Only in NY: Offbeat and Multicultural Holiday Events

Dec 1 2009

mommy's blog

By mommy

Only in NY: Offbeat and Multicultural Holiday Events

This post is part of a spcecial Bloggers Holiday round-up. At the bottom you'll find links to 12 other Holiday blog posts from some of our other favorite NYC blogs.

Not to be too cliche, but one of the reasons we claim to love living and raising children in New York City is the wonderful diversity. The Holidays are a great time to take advantage of that diversity by exposing children to some of real life examples of the expression, "it takes all kinds". From traditional Mexican Christmas celebrations to the oddball SantaCon, you know you're in New York City when your Holiday traditions with your kids include some of these fun multicultural, artsy, or just plain wacky Holiday events:

Unsilent Night
Saturday, December 12, 7pm

A flash mob will parade from Washington Square Park to Tompkins Square Park carrying boomboxes to create a "sound sculpture" alternative to traditional Christmas Caroling, with each boombox creating one "voice". Sign up to get a CD or mp3 to be one of the voices or just show up to check it out. FREE

SantaCon
Saturday, December 12

If you've ever noticed around this time of year hundreds of people in cheap Santa suits walking around the city, singing naughty carols, drinking, and generally spreading holiday cheer and mayhem, then you've experienced SantaCon. Sign up for text messages to find out where you can see them. Note: This event is not a family event and this recommendation is more for ogling than participating. FREE

Tuba Christmas
Sunday, December 13. 3:30 PM

500 tubas play holiday songs in on the Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink. This event will be crowded. I recommend showing up closer to 11:30 to watch the rehearsals. FREE

Santa Rescue
Sunday, December 13, 11:30am

Firefighters rescue Santa from being stuck in a chimney and then have a party with hot cocoa and hot dogs, carols and pictures with Santa at the NYC Fire Museum. Adults $5, Children under 12 $1

Posadas y Pastorelas
Sunday, December 20th, 11am-5pm

The posada is a traditional Mexican singing procession. A pastorela is a traditional shepherd's play. Get into the Holiday spirit Mexican style with an afternoon of crafts, music, pinatas and food at the Museum of the City of New York. Free with museum admission (suggested $10 per adult or $20 per family)

Christmas Day Klez for Kids
December 25, 11:00am

On Christmas Day, the Museum at Eldridge Street will host Klez for Kids, a family concert and celebration featuring klezmer music, singing, dancing and Yiddish lessons for children and parents alike. Tickets to Klez for Kids are $12 for adults and $8 for children and seniors. Children two and under will be admitted for free. For more information, call the Museum at 212.219.0888

Kwanzaa at the Museum of Natural History
Sunday, December 27th, 12-5pm

Celebrate the seven principals of Kwanzaa in an afternoon of song, dance, music, and crafts. Free with museum admission (Suggested $16 adults and $9 children 2-12)

Three Kings Day Parade
Wednesday, January 6, 11am-1pm

A lively procession of music, colorful dancing and parrandas fills the streets of El Barrio.

Be sure to check out our Holiday Guide for lots more ideas on things to do, gift ideas, and and the best ways to get into the holiday spirit in NYC.

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NYC Bloggers Do the Holidays

Brooklyn Based
Home for the Holidays

Give & Get
Tis The Season to Volunteer

the improvised life
unwrapping the holidays

Manhattan User's Guide
The Gift Guide

NY Barfly
It's the Holidays, Time to Drink

NewYorkology
Big-ticket holiday shows: Nutcracker, Rockettes, Wintuk

offManhattan
Ten Holiday Getaways Near NYC