Hi everyone! Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the day with your family and head out this weekend have lots of fun in NYC.
This weekend check out the 5th Ave Park Slope Tree Lighting, Opening Day of Macy’s Santaland, Walk the Windows on Atlantic Avenue, Lighting of Brooklyn’s Largest Menorah: 1st Night of Chanukah at Grand Army Plaza, Josh and the Jamtones virtually, Black Friday Hike: Prospect Park South to North, Birding: Winter Birds in Marine Park, DJ Squirm-A-Lot’s Virtual Thanksgiving Party, Outdoor Skills: Fire Building in Fort Greene Park, Hip-House Dance Fitness in St. John’s Recreation Center, Steinway Street Kids Holiday Event and a Chanukah Family Fest at the Jewish Children’s Musuem.
Also check out long running events like Green Meadows Farm Winter Wonderland at Aviator Sports and Events Center, The Steadfast Tin Soldier at Puppetworks, Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History, Tall Ship Wavertree at South Street Seaport, Thanksgiving Weekend with the Yard – Adventure Playground on Governors Island, Putting Green Mini Golf, Ice Skating at LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park, “A Wonderful, Awful Idea”: Animating the Grinch Who Stole Christmas at Museum of the Moving Image and the opening of Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection at New-York Historical Society.
Check the calendar to see everything going on this weekend. Also like us on Facebook for last minute events and updates.
Have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy the long weekend!
~ Deirdre (mom to O & C)
Friday November 26th
Opening Day of Macy’s Santaland
Friday November 26th 7a-9p and daily at various times until Friday December 24th. Location: Where: 8th floor, across from Au Bon Pain. Free to visit by reservation only. NYC reservations are now open. Book a spot in line to meet & snap a photo with the busiest man of the season.St. Nick is at Macy’s Santaland inside our Herald Square store, so bring your wish list. After all, he’s known for making wishes come true. You can now make a reservation online 5 days in advance of your visit. You can also visit Santa virtually also. See the website for all the details.
Josh and the Jamtones (virtual)
Friday November 26th 10-1045a. For ages 3 and up. This performance is Free with RSVP, one ticket per household. YouTube link sent with email confirmation. Jump to the roots-reggae-pop tunes of Josh and the Jamtones with sounds that bring the whole family to their feet. Fronted by singer/songwriter Josh Shriber, the Jamtones have taken the kindie music scene by storm with their rock-and-roll dance parties. Hear re-imagined classics such as “O Hanukkah,” songs with a modern twist including “Hanukkah Time,” and “Let Your Lite Shine Bright” to get into the spirit of the holiday.
Black Friday Hike: Prospect Park South to North
Friday November 26th 11a-12n. Free. Location: Parkside Avenue and South Lake Drive. On Black Friday, work off your Thanksgiving feast while enjoying the great outdoors. Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike!. Comfortable walking footwear highly recommended.
DJ Squirm-A-Lot’s Thanksgiving Party (virtual)
Friday November 26th 1p ET. Free. Register here. Hang out with DJ Squirm-A-Lot for a FREE virtual party the day after Thanksgiving! DJ Squirm-A-Lot will appear live to smash that spacebar to spin some of our favorite Story Pirates songs, read story submissions from kids at the party, take virtual selfies, and answer your questions!
See all the Friday events here.
Saturday November 27th
Walk the Windows on Atlantic Avenue
Saturdays 11a-7p until December 11th. Come enjoy festive holiday windows, special events, live music, free holiday treats & Santa, while you shop & dine on Atlantic Avenue! Look for red balloons at participating merchants. Go to the website to see all the special events.
Steinway Street Kids Holiday Event (Astoria)
Saturday November 27th 12n-3p. Free. On NYC Open Culture Street 31st Avenue between Steinway Street & 38th Street. Drop off your letters for Santa and take photos with Mrs. Claus. Balloon art and a special gift (while supplies last). Special Performances by Christmas Matters Holiday Carolers (12n), Penny and the Puppettes (1p) and Academia de Mariachi Nuevo Amanecer (2p).
Outdoor Skills: Fire Building in Fort Greene Park
Saturday November 27th 1-2p. Free. Location: Fort Greene Park Visitor Center. What can you use to build a fire? Explore this site with the Urban Park Rangers as we use different materials and ways to construct a fire. All programs are family-friendly, but are recommended for ages 8 years and older.
5th Ave Park Slope Tree Lighting
Saturday November 27th 430-6p. Free. Location: Corner of 4th St and 5th Ave. The return of our annual tree lighting. We missed you all in 2020 but we’re back in 2021! Come celebrate each other and our amazing community. Free to all and all are welcome. Recommend wearing a mask. Tropical Fete (stilt walkers and steel pan band) Bubbledad (we wouldn’t do the tree lighting without him). Dr. Alex singing some tunes. Park Slope Parents art activities. Wrapped treats and of course Santa!
See all the Saturday events here.
