People travel from all of the world to visit New York City for the holidays – maybe it’s for a snowy Central Park, the decorated shop windows down Fifth Ave, or all the holiday trees decorated throughout the city. Luckily, we live here and do not need to travel but a few blocks to find festive and unique holiday activities – so keep reading to ensure you won’t miss anything!
December 6
Celebrate Chanukah 2015
If you’re celebrating Chanukah this year join the UWS JCC Manhattan community! JCC Manhattan at W 76th St & Amsterdam is hosting the 8 day celebration with food, music, candle lighting and a pop up Chanukah party.
December 6
Becoming Santa Claus
A simulcast of the family-friendly opera will be streamed in the David Rubinstein Atrium. A fun and witty story of “Claus dazzling a newborn with an assortment of the very latest toys before discovering that love is the most treasured gift of all…”. Free admission, first-come, first-served basis. Check it out here.
December 12
The Nutcracker Family Benefit
All December long the holiday classic George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker will be performed at Lincoln Center – what are the holidays without the Nutcracker?! If theater is your passion, the School of American Ballet will partner with the New York City Ballet to co-host this family benefit on December 12. Tickets include a matinee performance followed by a holiday party (with a visit from Santa!), autographs, and posing for pictures with the performers. The benefit’s proceeds help support the school’s scholarship fun and NYCB’s education and outreach programs. More info and ticketing here.
December 14
Holiday Songbook
Bruno Walter Auditorium hosts a holiday concert by Broadway computers and lyricists at 6pm on 12/14. No tickets required. See here for more details.
December 21
Winter Telescope Party
Head over to the Hayden Planetarium Space Theater to take a peak at the winter sky through telescopes (with the help from real astronomers!). Grab some hot chocolate and bundle up for an evening under the stars! Check it out here!
December 27
Kwanzaa 2015
The American Museum of Natural History is hosting a celebration representing the week-long African heritage and culture celebration. This family-friendly fest won’t be without food, arts and crafts, dancing, and beat-box! Free with museum admission. Details here!
December 31
Midnight Run 2015
Tired of doing the same thing every New Year’s Eve? How about go for a run instead? Technically this is not an exclusive Upper West Side event, BUT you do register and pick up your numbers, t-shirts, and glow-sticks on the UWS. If you’re a fitness junkie like me, you’ve scoured the internet for fun holiday events to partake in… and you know the pickings are slim (I mean, it WILL be cold and probably snowy…). The run is the four mile inner loop of Central Park. Race starts at the drop of the ball. Cash prizes. Music and dancing at the finish line. Definitely worth checking out here.
