Hi everyone,
Happy Kwanzaa! I hope everyone who celebrates Christmas had a lovely day with friends and family yesterday. We had a great time here and the kiddies are still very busy with their gifts!
Think we will head out tomorrow for some adventures and there is so much to choose from so be sure to check out the All Weekend section below and good news some events are going on into next week too so we don’t have to do it all in one weekend! This weekend we have the Itty Biddies at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, a Salute to Wildlife Ice Carving Week at the Bronx Zoo, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at the Howard Gilman Theater, Pirate School! at Symphony Space and ReMake the Holidays at New York Hall of Science!
Looking for ways to celebrate Kwanzaa? For Kwanzaa we have Brooklyn Families Celebrate: Kwanzaa at Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Kwanzaa at the Central Library, Kwanzaa 2013: 35th Anniversary Celebration at the American Museum of Natural History & a Kwanzaa Family Celebration at Cumbe!
Don’t forget some holiday events are still going on like A Christmas Carol at The Players Theatre, the Three Bears Holiday Bash at Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, the Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden, Presents to the Animals at Prospect Park Zoo and Holiday Circus!
So be sure to look at the calendar for a full schedule of the additional holiday events and also sing-a-longs, drop in yoga & art classes available this weekend!. Remember if you have an event or a drop in class that you would like to have included on our calendar you can use the form on this link to submit it to us! Also you can like us on Facebook for last minute events and news!
Happy Kwanzaa & enjoy the last weekend of 2013!
~ Deirdre (mom to O & C)
Friday December 27th
ReMake the Holidays at New York Hall of Science (Flushing Meadows)
Friday December 27th 930a-5p (also ongoing until the 30th). Most activities are free with paid admission, some activities have an additional fee. See website for full schedule and details.
Bend, twist, light, sculpt and animate a new version of the holiday season with workshops, demos, artist installations and more. Every day includes ice sculpting with Bill Bywater and a screening of Bag It The Movie with the nonprofit environmental group Skraptacular. Some activities require an additional fee; see below for details. ReMake the Holidays is presented by Astoria Federal Savings. Each day of ReMake the Holidays focuses on a different theme. December 27: Wire It – Featuring circuitry-based projects
Kwanzaa at Brooklyn Central Public Library (Prospect Heights)
Friday Dec 27th 3-4p. Free. All ages. Dweck Center.
Learn about the symbols and principles of Kwanzaa. Enjoy musical selections by Nicole Mitchell & Sequina Debose, storytelling by a Pearl of Wisdom and performaces by Kamit Preparatory Institute Cultural Arts Program.
Holiday Open House at Queens County Farm Museum
Friday Dec 27th 12n-4p (also Saturday). Free.
Enjoy tours of the decorated farmhouse, craft activity for children and mulled cider.
Brooklyn Movie Night: Elf at St. Johns Recreation Center (Crown Heights)
Friday, December 27, 2013 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. This event is open to the public. Free.
Remind yourself why Elf became an instant holiday classic. Watch Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel and others in this free film at St. John’s Recreation Center, part of Brooklyn Movie Nights happening in recreation centers throughout the borough in November and December. Rated PG.
For more Friday events please click here!
Saturday December 28th
Pirate School! at Symphony Space at Leonard Nimoy Thalia (UWS)
Sat Dec 28th 11a. Adults $20 (members $17), Kids $15 (members $13)
Pirate School! is a madcap, swashbuckling one-man family vaudeville show created and performed by veteran New York physical comedian and actor David Engel. The show has enthralled, emboldened and delighted thousands of families for over 18 years with it’s mischievous blend of clown theatre, slapstick antics, magic and puppetry, zany music, rich special effects, and boisterous full-audience participation.
Kwanzaa 2013: 35th Anniversary Celebration at American Museum of Natural History (UWS)
Sat Dec 28th 12n-5p. Free for Members or with Museum admission.
Join us for the Museum’s 35th annual Kwanzaa celebration! Hosted by storyteller Linda Humes, the festivities will include family-friendly activities, exciting raffles, and an international marketplace. The Supremes from the Broadway hit Motown the Musical make a special appearance. Back by popular demand, Oscar-nominated youth ensemble IMPACT Repertory Theatre, with Ugandan poet Emilia Ottoo, opens the show. Restoration Dance Theatre Company returns with an eclectic mix of African, Caribbean, jazz, and modern dances. Balance Dance Theatre, led by acclaimed choreographer Obediah Wright, performs. Bestselling author and award-winning filmmaker MK Asante introduces his landmark film, narrated by Maya Angelou, “The Black Candle: A Kwanzaa Celebration,” followed by a special encore screening and book signing of his new memoir, Buck.
Brooklyn Families Celebrate: Kwanzaa at Brooklyn Children’s Museum (Crown Heights)
Sat Dec 28th 1-4p. For all ages. Free with museum admission.
