Between now and the New Year, there are a ton of great offerings out there. Here’s our holiday checklist, complete with the best trees, lights, department store windows, santas, “nutcracker” shows, holiday markets, ice skating rinks, theater, and gingerbread workshops! For more fun happenings, see our featured picks below, including live music from the Laurie Berkner Band and Dan Zanes. Another important event on our radar this weekend is our camp fair, with editions on the Upper West Side and Upper East Side (following are all the deets!).
Saturday: Camp fair on UES from 12-3pm at St. Jean Baptiste High School.
Sunday: Camp fair on UWS from 12-3pm at the West Side YMCA.
Plus, when you pre-register, you’re automatically entered to win tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular! Sign up!
STARTING FRIDAY
In “Mother Africa,” Tanzania’s Circus Der Sinne honors the music and dance of Africa at the New Victory Theater. Ready to move? (Friday-Sunday)
The Griffin Theatre Company presents “Andrew Clements’ Frindle” at the Kupferberg Center for the Arts. It is a tale of a thoughtful boy who explores the power of language. Break out your dictionary! (Friday)
In the play “Seven in One Blow, or the Brave Little Kid”–adapted from a Brothers Grimm fairy tale and opening at the Axis Theater—a city kid kills seven flies at once and creates a belt to remember the event by. Trouble ensues when people mistakenly think he’s harmed seven people. Prepare for an adventure! (Friday-Sunday)
STARTING SATURDAY
The Laurie Berkner Band ushers in the holiday season with a special showing at the New York Society for Ethical Culture. Dance to the beat! (Saturday)
Join food expert Sarah Lohman for “At the Kids’ Table: Cornelia van Varick’s Holiday Kitchen” at the New York Historical Society—learn how to make holidays treats like orange caraway cookies. Gather the ingredients! (Saturday)
Innovative pop-up illustrator Robert Sabuda sits down at MoMA’s SoHo store to help children create their very own pop-ups. Grab the scissors! (Saturday)
Famed fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi narrates the Juilliard Ensemble’s performance of Sergei Prokofiev’s orchestral piece, “Peter & the Wolf” at the Guggenheim Museum. Perfect for kids, the show is capped at a half-hour. Tune your ears! (Saturday & Sunday)
SUNDAY
Grammy-award-winning children’s singer Dan Zanes is inviting his musically gifted friends to the City Winery in SoHo for his third annual holiday show. Ready your pipes! (Sunday)
Enjoy puppets, an art workshop, and a holiday-inspired photo shoot at the Morgan Library and Museum’s annual Winter Family Day. Get thee to the Museum! (Sunday)
Take part in the Queens Botanical Garden’s Winter Solstice Celebration featuring crafts, garden tours, live musical performances, and a tree lighting ceremony. Smell the flowers! (Sunday)
Be generous with a family “FUN”draiser at Citibabes. Take advantage of Citibabes’ huge indoor playground and enjoy arts & crafts, a concert, and interactive story time. Profits go to providing orphaned Tanzanian youth with school supplies. Give back! (Sunday)
A quartet of talented actors—including Paul Giamatti—will be reading pieces by acclaimed author Roald Dahl at Symphony Space. Expect a special appearance by Dahl’s grandson. Listen up! (Sunday)
MORE HOLIDAY FUN
On next Tuesday night, December 10 is Mommybites’ big holiday night out. It is one of our favorite fun events for local moms. Click HERE for details and to register!
Citibabes’ ‘Tis The Season In The Citi: Join our friends at Citibabes in their lovely SoHo space for a complimentary day of shopping, snacks, crafts for kids, holiday cheer, and more on Saturday, December 14! Click HERE for details and to register.
Tree Lightings: For a guide to the city’s many tree lightings (plenty have yet to happen!), check out New York Family’s recent story HERE.
