Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“The quality and quantity of free events, free things to do that take place in New York City every day of the year is truly amazing. So don’t miss the opportunities that only New York provides: stop wondering what to do; start taking advantage of free things to do, free events to go to in NYC today!”
Join Club Free Time – I did, and it’s one of the best things I ever did. Here is a sample of FREE events this week. Get more information by going to the Club Free Time website.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“Our critics and writers have selected noteworthy cultural events to experience virtually and in person in New York City.”
“Because of an increase in the spread of the coronavirus, events are subject to cancellation. Before heading out, visit the website of the performance space or organization for the latest updates.“
“Want to see some new art for the New Year? Start in the Upper East Side with the Belgian master James Ensor’s dark, gripping paintings. Then head to TriBeCa to view ‘8 Americans,’ a group exhibition featuring the likes of Byron Kim andJean Shin. And don’t miss Pat Phillips’s depictions of our curdled luxury culture or John Willenbecher’s sinister shadowboxes.“
TriBeCa
‘8 Americans’
Through Jan. 22. Chart, 74 Franklin Street, Manhattan. 646-799-9319; chart-gallery.com.
Tribeca
Pat Phillips
Through Feb 12. Jeffrey Deitch, 18 Wooster Street, Manhattan. 212-343-7300; deitch.com.
Find a full discussion of What to See NYC Galeries HERE
“Looking for the best things to do in NYC this holiday weekend? Whether you’re the group planner searching for more things to do in NYC today, or you have no plans yet, here are some ideas to add to your list for this weekend. Catch beautiful holiday lights around the city before they turn off for the last time this year, walk to see the holiday windows, go ice skating and more. All you have to do is go right HERE to plan your weekend!
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“The quality and quantity of free events, free things to do that take place in New York City every day of the year is truly amazing. So don’t miss the opportunities that only New York provides: stop wondering what to do; start taking advantage of free things to do, free events to go to in NYC today!”
Join Club Free Time – I did, and it’s one of the best things I ever did. Here is a sample of FREE events this week. Get more information by going to the Club Free Time website.
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 Tue, Dec 21 9:00 am free; no reservation required Concert | Bach to Beatles: Winter Solstice Waltz A quartet will perform a wide-ranging mix of Classical masterpieces, Brazilian compositions, pop fav … moreTue, Dec 21 5:30 pm free; no reservation required Parade | Radiant Revelry: A March of Remembrance and Relief A Winter Solstice procession that serves as a collective release through music and dance after two y … moreTue, Dec 21 6:00 pm free; no reservation required Workshop | Bell by Bell: A Garden Soundscape Continuing a ten-year tradition, volunteers will hand out color-coded bells to revelers that play di … moreTue, Dec 21 7:30 pm donation of any amount, reservation required Classical Music | Chamber Ensemble Performs Works By Arnold Schoenberg And More (In Person and Online) Argento Chamber Ensemble celebrates the winter solstice by barking at the moon with Pierrot Lunaire! … more
Thursday, December 23, 2021 Thu, Dec 23 1:15 pm free Classical Music | Essercizii Musici by Telemann (In-Person and Online) Alex Yu, recorder; Ka-Wai Yu, viola da gamba and baroque cello; Dongsok Shin, harpsichord. … moreThu, Dec 23 4:00 pm Pay-what-you-wish, advanced reservation required Museums | European Fine Art: Vermeer, Rembrandt and More This museum of fine art was open to the public in 1935. Its permanent collection features masterpiec … moreThu, Dec 23 6:00 pm free, tip-supported, booking required Tour | Christmas in Chicago – Magnificent Mile Lights (online) Chicago’s winters are chilly, but you can discover how the city celebrates Christmas from the warmth … more
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“If you’re celebrating Christmas, red alert: this is your last shopping weekend before the main event. And if you haven’t yet found the perfect gifts to stash under the tree, the next few days are an excellent time to make inroads on your list (and with COVID cases in NYC currently increasing again, please have your mask handy and get your booster if you haven’t already). We’ve got intel on two bookstores, both stocking hard-to-find titles, plus a massive market with independent vendors. And if all of that shopping leaves you starving, you can check out a new pasta spot, or knock back a milkshake or two curated by one of NYC’s most famous pastry chefs.
