There are some spectacular and unique trees to see in Manhattan and Brooklyn. If you have a dinosaur fan, don’t miss the American Museum of Natural History’s dinosaur topiaries or the oragami tree that has ornaments featuring a dinosaur dig. I’ve always loved the Art Tree at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for its miniature figures and sweet nativity scene. This year the tree on the top of my list to visit is the one at Cathedral of St. John. I have never seen it and the December 5th advent procession with the boys, girls and adult choirs sounds like it could be quite special. There are so many trees to take in, but it’s possible to visit them all as the majority stay up until after the New Year.
Origami Tree and Dinos at the American Museum of Natural History (November 22, 2010- Jan. 2nd, 2011)
Upon approaching the museum, your tykes will love the two steel 19 foot dinosaurs that are decorated with pine boughs and lights. Inside, you can catch a glimpse of their orgami tree. This large tree is on the bottom floor of the museum, a little bit off the beaten path. It is covered with 500 paper ornaments. The theme this year is “Discovery”, featuring ornaments that evoke a dinosaur dig, the Museum’s exhibit “Race to the End of the Earth” and the 10th Anniversary of the Rose Center for Earth and Space. While you are there gazing at the 13 foot tree, take a look at the fantastic (and warm) exhibit of the live butterflies in the Butterfly Conservatory. Other recommended current exhibits: the new “Brain: The Inside Story” is great for budding scientists and “Hubble”: the new IMAX that allows viewers to blast off alongside the Atlantis STS-125 crew.
Details: Regular admission: Adults: $16 Children (2-12): $9 Central Park West at 79th Street. http://www.amnh.org/
The Art Tree at the Metropolitan Museum (November 23, 2010- Jan. 6, 2011)
This gorgeous tree has candles that light its branches with baroque ornaments of angels and cherubs. A vivid eighteenth-century Neapolitan Nativity scene surrounding the tree is embellished with tiny figures. The nativity scene is adored by all the kids: everything is so small they feel like toys. The holiday music that plays in the hall is lovely, but just recorded, not live. The tree is the Medieval Sculpture Hall (near those overwhelming iron gates) on the 1st floor. Beginning Tuesday, November 30, dramatic lighting ceremonies will take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 4:30 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m. (Note: On Friday, December 24, Friday, December 31, and a special Holiday Monday on December 27, there will be one lighting ceremony, at 4:30 p.m.)
Details: Suggested donation (which includes entrance to the museum: $20 for adults, children under 12 are free). www.Metmuseum.org. 1000 Fifth Ave (at 82nd Street)
Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Belarusian Church (Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 6 pm)
The Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation will host the Annual Atlantic Avenue Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Belarusan Church, corner of Atlantic Avenue and Bond Street, in downtown Brooklyn’s charming Boerum Hill neighborhood. The annual tree lighting ceremony, sponsored by Marathon Bank and Con Edison, is a popular holiday event bringing people together from the neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Downtown Brooklyn and Boerum Hill along and around the stretch of Atlantic Avenue running from Hicks Street to Fourth Avenue. The Tree Lighting event is free and open to the public with complimentary holiday treats provided by local Atlantic Avenue restaurants and shops. The event will feature students from P.S. 38 and P.S. 261 who will lead guests with carols and performances. This year there will also be a performance by Brooklyn Ballet and the return of children’s entertainers, Rolie Polie Guacamole. Santa Claus will also make a guest appearance to participate in the festivities, greet children and receive their Dear Santa letters. Council member Stephen Levin will join the festivities to officiate the tree lighting.
Details: Belarusan Church, corner of Atlantic Avenue and Bond Street,
South Street Seaport Tree, Chorus, Storytime with Santa and Shopping (Friday, Nov. 26th- January 2, 2011)
This beautiful tree adorned with bows and thousands of tiny lights feels quaint on the cobblestone Water Street. The tree lighting last year sweet and fun- although the site lines for kids and parents alike was pretty mediocre. This season the tree Seaport kick’s-off the holiday season was on November, 26th at 6 pm. Otherwise, the tree is quite pretty. There are Chorus Tree Performances on Fridays at 6 pm and 7 pm: Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm and 4 pm through December 19th. Storytime with Santa is on Saturdays and Sundays through Decemb 19th at 1 pm at Pier 17, 3rd floor (near the fantastic “Tigers” Show). There are some big box shops down at the Seaport too- so you can get your shopping in. The public restrooms are plentiful and nice and the whole area has a nice holiday feel. For additional information call (212) Sea-Port or please visit: http://www.southstreetseaport.com/events/spend-your-holiday-at-the-seaport
Details: Fulton Street and South Street. By Subway 2, 3, 4, 5, J, Z, or M to Fulton Street A or C trains to Broadway-Nassau; or E train towards Fulton Street. Walk East on Fulton Street to Water Street.
Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting (Tuesday, November 30, 2010- January 2nd, 2011)
This is granddaddy of all the trees. It is huge, crowded and a must-see. The soldiers and lights that surround the tree area are stunning. It’s fun to see the skaters whirl around the ice and see all the tourists thrilled to be there. Last year I went around 11 pm and it wasn’t as crowded as during other times. The tree, traditionally a Norway Spruce, is illuminated by 30,000 environmentally friendly LED lights on 5 miles of wire and crowned by a Swarovski crystal star. Here are the details: The lighting will take place on Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 with performances from 7:00pm-9:00pm. The two-hour long program features various celebrity appearances and a star-studded musical lineup. The tree will be lit daily from 5:30 A.M.-11:30 P.M.; all day on Christmas (24 hours); and from 5:30 A.M.-9 P.M. on New Year’s Eve.
Details: 5th Ave between 49th and 50th Streets. F to Rockefeller Center.
Peace Tree with carols at Cathedral of St. John the Divine (December 5th, 2010 – January 6, 2011)
This tree is decorated with over 1000 paper cranes and other signs of peace. There is an advent procession on Sunday, December 5th with the choir of boys, girls and adults singing carols punctuated by readings. The procession moves from corner to corner of the Cathedral, traveling figuratively from darkness to light. On Saturday, December 11th at 8 pm is “A Cathedral Christmas”, which is Part One of Handel’s Messiah and Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols”.
Details: 1047 Amsterdam Avenue (at 110th Street). http://www.stjohndivine.org
Lincoln Square Tree (Monday November 29, 2010 at 5:30 pm)
Winter’s Eve kicks off with a neighborhood tree lighting ceremony and features free entertainment, food tastings, in-store activities and shopping around Lincoln Square. Stores, restaurants, cultural organizations and public spaces in the district will be buzzing with activities for both children and adults. At the same time, sidewalks along Broadway from Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle to 68th Street will be alive with performers, street musicians, jugglers, stilt-walkers and more, making for a festive fun-filled stroll through the streets of this Upper West Side neighborhood. For the full list of activities and events, go here. The 25 foot Balsam Fir is at Dante Park- Broadway between 63rd and 64th Streets.
Details: The celebration begins with a neighborhood tree lighting ceremony at Dante Park – Broadway & 63rd Street. Festivities continue along Broadway from Time Warner Center to 68th Street. Take the 1, A, B, C, or D train to 59th Street/Columbus Circle or the 1 train to 66th Street and Broadway.