New York City Kids Weekend Events December 18-20: Free Holiday Movies, Brunch with Santa, a SoHo Christmas Parade and More

The weekend before Christmas is a crazy time in the City—tourists are flocking in, folks are doing last-minute shopping, stores are open ridiculous hours, and kids are anxiously awaiting Santa’s arrival. This perfect storm of holiday cheer has also created a weekend bursting with unimaginable events (a hot chocolate crawl!), and we promise you won’t even have to look at Rockefeller Center to take part in all the festivities. 

Read on for info on where you can dine with the jolly man in red, shop for hand-made crafts while your kids are entertained (for free), see the joining of cultures at Little Italy’s and Chinatown’s East Meets West Christmas Parade, and for even more wonderful and surprising events.

Friday, December 18
Solstice Celebration--UWS, Manhattan
Award-winning storyteller Regina Ress helps light up the darkest time of the year with her stories about the Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and the New Year. There's candle-making from 2-3pm, which will come in handy for the candle-lit procession following Regina's performance. FREE

Saturday, December 19
Sesame Street Holiday Movies--UES, Manhattan
Little ones will love this double-feature Sesame Street holiday movie fest. First up is Elmo's World holiday special, where Elmo is gearing up to celebrate Christmas, and doesn't know what to get his beloved goldfish Dorothy. On his quest, he learns all about the many winter holidays, and eventually discovers the true spirit of Christmas, along with the perfect gift for Dorothy. The second film is A Sesame Street Christmas Carol, where Oscar will be visited by three ghosts with a special message on Christmas Eve. Both films are followed by a holiday raffle and prizes. FREE

The Polar Express--UWS, Manhattan
This looks like it is going to be a pretty dazzling event. The New York Pops and Young People's Chorus of NYC are performing a concert version The Polar Express at Carnegie Hall, along with other holiday favorites. John Tartaglia (of Avenue Q fame) narrates, while the score by Alan Silvestri (including the song Believe from the movie) is played. $9

East Meets West Christmas Parade--SoHo, Manhattan
Not many places can say they host a Chinese and Italian Christmas celebration, but that's why New York isn't like any other place. The parade starts at Mulberry and Canal Street, and heads up Mulberry to Houston St, down to Worth, and ends at Chatham Square. It's the biggest holiday parade in Lower Manhattan, and it celebrates the unity of the two neighborhoods. No parade is complete without floats and marching bands, but there will also be Lion and Dragon Dancers, and Santa too, along with a slew of other sights and events. FREE

A Christmas Carol--Midtown East, Manhattan
The Traveling Lantern Theater Company is putting on a very family-friendly  play based on Dicken's classic tale of the old miser, Ebenezer Scrooge. FREE

Harlem Holiday Trunk Show: Part Deux-- Harlem, Manhattan
Twenty designers and businesses will be selling hand-crafted jewlery, accessories, clothing and home decor, while kids can get their faces painted, hang with Santa, make masterpieces at the coloring station, or dance along with the DJ. Other awesome amenities include a complementary beverages, skincare demonstrations, food and holiday treats for you and the kids. FREE

Sunday, December 20
Brunch with Santa--Mid Island, Staten Island
Munch on brunch with dancing elves (and you thought they only made toys), and Santa Claus himself. What's even more awesome than dining with Santa? Dining with Santa for free. Registration required. FREE

Taikoza Japanese Drumming--LES, Manhattan
Taikoza is doing their super-popular drumming performance for Bowery Kids this weekend. The show features a mix of traditional and original Japanese tunes, with flutes, and of course, ancestral Taiko drums. Bonus: kids can try their hands at the drums, too. $10

Hanukkah Celebration & Preschool Open House--LES, Manhattan
Celebrate the last few nights of Hannukkah at this Educational Alliance Preschool party. Arts & crafts, sing-a-longs, storytelling, dreidel games, and kosher refreshments will all be happening alongside tours of the Preschool. FREE

Hot Chocolate Crawl--West Village, Manhattan
With the weather being so abnormally cold, this event might be too hot and too sweet to miss. Spend the afternoon sampling a wide variety of hot chocolates across the west side of the City, and stop by some of our favorites along the way. It doesn't specify that the event is kid-friendly, but since you can't get too much of a buzz from chocolate, I think you are good to go. No RSVP necessary, and it's totally cool to bring friends or make them. Maps and scorecards provided. FREE (pay as you go)

More Events
This Sunday is the last New Amsterdam Market until warmer weather. This month is a wintermarket, filled with gift baskets, cheeses, a huge variety of grass-fed, free-range (and all sorts of we-don’t-abuse-our-animals adjectives) meats, and tons of vendors—all from right next door. With each monthly market, more and more folks are coming down, so I would recommend this for older children. Sample different foods, pick up treats for the holiday, and use it as an excuse to get the kids excited about cooking. Remember to dress warm—it is all outdoors.

This Saturday is Super Sábado at El museo del Barrio. There's way too much going on to list here, but kids (and you) will love the free live music, coquito contest, maraca-making, and taking photos dressed as The Three Kings.

Even More Ideas
--If you’re looking for the “real New York City holiday experience” this weekend, don’t miss our 45 Favorite Holiday Traditions for NYC Families and our 10 Experience Gift Ideas for NYC Kids.

--There's still time to see a special Nutcracker performance--at Lincoln Center or otherwise. Our Nutcracker post has 10 kid-friendly options and we even picked out the best restaurants to chow down at, if you are headed to Lincoln Center.

--Are you last-minute shopping this weekend? See our guide 2009 guide to Holiday Markets, Holiday Craft Fair Markets guide, and Temporary Holiday Pop-Up Stores.

--Don’t miss out on any of the cool events going down this weekend, by visiting our calendar and seeing what’s happening in New Jersey and Long Island.