For those details and more, read on for nine actually fun things to eat, drink, and do this weekend in NYC.”
Weekend-long Chelsea Pastaphiles are probably familiar with Pastificio Di Martino, one of Italy’s most beloved purveyors of dried pastas. And now, you don’t even have to cook that bucatini yourself: the brand has just opened a gorgeous new shop, restaurant, and pasta bar in Chelsea Market. Dubbed La La Devozione, it encompasses multiple concepts, including the more casual A Tavola (look out for outdoor dining in the spring), but for now, we suggest you go big at The Oval. The 30-seat bar with four dedicated chefs serves a decadent pasta tasting menu, with dishes like a vermicelli topped with white truffle. Cost: $165 per person
Weekend-long Port Morris If you’re still looking for the perfect present for your brew-obsessed pal, we’ve found it. Treat them to a night at The Lab, Bronx Brewery’s new immersive dining experience located in the middle of the brewing facility. While you snack on Empanology’s full menu of sandwiches and empanadas, you can ask the staff all of your burning questions about hops, IPAs, and homebrewing. And the space, which can seat up to 28 people, can also be rented out for private parties or sports watching events. Cost: Empanadas from $11 for 4 pieces
Friday, December 17th at 5:30 pm until sold out West Village Ice cream lovers throughout the city have been anxiously awaiting the reopening of Caffe Panna. And while we have a bit longer until the shop begins churning out batches of our beloved Red Flag gelato again, this Friday you can get a small taste of what owner Hallie Meyer and her team have been working on in the interim. Trattoria Panna is the ice cream shop’s pop-up pasta concept; and it’s as phenomenal as the gelato. Starting at 5:30 PM at Daily Provision’s West Village location, you can grab the menu of BEC carbonara, stracciatella toast, a cookies ‘n panna cruller, and a mini-pint of cookies ‘n panna gelato. Go early: we have a feeling this will draw a crowd. Cost: $42 per person
Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19 Various locations Quick: name two NYC sweet shops that always have a line out the door. Did you guess Dominique Ansel Bakery and Kith Treats? This weekend, in an epic collaboration, the two powerhouses are combining their talents for the limited time event of Trix Kithmas. Both locations of Kith Treats will feature a bonkers menu curated by chef Dominique Ansel: think a Trix-infused milkshake that melts into hot chocolate, a six-layer panettone trifle, plus a half-dozen holiday-themed milkshakes. And before you ask, yes, there will be special Kith merch for sale, too. Cost: Treats from $8.75
Weekend-long Chinatown How does that saying go? Anytime a new independent bookstore opens, an angel gets its wings? That’s certainly how we feel, at least, about Yu and Me Books, which just opened on Mulberry Street last week. We also love the shop’s focus: Owner Lucy Yu is committed to stocking titles from authors who have been historically underrepresented in publishing, with a special focus on titles related to immigrant stories. Yu will also be adding beer, wine, and pastries from Fay Da Bakery in the new year. Cost: Book prices vary
Weekend long Bed-Stuy It’s an especially great time of year for gifting books and BEM Books & More, run by sisters Danielle and Gabrielle Davenport, is an excellent online source for food literature of the African diaspora. While the business’s plans for a brick and mortar shop are on hold due to the pandemic, the Davenports are bringing their carefully curated selection to a multi-week pop-up at Bed-Vyne Brew in Bed-Stuy. Peruse everything from cookbooks, to poetry to food fiction, plus products from Black purveyors and makers including Zach & Zoë, Gloria’s Shito, and Trade Street Jam Co. Cost: Prices vary
Saturday, December 18 and Sunday, December 19 Greenpoint If you’ve been dragging your feet on buying holiday gifts, perhaps drinking while shopping would help? If so, head to the Brooklyn Expo Center this weekend, where American Field will be hosting their bustling Brooklyn Holiday Market. Over 90 independent vendors will be selling everything from clothing to leather goods to home decor, plus you can sip craft hard kombucha from JuneShine or draft beers from Sixpoint Brewery. Cost: Tickets from $5
Sunday, December 19 Lower East Side In the Philippines, Noche Buena is the midnight meal families eat together as Christmas Eve turns into Christmas. And luckily, this weekend you can enjoy it a few days ahead of schedule, thanks to a group of Filipino Americans all in the food and beverage biz. Their version of Noche Buena is the newest addition to the local holiday-themed pop-up bar scene in the city. Hosted in the back room of Pretty Ricky’s, it starts on Sunday and runs until December 26. Expect seasonal cocktails, plus inventive takes on traditional Filipino dishes like smoked fish croquettes, pancit, and kinilaw. Cost: Food from $8
