Virtual - various times
Virtual - various times
Virtual - various times
Virtual - various times
Virtual - various times
Virtual - various times
Virtual - various times
Weekend Fun for NYC Kids: Thomas the Tank Engine at NYBG, Three Kings Day Celebrations, Meteor Shower January 3-4
As excited as we are for 2015, the New Year is always a bit bittersweet as all the holiday sights come down, we recycle our Christmas trees, and get ready to return to our busy school and work routines. That's why my family and I try to pack as much fun as we can into these last days of holiday break!
This weekend, celebrate Three Kings Day a little early at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, meet Thomas the Tank Engine and his pals at the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show and try to catch a glimpse of the Quadrantids Meteor Shower with the Urban Park Rangers.
If you've already got your 2015 family calendar up, you'll want to check out our January NYC GOList to find out about the absolute best things to do with kids throughout the month. Our picks include lots of annual favorites, plus a special Mommy Poppins-sponsored performance of the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia's Stella, Queen of the Snow at Symphony Space next Saturday that includes an adorable marshmallow snowman activity and a deep discount on tickets.
All of our top picks for this weekend are below. You can find additional options in our Event Calendar and Holiday Fun Guide.
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All Weekend
All Aboard with Thomas & Friends – Bronx
Catch the beloved blue engine as he chugs into the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show. Thomas the Tank Engine and Driver Sam do live mini shows throughout the weekend and greet their young fans after each performance. Free with All-Garden Pass: $28 for adults, $16 for children ages 2-12
Holiday Express: School Vacation Week – Upper West Side
More choo-choo fun! Hit the New-York Historical Society to check out its seasonal holiday train display, and enjoy storytime, train-themed crafts and scavenger hunts. Free with admission: $19 for adults, $6 for children ages 5-13
Quadrantids Meteor Shower Viewing – Fresh Meadows & Marine Park
Gaze at this annual astronomical event with guidance from Urban Park Rangers in Brooklyn's Marine Park on Saturday and Queens' Cunningham Park on Sunday. Telescopes and binoculars provided. FREE
Swamp Juice – Greenwich Village
Don't miss this endlessly inventive, one-man shadow puppet show at the Barrow Street Theatre. Puppet master Jeff Achtem conjures a wide variety of swamp creatures from bits of trash, tinsel and toys. Practically wordless, this fringy family show is often dark but always delightful as an animal-hating man gets his comeuppance from nature. The 3D finale is particularly hilarious. $35 for adults if you use discount code NY1, $20 for children under age 18
Goldilocks & the 3 Bears – Park Slope
Watch the classic fairy tale come to life at Puppetworks via handmade hand puppets in place of the troupe's usual marionettes. $9 for adults, $8 for children
Saturday, January 3
Clifford's Big Red Party at the Scholastic Store – Soho
One of our January GOList picks: The Scholastic Store isn't just saying goodbye to 2014—it's saying goodbye, period! Come January 11, the kid-lit spot is closing for good so join its resident big red dog for one final bash featuring crafts, magic tricks, face painting, balloon twisting, a reading of Clifford Visits the Zoo and photo ops. FREE
Camels and Kings: A Gift Giving Workshop – Morningside Heights
Celebrate Three Kings Day at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. Kids will listen to the story of the Three Wise Men, and then craft gift boxes, costumes and glittering crowns. RSVP recommended. $8 per adult-child pair
Meet the Artist Saturday Harlem Gospel Choir: Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute – Upper West Side
Head to the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center to hear the famed choir perform joyous versions of gospel classics mixed with blues and jazz tunes in honor of MLK's upcoming birthday. FREE
Elska: Middle of Nowhere – Upper West Side
Get ready for a one-of-a-kind experience as singer Elska (the alter ego of actress/illustrator/songwriter Shelley Wollert) invites families on a virtual tour of the fictional isle where she lives with her friends Winter Bear, the Goobler, the Shooshi and a plethora of Lost Socks. Reminiscent of Gustafer Yellowgold, but with pop/techno music and more theatrics. $21 for adults, $14 for children
Family Country Dance – Upper East Side
Go country at the 92nd Street Y by trying square dancing and circle dances. The Hell’s Kitchen Cookers play traditional American tunes and all attendees are encouraged to bring vegetarian pot-luck dishes to share. $15 for adults, free for children under age 18
Annual Three Kings Day Celebration – Washington Heights
More Three Kings Day fun: The first 500 kids to arrive at the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian snag free toys and refreshments in honor of the holiday. FREE
See all Saturday events.
Sunday, January 4
Light in Winter: First Sundays – Prospect Park
Head to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to enjoy a wide variety of seasonal family fun including bird-watching, narrated strolls, a superhero-themed movement class, Victorian-era toys and a make-your-own nest workshop. Free with admission: $10 for adults, free for children under age 12
Teddy Bear Tea – Upper East Side
Hit the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden to play with 19th-century toys, tackle old-fashioned chores and enjoy fruit tea with cookies. Don't forget to bring your favorite doll or bear! Preregistration required. $10 for adults, $5 for children under age 12
See all Sunday events.
Don't forget: There's more fun to be found in our Event Calendar and Holiday Fun Guide.
