The holidays have arrived in New York City. Festivities of all sorts, from annual classics like “The Nutcracker” to ice skating and twinkling light displays, are opening for the season. Here’s a list of shows and events to attend.
‘The Nutcracker’
At Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater, the New York City Ballet will present its annual “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” (Nov. 29-Jan. 4), with more than 125 children in two alternating casts from the School of American Ballet and a one-ton Christmas tree that grows to more than 40 feet tall. A sensory-friendly performance will take place on Jan. 5.
Brooklyn will see a bevy of works reimagining the classic. Two are hip-hop ballet versions, with “The Brooklyn Nutcracker” at The Theater at City Tech (Dec. 12-15) and “The Hip-Hop Nutcracker” at Kings Theater (Dec. 23). “The Hard Nut” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (Dec. 12-22) sees the story through a lens of witty cartoon Americana.
At the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in the Bronx, the Westchester Ballet Company, a youth troupe of dancers from 6 to 18 years old, will perform “The Nutcracker” (Dec. 13-15). And at the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College in Queens, the New York Theater Ballet will present its one-hour version for ages 3 and up, with choreography by Keith Michael (Dec. 1).
‘The Magic Flute’
The Metropolitan Opera will present its annual family-friendly, abridged version of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” with the director Julie Taymor’s signature fantastical puppets (Dec. 12-Jan. 4). Tickets for the Dec. 14 matinee will double as entry for the Met’s Holiday Open House, with demonstrations by the Met’s musicians, actors, dancers and backstage and artistic staff.
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall will present “An Irish Christmas with Keith & Kristyn Getty and Friends” (Dec. 16) and two nights of holiday music with the New York Pops and the Broadway performer Jessica Vosk (Dec. 20 and 21). And the Oratorio Society of New York will present its 150th consecutive performance of Handel’s Messiah (Dec. 23).
The New York Philharmonic
At David Geffen Hall, the New York Philharmonic will perform Handel’s “Messiah” conducted by Ton Koopman (Dec. 11-14), and a sampler of holiday music in “Sounds of the Season” (Dec. 14 and 15). The Philharmonic will also present “‘Elf’ in Concert,” screenings of the Will Ferrell comedy with a live performance of its score (Dec. 19-22).
Jazz at Lincoln Center
At the intimate Dizzy’s Club overlooking Central Park, holiday programming includes Matt Wilson’s “Christmas Tree-O” (Dec. 16), Joe McCarthy’s Afro-Latin big band version of “The Nutcracker Suite” (Dec. 17-18), the pianist and composer Christian Sands’ quartet (Dec. 21-24).
The annual “Big Band Holidays” returns to the Rose Theater (Dec. 18-22), with the jazz vocalists Ekep Nkwelle and Robbie Lee and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra performing classic holiday standards. The matinee show on Dec. 22 will be a special performance for children and adults with autism, sensory and communication disorders or learning disabilities.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah begins this year at sundown on Dec. 25, and the festival of lights will be commemorated with the lighting of multiple extremely large menorahs in the city.
At Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza, the lighting of the menorah kicks off with a special concert event (Dec. 25), and will be lighted each night alongside hot latkes, live music and gifts for children.
At Manhattan’s Grand Army Plaza, another comparably huge menorah will be lighted every day of Hanukkah around sundown. And Hudson Yards will also feature a giant menorah, with a live lighting for each night of Hanukkah.
Light Shows
Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (through Jan. 5) takes evening visitors through an illuminated trail. Special evenings only for people 21 years and older will offer mulled wine and spiked hot chocolate for the walk (Dec. 12 and 19).
The Tianyu Lights Festival in Queens (Nov. 29-Jan. 19) turns Citi Field in Flushing into a whimsical magical forest.
The Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights (through Jan. 5) event features lights and wildlife lanterns in the shape of zoo animals across different themed trails, in addition to a children’s holiday train and ice-carving demonstrations.
Ice Skating
Ice skaters have the whole winter, not just the holiday season, to indulge in the sport at various locations. In Manhattan: Central Park’s Wollman Rink, the Rink at Rockefeller Center and the Winter Village at Bryant Park. In Brooklyn: the Emily Warren Roebling Plaza under the Brooklyn Bridge and the LeFrak Center at Lakeside in Prospect Park. In Queens: City Ice Pavilion in Long Island City and World Ice Arena in Flushing. And the Staten Island Skating Pavilion also offers public sessions.
Window Displays
Though Saks Fifth Avenue has called off its extravagant light show this year, the department store’s signature window display will continue. Other window display classics, including Bergdorf Goodman, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, are also open for seasonal perusing.
Holiday Trains
The New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show (through Jan. 20) sees its display of a miniature version of New York City made from acorns and tree bark.
The Grand Central Terminal’s Holiday Train Show (through February) in the New York Transit Museum’s Grand Central Gallery features a miniature replica of Grand Central Terminal and collections of model trains including Metro North, the Polar Express and vintage subway train sets.
For a decidedly not miniature festive train experience, the New York Transit Museum’s Holiday Nostalgia Rides lets subway riders take a vintage subway car from the 1930s each Sunday in December.
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