Weekend-long Financial District England may be known for its afternoon tea, but only in NYC can you find a place with a proper cuppa and magic wands. Whether you’re an alum of Hogwarts or not, anyone is welcome at The Cauldron NYC for their Wizard Afternoon Tea, which launches this weekend. The experience includes two interactive teas to brew; scones, sand“witches” and dessert; plus, of course, your magic wand. Cost: Tea experience from $54.99
Thrillist, a site with tons of food, drink, travel & entertainment info, introduces folks to the coolest things to do in NYC (and other places when you are traveling). I like to check them out regularly. You should, too.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“Plan your month with our NYC events in December 2021 guide including holiday markets and festive foodWritten by Shaye Weaver – TONY
Get ready for the most wonderful time of the year with the best NYC events in December 2021. This season’s highlights include, well, you already know what they are. You can really get into the spirit when you visit one of New York’s many holiday markets boasting great gifts for your friends and family as well as tasty provisions. Looking for something less festive? Check out terrific art shows and pop-up holiday bars.”
The beloved New York holiday train tradition at the New York Botanical Garden is back for its 30th year!
The garden will become a mini-train depot with its collection of 25 G-scale model trains that’ll chug along a nearly half-mile track (which is also overhead) by 175 miniature NYC landmarks like the Empire State Building, Radio City Music Hall, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and Rockefeller Center—all made of natural materials such as leaves, cinnamon sticks, twigs, bark and berries.
Tickets are on sale now for the show, which begins November 20.
The Winter Village at Bryant Park is back this year in all it’s holiday glory. On the grounds you can peruse about 170 shopping and food kiosks—all at one of the best NYC parks. Work up an appetite at the free, 17,000-square-foot ice-skating rink and then fill up at the rinkside pop-up restaurant called The Lodge Deck for festive cocktails and hearty food.
Half the fun of holiday shopping in New York is ogling the tricked-out window displays along Fifth Avenue that pop up to coincide with the merriest, spendiest time of the year. In between picking out sweaters and great presents from our holiday gift guide, stop outside Macy’s, Barneys and other classic department stores to take in holiday windows that feature famous cartoonists, iconic New York attractions and more.
Dyker Heights residents take the holidays very seriously: The houses in this nabe are decked out with thousands of lights, life-size toy soldiers, inflatable Santas and more. Take in all the best displays on this 3.5-hour bus tour.
The colorful lanterns created by the LAB at Rockewell Group are officially back at Brookfield Place for the season. Open daily now through January 2, 2022 between 10am and 8pm, visitors will be able to send a motion-activated wish into the glowing lanterns up above. There’s something simply magical about sending our wishes into a light-filled display of beauty. The destination will also be hosting a special new interactive experience titled Maestro this year. From 10am through 8pm on December 4-7, 11-12 and 16-19, visitors will actually get to conduct their own symphony. Holiday music will play in the background while patrons use gesture-controlled instruments to create unique light shows.
The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, open now through March 6, is poised to once again be one of the most exciting attractions this season. In fact, in addition to the over 170 holiday shops, kiosks and eateries that make up the destination, the village will play host to two exciting activities for New Yorkers to revel in. First up: a series of cozy igloos that are heated and overlook the park’s iconic skating rink. Inside the clear and intimate structures, each one decorated with holiday cheer in mind, patrons can order delicious food and drinks to enjoy among friends or family (each igloo can accommodate up to eight guests). If it’s something a bit more active that you’re looking to do, consider visiting the on-site Curling Café, which will offer the first-ever iceless curling experience. Expect dedicated curling lanes where two teams of up to four people each can play some “street” (also known as iceless) curling for an hour-and-a-half. According to an official press release, the lanes are accompanied by “a private, heated dome where teams can warm up and share seasonal drinks and bites between games.”
