December is such an exciting time of the year. A ton of train shows, holiday performances, and winter-themed bashes will be cropping up all month long–but the rest of the city’s typical offerings keep going strong, too. There’s too much to include in our weekend highlights, so be sure to check our online calendar for the full scoop!
STARTING FRIDAY
Australia’s Circus Oz ups the ante at The New Victory Theater with a rock ‘n’ roll twist to the classic juggling, acrobatting, and trapezing. Hello, mate! (Friday-Sunday)
Have yourself a beary Christmas at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater’s “Three Bears Holiday Bash” puppet show, inspired by stories from Hanukkah and Kwanzaa as well as Christmas. Be prepared to sing along! (Friday-Sunday)
History gets festive at the NY Historical Society, whose Holiday Express Toys and Trains collection brings 1800s fun the to 21st Century. Get the scoop here. (Friday-Sunday)
STARTING SATURDAY
Learn to code for free with CoderDojo NYC, a collaborative non-profit that helps kids become tech-savvy. Here’s what you’ll learn about programming basics. (Saturday)
Get your locavore fix at the New York Hall of Science, which hosts a Farmer’s Market 2.0 about urban food growing and preparation. Who’s ready for some beekeeping and butter making? (Saturday)
Calling all “Nutcracker” fans: Joffrey Ballet School students perform a kid-friendly, 1.5-hour version of the holiday fairytale (Saturday), while The Peridance Capezio Center presents a modern rendition with hip hop, video images, and more (Sunday).
STARTING SUNDAY
Happy Hanukkah! What better way to celebrate than a night of candle making, dreidel decorating, and olive oil producing alongside a bevvy of performances? All at 92Y’s festival. (Sunday)
The 90-Second Newberry Film Festival at Symphony Space condenses hundred-page films into brilliant 90-second shorts. Did we mention they’re made by students? (Sunday)
Looking for an all-in-one indoor activity? The New York Public Library’s Open House, hosted at the midtown main branch, includes everything from circus acts to caroling to character visits. More here. (Sunday)
More museum goodness: Winter Family Day at The Morgan means a puppet show, holiday-themed readings, and kid-friendly exhibit tours. Get festive! (Sunday)
Enjoy the season’s most delicious and dazzling offerings on a 3.5-hour Christmas Lights & Cannoli tour through Brooklyn, complete with tasty bakery samples at the end. Yum! (Sunday)
BONUS TIPS
The city’s glittering trees make New York a real-life winter wonderland during the holiday season. Here are the must-sees for families.
December can only mean one thing: time for shopping! Make the most of NYC’s pop-up stores with our family guide to holiday markets.
Holiday fun isn’t just for weekends. This Tuesday, an Upper East Side block will be transformed into “Kid Row” for a Holiday Extravaganza with mini-manis, haircuts, art projects, shopping sales, and much more.
Weighing your child’s school options? Next Wednesday, one of the city’s top school advisers, Robin Aronow, is hosting a panel on District 3 and citywide options. Learn more here.