Habri Gani, what’s going on? Join us to learn about the holiday of Kwanzaa! Discover the principles of the Nguzo Saba in an exclusive presentation of holiday traditions by the welcoming and engaging members of the Harris family, who have been celebrating Kwanzaa for 25 years! Harambee, see you there!
History in Your Hands: Historic Games at Lefferts Historic House (Prospect Park)
Saturday December 28th 2 – 4 p.m. Free.
Come learn how to play Nine Man Morris, a historic board game. Afterwards you can make your own board to take home with you. You can also challenge a friend to a game of checkers or to a rolling hoop contest in the yard! $3 suggested donation.
For more Saturday events please click here!
Sunday December 29th
Art Week at the Jewish Children’s Museum (Crown Heights)
Sundays Dec 29th : 10am-5:30pm. Free with Museum Admission.
Get your creative juices flowing! Try out a number of different creative art-forms being showcased at the Jewish Children’s Museum during Art Week. Experiment with Japanese Marble art – Suminagashi – through workshops, and create your own stained glass window panel. Kids will be invited to contribute to a collective mural which will be donated to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center.
Film Society Lincoln Center Family Films: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at the Howard Gilman Theater (UWS)
Sunday Dec 29th at 11am (also playing Dec 30th – Jan 1st). Tickets $7 each.
Introduce the kids to some family favorites this fall and winter. The unforgettable 1982 hit science fiction film about a lost alien who befriends a young boy, co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg, is a landmark in American film history. Rated PG. 115 minutes.
Kwanzaa Family Celebration at Cumbe (Downtown Brooklyn)
Sunday, Decemebr 29th, 2013 11:30am–1:00pm. Price: $10 for the whole family (up to 5 people, $2 for each additional family member) Buy tickets here. Cumbe presents… Kwanzaa Family Celebration with Iris Wilson! oin Iris Wilson on the fourth day of Kwanzaa for an interactive celebration in honor of our rich African heritage. Participants will learn the history and 7 principles of Kwanzaa through song, dance and a candle lighting ceremony. Open to families with children of all ages.
Itty Biddies at The Children’s Museum of Manhattan (UWS)
Sun Dec 29th 3p & 4p. Free with paid admission. For all ages.
The Itty Biddies are a rocking, joyful combo that will lift you out of your seat from the first note. Their soaring vocals and music will take you on a journey and send you singing and dancing all the way home.
For more Sunday events please click here!
All Weekend
Salute to Wildlife Ice Carving Week at the Bronx Zoo
Thursday 12/26/2013 – Tuesday 12/31/2013 various times. Free with paid admission to the zoo.
Visit the zoo this holiday season to enjoy wildlife-themed ice sculptures, an ice carving competition, and a polar bear-themed Ice Playground. Watch our animals unwrap holiday presents, make a special holiday crafts, meet costume characters, and enjoy cheerful tunes from carolers. See the website for the full schedule of events.
Cirkopolis: Cirque Eloize at NYU Skirball Center For The Performing Arts (Greenwich Village)
Various dates/times until January 5th. See website for schedule. 1 HR 20, no intermission. Tickets $40-80.
Save BIG on a FAMILY FOUR PACK. Get 4 Orchestra seats($49 a piece) or 4 Parterre seats ($39 a piece) on performances from December 18-27.
Bursts of color pierce a grey industrialized landscape and awaken one office worker who finds himself propelled on a journey of circus, dance, acrobatics and theater — finding real connections through his fantasies in an isolating factory-city.
One man’s imagination transforms piles of papers, looming towers, and giant gears into a vibrant, romantic, and lavish cityscape. He is joined by twelve eclectic and mysterious characters rebelling against monotony in a wildly energetic show that twists and turns between acrobatic prowess, heartrending poetry, and irresistible humor. The multi-disciplinary talents of these twelve performers will be on full display in several advanced acrobatic disciplines, including diabolo, rope, teeterboard, Cyr wheel and contortion. Guided by striking projections that add dizzying dimensions to pivoting set pieces, performers and spectators will slip between dream and reality in an uninterrupted stream of music, images, drawings and mind-bending acrobatics.
A Christmas Carol at The Players Theatre (Greenwich Village)
Sunday Dec 1st – Monday Dec 30th. Times: Thursdays & Fridays at 7p, Saturdays at 11a (family workshop at 10a) and 2p (no workshop prior to the 2p matinee), Sundays at 11a (family workshop at 10a) See website for additional holiday hours.
Tickets: $45 for first 4 rows, $35 for second 5th – 10th rows, $25 for all other seats
A lively musical adaptation of the classic Dickens tale. Follow along with Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by four ghosts; his old business partner Marley, the ghost of Christmas past, present and future. See what happens when he gets a glimpse of his own future if he doesn’t change his life. Will Scrooge catch the holiday spirit and save himself in the process? Find out by joining us for this special holiday show with a story so warm it will melt the cold heart of even the grumpiest Scrooge!