TONY lists 29 December Events, for all the rest go HERE
“Sure, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree gets all the glory—but there are so many other stunningly decorated trees all over the city!
From the Park to the Palace (hotel, that is), these stops are perfect to add to your route as you explore all the holiday fun in NYC.”
Here are 10 spectacular NYC Christmas trees, and once again Secret NYCdoes a wonderful job bringing the very best of NYC to our attention.
Check them out regularly, I do.
1. New York Public Library, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library
New York Public Library
This year, NYPL’s enormous tree with fake snow dusting and woodsy pinecones — one of the most festive in the city — is said to be featured at the new Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library on Fifth Ave. Usually it’s at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building across the street. You can still see the festive wreaths on the famous lion statues out front there, and a lot of other holiday decor throughout the building as well!
Address: 455 5th Ave.
2. The Plaza Hotel
The Plaza
The dazzling tree in The Plaza Hotel lobby even has wrapped presents underneath! A stunning crystal chandelier also adds to the photo op, and don’t miss holiday-themed cocktails at Palm Court & an Eloise Pop Up Shop!
Address: 768 5th Ave.
3. Washington Square Park
Facebook / Washington Square Association
This gorgeous tree makes the iconic Washington Square Arch even more picturesque. The official lighting for this year will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. TheRob Susman Brass Quartet will lead the group in holiday songs, with songbooks provided, and event Santa will appear (with candy canes!) to lead the lighting countdown. The multi-colored lights on the 45-foot tree will then remain lit from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m. every day of the season.
Address: 5 Ave, Waverly Pl., W. 4 St. and Macdougal St.
4. Brookfield Place
Instagram / @jhaykin
This tree is only one of the fabulous holiday features in the downtown Brookfield Place shopping center this season. Don’t miss ice skating and a dazzling canopy of winter lanterns.
Address: 230 Vesey St.
5. Zucotti Park
Instagram/ @sincerelymaureen
Zuccotti Park is lined with dazzling trees everywhere that create a glowing display right in FiDi! Truly magical.
Address: At Liberty St. between Broadway & Church St.
6. The Peninsula Hotel
Instagram / @thepeninsulanyc
The Peninsula Hotel looks just as festive on the outside as it does on the inside! There are multiple Christmas trees decked out with gold ribbon and giant ornaments.Advertisement
Address: 700 5th Ave.
7. Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center
This tree in Dante’s Park right near the glamorous Lincoln Center brings a bright light to the West Side! Usually it’s lit at the annual Winter’s Eve event, but this year Lincoln Center is hosting smaller neighborhood pop-up events and installations instead. Stay up to date on their website here.
Address: 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, on 62nd Street
8. The Seaport District
Jane Kratochvil
The Seaport District’s gigantic tree will go up Thursday, Dec. 2, with a special lighting ceremony and festive night with pop-up markets, hot cocoa and cookies! In general throughout the holiday season it’s the perfect place to see decor, go shopping, and get mulled wine or spiked cider at the Garden Bar.
Three trees stand tall near the ice rink and they are the perfect addition to the Winter Village already overflowing with Christmas spirit — the official lighting takes place on Monday, Dec. 6! Don’t forget to also catch the holiday market and delicious bites at The Lodge.
Address: Between 5th and 6th Ave., W 40 St. and W 42 St.
10. New York Botanical Garden
Instagram / @lucerobarbosa_
The New York Botanical Garden has multiple, beautifully lit Christmas trees. Plan a whole day and see GLOW or check out the train show too!
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
The best things to do in NYC this week include holiday markets and Christmas lights and the opening of Sharks at AMNH / Shaye Weaver – TONY
“If you’re looking for the best things to do in NYC this week, or even for today, there are tons of fun options. Go ice skating, shop at the best holiday markets and enjoy holiday events like the Holiday Train Show at NYBG or check out AMNH’s new Sharks exhibit opening this week. For more ideas, scroll down to see this week’s best things to do in NYC.”
