charlotte's blog

I’ve always found the weekend before Thanksgiving to be exciting, since the whole family is starting to get in the holiday spirit and kids know vacations (and presents, of course) are coming. But before you start thinking about gifts or prepping food before the big cook-off, take some time to enjoy the pre-Rockefeller Tree-d city—it won’t look like this again until mid-January. This weekend there’s an incredible array of free and cheap art events, live music and food at El Museo del Barrio, a scarecrow making contest, circus fun, a gross (but awesome) icky festival and more.  

The Nutcracker ballet, as beautiful as it is, can be a bit much for little kids to take in. To get them to experience the magic and wonder of this timeless classic, or for a different twist for the kid who's seen the Nutcracker a bunch of times, opt to attend a less traditional version of the show—there’s a whole bunch happening in the city. They are usually shorter, less expensive and more fun, but still have that Nutcracker charm that will keep adults wide-eyed, too.
 

These weekend events post are so hard to write. Not because it's hard to find cool things to recommend, but because it's hard to pick which ones to include. We've some cool, free events for this weekend that we think should be on your radar, but if you're not checking the calendar for other events, you're really missing out. Below you'll find stuff like the Commemoration of the 233^rd Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Washington (which looks really cool!), a Lenape Indian Hike, a pop-up book celebration, free Sesame Street fun, a jamboree and more.

This holiday season, New York families might find it more difficult than ever before to open up their wallets to those in need, as they struggle to stretch even their own dollars. As we all know, volunteering is a wonderful way to give back by donating your time, and it can be truly extra-special when the kids join in. Since there are an abundance of opportunities around the city, here are some resources and websites to get you started before you start feeling overwhelmed. No matter where you live, how old your children are, or what your family is interested in, there is bound to be a program to fit your holiday volunteering desires.

You might still have left over Halloween candy hanging around (here’s some ideas of what to do with it), but the monster-filled events have come to an end here in the city. And that's not a bad thing. Fill this weekend with some decidedly Fall adventures like kite flying, chamber music for kiddies, family arts programs, dance parties, and much more.

And don't forget to enter our giveaway for a free family photo portrait session. Two winners will be chosen on Sunday.

Halloween isn't just about candy. This weekend you can take Halloween on from every angle with Fall and Harvest festivals, at a pumpkin festival, in a historic mansion, a green halloween, glamrock and even from the point of view of bats. But that's not all, the Greenpoint/Williamsburg Halloween Parade is this weekend, plus the non-scary kids version of Nightmare: Vampires Haunted House is this weekend only. Yes, Halloween is eerily upon us, but have no fear—we’ve got you covered! From last minute DIY costume ideas, to healthier options for treats, there’s tons of great stuff in our Halloween Fun Guide.

Yup, Halloween Events and Fall Harvest Festivals are taking over the city. Our event calendar is packed full of them and so is this weekend. Of course, the weather may not be playing nice so you maybe looking for some indoor activities. See them all in the calendar, but here are our selects for festivals, plus some other cool events you'll like (we've noted any festivals that will be going on rain or shine):

This weekend is also Diwali, find out about the events for kids to celebrate the Hindu Festival of Lights.

This extra-long weekend is even more packed out than usual, with Columbus Day events, harvest and fall events, OpenHouse NewYork events galore. The smallest and tallest members of the family (and even the furry ones, too) can all find something fabulous to do over these three days, and if you’re (unfortunately) not off Monday, there’s plenty going on to make up for that. Grab your favorite hats and boots--especially if you're heading to the last weekend for Governors Island this season--and round up the troops for a fall-tacular weekend.

Colors are changing, and those warmer jackets are making their way out of the closets—true signs that Fall is in full swing. If you’re looking to bob for apples (or pick ‘em), play in pumpkin patches or feast on the harvest, you’ve got plenty of options. But there’s also a slew of cultural events happening this weekend, like the Tibetan, Norwegian, Korean, and Diwali festivals, and Halloween events are going on already, too. If you are looking for a little mini-adventure, the “outer boroughs” are also jam-packed with events from the traditional fall fare to soap box derbies. So whatever you wind up doing, get out there and enjoy the crisp air (and leaves)!

Last week we let you in on the best museum memberships for families, and now we're exploring more of New York City's great institutions--gardens and zoos. Learn about membership options, what perks and extras are offered, and everything else you need to know to figure out if it's worth it for you and your family.