Don’t let shopping be the only way you observe the lead-up to the holidays. Famous carols, classic stories and performances draw New Yorkers together to celebrate the season and the diverse traditions of Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa.
Performances of “The Nutcracker,” Handel’s “Messiah,” and the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular”; the lighting of the world’s largest menorah at Grand Army Plaza and a Kwanzaa celebration at the American Museum of Natural History are just some local traditions to look forward to this season.
A {15-min!} Christmas Carol
One Liberty Plaza
Manhattan
Mon, Dec 10, 2012, 12:30 pm
New York Classical Theatre makes their debut at One Liberty Plaza with "A {15-min!} Christmas Carol," a rollicking holiday chestnut that will brighten the lunch break!
Annual Holiday Concert by Oratorio Society of Queens
Queensborough Performing Arts Center
Sun, Dec 18, 2011, 4:00 pm - 11:59 pm
Opening its 85th anniversary season with 120-plus members under the direction of Maestro David Close, the OSQ will perform portions of Handel's Messiah and traditional Christmas favorites and Chanukah songs. ...
Asia Society Holiday Celebration
Asia Society and Museum
Manhattan
Fri, Dec 07, 2012, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Celebrate the holiday season with Asia Society. Experience a night of fun and culture with friends and colleagues.
A Bronx Messiah
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts
Bronx
Sun, Dec 09, 2012, 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Celebrate the Holidays with a staple of the seasonal repertoire unparalleled in its popularity. This unique production of "The Messiah," under the direction of Michael Spierman, features the Bronx Opera ...
Bumbug, The Musical
The Clurman Theatre
Manhattan
Sat, Dec 01, 2012 - Sat, Dec 22, 2012
"Bumbug The Musical", a new rock opera by Samrat Chakrabarti and Sanjiv Jhaveri, is an electrifying musical reinvention of "A Christmas Carol" told through the looking glass of NYC Immigrants ...
A Chanticleer Christmas
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Manhattan
Tue, Nov 27, 2012, 6:30 pm
Chanticleer's sumptuous blend of voices rings in the holiday season with profound, peaceful, and joyous music.
Cristina Fontanelli’s Christmas in Italy
Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space
Manhattan
Sat, Dec 01, 2012, 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
A vocal journey through Italy's best loved classic songs, opera arias, Neapolitan and Christmas classics with piano, mandolins, guitar and accordion accompaniment, plus children dancers and choir.
Christmas in the Caribbean with The University Singers
Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Brooklyn
Sat, Dec 15, 2012, 8:00 pm
This year's show will include a mix of Christmas music, Caribbean rhythms, and Jamaican songs, and features a tribute to Jamaica's 50th anniversary of independence.
A Christmas Story, The Musical
Lunt-Fontanne Theater
Manhattan
Wed, Nov 07, 2012 - Sun, Dec 30, 2012
Though it closed December 30, 2012, "A Christmas Story, The Musical" is nominated for three 2013 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book and Best Original Score Written for the ...
Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Manhattan
Tue, Nov 20, 2012 - Sun, Jan 06, 2013
The museum continues a longstanding holiday tradition with the presentation of its Christmas tree, a favorite of New Yorkers and visitors from around the world. A vivid 18th-century Neapolitan Nativity ...
A Civil War Christmas
New York Theatre Workshop
Manhattan
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 - Sun, Dec 30, 2012
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel (How I Learned to Drive) weaves a rich tapestry of a beleaguered and divided nation, war-weary and desperate for goodwill, on a blustery Christmas Eve ...
Currier & Ives and Other Winter Tales
Museum of the City of New York
Manhattan
Sat, Dec 15, 2012 - Sun, Mar 31, 2013
New York printmakers Currier & Ives’ iconic winter scenes of skaters in Central Park, along with bucolic scenes of snow-covered small-town life, became the standard imagery for the American holiday ...
Grand Central Holiday Train Show
New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex at Grand Central Terminal
Manhattan
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 - Sun, Feb 10, 2013
In a brand new layout built by Lionel, model Metro-North and New York Central trains depart from a miniature Grand Central on their way North on a 34-foot long, two-level ...
Handel’s Messiah
Avery Fisher Hall‚ Lincoln Center
Manhattan
Tue, Dec 18, 2012 - Sat, Dec 22, 2012
Emmanuelle Haim conducts the philharmonic in the quintessential classical music high-point of the holiday season.
