Weekend Planner: Fun Family Activities In NYC (November 20-22)

The Hip Hop Nutcracker at The United Palace

This weekend, the classic holiday ballet will get a modern makeover at The United Palace in Washington Heights. A DJ and an electric violinist will update Tchaikovsky’s original score while hip hop dancers take the stage during this adaptation geared for the 21st century. Plus, the “King of Rap”, Kurtis Blow, will return as the show’s opening night special guest. Saturday’s matinee proceeds will benefit the United Palace of Performing Arts’ Youth Arts Academy. unitedpalace.org

The New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show

The New York Botanical Garden’s annual Holiday Train Show is back this Saturday and is bigger than ever! This year’s exhibit will cover 3,000 square feet of additional space, with room for dozens of new G-scale trains, bridges, and a quarter mile of track. These amazingly detailed mini locomotives will speed past beloved sights like the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and Rockefeller Center that are recreated with natural materials like bark and leaves. Plus, check out the rest of the garden’s 250 acres, and enjoy special tours, musical performances, and holiday activities for kids throughout the season. nybg.org

Jazz for Young People: Who is Duke Ellington? at Symphony Space

Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jazz for Young People series kicks off with “Who is Duke Ellington?”, a tribute to one of jazz’s great composers and performers. Led by Wynton Marsalis, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra will give an interactive performance following Ellington’s journey from DC to New York City, where his discovery of the blues and the development of his own innovative ideas would forever change the jazz landscape. Please note: This performance will take place at Symphony Space. symphonyspace.org

Pixel Academy Minecraft Olympics at Pine Street School

Bring your Minecraft-crazed children to this interactive and fun competition event featuring custom-designed adventure maps, archery, triathlon, a scavenger hunt, spleefing, labyrinth, and many more exciting activities! Each event is a four hour adventure. If you child prefers a collaborative environment, enjoy the creative room, where kids can engage in team play and non competitive group activities. There will be two divisions. Division I is ages 6-9 and Division II is Ages 10-14. The price includes an Olympian meal, snacks, and a laser-cut medal! (Saturday-Sunday)

"Gold" at the Clark Studio Theater at Lincoln Center

Lincoln Center Kids presents their show “Gold”, an interactive show featuring Cas Public, a Canadian dance ensemble from Montreal. Set to a soundtrack that includes Glenn Gould’s Goldberg Variations, this show is a combination of magical movement, video panels, special light effects, and a lot of clapping and stomping. This musical production celebrates the joy and whimsical nature of early childhood. Your entire family will be transported back in time during the performance! (Saturday)

Harvest Weekend at Wave Hill

Enjoy special harvest-themed events this weekend Wave Hill! There will be corn husk doll and pumpkin pie workshops, and artisanal jams, preserves, marmalades and chutneys from Josephine’s Feast will be in the shop. And there will be a folk music concert from Canal Street String Band! (Saturday-Sunday)

Galli's 2nd Fairytale Festival at Galli Theater

Families with children of all ages can enjoy the best of what the Galli Theater has to offer during Galli’s second annual Fairytale Festival! This two-hour event will feature puppet shows of beloved fairy tales, a mini-theater workshop for kids, arts and crafts, and giveaways. The theater will also debut an exclusive fest production entitled “The Wolf and the 7 Little Goats.” eventbrite.com

The Discovery of King Tut at Premier Exhibitions 5th Avenue

Ever wonder what it felt like to discover Tutankhamun’s tomb? Beginning this Saturday, visitors to Premier Exhibitions on 5th Avenue can experience “The Discovery of King Tut”, a one-of-a-kind exhibit that will display more than 1,000 replica artifacts and treasures that were buried in the tomb of arguably the most famous pharaoh in Egyptian history. The exhibition recreates the site of the tomb’s excavation based on the photographs of the original dig’s photographer, Harry Burton. tutnyc.com

Native American Cultural Festival at the Children's Museum of the Arts

It's getting close to Thanksgiving! Celebrate Native American culture with performances and workshops at the Children’s Museum of the Arts. There will be an interactive performance by the Redhawk Native American Arts Council, a weaving workshop, and more. (Sunday)

Thalia Kids' Book Club: Brian Selznick, "The Marvels" at Symphony Space

Brian Selznick, the author and illustrator of Wonderstruck and The Invention of Hugo Cabret, will be at Symphony Space to discuss his new book, The Marvels. The event will include readings from the new book, a look at its amazing artwork, and original music written and performed by Lucas Elliot Eberl. Actress Barbara Barrie will read from selected works by Shakespeare, who served as inspiration for The Marvels. (Sunday)