Every Monday evening, you can enjoy Prohibition-era cocktails and live jazz channeling the spirit and energy of the Harlem Renaissance at Sugar Monk. You’ll have your pick of Prohibition and Pre-Prohibition cocktails (Sidecar, Clover Club, Bijou, French 75, The Boothby, The Bee’s Knees, Hanky Panky and others) to sip on while Max Bessesen and his trio play on from 8 to 10pm. There’s no cover, just make a reservation on Resy.
Now through mid-January 2022, you’ll have ten additional reasons to visit the Meatpacking District as a series of new interesting light installations have taken over the neighborhood. From enormous, lit-up snowmen to colorful, abstract neon lights and planters filled with glowing dandelions, the “Lights on the Cobbles” installations are found all along Ninth Avenue between 14th Street and Gansevoort Street. Visitors will notice that the outdoor exhibits culminate at Gansevoort Plaza, where a colonnade is draped in freeform neon lights that bounce shapes off the reflective plexi tunnel surrounding a semicircle seating area. It’s basically the ideal Instagram setup both in terms of location and lighting.
An immersive new exhibit takes visitors “underwater” to meet some of the ocean’s diverse shark species, including the biggest predatory fish of all time—the megalodon. “Sharks” at AMNH, which opens December 15, introduces the “toothy, fearsome predators” that have captured the public’s imagination through films like Jaws and Deep Blue Sea and dives deep into the incredible diversity of this ancient group of fishes through dozens of life-size models (some as long as 33 feet) in an ocean-like gallery with wave-like lighting that moves across the floor. Once visitors enter the gallery, a 27-foot-long megalodon, dubbed the “Tyrannosaurus rex of the seas,” model greets them with its mouth wide open as if it is about to feed on them. Here, its giant teeth and overall size set the tone for the super cool and interactive exhibit.
106! Would you believe it?
Time Out New York lists 106 best things to do in NYC this week. For all the rest go Here.
Fresh Towels- A Comedy Show- (Ugly Sweater Edition)- Put on your favorite Ugly Sweater and get ready to laugh. Host Mark “Jiggy” Jigarjian is bringing the talent and Montauk Brewing Co is bringing the beer (2 free drinks per person). 7:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Ticket are $25. Moxy NYC East Village 112 East 11th Street New York, NY 10003.
Wreath Decorating With Starbright Floral Design- Enjoy Starbright Floral Design’s holiday- themed class to decorate a wreath everyone will admire. 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. $75. Moxy NYC East Village 112 East 11th Street New York, NY 10003.
Friday, Dec. 17
Dine at Mari in Hell’s Kitchen- Sungchul Shim, chef and owner of the Michelin star restaurant Kochi, just opened his second restaurant Mari in Hell’s Kitchen. The bright, intimate space features engaging counter-style seating around an open kitchen as well as a cozy outdoor dining area that will be heated for the colder months. 679 9th Avenue, between 46th and 47th streets.
Johnnie Walker Whisky Workshop Pop-up– Held at The Shops at Columbus Circle from Friday, December 17 through Sunday, December 19, the Johnnie Walker Whisky Workshop takes the stress out of shopping and shipping delays with personalized gift boxes containing limited-edition, custom-engraved whisky collectibles in collaboration with Emmy Award-winning artist Mike Perry. The in-person shopping affair will also feature complimentary sampling of the Johnnie Walker portfolio and specialty cocktails on Saturday and Sunday. 12-8 p.m. daily.
Brunch at The Mary Lane– The Mary Lane is now serving brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu includes smashed avocado toast on whole grain bread with lime, radish, and aleppo pepper, spicy shakshuka, savory plates including duck confit with creamy grits, poached eggs, Tuscan kale, roasted radish, spiced duck jus, and cracklings and more. 99 Bank St. New York, NY 10014.
Holiday Caroler Performance- Carolers are spreading holiday cheer in Flatiron this season! From 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership will host cappella style caroling performances as a part of the 10th annual “23 Days of Flatiron Cheer.” Performers from the American Caroling Company will sing holiday songs on the Flatiron North Public Plaza.