Sunday November 28th
Chanukah Family Fest at the Jewish Children’s Museum (Crown Heights)
Starting Sunday November 28th and ending Monday December 6th. Museum hours: Sunday 10a-530p, Monday-Thursday 10a-4p. Admission: $15 per person 2+.. It’s Chanukah! Time for festive celebrations and family fun. Join us at the Jewish Children’s Museum for the ultimate Chanukah family experience, by decorating donuts, discover the art of olive oil making, and step into a world of wonder as you explore the museum’s unique exhibits. Purchase timed entry tickets here.
Hip-House Dance Fitness in St. John’s Recreation Center (Crown Heights)
Sunday November 28th 11a-12n. Free. Register here. Hip-House is an upbeat dance aerobics workout that fuses Old School Hip-Hop and House vibes to improve cardio fitness and tone the body. Registration is required. Proof of vaccination (at least one dose) is required to attend Shape Up NYC classes at this site. Please wear a mask, and stay home if you’re sick.
Lighting of Brooklyn’s Largest Menorah: 1st Night of Chanukah at Grand Army Plaza
Sunday November 28th 4-6p. Free. Kickoff Event begins at 4p; lighting of the menorah at 5p. Join the Chabad of Park Slope for the lighting of Brooklyn’s largest menorah at Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park. Every night of Chanukah is celebrated with live music, hot latkes, and gifts for the children. The Menorah will be lit every night until December 5th at various times. See the website for the schedule.
See all the Sunday events here.
All Weekend
The Steadfast Tin Soldier at Puppetworks (Park Slope)
Starting November 20th. Saturdays-Sundays 1230p & 230p until January 2nd (no performance 12/31). Tickets: Children $10 each, Adults $11 each. Suggested for ages 2 and up. Andersen’s Toy Story with Nutcracker Sweets Tchaikovsky’s ‘Land of Sweets’ dances. Adapted for Marionettes by Nicolas Coppola. Adapted for Marionettes by Nicolas Coppola. Call for reservations: 718-965-3391 or e-mail to: puppetworksinfo@gmail.com. New York City requires you to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter Puppetworks. Those 12 years of age and older must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Masks are required.
Green Meadows Farm Winter Wonderland at Aviator Sports and Events Center
Starting November 20th. Saturdays-Sundays 12n-5p until December 5th. Admission: $12 per person age two and above. Register here. Celebrate the season of joy as you wander into the Green Meadows Farm holiday wonderland of endless photo ops created by thousands of beautiful flowers. Take a stroll to the family selfie stations, enjoy the candy hunt, and visit Santa’s workshop. Plus, don’t forget to say hello to friendly animals… they love treats, too. Your $12 admission per person includes: photos with Santa, heated tent, visit Santa’s workshop, Christmas selfie station, enjoy the candy hunt, fun hayride, sit on 10 different tractors, BIG!! BIG!! Bulldozer to Operate, bumpy roller slide, Milk “Katie” the Cow, Play in GMF huge Farm Playground, Plenty of Picnic Tables and so much more! Extra charge for Hot Chocolate and Animal Feed.
IC Ice Rink at Industry City
Opening Friday November 19th. Hours: Thursdays 4-8p, Fridays 12n-8p, Saturdays 11a-8p & Sundays 11a-6p. Tickets: $12 per person, with skate rentals costing $10 per person. Purchase tickets here. Courtyard 5/6. IC Ice Rink welcomes all to come for an iconic winter experience. The rink is uncovered and outside, so dress appropriately for an enjoyable and comfortable skate.
“A Wonderful, Awful Idea”: Animating the Grinch Who Stole Christmas at Museum of the Moving Image (Astoria)
Ongoing until February 27th. Museum hours: Fridays 2-8p, Saturdays-Sundays 12n-6p. Included with Museum admission. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a made-for-television short by legendary animation director Chuck Jones, based on the 1957 book by Theodor Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss). First aired by CBS in 1966, this 24-minute animated story of a grouchy curmudgeon who tries to ruin Christmas has become an enduring holiday classic. The sketches, animation cels, and backgrounds on exhibit—40 selections from the extensive private collection of Bill Heeter and Kristi Correa—illustrate Jones’s approach to adapting Geisel’s story for the screen. In contrast to the book’s black, white, and red palette, Jones unleashed a riotous array of vivid colors to depict the story’s settings and characters. The film showcases Jones’s unparalleled character animation and comic timing, creating an utterly believable, villainous—but ultimately redeemed—Grinch that became the standard for all subsequent adaptations. See the website for information on Covid 19 protocols.
Ice Skating at LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park
Hours for covered rink: Monday-Thursday 9a-430p, Friday 9a-7p, Saturday 1-9p, Sunday 1-430p. Open air rink hours: 9a-7p, Friday-Saturday 9a-9p & Sunday 9a-7p. Admission rates: $8 weekday per person, $12 weekend per person. Reserve your desired 90-minute skate session for access to one of our two available ice rinks online now and guarantee your ice time. Skate rentals are available at an additional cost or feel free to bring your own skates. Purchase online today as capacity is limited. To help our young skaters, helpful Skate Aids are available and can be rented in advance or on the day of your visit, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reserve open air rink tickets here and covered rink tickets here.
Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History (UWS)
On exhibit until January 17th. Location: Grand Gallery, first floor. Free with Museum admission. Museum is open Wednesdays-Sundays with timed entry tickets are available 10a-4p (museum closes 530p). The Origami Holiday Tree returns to view November 24, 2021 (closed 11/25 & 12/25). The theme of this year’s 13-foot tree is Gems of the Museum, featuring 50 specially created gold-colored models in recognition of the “golden anniversary” 50th Origami Tree and this Museum tradition, which started in the 1970s. Among the more than 1,000 origami pieces decorating the tree will be models of dazzling specimens from the new Allison and Roberto Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals, “jaw-some” pieces inspired by the new special exhibition Sharks, and those depicting iconic Museum exhibits like the Blue Whale, Titanosaur, and Tyrannosaurus rex. In accordance with the New York City vaccine requirement, you must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the Museum. See the website for all the information.
Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection at New-York Historical Society (UWS)
Starting Friday November 26th and on exhibit until February 27th. Museum hours: Wednesdays-Thursdays 11a-5p, Fridays 11a-8p and Saturdays-Sundays 11a-5p. Free with Museum admission. This year Holiday Express goes to the amusement park! Joining a selection of toy trains, figurines, and miniature models from the renowned Jerni Collection, this year’s festive display includes never-before-seen toy rides. Visitors can marvel at a miniature Ferris wheel, carousel, blimp ride, and roller coaster.The carnival toys on display recall the colossal machines that have fascinated and delighted the American public for decades, like the Ferris wheel, which was introduced in the U.S. at Chicago’s World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893, and early American roller coasters, like the ones introduced at Coney Island in 1884. New York’s favorite amusement ground was also the site of one of the United States’ first carousels, a musical merry-go-round appointed with colorful mechanical horses. The display also includes a variety of toy train stations dating from the turn of the 20th century to the World War II era, showcasing the evolving designs of American and European toymakers. As part of New York City’s Key to NYC program, all visitors to New York City museums ages 12 and over are required to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. For more details, go to the FAQ page.
Ice Skating at Winter Village in Bryant Park
Open daily until March 6th. Hours: Monday-Thursday 8a-10p, Friday-Sunday and holidays 8a-1130p. Winter Village at Bryant Park is Manhattan’s winter wonderland. Enjoy New York City’s only free admission ice skating rink, the Holiday Shops, and rinkside eats and drinks at The Lodge by Prime Video. Reserve timed entry tickets here.
Putting Green Mini Golf (Williamsburg)
Mondays-Fridays 3-8p, Saturdays-Sundays 10a-8p. Admissions: $10 adults, $5 kids/seniors (Wednesdays before 5p & Saturdays before 1p $5 adults, $2 kids/seniors). All profits will be donated to local nonprofit organizations addressing climate change in NYC. PUTTING GREEN is an 18-hole mini golf course open to the public on the waterfront in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This neighborhood pop-up is designed to showcase the problems and solutions for some of the most pressing climate change issues facing our planet. Each of the 18 holes has been designed by a community partner, including artists and designers, community and school groups, environmental advocacy organizations and public agencies. See website for all the details.
Tall Ship Wavertree at South Street Seaport
Saturdays-Sundays 11a-5p through November 28th. The permanently-moored 1885 tall ship Wavertree will be open to the public for FREE with timed entry, from at Pier 16 (Fulton and South Streets). Visits will be self-guided along a set route and will include access to the main deck and quarter deck. Learn how people worked and lived aboard a 19th century cargo sailing vessel, from the captain to the ship’s officers, cooks, and crew. Then visit the cargo hold and stand atop the viewing platform where you can take in the massive main cargo area.The Museum will allow no more than 150 guests on board the ship at any time to encourage social distancing from different households. All guests above the age of 2 will be required to wear a face covering at all times aboard Wavertree and at the Museum’s pop-up gift shop. Reserve tickets here.
Thanksgiving Weekend with The Yard – Adventure Playground on Governors Island
Friday-Sunday November 26th-28th 12n-4p. Free. Welcome back to The Yard, New York City’s only adventure playground! The Yard offers free weekend play with Covid safety protocols in place. The Yard is a kids-only space recommended for young people ages 6 to 18, stewarded by trained playworkers. The Yard supplies young people with loose parts materials for building, exploring, imagining and destroying. Rules and more information: No more than 35 children at a time will be allowed in The Yard. Children must be over 5 years old. Masks are required. Shoes: Closed-toe shoes are required. play:groundNYC has a limited selection of loaner shoes on site. See the website for the waiver.
The Nature of Color Exhibit at American Museum of Natural History (UWS)
Museum is open Wednesdays-Sundays with timed entry tickets are available 10a-4p (museum closes 530p). Exhibit is open until December 5, 2021. Select a General Admission + One or General Admission + All ticket, choose date and time of entry to the Museum, then select The Nature of Color. Reserve tickets here. Our world is awash in color. Color makes the world feel vibrant and alive. But that’s not all. Color helps us make sense of the world. It contains vast amounts of information—about the natural world, and the human world. Come and explore the world of color in this immersive exhibition. Worlds Beyond Earth at the Hayden Planetarium Space Theater is now open with limited seating to maintain health and safety. See all the details here.