City Harvest Gingerbread Extravaganza at Le Parker Meridien (Midtown West)
now until – Monday January 6th
Marshmallows, Gum Drops and more! Check out the Gingerbread wonderland located in the 56th Street atrium of the lobby from now until January 6th all created by local bakeries and restaurants. This year’s theme is “Quintessential New York”. Purchase one ticket for $1 through the concierge desk to vote for your favorite. Drop it in the box to be entered for a chance to win a 5 night stay at the luxurious Parker Palm Springs. All proceeds benefit City Harvest, the world’s first food rescue organization, dedicated to feeding the city’s hungry men, women and children. To learn more, visit www.cityharvest.org.
The Grinch’s Holiday Workshop at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan (UWS)
Now until Dec 31st. All ages. Free with museum admission & free for children under age 1y.
Join Cindy-Lou Who, the lovable dog Max and the “Mean One” himself, the Grinch, for a new interactive experience, The Grinch’s Holiday Workshop, inspired by Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Step into The Grinch’s Holiday Workshop and walk right into the pages of Dr. Seuss’s classic holiday tale. With gallery walls wrapped in scenes from Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas!, CMOM pops with Who-holiday spirit.
Seasons of Light Scavenger Hunt at New York Historical Societey Museum and Library (UWS)
Now through January 1, 2014. Free with Museum admission.
Families will seek out images of light throughout the New-York Historical Society in a “Season of Light” scavenger hunt. From the New-York Historical Society’s Tiffany lamps to the treasures of Shearith Israel, find examples of light used for both decoration and symbolism. DCHM-only hunts also available.
ReMake the Holidays at New York Hall of Science (Flushing Meadows)
Friday December 27th – Monday December 30th various times. Most activities are free with paid admission, some activities have an additional fee.
Bend, twist, light, sculpt and animate a new version of the holiday season with workshops, demos, artist installations and more. Every day includes ice sculpting with Bill Bywater and a screening of Bag It The Movie with the nonprofit environmental group Skraptacular. Some activities require an additional fee; see below for details. ReMake the Holidays is presented by Astoria Federal Savings. Each day of ReMake the Holidays focuses on a different theme. See website for full schedule and details.
Mother Africa at The New Victory Theater (Times Square)
Now until Sunday January 5, 2014 various times. See website for schedule. Tickets $17-$55. For Ages 5+. 100 minutes including one intermission.
Rich in rhythm and robust in song, MOTHER AFRICA’s acrobats, musicians and dancers light up the stage in a powerful performance of stunning African artistry. Featuring stilt walkers from Tanzania, jugglers from Ethiopia and a renowned contortionist from Kenya, modern circus arts meld with joyful dance and music among a marvel of traditional masks. Exuberant afro-beats radiate from the stage with every strike of the infectious djembe and strum of the mbira, while bazin and kitenge fabrics swirl in a spectacle of color. Merry and bright, this is one holiday party you won’t want to miss!
Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Now until Janury 12, 2014. Weekdays: Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Weekends: 10 a.m.–7 p.m., including Friday, November 29 (day after Thanksgiving) (see website for all details on times during the holiday week)
All-Garden Pass tickets start at $20 for Adults and $10 for Kids 2-12. See prices by date.
Advance reservations are strongly recommended as tickets do sell out. Tickets are timed and sold in 15 minute increments.
Marvel at model trains zipping around New York landmark replicas made of plant parts such as nuts, bark, and leaves, and get an insider’s look at how the building replicas are constructed in The Artist’s Studio. Explore the exhibition in the warmth of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, enjoy hands-on holiday fun for the entire family, and get your holiday shopping done too—it’s a whole day of fun! View the full list of programs and activities
History in Your Hands: Historic Games at Lefferts Historic House (Prospect Park)
Saturdays & Sundays, December 28th & 29th 2 – 4 p.m.
Come learn how to play Nine Man Morris, a historic board game. Afterwards you can make your own board to take home with you. You can also challenge a friend to a game of checkers or to a rolling hoop contest in the yard! $3 suggested donation.
Open Play at Brooklyn Robot Foundry (Gowanus)
Various dates / times until Jan 3rd. See website for schedule. $10 hour plus materials fee. For ages 5-9y.
It is an open ended activity time for your kids and is a great opportunity for you to drop your kids off while you exercise, shop or have a coffee date with a friend! Your kids will have a great time building robot obstacle courses, crafting robots out of clay and found objects, creating marble runs, making giant Lego creations and much more. It is similar to “choice time” at school. The kids will have a blast and you will get to have some time on your own.
