Parade Ground Bowling Green Cottage - 12:00 PM Pick
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Weekend Fun: East Meets West Parade, Holiday Movies and Charlie Brown Shows
With just one final weekend until Christmas, it's time to tackle that holiday bucket list. We've rounded up lots of ways for NYC families to enjoy the spirit of this season this weekend.
Go caroling in Greenwich Village or Jackson Heights; celebrate the days of Christmas past with Young Charles Dickens or the reading of Clement Clarke Moore's classic 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Enjoy multicultural celebrations including El Museo del Barrio's Parranda and the East Meets West Christmas Parade in Chinatown; or catch the stage version of A Charlie Brown Christmas performed by the New York Pops.
It's also a great weekend to hit all the seasonal sights before the tourists take over next week, so make time to see Santa, gawk at awesome department store windows and experience over-the-top holiday homes. For a more rustic outing, head to a local farm to cut down your Christmas tree like my procrastinating family will be doing this weekend—or order one online from one of these five local companies.
All of our best bets for the weekend are below. You can find more options in our Event Calendar and our Holiday Fun Guide.
OUR LATEST VIDEOS
All Weekend
Young Charles Dickens — Midtown West
See New York City Children’s Theater's musical about Charles Dickens' childhood. Find out how this talented young storyteller was forever changed when he was forced to spend a year (including Christmas Eve!) working to support his struggling family. Read our review for more information on the show.
Saturday, December 19
Santa makes his way through the adjacent neighborhoods of Chinatown and Little Italy in the East Meets West Christmas Parade. Photo courtesy of the Chinatown Partnership.
East Meets West Christmas Parade — Chinatown
A December GoList pick: We are excited to see this parade return after last year's hiatus. This event is a merry mash-up as neighboring communities Chinatown and Little Italy come together to celebrate the holiday season. Watch marching bands, Chinese Lion and Dragon Dance troupes and other entertainers parade down the street followed by a live musical performance. FREE
A Charlie Brown Christmas — Upper East Side
Celebrate the golden anniversary of the Peanuts TV special at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Watch the animated holiday classic starring Charlie, Lucy, Linus and the gang, and enjoy live musical accompaniment by the Rob Schwimmer Trio. Afterward, everyone is invited to raise their voices in a festive holiday sing-along.
Greenwich Village Caroling Walk — Greenwich Village
Stroll through the quaint streets of Greenwich Village singing traditional Christmas songs with the West Village Chorale. Afterward, enjoy refreshments and cheer at the Judson Memorial Church. FREE
Jackson Heights Winter Holiday Sing-Along — Jackson Heights
More holiday caroling! Croon holiday tunes by candlelight (or flashlight) throughout Jackson Heights. In addition to Christmas songs, participants will sing tunes that represent various faiths, languages and cultures—a lovely reflection of the area's diversity. Small acoustic instruments encouraged. FREE
Super Sabado: Parranda — East Harlem
This month's family fiesta at El Museo del Barrio honors the legacy and history of NYC's Young Lords gang. Kids can explore the museum's galleries, enjoy holiday story telling, make a crown and listen to BombaYo in concert. FREE
Sylvie returns to Symphony Space in Lollipops for Breakfast a new puppet/live action show. Photo courtesy of Symphony Space.
Lollipops for Breakfast — Upper West Side
A December GoList pick: Sylvie, the curious young protagonist of last year's sold-out puppet production Squirrel Stole My Underpants, decides to have lollipops for breakfast and goes in search of the sweet treat with her pet bird in tow. The inventive show has no spoken dialog, but lots of fantastic live music, acting, dancing and puppetry. For kids 3 years and older.
Coca-Cola Winter Wonderland — Harlem
Catch performances by some of NYC's best choirs, pose for photos with Santa or enjoy other seasonal festivities under the Apollo Theater's famous marquee. FREE
Sunday, December 20
The New York Pops A Charlie Brown Christmas — Midtown West
More fun with Charlie Brown! One of our top picks for the holiday season is this festive concert at Carnegie Hall starring the legendary New York Pops. Charles M. Schulz's characters come to life with Broadway's John Bolton as narrator, New York Theatre Ballet dancers, child actors from TADA! Youth Theater and the Pops playing Vince Guaraldi's jazzy score.
Reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas — Washington Heights
Another December GoList pick: Get into the holiday spirit old-school-style at the Church of the Intercession's 105th annual reading of Clement Clarke Moore’s ode to Christmas. Afterward, enjoy caroling, a lantern-lit procession to the poet's grave at nearby Trinity Cemetery, a commemorative wreath laying and complimentary hot cocoa. FREE
Film Forum Jr. Sunday Matinee: Elf — Greenwich Village
If you haven't been able to swing tickets to see Elf the Musical, head to the Film Forum to catch a screening of the now-classic holiday film that inspired the show.
Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights — Upper East Side
Find post-Hanukkah fun at the Jewish Museum with a rocking family concert by Brooklyn based kindie band as they play hits from their latest records, Good Egg and Meshugana.
Miracle on 34th Street — Inwood
The gorgeous United Palace Theater will be decked out for the holidays as it screens the original Christmas film Miracle on 34th Street. Before the movie, enjoy caroling in the lobby and talks by noted film critics. Score FREE admission by wearing a gown or tuxedo.
Winter Solstice Celebration — the Bronx
Although the solstice is Tuesday, the Urban Park Rangers are celebrating the shortest day of the year and the official start of winter in Van Cortlandt Park. Families can participate in a candle-lit stroll on the Putnam Trail, listen to stories by the fire and enjoy cups of steaming apple cider. FREE
Don't forget: There's lots more fun to be found in our Event Calendar and our Holiday Fun Guide.
Top image: The East Meets West Parade combines the best of Chinatown and Little Italy for festive, family event. Photo provided courtesy of the Chinatown Partnership.
