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All Weekend

Holiday Circus – Brighton Beach
Watch as circus skills are mixed with seasonal spirit. Santa himself hosts the show, which features acrobats, jugglers, animal acts and, new this year, Grandma the Clown, formerly of the Big Apple Circus. $35-$65 but you can save money on tickets through our affiliate Goldstar.

Grand Opening: Ice-Skating Rinks in Prospect Park – Prospect Park
After years of construction and $74 million dollars, Prospect Park's brand-new ice-skating spot is set to open to the public. Dubbed the LeFrak Center at Lakeside, the complex features two rinks, a cafe and awesome views. Plus it's one of the cheaper outdoor rinks in town, and will offer hockey and learn-to-skate programs. $6 on weekdays, $8 on weekends, $5 for skate rental

An Animated World: Celebrating Five Years of GKids Classics – Greenwich Village
Catch cool animated family flicks from around the world at the IFC Center. Curated by the folks behind the beloved New York International Children's Film Festival, this two-week fest kicks off this weekend with five flicks from Japan including Summer Wars, Grave of the Fireflies and the new classic My Neighbor Totoro by the inimitable Hayao Miyazaki. $13.50 for adults, $9.50 for children

Cirkopolis – Greenwich Village
Marvel at the incredible feats of Canada's Cirque Eloize in a show about a downtrodden worker whose imagination transforms his office into a fantastical place full of acrobats, aerialists, balancers and jugglers. At 80 minutes and no intermission, Cirkopolis is short enough to keep even the youngest audience members engaged. $40-$80 but click here to save 35% on tickets

Saturday, December 21

East Meets West Christmas Parade – Little Italy to Chinatown
One of our December Go List picks: Adjacent communities Chinatown and Little Italy come together to celebrate the holidays in this multi-culti mash up. Watch marching bands, Chinese Lion and Dragon Dance troupes, half a dozen floats, a gondola on wheels, and other entertainers and attractions parade throughout the nabes' main streets. FREE

Make Music Winter – Manhattan & Brooklyn
Make some noise at a dozen interactive music-filled parades in honor of winter solstice. While a handful of the processions require preregistration and rehearsals, most don't. Families should enjoy Tom Peyton's Bell by Bell in Midtown West and Peregrine, a boombox parade in Fort Greene led by Unsilent Night's Phil Kline. See our event listing for the complete schedule of parades. FREE

Greenwich Village Caroling Walk – Greenwich Village
Stroll through the quaint streets of Greenwich Village singing traditional Christmas songs with the West Village Chorale and then retire to Judson Memorial Church for refreshments. Songbooks provided. FREE

Jackson Heights Winter Holiday Sing-Along – Jackson Heights
More Christmas 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

Posadas y Pastorelas – Washington Heights
Experience a Mexican-style Christmas at Mano a Mano's annual family fete. Enjoy music and eats, learn how to make your own piñatas, join a posada, a singing procession through the streets, and see a Pastorela, a traditional shepherds' play. FREE but donations encouraged

A Season of Lights: A Winter Solstice Workshop – Morningside Heights
Head to the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine to make crafts inspired by holidays around the world like candles, paper lanterns, and clay Hanukkah menorahs and Kwanzaa kinaras. $8 per adult-child pair

Super Sabado: Super Holidays – East Harlem
Celebrate Three Kings Day a little early at El Museo del Barrio's monthly family fest featuring crown-making, Caribbean storytelling and a concert by El Sistema. FREE

See all Saturday events.
 

Sunday, December 22

Reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – Washington Heights
Get into the holiday spirit old-school-style at the Church of the Intercession's 103rd (!) 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

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas – Williamsburg
Hit theater/restaurant Nighthawk Cinema for a family matinee of Jim Henson's made-for-TV movie Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas followed by a concert by Lloyd Miller of Deedle Deedle Dees fame. Preregistration required. The Saturday screening is already sold out but there are still spots for Sunday's as of this writing. FREE but families are encouraged to order food

The Snow Maiden – Flatbush
Watch as the classic Russian Christmas fairytale come to life at Brooklyn College. This production, which is performed in Russian with English supertitles, features traditional music and dancing along with beautiful costumes. $25-$60

Toys for Tots Party – Jamaica Estates
We were seriously wowed by Anthony Gurino's over-the-top Christmas house when we went to see it last weekend. While it's an amazing destination throughout the holiday season, it will be even more festival on Sunday night when he throws a block party benefiting Toys for Tots. See Santa, enjoy food and a bouncy house, and even snag free gifts! FREE but donations accepted on behalf of Toys for Tots.

Gustafer Yellowgold – Upper East Side
Rescheduled from last Sunday due to the snowstorm: Head to the Jewish Museum to catch one of our favorite musical acts. Singer/songwriter Morgan Taylor and his band play catchy Beatles-esque tunes as the animated adventures of Gustafer, a little yellow creature from the sun, screen behind them. $18 for adults, $13 for children

MTA Holiday Season Nostalgia Trains – Long Island City to the Lower East Side
It's your last chance to catch a retro ride on vintage R1/9 subway trains on the Sixth Avenue line. Old-school advertisements, from quaint to downright funny, and overhead displays have all been maintained and refurbished by the New York Transit Museum.

See all Sunday events.

Don't forget: There's lots more fun to be found in our Event Calendar and our Holiday Fun Guide.