10 Great Events For December

"Pedal Punk" at the New Victory Theater

DECEMBER 4-JANUARY 3 [Ages 5+] “Pedal Punk” is an utterly unique circus performance that features pole drops, aerial acts, and trampoline tricks. The show follows a bike shop mechanic as he attempts to turn cyclists into Pedal Punks. The centerpiece of the show is a 20-ft high pedal-powered platform called the “Gantry,” which the acrobats use to perform funky and impressive tricks. Creative Director Chris Lashua and the Cirque Mechanics troupe combine storytelling and bike mechanics into a show that will take you and your family by surprise. Tickets start at $19, showtimes vary. The New Victory Theater, 229 West 42nd Street, 646-223-3010, newvictory.org Photo by Zach Mahone

"ELF The Musical" at the Theater at Madison Square Garden

DECEMBER 9-27 [All Ages] “ELF The Musical” comes to the Theater at Madison Square Garden this month! Based on the beloved Christmastime movie, the musical tells the story of Buddy, an orphaned child who crawls into Santa’s pack and is raised among the elves in the North Pole. The musical picks up when Buddy returns to New York City to discover his true identity and instill the Christmas spirit in New Yorkers. This fun show will help you and your family transition into the holiday season and share some laughs. $39-160, showtimes vary. The Theater at MSG, 2 Pennsylvania Plaza, 212-465-6741, theateratmsg.com

Unsilent Night

DECEMBER 12 [All Ages] Bring your boom box or portable speakers to participate in Unsilent Night, the one-of-a-kind music parade that runs from Washington Square Park to Tompkins Square Park. Each participant will play one of four original tracks by composer and organizer Phil Kline that, when played together, create an original “sound sculpture.” Kline, who has been leading the event in multiple cities annually for the past 24 years, will also be handing out a limited number of vintage boom boxes, cassettes, and CDs at the event. Free, 7pm (meet at 6:45pm). Washington Square Park, unsilentnight.com Photo by Taylor Davidson

Historical Train Weekend at the New-York Historical Society

DECEMBER 12-13 [All Ages] Families are invited to the New-York Historical Society’s Historical Train Weekend to explore the special “Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection” exhibition. The exhibit features model trains and toys from the largest collection of European and American toy trains ever assembled, along with lighting, audio and visual effects that make visitors feel as if they are aboard a moving train. The special event for children will take them aboard the Holiday Express, where they can participate in a train scavenger hunt. Children can also make train cars of their own and talk to the train conductor! Free with museum admission, 10am-3pm. DiMenna Children’s History Museum, 170 Central Park West, 212-0873-3400, nyhistory.org Photo courtesy of the New-York Historical Society

Jennifer Gasoi at BAM

DECEMBER 12 [Ages 4-11] Jennifer Gasoi, the 2014 Grammy winner for Best Children’s Album, is coming to the Brooklyn Academy of Music to perform songs from her award-winning album “Throw a Penny in the Wishing Well,” in addition to Hanukkah and other holiday favorites, along with special guests Oran Etkin from Timbalooloo and Jon Samson, Gasoi is known for her catchy lyrics and her incorporation of multiple music styles—from jazz to bluegrass—into her songs. $20, 10:30am and 2pm. Brooklyn Academy of Music, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, 718-636-4100, bam.org Photo via bam.org

Hanukkah Celebrations at The Children’s Museum of Manhattan

DECEMBER 12-13 [All Ages] The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is hosting a fun weekend-long celebration of Hanukkah, full of festivities that honor the holiday. Families can decorate a banner with pockets to store eight Hanukkah treasures, and the 92Y will be on-hand to help children make dreidels out of clay and to teach them about the history and rules of the game. There will also be performances by jazz ensemble the Roy Assaf Trio, and TADA!’s Resident Youth Ensemble. Free with museum admission, 10am-4pm. Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1223, cmom.org Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Manhattan

"Ballerina Swan" at The New York City Children’s Theater

DECEMBER 12-JANUARY 3 [Ages 3-8] The New York City Children’s Theater is bringing the story of the “Ballerina Swan” to you and your family. The show is based on the children’s book by former NYC Ballet ballerina Allegra Kent that tells the story of a Central Park swan named Sophie who wishes to become a ballerina. The performance features a 5-ft tall dancing swan puppet along with dance and theater actors that help Sophie on her journey to be cast in a production of “Swan Lake.” $25-45, show times vary. New York City Children’s Theater, 311 West 43rd Street, 3rd Floor, 646-250-1178, nycchildrenstheater.org Photo Courtesy of The New York City Children's Theater

"Lollipops for Breakfast" at Symphony Space

DECEMBER 19 [Ages 3+] Join teaching artist Bonnie Duncan as she performs her sweet and silly puppet musical, “Lollipops for Breakfast,” at Symphony Space this winter. The show tells the tale of young Sylvie’s desire to make a lollipop for breakfast. As she tries to make the perfect lollipop from scratch, she and her pet bird get lost in a pop-up cookbook and battle candy machines. Audiences might recognize the performance as a sequel to Duncan’s play “Squirrel Stole my Underpants,” which she performed last fall at Symphony Space. Little ones will be delighted by the show’s live music and colorful visuals. $15 general admission, $13 for members, 11am and 2pm. Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, 212-864-5400,  symphonyspace.org Photo by Liz Linder

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" at Carnegie Hall

DECEMBER 20 [Ages 5-10] This year marks the 50th anniversary of the television special “A Charlie Brown Christmas” created by Charles M. Schultz, and Steven Reineke and the New York Pops are returning to Carnegie Hall to celebrate the occasion! Recommended for ages 5-10, this family concert will feature a sing-a-long and a few other special surprises that will spread holiday cheer. $10-25, 3pm. Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, 57th Street and 7th Avenue, 212-903-9600, carnegiehall.org

"Kwanzaa 2015: Energize, Recognize!" at the American Museum of Natural History

DECEMBER 27 [All Ages] This year marks the 37th annual Kwanzaa celebration at the American Museum of Natural History, and this year’s “Energize, Recognize!” celebration will be highlighted by a performance by rapper and producer Doug E. Fresh. Fresh is known as the first human beatboxer in the rap world, and will combine his energy with have traditions honoring Kwanzaa’s seven guiding principles. There will also be activities, performances including a musical tribute to Dr. Maya Angelou, an international marketplace, and special Kwanzaa foods to celebrate the holiday. Free with museum admission, performances at 12pm and 3pm. American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, 212-769-5100, amnh.org Photo Courtesy of AMNH