Holiday Open House at Queens County Farm Museum
Friday December 27th & Saturday December 28th 12n-4p. Free.
Enjoy tours of the decorated farmhouse, craft activity for children and mulled cider.
HOLIDAY CIRCUS at Master Theater (Brighton Beach)
Now until Sunday, December 29, 2013 at various times. See website for schedule. Tickets $45, $55, $65.
In what is becoming a Brooklyn holiday tradition, Holiday Circus brings together an array of amazing circus artists, astounding magic and illusions, and even Santa himself in an all-new dynamic production at the recently renovated Master Theater. This year’s special guest is the lovable and iconic clown, Grandma!
Holiday Hours at LeFrak Center at Lakeside (Prospect Park)
Holiday Hours (December 20, 2013 – January 1, 2014). Monday–Thursday 10a–8p, Friday & Saturday, 9a–10p, Sunday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
All hours weather permitting. Entry to the LeFrak Center is free and open to the public. An admission fee is associated with skating and skating-related services. Lakeside is the largest and most ambitious project in Prospect Park since the Park’s completion nearly 150 years ago. The LeFrak Center at Lakeside provides the public with: A skating pavilion with two rinks providing 32,000 square feet for seasonal ice skating, roller skating, and water play, 15,000 square feet of beautifully landscaped viewing terraces, year-round café with a seating area, public restrooms, public programs, seasonal sports, classes, and event space.
Presents to the Animals at Prospect Park Zoo
December 28th & 29th 11a & 330p. Free with admission
The presents come early and often for the animals at the Prospect Park Zoo. Throughout December, watch as Hamadryas baboons, Pallas’s cats, red pandas, mongoose, and other critters tear into treat-filled bags and boxes.
Presents for the animals are a form of enrichment. Prospect Park Zoo provides these and other types of mental and physical stimulation to keep the animals’ minds and bodies healthy and active. For full presents schedule click here.
Origami Holiday Tree 2013-2014 at the American Museum of Natural History (UWS)
Now until January 12th. Grand Gallery, near the 77th Street exit on the Museum’s first floor.
An annual tradition, the delightfully decorated Origami Holiday Tree has marked the start of the holiday season at the Museum for 40 years. The theme of this year’s tree is Wicked, Wild, and Wonderful, honoring the Museum’s new exhibition The Power of Poison. Volunteers begin folding in July to complete hundreds of creations that will be displayed on the tree. During the holiday season, volunteers will be on hand to teach visitors of all ages the art of paper folding.
Gingerbread Lane at New York Hall of Science (Flushing Meadows)
Now until January 12, 2014. Tuesday – Friday 9:30 am – 5 pm &Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 6 pm
Marvel at homemade gingerbread houses that are drafted, designed, baked, planned, built and decorated by chef Jon Lovitch over the course of an entire year. GingerBread Lane, a 1.5 ton, 300-square-foot village made entirely of edible gingerbread, royal icing and candy, is a contender for the Guinness World Record for the largest gingerbread exhibit.
The village includes an estimated 1,900 lbs. of icing, 400 lbs. of candy, and 500 lbs. of gingerbread dough. It is comprised of 152 gingerbread houses, 65 trees, four gingerbread cable cars, five gingerbread train cars, an underground candy subway station, candy trees and sugar signage. A behind-the-scenes window gives a peek into the makings of GingerBread Lane with ovens, models and ingredients made entirely from royal icing. Five two-foot-high nutcrackers, also made of royal icing, stand guard over the exhibit. Free with NYSCI admission.
12th Annual Holiday Train Show at Grand Central Terminal (Midtown East)
Now until February 23rd. M–F: 8a–8p, Saturday and Sunday: 10a–6p. (Closed for Christmas and New Year’s Day) Extended holiday hours from November 18 to December 24: M–F: 8a–8p, Saturdays: 10a–8p, Sundays: 10a–7p.
Trains are trips. Trips are adventures. This year memorable characters from Maira Kalman’s Next Stop Grand Central will be watching our Lionel trains as they zip, zap and whizz through their journey from Grand Central to the North Pole!
Three Bears Holiday Bash at Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre (Central Park/UWS)
Now until December 30 Monday through Friday at 10:30AM and 12:00PM. Additional show on Wednesdays at 2:30PM. Saturday and Sundays at 1:00PM. Tickets: $7/children & $10/adults.
The Three Bears Holiday Bash, is a variety show that celebrates the holiday season in song, dance, and puppetry. This production quickly becomes a comedy of errors when Baby Bear invites Santa to star in Mama and Papa
Bear’s annual holiday show. The audience also gets to join in on the fun with a “12 days of Christmas” sing-a-long during the performance!
Drawing from the stories of Hanukkah, the Night Before Christmas, and Kwanzaa, The Three Bears Holiday Bash is a great way to get into the holiday spirit!
For a full calendar of events please click here!