Weekend Planner: December 13-15

ElizabethMitchell — Elizabeth Mitchell lands at Symphony Space on Saturday.

The holidays are officially upon us—check out our seasonal checklist of, among other things, the brightest trees and jolliest santas to be found in the city. Also, take a look at our slideshow of the over-the-top Christmas light displays in Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights neighborhood. But we don’t want you to run out of things to do, so here we’ve compiled our guide to the best offerings this weekend, from the annual Christmas bird count in Prospect and Central parks to two unique takes on “The Nutcracker” by the Manhattan Youth Ballet and the New York Theatre Ballet. Bundle up and take to the great outdoors or sit back and enjoy the show (not to mention the perks of indoor heating).

STARTING FRIDAY

The Salzburg Marionette Theatre introduces young ones to Wagner’s The Ring Cycle in a shortened two-hour performance at the Metropolitan Museum. Grab your opera glasses! (Friday-Saturday)

The Manhattan Youth Ballet presents a New York-ified version of the “Nutcracker” known as “The Knickerbocker Suite” complete with appearances by city landmarks like the Statue of Liberty. Celebrate the city! (Friday-Sunday)

Fans of the 1983 film “A Christmas Story” will fall for its musical adaptation opening at Madison Square Garden. Sing along! (Through December 29)

In “Batteries Not Included: Toys and Trains at the New-York Historical Society,” the institution takes a playful look at 19^th-and 20^th-century pieces, including mechanical banks and toy soldiers. Open the toy chest! (Through January 5, 2014)

Snap a photo with Santa Claus at the festive Winter Garden at Brookfield Place (World Financial Center). Expect his elves and reindeer to be on hand too. Strike a pose! (Friday-Sunday)

STARTING SATURDAY

Elizabeth Mitchell and her family band, You Are My Flower, take over Symphony Space this Saturday. Expect a guest appearance from Natalie Merchant, among others, who will accompany Mitchell on tunes from her upcoming album, “The Sounding Joy.” Ring in the holidays! (Saturday)

Watch as Theodore “Jigsaw” Jones and his friend Mila hunt down a class clown with a fondness for sliming students at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Follow the clues! (Saturday)

Enjoy a performance by the Vital Theatre Company at Kingsborough Community College, where Angelina Ballerina and her friend in Mouseland will gather to plan a dazzling holiday dance pageant. Hijinks ensue! (Saturday)

Citibabes in SoHo is playing host to a unique shopping event packed with over 75 retailers. Enjoy snacks and beverages, and bring the little ones (childminding appointments are available in advance). Shop ‘til you drop! (Saturday)

Join the 114^th Annual Christmas Bird Count in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park on Saturday and Sunday and in Central Park on Sunday. Help bird populations flourish by keeping track of their numbers. Bring your binoculars! (Saturday-Sunday)

Prepare to be dazzled by the New York Theatre Ballet’s one-hour production of Keith Michael’s “The Nutcracker” at Florence Gould Hall. On Sunday, all ticket-holding kids are invited to The Land of Sweets Party, where they can mingle with dancers. Watch, meet, and greet! (Saturday-Sunday)

Participate in the Taste of Christmas “Cookie Walk” at St. Nicholas of Myra Orthodox Church. Pick from over 50 varies of cookies and fill your box with as many as it can hold. This is the bake sale to beat! Got milk? (Saturday-Sunday)

SUNDAY

Gustafer Yellowgold, the animated creation of singer and illustrator Morgan Taylor, performs at the Jewish Museum in a multimedia medley of song and story-time. Enjoy the show! (Sunday)

The Poppy Seed Players, featuring the Kaufman Kids young actors, perform the ages-old biblical tale of David and Goliath at Merkin Concert Hall. Prepare for an epic battle! (Sunday)

The Ailey School – First Steps and Bounding Boys

<blockquote style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> <div dir="ltr"> <div class="m_-3740164643787738207m_4977048992707393770WordSection1"> At The Ailey School, FIRST STEPS offers a structured creative movement curriculum that allows girls (ages 3-6) and boys (age 3), to develop body awareness and control and learn the basics of dance technique. BOUNDING BOYS (ages 4-6) provides a more athletic experience, and an energetic approach to teaching dance skills. </div> </div> </blockquote>

Dance Workshop - Long Island

Nestled in the heart of Lynbrook Village, Dance Workshop is a community-focused studio committed to dance education in a loving and safe environment. Dance Workshop offers Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre and Acro for ages 2+. They also offer a Pre-Professional Company track for dancers interested in taking their technique to the next level. Trial classes may be scheduled with the studio at the start of the season. Dance with the Dance Workshop! MaryAnn Grasso founded Dance Workshop in 1979. Her daughter Nanci later joined her at the helm and in 2016 established Dance Workshop on the Upper East Side of NYC. MaryAnn and Nanci have devoted their lives to dance education, community and the development of children; raising dancers and sound human beings alike. Dance Workshop has seen thousands of dancers pass through the doors. They believe dance has the power to elevate and change lives!

Super Soccer Stars

Soccer Stars is New York&rsquo;s most popular youth educational soccer program! With 24 years of experience under our cleats, we have positively impacted over one million kids in our local community by putting the FUN in FUNdamentals in our weekly classes and camps. At Soccer Stars, we use the soccer ball as a vehicle to help children not only improve their soccer skills, but develop self-confidence and physical literacy, improve gross motor skills, build teamwork, and hone socialization skills. Our highly trained coaches and early childhood experts lead an age-specific curriculum with a low kid-to-coach ratio so every child gets individual attention and can grow at their own pace. Kids ages 1-12+ can join our seasonal programs, including Parent &amp; Me, FUNdamentals, Development Training, and Travel Soccer. Join us at one of over 80 locations in neighborhoods across across Westchester County, Connecticut and New York, available 7 days-a-week: Connecticut: <ul> <li>Cos Cob</li> <li>Greenwich</li> <li>Port Chester</li> </ul> &nbsp; Westchester: <ul> <li>Briarcliff</li> <li>Eastchester</li> <li>Mt. Kisco</li> <li>New Rochelle</li> <li>Ridgefield</li> <li>Scarsdale</li> <li>White Plains</li> </ul> &nbsp; New York City: <ul> <li>Bronx</li> <li>Inwood</li> <li>Upper West Side</li> <li>Upper East Side</li> </ul> &nbsp; Can&rsquo;t find a class or location that fits your schedule? Soccer Stars also offers private classes for small groups or individual training. Let our coaches come to you with a completely customizable program, anytime, anywhere. Birthday parties are also available!&nbsp;