As we count down the days until Christmas, be sure to make time for some pre-holiday fun at one of our festive picks. We’ve got a dash of opera, a pinch of puppetry, a heaping helping of winter wonderland, a sprinkling of parade and a smattering of Peanuts to add some spice to everyone’s week. Enjoy!
Beginning Wednesday, December 16
“The Barber of Seville”
The Metropolitan Opera
Various times
Rossini’s classic comedic opera returns to The Metropolitan Opera this Wednesday! Will Rosina find true love with the help of Figaro? Find out during this two-hour, family-friendly production conducted by Antony Walker. Sung in English, this performance is a great way to introduce children to the joys of live opera. (Plus, take advantage of special holiday pricing: For each full-priced ticket purchased through December 30, an audience member 18 or younger can attend for half-price.) Tickets start at $25. Runs through Saturday, January 2, 2016.
Saturday, December 19
La MaMa Kids: Winter Wonderland Presentation
First Floor Theatre & Club
11am
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? All ages are invited to the First Floor Theatre & Club for La MaMa Kids’ end-of-the-year celebration! La MaMa resident artists will combine music, theater, storytelling, dance, and puppetry in performances based on a “winter wonderland” theme. Tickets are $8.
“Lollipops for Breakfast”
Symphony Space
11am & 2pm
Join teaching artist Bonnie Duncan as she performs her sweet and silly puppet musical, “Lollipops for Breakfast,” at Symphony Space this Saturday. 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. Tickets are $15.
8th Annual East Meets West Christmas Parade
Parade begins at Canal & Mulberry Streets
1pm-4pm
Downtown Manhattan’s Chinatown and Little Italy will unite for the 8th Annual East Meets West Christmas Parade this Saturday! The parade will begin at Canal and Mulberry Streets and end at The Bowery and Worth Street. Afterwards, all ages can enjoy musical performances and live entertainment. This event is free.
Saturday, December 19-Sunday, December 20
“A Charlie Brown Christmas”
Metropolitan Museum of Art; Carnegie Hall
Various times
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the television special “A Charlie Brown Christmas” created by Charles M. Schultz. Steven Reineke and the New York Pops are returning to Carnegie Hall on Sunday 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. Tickets for the Carnegie Hall screening start at $10.
The Metropolitan Museum will also screen the Christmas special on Saturday and Sunday with live accompaniment by the Rob Schwimmer Trio,plus a holiday sing-along. Children under the age of 4 will not be admitted to the Met Museum screening. Tickets for the Met Museum screening start at $45.
