Picks of the Week: November 26-December 2

Rockefeller Center Tree — Photo by Laura Bittner

Now that everyone has slept off their Thanksgiving Day food comas, it’s time to dig in to the feast of holiday events occurring around Manhattan. Enjoy our wonderful city’s event offerings for this week!

Wednesday, November 28

Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting
Rockefeller Plaza
7 pm-9 pm
Having gone to the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting a few years ago, I can honestly say that there’s nothing quite like seeing an 80-foot pine tree aglow with 30,000 lights. However, it’s best to come prepared. Arrive about 4 hours early, dress warmly, and bring food with you in case you have no one to hold your spot.

Friday, November 30

Circus Oz
The New Victory Theater
Various times
The death-defying circus troupe from Australia is back at the New Victory Theater for their holiday show. Accompanied by a live rock band, Circus Oz’s slew of trapeze artists, acrobats, and jugglers will mesmerize kids ages 5 and up. Runs on Thursdays and weekends through Sunday, December 30. Tickets start at $17.

Sunday, December 2

92Y Hanukkah Festival
92nd Street Y
10:30 am
Although Hanukkah doesn’t begin until December 8th, 92nd Street Y is kicking the celebration off early with a Hanukkah Festival. Kids can make their own olive oil, menorahs, and candles while enjoying tunes from Shababa Mamas and The Miracle Makers. Tickets start at $10.

Winter Family Day
The Morgan Library & Museum
2 pm-5 pm
This year, all of the Morgan’s Winter Family Day activities will center around their new exhibit Beatrix Potter: The Picture Letters and the Charles Dickens holiday classic A Christmas Carol. Kids ages 3 through 12 will enjoy puppet shows, arts and crafts, a dress-up photo shoot, and more. Free with museum admission.

USC Gymnastics & Baseball Training Facility

We offer sports activities, after school programs, birthday parties &amp; private lessons for kids ages 3&ndash;13 years! Our gymnastics classes are a great way to keep your child active and healthy. We strive to empower and challenge children through the sport of gymnastics.

Play On! Studios

Play On! Studios offers theater day camps and after-school classes on the UWS that are guaranteed to give kids a summer full of acting, music, and fun they won't soon forget! Young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors/teaching artists, build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment and play lots of drama games! Creative Drama Camps are perfect for kids entering grades K-4. Campers will work each week to put on a brand-new show! Each session, they will receive a script, rehearse a production, make a set and costumes, and perform their play. Kids will also play drama games, play outside (weather permitting), and have tons of fun! Musical Theater Camps are aimed at kids entering grades 4-9. In Musical Theater Performance Camp, campers put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips, and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show! During the school year, classes are great for beginners or more experienced actors - sing, dance, and put on a play! Whether your child is just starting out, or ready for Broadway, we&rsquo;ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us. &nbsp;

The Music Institute of Long Island

Established in 1990, the Music Institute of Long Island (MILI) is a classical music school staffed by exceptional instructors from many of the most prestigious conservatories and graduate music schools in the United States and Europe. Long Island&rsquo;s foremost musical academies, its instrumental programs include violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, clarinet, saxophone and voice classes. MILI has been voted # 1 BEST MUSIC SCHOOL Consistently.&nbsp; They teach the Traditional, Suzuki, and ABRSM methods. Students participate in All-National, All-Eastern, All-State, youth orchestras, and score highly in NYSSMA and Royal Academy Music Festivals. First prize winners of competitions earn solos at Carnegie Hall and with orchestras. MILI offers Fall/Spring semesters plus Summer Sessions. Semesters include 15-17 weeks of private lessons, solo recitals with a final GALA Concert featuring chamber music. About the Directors: Carol &amp; Geri Kushner: The sisters are violinists, violists, chamber coaches &amp; performers. They believe in instilling the love of music, &nbsp;fostering proficiency, success, confidence &amp; believe all MILI students achieve success. Degrees BM, MM (+), K-12 certifications, attended Manhattan School of Music, Queens College &amp; Stonybrook University.They have been adjunct professors at Syracuse University, Aaron Copland School of Music Pre-College &amp; Five Towns Colleges, Stonybrook University &amp; have taught in L.I. public schools.