Harlem School of the Arts: A Harlem Holiday
The Harlem School of the Arts (HSA)
Manhattan
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 - Sat, Dec 15, 2012
HSA invites you to celebrate the holiday season with representations of Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanzaa! Experience student performances from the HSA Prep Dance Program, the HSA Children's Orchestra, the Dorothy ...
Historic Holiday House Tour
Queens Historical Society
Queens
Sun, Dec 09, 2012, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Six historic sites in Flushing invite you to celebrate the holiday season and learn about these NYC landmark houses and their unique histories. The Kingsland Homestead, Voelker Orth House, Lewis ...
Holiday Brass
Avery Fisher Hall‚ Lincoln Center
Manhattan
Sun, Dec 16, 2012, 3:00 pm
The Quintet — featuring Principal Trumpet Philip Smith, trumpet player Ethan Bensdorf, Principal Horn Philip Myers, Principal Trombone Joseph Alessi, and Principal Tuba Alan Baer — has hosted an annual ...
Holiday Candlelight Tours
Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden
Manhattan
Fri, Dec 07, 2012, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Step into the holiday season of the year 1830. Take a tour by the warm glow of candlelight, and sample traditional confections.
Holiday Lights and Cannoli Tour
92Y Tribeca
Manhattan
Wed, Dec 05, 2012, 7:00 pm
Visit the legendary Dyker Heights holiday lights display, where each year residents compete to have the biggest and brightest holiday decorations.
Holiday Train Show
New York Botanical Garden
Bronx
Sat, Nov 17, 2012 - Sun, Jan 13, 2013
The enchanting setting of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory showcases more than 140 scaled iconic buildings and structures under thousands of twinkling lights. Artistically crafted by Paul Busse's team at ...
Ice Theatre of New York’s Winter Holiday Skating Celebration
Riverbank State Park
Manhattan
Sat, Dec 08, 2012, 4:00 pm
A holiday ice show and Christmas tree lighting featuring the Ice Theatre of New York, The Skyliners and Figure Skating in Harlem. Bring the whole family to join in the ...
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
New-York Historical Society
Manhattan
Fri, Dec 28, 2012, 7:00 pm
Produced in conjunction with the exhibition "WWII & NYC," New-York Historical Society’s inaugural film series will show a broad scope of life during and after the most widespread and destructive ...
Jackie Hoffman’s A Chanukah Charol
New World Stages
Manhattan
Sat, Dec 08, 2012 - Sat, Dec 29, 2012
In this hilarious holiday show, the kvetching comedienne is forced to examine her life when she is visited by the Ghosts of Chanukah Past, Present and Future…and Molly Picon.
Kwanzaa 2012: First Fruits of the Harvest
American Museum of Natural History
Manhattan
Sat, Dec 29, 2012, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join the museum’s 34th annual Kwanzaa celebration to experience the rich traditions of Kwanzaa and honor the holiday’s seven guiding principles.
Kwanzaa at The Apollo
Apollo Theater
Manhattan
Fri, Dec 28, 2012, 7:30 pm
The Apollo celebrates Kwanzaa with the renowned and energetic New York-based dance company, Abdel Salam’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre.
Kwanzaa Celebration: Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble
Flushing Town Hall
Queens
Sun, Dec 16, 2012, 2:30 pm
Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble will engage audiences with an interactive demonstration of traditional music and dance of Africa as it tells the story of the Kwanzaa traditions.
Make Music Winter
Make Music New York
Manhattan
Fri, Dec 21, 2012, 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Make Music Winter, the second annual winter festival from Make Music New York, features twelve participatory, musical parades throughout New York City on December 21, the longest night of the ...
Multicultural Holiday Events for Kids and Families
The great thing about living in New York City is there's no one way to celebrate the holidays. Expose your kids to multicultural traditions and maybe start a tradition of ...
Nativity: A Life Story
Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture
Bronx
Fri, Dec 07, 2012, 7:30 pm
"Nativity: A Life Story" is a musical production based on Langston Hughes' work, "Black Nativity." Don’t miss an award-winning cast interpret the story of Mary, her passion for her husband, ...
New York City Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Spectacular: An American Holiday
Town Hall
Manhattan
Sun, Dec 16, 2012, 3:00 pm
Join the men of New York City Gay Men's Chorus as they celebrate favorite holiday songs and pay tribute to American heroes. A very special guest star joins them this ...
New York City Master Chorale: An A Cappella Christmas
Church of Saint Mary the Virgin
Manhattan
Sat, Dec 08, 2012, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Under the direction of Artistic Director Thea Kano, the New York City Master Chorale will kick off its seventh season with a holiday concert entitled "An A Cappella Christmas."
