Whether you’re most excited about Santa or Hanukkah, whether you’re dreaming of winter wonderlands or Caribbean escapes, there’s a festival, show, or concert to tickle all of your fancies this weekend. Enjoy!
STARTING FRIDAY
New York Theatre Ballet’s hour-long “The Nutcracker” at Florence Gould Hall is designed just for kids, with Met Opera-grade costumes and world-class choreography. Wow! (Friday-Sunday)
At the Kaye Playhouse, the “Yorkville Nutcracker” adds a twist to the holiday classic, setting the ballet at landmarks like Gracie Mansion and Central Park. Show some NYC love. (Friday-Sunday)
Head over to the New York Botanical Garden for its Gingerbread Adventures workshops, where you can decorate cookies, admire stunning real-life gingerbread creations, and more. Yummm. (Friday-Sunday)
Celebrate the festival of lights with a hilarious adaptation of “The Flying Latke” at The Flea Theater, about a family food fight that causes a potato pancake to fly out the window. Happy Hanukkah! (Friday-Sunday)
What better organization to bring Dickens‘ A Christmas Carol to life for kids than Literally Alive, the theater that fosters a love of literature through the arts? Get the thespian scoop here. (Friday-Sunday)
Meet Santa and his reindeer at the Winter Garden, the gorgeous three-story atrium of shopping and entertainment in the World Financial Center. It’s worth the trip! (Friday-Sunday)
STARTING SATURDAY
More Santa fun: brunch and parade with the jolly wish-maker in Greenpoint, where a tasty meal and crafts is followed by a short march in McCarren Park. Rise and shine! (Saturday)
For the young at heart, the Little Orchestra Soceity’s “Babes in Toyland” concert at Lincoln Center pits good and evil to remind us of what the holidays are all about: teamwork, family, and magic. (Saturday)
The children’s classic “Peter & The Wolf” gets a fresh thrill every year at the Guggenheim Museum with a related artwork. This winter, it’s a scrumptious gingerbread chalet. (Saturday-Sunday).
For old-fashioned, low-tech fun, how about a round of flip book-making with a Seussian twist at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan? Get ready to unplug. (Saturday-Sunday)
STARTING SUNDAY
Catch the lighting for the biggest menorah in the world, only at the Grand Army Plaza by Central Park. Can you guess the size and weight? (Saturday-Sunday)
If you’re feeling cold, transport yourself at Carnegie Hall‘s family concert featuring the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela. Get Caribbean warm! (Sunday)
Help! Santa’s stuck on the roof of the NYC Fire Museum. Watch the rescue, meet Mr. Claus, and get a civic education while you’re at it. (Sunday)
One thing better than The Rink at Rockefeller Center: The Rink at Rockefeller Center with music from 500+ tubists. It’s the Tuba Christmas 39th Anniversary Concert. (Sunday)
BONUS TIPS
For a lat(ke) more of Hannukah fun, check out these 19 citywide celebrations to enjoy the festival of lights with your family.
Hungry? Create an edible holiday tradition with your family by taking a gingerbread workshop and making a sugar-frosted mansion (almost) too amazing to eat!