Picks Of The Week: December 19-25

With Hanukkah on the very
near horizon and Christmas just around the corner, the festive vibe in NYC just
went up ten notches! Whether you’re looking for last minute gifts, whipping up
gingerbread men (or ladies) or tidying up those (erm, dusty) corners—we hope you take a minute enjoy
the ones you love! Here’s a list to get you started. Happy Holidays from us at New York Family! —

Monday, December 19
Screening: Miracle on 34^th
Street
At Cobble Hill Cinemas
265 Court Street
4pm

“Big Movies For Little Kids” hosts a Christmas screening for the whole family.
This 1947 classic never tires!

Tuesday, December 20
Chanukah On Ice At Wollman Rink
Central Park South (59^th Street) And 6^th Avenue
6-9pm

Observe the first night of
Chanukah with a six-foot tall menorah (made of ice!). This skating party will
be decked out with kosher foods, like traditional Chanukah donuts, and the
groovy sounds of The Yeshiva Maccabeats.

Wednesday, December 21
Painting Studio At Children’s
Museum of the Arts
103 Charlton
St.
2-5pm

Kids 8 and up are invited
to paint the town their favorite color…or at least a blank canvas! Artist
Cecilia de Corral will be in the studio to guide the creative process.

ShirLaLa Chanukah Concert
At The 14^th
Street Y
344 East 14^th Street
6-6:45pm

Kiddos 6 and under will
love this concert led by Shira Klein. Human dreidel
spinning contest, anyone?

Thursday, December 22
A Christmas Carol, Oy! Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa
(Happy Ramadan) At ClockWorks
196 Columbia
Street, Brooklyn
7pm

More than 30 puppets are
featured in this adaptation of Dickens’ classic tale. Don’t miss the Czech,
English, Hebrew and Swahili a cappella!

Friday, December 23
The New York City Ballet
Presents George Balanchine’s The
Nutcracker At Lincoln Center
Columbus and 63^rd Street
2pm, 8pm

It’s not too late to get
your fix of sugar plums! Exquisite costumes and Tchaikovsky’s spellbinding
score will whisk away viewers of all ages.

Saturday, December 24
Hansel and Gretel At The Met Opera
70 Lincoln Center Plaza
6:30pm

Cap off your Christmas Eve
with Richard Jones’ English-language production of the Brothers Grimm fairy
tale. Recommended for children 7 and up.

Vintage Subway Rides On
The Sixth
Avenue Line

Between Queens Plaza and Second
Avenue,
you can hop on the F/M lines and ride a classic R1/9 car for the same toll. Nothing
like the holidays to make you crave nostalgia!

Sunday, December 25
Klez For Kids Family
Concert At The Museum At Eldridge Street
12 Eldridge
Street
1pm

Introduce the kids to a
little culture in this Eastern European Jewish concert. Clarinetist Greg Wall
will lead the way with singing, dancing and even a little Yiddish.

Presents To The Animals At The Queens Zoo
53-51 111th Street
1-3pm

Who says that animals can’t join in on the holiday fun, too? Watch as the Queens Zoo coyotes, pumas and bears receive festive treats. Arrive early to help decorate the boxes!

P.S. Family in town?
Nothing says “holidays” more than checking out a glitzed-up Christmas tree! Here’s our
list for our favorites around town.

BAMkids

BAMkids presents adventurous art and ideas for young audiences, igniting the imaginations of creative kids ages 3&mdash;11 with a fun and engaging lineup of workshops, movie matinees, and live performances from around the world. BAM Education connects learning with creativity, engaging imagination by encouraging self-expression through programs for students, teachers, and audiences of all ages. Explore the programs on their website to learn more about their opportunities for creative online engagement!

Gaga Madness

Gaga is the hottest new sport in NYC. We've taken the fun of GAGA and pushed it into overdrive. Energetic coaches, pumped up music, sideline commentary, gear giveaways and more. Stay active and keep fit with this new craze that's sweeping the city.

The Wild Center

The Wild Center, nestled within the breathtaking landscape of New York's Adirondack Park, offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature. As visitors approach the Center, they are greeted by the Adirondack Mountains towering in the distance, setting the stage for an immersive adventure. Upon entering the 34,000-square-foot exhibit hall, guests are enveloped in a world of wonder and discovery. Interactive exhibits like Planet Adirondack and Climate Solutions invite exploration, allowing visitors to delve into the rich biodiversity of the Adirondack region. The indoor experience also includes an opportunity to soar on Birdly--a one-of-a-kind VR experience. Also, get up close with an animal ambassador during one of many live animal encounters throughout the day. In addition to its indoor exhibits and programs, the Wild Center also boasts 115-acres of extensive outdoor amenities. One of the highlights in the award-winning Wild Walk. Visitors walk up a trail of bridges to the treetops of the Adirondack forest, 40 feet off the ground. Along the way, interactive exhibits provide insights into the flora and fauna that call the Adirondacks home, from songbirds to black bears. The rest of the campus features more ways to explore. Check out Patrick Dougherty&rsquo;s Stickwork sculpture, an all natural installation of woven sticks that will spark your imagination and nostalgia. Immerse yourself in Forest Music, take a naturalist-lead canoe trip, or get your roll on with Raquette River Roll, a brand-new, oversized, all-natural ball run experience opening in June 2024.