The New York Pops—Pink Martini: Joy to the World
Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall
Manhattan
Fri, Dec 14, 2012, 8:00 pm
Pink Martini creates a fabulously eclectic, modern sound. This special multi-denominational holiday concert features songs from the band’s best-selling album, "Joy to the World."
New York String Orchestra
Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall
Manhattan
Mon, Dec 24, 2012, 7:00 pm
This group of young musicians has been lighting up the holidays with its annual Christmas Eve concert for more than 40 years.
The Nutcracker in New York
Die-hard fans and first-timers can take their pick of Nutcrackers this season—or choose to chew them all up. The holiday ballet can be seen in trademarked virtuosic style at Lincoln ...
Oratorio Society of Queens: Featuring Handel’s “Messiah”
Queensborough Performing Arts Center
Queens
Sun, Dec 16, 2012, 4:00 pm
The Oratorio Society of Queens performs portions of Handel's “Messiah,” as well as traditional Christmas favorites and Chanukah songs. Maestro David Close, conductor; Geraldine McMillian, soprano; Dory Schultz, tenor; Vaughn ...
Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night
Washington Square Park
Manhattan
Sat, Dec 15, 2012, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
"Unsilent Night" is an original composition by Phil Kline, written specifically to be heard outdoors in the month of December. It takes the form of a street promenade in which ...
Radio City Christmas Spectacular, with the Rockettes
Radio City Music Hall
Manhattan
Fri, Nov 09, 2012 - Sun, Dec 30, 2012
The famous Rockettes kick off the holiday season in this 85th anniversary show. It features live music, dances, and a brand new showcase featuring the Rockettes' most extraordinary costumes through ...
Reid Farrington’s A Christmas Carol
Abrons Arts Center
Manhattan
Sat, Nov 24, 2012 - Sun, Dec 23, 2012
Through complex technology and choreography, the show mashes together over 100 years of film history. Five performers slip in and out of characters to create an imaginative and new interpretation ...
Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony
Rockefeller Center
Manhattan
Wed, Nov 28, 2012, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
New York City wastes no time getting into the holiday spirit. A week after Thanksgiving, the largest tree in New York City gets its lights (30,000 of them, to be ...
Shtreiml: Hanukkah Celebration
Flushing Town Hall
Queens
Sun, Dec 09, 2012, 2:00 pm
A new look at some centuries-old folk music, delivered by a high-octane mix of not-so-traditional Eastern-European Jewish and Turkish music. Led by harmonica innovator Jason Rosenblatt.
St. Luke’s Community Sing
DiMenna Center for Classical Music
Manhattan
Thu, Dec 13, 2012, 7:30 pm
Join OSL for a free Holiday Sing—with favorite carols and songs you know in English, Spanish and Hebrew. From "Feliz Navidad" to Bach’s "Christmas Oratorio"—you’ll be able to sing with ...
The Christmas Show
St. George Theatre
Staten Island
Fri, Dec 14, 2012 - Sun, Dec 16, 2012
BALAM Dance Theatre principal ballerina Robin Gilbert and artistic director Carlos Fittante perform the Grand Pas de Deux from the Nutcracker ballet in this family holiday favorite, The Christmas Show.
Three Kings Day Parade
El Museo del Barrio
Manhattan
Fri, Jan 04, 2013, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Each year El Museo celebrates its time-honored tradition of the Three Kings Day Parade. Watch as this renowned procession explodes throughout the streets of El Barrio with lively music, dancing ...
Twelfth Night Festival
Trinity Church
Manhattan
Wed, Dec 26, 2012 - Sun, Jan 06, 2013
Early music for the season of Christmastide.
The Waverly Consort—The Christmas Story
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Manhattan
Sat, Dec 15, 2012, 1:00 pm
This beloved program includes vocal and instrumental hymns, processionals, antiphons, and mass compositions from the 10th to the15th century.
Winter Solstice Celebration & Holiday Marketplace
Queens Botanical Garden
Queens
Sun, Dec 16, 2012, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Enjoy the holiday spirit while getting some shopping done! Plan for a delightful day at the Queens Botanical Garden. Besides the wonderful goodies available in the store and from select ...
World’s Largest Menorah
Grand Army Plaza and Pulitzer Fountain
Manhattan
Sat, Dec 08, 2012 - Sun, Dec 16, 2012
The world's largest menorah stands at a whopping 32-feet tall (the maximum allowed by Jewish law), and has been towering over Grand Army Plaza since 1977. The annual lighting ceremony ...