Your Guide to Downtown's Myriad Holiday Happenings
The Mistletones will sing classic carols, contemporary holiday songs and mash-ups in four-part harmony on Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at One New York Plaza. They will also perform at the World Trade Center Oculus on Wednesday, Nov. 28, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
When: Nov. 23-Dec. 24. Click here for hours
Where: 230 Vesey St., Level 2
Price: Click here for pricing
The annual take-a-picture with Santa. Also this year will be a Sensory-Friendly Santa with Autism Speaks on Dec. 9, 8:30 -10 am. Families with children with all spectrums of special needs can experience a visit with Santa in this compassionate, sensory-friendly event prior to public hours.
When: Nov. 26-Dec. 27, 12:30 pm
Where: The Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center
Price: Free
BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) songwriters will be performing traditional carols, personalized takes on holiday classics and festive new songs. Click here for the schedule.
Luminaries at the Winter Garden
When: Nov. 28-Jan. 4. Click here for hours.
Opening Nov. 27, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with free ice skating and live musical performances.
Where: The Winter Garden, Brookfield Pl., 230 Vesey St.
Price: Free
A canopy of colorful lights emanate from hundreds of suspended lanterns, with music and light shows beginning every half hour. Visitors are encouraged to send wishes to the canopies from three “wishing stations,” where they can activate a display of lights and colors.
When: Friday, Nov. 30 to Sunday, Dec 2, Click here for hours.
Where: The Winter Garden, Brookfield Place
Price: Free, no tickets needed
Four free performances of this one-hour version of the holiday ballet by the New York Theatre Ballet, with choreography by Keith Michael. Seating is first-come, first served and early arrival is strongly suggested.
Create Skyscraper-Themed Holiday Cards
When: Saturday, Dec. 1, 10:30-11:45 am
Where: The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Pl.
Price: Free
After a tour of the museum and the exhibit SKYLINE, kids can draw their own New York City skyscrapers and create original holiday cards. All ages. $5 per child. RSVP required.
When: First three weekends in December
Where: Church Street School for Music & Art, 41 White St.
Price: Click here for pricing
The Church Street School’s Gingerbread House Workshops, with their endless icing and candy—and to musical accompaniment—have been a local tradition for nearly three decades. Proceeds from the workshop parties and kits support the school’s outreach programs, free community classes and scholarships.
When: Saturday Dec. 1, 10 am-12 pm
Where: JCP Downtown, 149 Duane St.
Price: Free, but registration required
Live music from Joanie Leeds and Matt Check, plus arts and crafts, and festive snacks. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
Simon's Journey - A Hanukkah Miracle
When: Sunday Dec. 2, 11 am
Where: The Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Pl.
Price: $30 per family
In this original children’s play, a boy on his way to America is shipwrecked and marooned on an iceberg. There he befriends a polar bear, and the two find their own way to celebrate Chanukah together. The performance is followed by brunch and an arts-and-crafts Chanukah-themed activity. Tickets here.
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When: Dece. 3-7, 12:30-1:30 pm
Where: 1 New York Plaza
Price: Free
A week of music includes: The World Trio (harpist, violinist/fiddle player and hand drummer), The Mistletones (feel free to dance or sing along), The Creswell Club (jazz standards and tunes from the 1920s), The Original Dickens Carolers (dressing in Victorian costumes) and Metropolitan Klezmer (featuring folkloric sounds and Yiddish swing and tango.
Seaport District Holiday Block Party
When: Monday Dec. 3, 5-7 pm
Where: 19 Fulton St.
Price: Free
The celebration kicks off at 5 p.m. with a DJ warmup and free hot chocolate followed at 6 p.m. with a variety of musical performances and a countdown to illuminate the Seaport Christmas tree. Other food and drink for sale by Seaport eateries.
Chanukah in Washington Market Park
When: Tuesday, Dec. 4, 5:30-6:30 pm
Where: Washington Market Park, Greenwich & Duane
Price: Free
In conjunction with Washington Market Park, JCP Downtown will be lighting the menorah and serving traditional jelly donuts. There will also be "glowing giveaways" and live music.
Seaport District Chanukah Party
When: Tuesday, Dec. 4, 6-8 pm
Where: 207 Front St.
Price: Free
Celebrate Chanukah at the Seaport with latkes and jelly donuts, arts and crafts, live music and guest speakers. Grammy nominated clarinetist David Krakauer entertains with klezmer music. Sponsored by the Howard Hughes Corp.
When: Wednesday, Dec. 5, 7-9 pm
Where: 1803, 82 Reade St.
Price: $40 with open bar
Make three different styles of latkes with the owner/chef of Miriam's and 1803, Chef Rafi Hasid, formerly a chef at Le Pere Pinard and Yamamoto's in New York City. Sponsored by JCP Downtown.
When: Thursday, Dec. 6, 6 pm
Where: South Cove, Battery Park City
Price: Free
An evening of caroling, warm beverages and sweet treats. Donations of new, wrapped gifts for Stockings with Care can be dropped off through Dec. 6 at 75 Battery Pl.
Holiday Storytime: The Polar Express
When: Friday, Dec. 7, 7 pm
Where: Barnes & Noble, 97 Warren St.
Price: Free
Hear the beloved Christmas story featuring a young boy who takes a magical trip to the North Pole, where he gets to make his Christmas wish. Free hot chocolate and a cookies from the café. Kids can wear their favorite pajamas.
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Christmas Party at Washington Market Park
When: Saturday Dec. 8, 2-3 pm
Where: Washington Market Park, Greenwich & Duane Sts.
Price: Free
Santa returns for the park’s annual Christmas party—via pedicab—to his gazebo throne, where he’ll be taking requests. The festivities include carolers and refreshments of homemade cookies and hot apple cider. Families are encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift for a local children’s organization.
When: Dec. 13-14, 16-1712:30-1:30 pm
Where: St. Paul's Chapel. Broadway & Fulton
Price: Tickets start at $25 monitor only view); full-view seats are $100
This annual performance of Handel’s Messiah is conducted by Julian Wachner and performed by the Choir of Trinity Wall Street and Trinity Baroque Orchestra, who are widely regarded for their interpretation of the work. Trinity presented one of the first performances of the work in North America in 1770.
When: Thursday, Dec. 20, 4 pm
Where: Battery Park City Library, 175 North End Ave.
Price: Free
A sing-along for children of all ages.