All Weekend

All Aboard! Historical Train Weekend – Upper West Side
Explore the New-York Historical Society's brand-new holiday train display scavenger hunt-style, and enjoy special hands-on activities like playtime with Conductor Abe and choo-choo-themed crafts. Best for the preschool set. Free with admission: $19 for adults, $12 for students, $6 for children ages 5-13

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum Reopening – Upper East Side
A December GOList pick: After a massive multimillion dollar renovation, the Cooper Hewitt reopens with expanded gallery space and cutting-edge technology. The highlight: Every visitor receives a digital pen that allows you to virtually collect interesting items and play with them on brand-new interactive design tables! $18 for adults, free for children under age 19; save $2 by buying tickets in advance online

A Charlie Brown Christmas – Park Slope
Catch Pig Brooch Theater Company's live stage adaptation of the iconic TV special at the Brooklyn Lyceum. Extremely faithful to the source material (right down to the 30-minute running time), the show features Charlie, Lucy, Linus, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang as a live jazz trio plays Vince Guaraldi's memorable music. $12, $28 for a family four-pack

Taste of Christmas Cookie Walk – East Village
Take a tasty stroll through St. Nicholas of Myra Orthodox Church and choose from more than 50 varieties of homemade treats. Grab as many as will fit in your box! New this year: Kids can also create their own sweets and pose with Santa at the photo booth. Cookie boxes are $15 for small, $25 for large; gluten-free options available

Superbunny Christmas – Brooklyn Heights
Catch this musicalization of Amber L. Spradlin's holiday picture book Thumperino Superbunny and the Christmas Star Caper at the Actors Fund Arts Center. When the star is stolen from atop the community Christmas tree, the heroic hare goes on a quest to retrieve it, rescuing a hundred of his fellow rabbits along the way. Best for preschoolers. FREE but call 917-563-9830 to reserve your seats.
 

Saturday, December 13

Note: Saturday is Santacon, so beware hordes of rowdy and possibly drunken St. Nicks. There is also a Millions March NYC planned that starts in Washington Square Park, heads north to 32nd Street and then south to One Police Plaza.

Unsilent Night – Greenwich Village & the East Village
Another December GOList pick and a funky alternative to traditional Christmas caroling. Help create a "sound sculpture" by blasting music by avant-garde composer Phil Kline as part of a procession from Washington Square Park to Tompkins Square Park. Download the music online, get the free app, or show up early to snag a free CD or cassette tape. FREE

East Meets West Christmas Celebration – Little Italy
Also from our December GOList: Celebrate Christmas and two cultures at this holiday fete co-hosted by merchants in the adjacent neighborhoods of Little Italy and Chinatown. Enjoy Chinese Dragon and Lion Dances, animal acts and Christmas caroling in a heated tent. Santa will stop by to greet the kids and give out small gifts, and everyone gets complimentary hot cocoa and cookies. FREE but donations of new unwrapped toys encouraged

Push Physical Theater – Upper West Side
Hit Symphony Space for this thrilling all-ages performance featuring theatrical acrobatic feats that push the boundaries of what's physically possible. $26 for adults, $16 for children

See all Saturday events.  
 

Sunday, December 14

Tuba Christmas – Midtown East
Head to the Rock Center ice rink to catch this kooky concert featuring 500 tuba players tooting holiday songs. It's truly a sight to behold... and hear. While the public performance is always crowded, if you show up at 12:30pm you can see the rehearsal and avoid the hordes. FREE

Opening Day of Robot Swarm – Flatiron
Head to the Museum of Mathematics to check out its brand-new permanent exhibit featuring two dozen interactive mini robots that move, communicate and even react to your presence. Free with admission: $15 for adults, $9 for children ages 2 to 12

Menorah Madness with Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights – Battery Park City
Celebrate Hanukkah a little early at the Museum of Jewish Heritage with a rocking kindie concert, family tours of the galleries and holiday crafts. $10, $7 for children under age 11

The Poppy Seed Players: Latkes & Applesauce – Upper West Side
More Festival of Lights fun: This holiday musical revue features short seasonal skits, including a Hanukkah-themed take on A Christmas Carol, the story of "Thomas, the Shammus" and rousing klezmer music. $20

Chanukah Festival – Upper East Side
Hit the 92nd Street Y to decorate dreidels and cookies, craft candles, sing Hanukkah songs and make holiday cards for the elderly. Participants are also encouraged to bring unwrapped gifts for the annual holiday drive. $12 for adults, $17 for children

The Muppet Christmas Carol – Fort Greene
Head to BAM to see Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang in this wacky movie musicalization of Charles Dickens' holiday classic. $10, $7 for children under age 13

The Moxie Spot Goodbye Party – Brooklyn Heights
Say goodbye to Brooklyn Heights' beloved restaurant/play space at this last-day bash. Stop by for balloon twisters, live music from local kindie rockers (including Lloyd Miller of the Deedle Deedle Dees) and lots of games. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Atlantic Avenue Youth Community Scholarship Program. $10

See all Sunday events.

Don't forget: We have additional seasonal fun in our Event Calendar and our Holiday Guide.