Weekend Fun for NYC Kids: The Science of Santa, Christmas Caroling, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Live Onstage, Make Music Winter December 20-21

12/17/14 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

It's the last weekend before Christmas and NYC is overflowing with holiday cheer, so there are lots of ways for families to get into the season spirit. Learn all about The Science of Santa; go Christmas caroling in Greenwich Village and Jackson Heights; enjoy multicultural celebrations like Mano a Mano's Posadas y Pastorelas and El Museo del Barrio's Parranda; or catch a stage version of the holiday TV classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

It's also a great weekend to hit all the seasonal sights before the tourists take over. So in between last-minute gift shopping, make sure you carve out time to see Santa, and gawk at awesome department store windows and over-the-top holiday homes.

All of our best bets for the weekend are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and our Holiday Fun Guide.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

All Weekend

A Charlie Brown Christmas 50th Anniversary Celebration with Live Music – Upper East Side
Celebrate the golden anniversary of the Peanuts TV special at the Metropolitan Museum. Watch the animated holiday classic starring Charlie, Lucy, Linus and the gang, and enjoy live musical accompaniment by the Rob Schwimmer Trio and the Church of the Heavenly Rest Children's Choir. Afterward, everyone is invited to raise their voices in a festive holiday sing-along. $40-$50 which includes museum admission
 

Saturday, December 20

Doktor Kaboom: The Science of Santa – Greenwich Village
Catch this interactive, science-themed holiday show at the Skirball Center as the clever and comedic Doktor Kaboom deconstructs iconic Santa lore like how he knows who's naughty and nice, and why his reindeer can fly. $20-$28 but snag $13 tickets with our discount code.

Greenwich Village Caroling Walk – Greenwich Village
Stroll through the quaint streets of Greenwich Village singing traditional Christmas songs with the West Village Chorale. Afterward, enjoy refreshments and cheer at the Judson Memorial Church. FREE

Jackson Heights Winter Holiday Sing-Along – Jackson Heights
More Christmas caroling: Croon holiday tunes by candlelight (or flashlight) throughout Jackson Heights. In addition to Christmas songs, participants will sing tunes that represent various faiths, languages and cultures, a lovely reflection of the area's diversity. Small acoustic instruments encouraged. FREE

Super Sabado: Parranda – East Harlem
Celebrate the season with a Hispanic Three Kings Day twist at El Museo del Barrio's family fiesta. Fun on tap includes crown making, gallery tours, holiday storytelling and a BombaYo concert. FREE

Father Goose – Upper West Side
Groove to the calypso-inspired dance tunes of Dan Zanes' longtime musical collaborator, Father Goose, at Symphony Space. $21 for adults, $14 for children

A Christmas Carol – Upper East Side
Watch Charles Dickens' masterwork come alive with songs at the Kaye Playhouse. TheatreworksUSA's hour-long musicalization introduces kids to all the iconic characters, including Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit and, of course, Scrooge himself. $20-$30

Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells – Tribeca
Catch the precocious and grammatically-challenged first grader onstage as Junie tries to enjoy her school holiday party despite a lot of Secret Santa drama. After the show, Santa himself will appear to pose for pics with kids. $25

A Very Merry Kids' Christmas Special Spectacular – Williamsburg
Enjoy a shot of holiday nostalgia as video rental shop/screening room/bar Videology screens a trio of classic holiday TV specials: Rankin/Bass' beloved Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, 1982's wordless The Snowman and A Charlie Brown Christmas. FREE

See all Saturday events.
 

Sunday, December 21

New York Pops Family Concert: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Midtown West
A December GOList pick: Watch the iconic TV special come to life at Carnegie Hall with Broadway's John Bolton, New York Theatre Ballet dancers, child actors from TADA! Youth Theater and the New York Pops playing Johnny Marks' beloved songs. Availability is extremely limited, so call 212-247-7800 right away to try to snag tickets. $10-$22

Reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – Washington Heights
Another December GOList pick: Get into the holiday spirit old-school-style at the Church of the Intercession's 104th (!) annual reading of Clement Clarke Moore’s ode to Christmas. Afterward, enjoy caroling, a lantern-lit procession to the poet's grave at nearby Trinity Cemetery, a commemorative wreath laying and complimentary hot cocoa. FREE

Posadas y Pastorelas – Sunset Park
Experience a Mexican-style Christmas at Mano a Mano's annual family fete, which takes place in Brooklyn for the first time this year. Hit Industry City for live music, art workshops like how to make your own yarn Eye of God, and a posada, a singing street procession that culminates with a festive piñata breaking. FREE but donations and reservations are encouraged

Hot Peas 'N Butter in Concert – Upper East Side
Get down for Hanukkah as the Jewish Museum welcomes the mult-culti kindie band. Enjoy Puerto Rican standards, American blues and some Festival of Lights favorites. $18 for adults, $13 for children

Make Music Winter – Manhattan & Brooklyn
Make some noise at a dozen interactive music-filled parades in honor of winter solstice. Best bets for families include Tom Peyton's Bell by Bell in Midtown West and Nick Horner Family's Flatfoot Flatbush. FREE

See all Sunday events.


Don't forget: There's lots more fun to be found in our Event Calendar and our Holiday Fun Guide.