Sunday, Dec. 19
Holiday Themed Flatiron History Tours – Professional guides will lead a 90-minute journey with a holiday twist. The walking tour will highlight the neighborhood’s holiday history, including the Star of Hope, the first public Christmas tree, the international toy and gift center and Dr. Clement Clarke Moore’s country home where he wrote his famous 1822 Christmas poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas.” 11:00 a.m. Meet at the tip of the Flatiron Building, on 23rd Street just east of Fifth Avenue.
The Sparkle Monster Variety Show- Join live-singing sensation Sparkle Monster and some of her favorite guest artists as they bring you a variety show designed to delight! Singing! Dancing! Comedy! and More! 8 p.m. Moxy Times Square, Bar Moxy Studios.
Monday, Dec. 20
Holiday Drag Bingo With Sparkle Monster- Don’t miss this bingo experience chock full of music, mayhem and marvelous prizes including a free night at Moxy Chelsea. 8 p.m. Event is Free. Moxy Chelsea 105 W 28th St New York, NY 10001.
Enjoy Wythe Hotel’s New Bathhouse Spa Package- This winter, Wythe Hotel is teaming up with neighborhood oasis Bathhouse to bring guests a spa experience. When guests book the package, they’ll receive two day passes to the Bathhouse which allow access to their three thermal pools, two saunas, their starlight steam room with a replica of the night sky in the overhead lighting design and heated marble hammams. Guests will also receive a 10% discount on any additional spa treatments, including massages, scrubs and facials. Prices vary. 80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249. Visit https://www.wythehotel.com/ for more information.
Tuesday, Dec. 21
Winter Solstice Celebration with MoMath – Join the Flatiron Partnership and the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) to experience the reflection of a life-sized kaleidoscope. Snap your own unique holiday selfie next to the Flatiron Building and Interwoven. 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Visit Equinox Après Equinox– Après Equinox is a limited winter-only offering where club members and hotel guests can enjoy the outdoor pool, heated to 85-90°F, two unique barrel saunas, heated to a max of 120°F with a 360-view of New York City and regeneration offerings with Equinox’s HeadStrong meditation on the Equinox+ app. Prices vary. 35 Hudson Yards, 32 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001.
Photo courtesy of Après Equinox.
Wednesday, Dec. 22
A Family Musical PETUNIA’S PLAYHOUSE LIVE at the New Ohio Theatre- Enjoy this interactive musical about self-care for family audiences. This musical puppetry experience is based on the award-winning web series Petunia’s Playhouse, conceived during the COVID lockdown as a tool to help children cope with the mental health challenges of our new reality. 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The show runs through January 1, 2022. Tickets ($25; $18 for groups of four or more). 154 Christopher St #1E, New York, NY 10014.
Dine at Cucina 8 1/2 in the iconic The Solow Building- The new menu will celebrate old New York charm with an elevated Italian-American menu with thoughtful yet simplistic preparations to enhance the natural flavors in each dish. The menu will feature housemade pastas with a rotating Italian regional menu, as well as Italian-American classics with many tableside presentations. Hours vary. 9 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019.
Photo courtesy of Cucina 8 1/2.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral Audio Tour– Narrated by Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan, visitors will be guided around the 160-year-old Cathedral while hearing personal stories from the archbishop about what makes St. Patrick’s America’s favorite cathedral while enjoying the harmonious sounds of live carolers inside the cathedral every half hour. Tickets start at $25. Times Vary. Audio tours run through January 6, 2022.
Friday, Dec. 24
New York City Ballet do George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker– Enjoy an afternoon at the ballet with George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. The classic ballet, composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, provides an unforgettable spark to everyone’s holiday season. Show begins at 2 p.m. Ticket prices vary. Live at David H. Koch Theater in New York.
