as The Rob Susman Brass Quartet leads a cast of crooners.

9. Enjoy a Holiday Tour

Whether you go by bus or boat, you can meet Santa and see some spectacular holiday sights. The North Pole Express guides you past Midtown's brightest displays while you nosh on cookies and sip hot cocoa. You can also meet Santa aboard a Santa Fun Cruise in the afternoon complete with plenty of treats and a photo shoot in Santa's North Pole suite.

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The Peanuts gang learns the true meaning of Christmas in A Charlie Brown Christmas. Photo courtesy of the production

10. Catch a Holiday Show

Celebrate Christmas Eve with tickets to one of the city's holiday shows, including the high-kicking Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes,  The Nutcracker or The Magic Flute at Lincoln Center, A Charlie Brown Christmas at Palladium Times Square, The Big Apple Circus' Dream Big, and Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas.

11. Hit a Drive-thru Display

Put on your PJs and go for a holiday drive to catch the glittering, twinkling, professionally mounted drive-thru holiday light displays throughout the tri-state area. Many of these festive installations are open on Christmas Eve. You can find awe-inspiring holiday lights drive-thrus on Long Island, in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, and New Jersey.

12. Cue Up a Christmas Movie

We've got a giant list of family-friendly holiday movies to choose from, and keeping with its tradition, TBS airs A Christmas Story for 24 hours straight beginning at 8pm.

This article, first published in December 2009, is updated annually.