Only in NY: Offbeat and Multicultural Holiday Events

Not to be too cliche, but one of the excuses we give for living in New York is the wonderful diversity. And the Holidays are a great time to expose our children to some of real life examples of the expression, "it takes all kinds". From traditional Mexican Christmas celebrations to the drunken SantaCon, you know you're in New York City when you your Holiday traditions with your kids include some of these fun multicultural, or just plain wacky Holiday events:

(This post has been updated on December 10, 2008 with additional events and correct event times and dates.)

Tuba Christmas
Saturday, December 13. 3:00 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.

Unsilent Night
Saturday, December 13, 7pm

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

SantaCon
Saturday, December 13

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.

Christmas Day Klez for Kids
December 25

On Christmas Day, the new 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

Posadas y Pastorelas
Sunday, December 14th, 12-5pm

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 and food at the Museum of the City of New York.

Puerto Rican Parrandas Late December
"Parrandas" is the Latin American custom of unannounced caroling. Traditionally, carolers move from house to house receiving food and cheer, gaining carolers with each stop, until a large procession of singers gather together in the town plaza. El Museo del Barrio celebrates this holiday tradition with a program of public caroling at the Museum and a surprise visit to a community organization. For more information: El Museo del Barrio, 212-831-7272.

Kwanzaa at the Museum of Natural History
December 28th

In an afternoon of song, dance, and spoken word, this festival salutes the city spirit of Africans and African-Americans with groups from across New York City.

Santa Rescue
December 14, noon

Firefighters rescue Santa from being stuck in a chimney and then have a party with hot cocoa and hot dogs, plus pictures with Santa at the NYC Fire Museum.