The snow is coming. Here’s our handy list of great sledding spots from Central Park to Prospect Park. For more winter fun inside and outside the city, check out our complete guide to the best skating rinks, tea and cocoa spots, cultural oases, and more. Plus, below is our survey of this weekend’s many happenings. Happy New Year!
STARTING FRIDAY
Watch the world’s top 35 bull riders perform daring feats at Madison Square Garden. Giddy up! (Friday through Sunday)
Enjoy “Patience,” a classic love triangle with a virtuous milkmaid in the middle brought to you by the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players at Symphony Space. Cheers to romance! (Friday through Sunday)
In “The Shell-Shocked Nut” at La MaMa, “The Nutcracker” gets a unique spin, complete with an East Village setting and an eclectic soundtrack featuring everyone from Stevie Wonder to Duke Ellington. Starring the East Village Dance Project. Think beyond ballet! (Friday through Sunday)
STARTING SATURDAY
Journey through the solar system with a young pilot and her robot companion in “Planet Hopping” at Symphony Space. The production was dreamed up by the puppet troupe Belle et Bête and children’s music band Lunch Money. Enjoy the show! (Saturday)
The timeless tale of Little Red Riding Hood and her adventures in the woods will be re-imagined by La Piccola Opera in an abridged format at Lincoln Center. Beware the big bad wolf! (Saturday)
Celebrate Asian American culture with the Children’s Museum of the Arts unique festival. The two-weekend-long event kicks off this Saturday with an ancient Chinese Lion Dance performance from PS 124, among other festivities. Party time! (Saturday through Sunday)
The Galli Theater presents a modern adaptation of the classic fairytale Hansel and Gretel. The pair, of course, stumbles across a tempting gingerbread house, inhabited—to their misfortune—by a witch. Be careful what you wish for! (Saturday through Sunday)
Listen to percussionist Dendê and his band combine rhythmic Brazilian music with Afrobeat, reggae, merengue and other world music into an upbeat dance party groove at the Brooklyn Museum. Tap your toes! (Saturday)
SUNDAY
Honor the owl at Wave Hill with Native American legends about these mysterious creatures and with crafts and activities, including a musical pow-wow. Soar to creative heights! (Sunday)
Explore the brass section of the New York Philharmonic with a special concert for little ones at Merkin Concert Hall. Musicians are on hand before curtain call to greet families with creative activities, and children can play with the instruments post-show. Follow the music! (Sunday)
Bake one of America’s favorite cookies—the Oreo—from scratch with this Freshmade NYC class. Ready the icing! (Sunday)
