Friday, December 11

Caroling at the Morgan--Midtown East, Manhattan
Hear traditional and popular holiday music performed throughout the Morgan Library & Museum by singers from Mannes College. Tickets are not required. FREE
See more sweet caroling activities

Saturday, December 12
Unsilent Night--Union Square, Manhattan
This Saturday, 25 cities around the world will celebrate Unsilent Night. In New York, Phil Kline will lead a massive chorus of boomboxes from the West to East Village, which he calls a "sound sculpture." Bring your own boombox, cassettes, cds, and music and join in on this very only-in-NY holiday parade (or just watch--either way, it will be awesome).  FREE
Like these unique events? See more offbeat holiday activities here

Three Bears Holiday Bash--UWS, Manhattan
The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater has a new show in town--and it's an old school variety show that celebrates the holiday season with song, dance and puppetry. The production is a comedy of errors--Baby Bear invites Santa to star in Mama and Papa Bear's annual holiday show. The shows takes from stories from Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, and is sure to be cultural and entertaining experience. $5/kids, $8/adults

A Swedish Children's Christmas Workshop--Midtown East, Manhattan
Learn how Swedes prepare for CHristmas in this customary julpysseldag (Christmas craft day). Kids make their own decorations, and learn how to make traditional woven hearts, yarn tomtar and paper angels.  $6

The Christmas Revels--UWS, Manhattan
Like the event above, this event is a unique take on celebrating Christmas. Set aboard a ship of Irish immigrants on route to America, experience the music and step-dancing, and tales in the tradition of Celtic Bards. $15/kids, $25/adults

Sunday, December 13
Annual Santa Rescue--SoHo, Manhattan
Oh no! Santa is perched atop of the New York CIty FIre Museum and can't get down! Luckily a ladder truck is nearby to get him to safety. Once all is calm Santa takes gift requests and poses for photos. Hot dogs and hot chocolate will be available for purchase, too. And Carols from the John Clacher band will complete the setting. $5/adults, $1/kids
For more fun with Santa, check out these other places to get a glimpse of the Man in Red

Menorah-Making--UES, Manhattan
This isn't your everyday Menorah making--these are edible! Bring your holiday spirit and appetite to this holiday event. You can drop by anytime between noon and 2:30pm and advance registration is not required. FREE
See more Hanukkah events here

Geminids Meteor Shower--Fort Totten Park, Queens
Some consider this meteor shower to be the best of the year, since it produces up to 60 multicolored meteors per hour. The weather Sunday could be questionable so call ahead to make sure this is still going on. FREE

Holiday Candlelight Tree Lighting & Caroling Celebration--UES, Manhattan
Everything you need for a perfect holiday celebration is provided--cookies, candy canes, candlelight, hot chocolate and even song books. The 50-voice Young People's Chorus of NYC, along with the Orbital Brass Quintet, will lead this musical celebration. FREE
See more tree lightings and activities here

More Events
--At the Brooklyn Lyceum this weekend, A Charlie Brown Christmas comes to life during their super-popular holiday show, complete with jazz trio ($10/ticket; Sat & Sun 2pm and 7pm).

--Another great event happening in Brooklyn is the Sesame Street tribute going on all weekend at BAM. Events include screenings of rarely seen footage, Emmy-award winning episodes, holiday specials and a ton more. 

--Everyone's favorite family-friendly Grammy winners, They Might Be Giants, are playing two shows at the NY Hall of Science on Sunday. 

Even More Ideas
--If you're planning to visit the Tim Burton exhibit this weekend, check out our family visitor's guide to this great exhibit at the MoMA. 

--There's still time to see a special Nutcracker performance--at Lincoln Center or otherwise. Our Nutcracker post has 10 kid-friendly options.

--Still doing holiday shopping? See our guide 2009 guide to Holiday Markets and our Holiday Craft Fair Markets guide.

--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.

 

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Photo Op(above): We found this colorful wall on the Lower East Side and the kids had fun posing in front of it.