Contributing Writer: Briehn Trumbauer
Hanukkah is (almost) here! We’ve
rounded up more than 20 events to enhance your family’s festival of lights this
year. And in regards to your weekend? We’ve got that covered, too—from high-flying
stunts in Park Slope to six versions of The
Nutcracker. Plus, have you seen Santa yet? —
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
Along with jazz singer Kim Burrel, Wynton Marsalis will perform holiday
tunes at A New Holiday Revue: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Kids can
satisfy their sweet tooth with cookie decorating before Saturday’s show.
More than 30 puppets star
in A
Christmas Carol, Oy! Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa (Happy Ramadan), a show
filled with Old World accents and New World
inclusiveness, at ClockWorks Puppet Theatre in BK.
Time to get
nutcrackin’, part two. There are six more versions of The Nutcracker to indulge in this weekend, from a contemporary
interpretation that includes hip hop moves to an NYC-themed suite.
See an
adrenaline-pumping performance with STREB
Extreme Action’s Kiss The Air! Show at Park Avenue
Armory. Stunts performed with ziplines,
bungee cords and a 21-foot turning ladder will suspend all belief of gravity.
Holly, schmolly. Visit
Central Park’s Arsenal Gallery for the first weekend of Wreath Interpretations to see 30 wreaths constructed from
chopsticks, piano keys, money and more!
FRIDAY
Bring your
breadcrumbs to the Metropolitan Opera’s performance of Hansel
and Gretel. Richard Jones’ English-language production features
exquisite sets and costumes; with each act set in a different kitchen.
Mr. Butch and his “Ho
Ho” String Band will perform at Caribou Baby during the Holiday
Crafts and Concert event. Kids will be able to design their own snowball.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
Craft some sweet Travelin’
Treats at the New York Transit
Museum. Ages 4 and up can use
candies, cookies and cakes to make edible transit masterpieces.
SATURDAY
Enjoy a Beastly Breakfast with Santa at the Staten Island Zoo, where you can tour the
exhibits and find out what the zoo animals do during the holidays.
Croon Christmas
carols on the steps of the Main Altar of St. Patrick’s Cathedral during The
Festival of Lessons and Carols. Songbooks will be provided.
Celebrate the EP
release of Christmas in Concord
with Dan Zanes and Friends at their special Christmas show at City Winery.
Learn about love in
the Little Orchestra Society’s heartwarming opera, Amahl
and the Night Visitors, which takes place during the Three Kings Day
celebration of Latin American cultures.
Spice up your holiday
at El Museo’s Super
Sabado: Super Holidays! event. Get festive by making a maraca, singing
along to Latin American tunes and smiling in the Three Kings photo booth.
Kindie star and
former preschool teacher Elizabeth
Mitchell will perform at Symphony Space as part of the “Just Kidding”
series.
The Hey-Ya
Brothers Holiday Comedy Hour, at Dixon Place,
combines circus tricks, magic and music for a hilarious slapstick show.
Bring a boombox
to Washington Square
Park, and you can take part in the 20th
Annual Unsilent Night, an
electronic caroling promenade organized by Phil Kline.
SUNDAY
Spend the day at
the Museum of the City’s 8th
Annual Mexican Family Celebration, where you can see a posada, the
customary singing procession, and a pastorela, the traditional shepherds’ play.
Be a part of the
oldest Christmas tradition in the city. The 101st
Annual Holiday Reading of ‘Twas the Night
Before Christmas in
Washington Heights will be led by jazz musician Ron Carter, followed by a
candlelight procession and Christmas carols.
For even more events
and activities this weekend and beyond, check out our Family Calendar.
And if you haven’t already, click
here to register for our free weekly newsletter which features our favorite
events to enjoy every weekend in the city and beyond.
PHOTO: Courtesy of STREB