New York City Ballet “The Nutcracker”, Friday, November 23, 2018 at 8pm, David H. Koch Theater. (Photo by Erin Baiano)
Holiday’s at Kimika Christmas Eve- Enjoy Christmas Eve with a dine-in-meal from Kimika, a Japanese-Italian restaurant in Nolita. The menu includes: Small plates like smoked baccala mantecato, pickled mackerel with shaved red onion, giardiniera, and perilla pesto; and kakiage fritto misto; Pasta & rice dishes like saffron malloredus, sticky rice risotto with unagi, matsutake and uni salsa; Large plates like grilled hamachi collar, grilled prawns and chawan mushi with crab, lobster, octopus and ponzu-shiso ankake; Yuzu meringue tart for dessert. Holiday kits and Christmas pick-up offerings are also available. 40 kenmare street New York, NY 10012.
amNY has good coverage of What’s Happening in NYC and it’s FREE, so always pick up a copy when you see it.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“Want to see new art this weekend? Start in Chelsea with the great ceramic sculptor Ken Price’s imposing vases. Then head downtown to see Jacqueline de Jong’s jagged paintings of migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. And don’t miss Joel Shapiro’s irresistible sculptures and Helène Aylon’s poignant paintings.“
Ken Price
Through Dec. 23. Matthew Marks, 526 West 22nd Street, Manhattan; 212-243-0047, matthewmarks.com.
Jacqueline de Jong
Through Jan. 8. Ortuzar Projects, 9 White Street, Manhattan; 212-257-0033, ortuzarprojects.com.
Joel Shapiro
Through Dec. 23. Paula Cooper Gallery, 524 West 26th Street, Manhattan. 212-255-1105; paulacoopergallery.com.
Helène Aylon
Through Dec. 22. Kerry Schuss Gallery, 73 Leonard Street, Manhattan; 212-219-9918; kerryschussgallery.com.
Ella Kruglyanskaya
Through Dec. 18. Bortolami, 39 Walker Street, Manhattan. 212-727-2050; bortolamigallery.com.
Find a full discussion of What to See NYC Galeries HERE.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“It’s officially December and that means holiday mania!
There’s simply no better place than NYC to get in the spirit of the season and as 2021 comes to a close, New York City is bustling with activities.
From bar transformations, dazzling light displays, and all the icy fun and shopping in between—here are 80 magically festive things to do in NYC this month.”
The world’s most immersive observatory, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, is the place to be in NYC this holiday season. From the gasp-worthy light and sound show “AIR at Night” (pictured above), to experiencing what it’s like to be in your own snow globe over 1,000 feet above NYC when it flurries, to cozying up with a cup of cocoa in the Après bar and café, you must add SUMMIT One Vanderbilt to your NYC holiday bucket list! Due to demand, hours have been extended for the holiday season. Click here to get your tickets before they sell out. Sponsored
Rediscover your favorite city from new heights at NYC’s one-of-a-kind attraction opening on December 15th. This uplifting experience pairs a soaring theme park style ride with seven distinctly themed galleries that explore the most iconic aspects of NYC. See everything from a re-creation of NYC’s first subway station at City Hall circa 1904, Madonna’s custom Keith Haring jacket, to Central Park from a birds-eye view! Buy your tickets now to experience this exciting new attraction.
Enjoy everything from enchanting performances of holiday classics inside a breathtaking NYC church, Nutcracker-inspired tunes, to a romantic dinner experience, all bathed in candlelight. Each concert makes for a stunning evening where you can simply sit back and savor the stunning holiday pieces you’ll hear. Get tickets here.
Just because temperatures have dropped does not mean that rooftop season has to come to an end! From winter chalets to tropical-themed installations, here are some of our favorite winter spots:
Year Gone Hazy Beer Release Party: Bronx Brewery is hosting a special bash to celebrate the release of their latest beer, Year Gone Hazy! Kiss 2021 goodbye and enjoy the latest brew while enjoying live performances curated by The Bronx Native and BX Writers. 856 E.136th Street, Bronx. 5 to 10 p.m.
Joy of Christmas performance: The Cathedral Choirs and Orchestra at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine are coming together for a special holiday show. The show will celebrate the holidays with Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, Antonio Vivaldi’s incandescent Gloria, and favorite carols sung by the whole audience. 1047 Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan. 7 p.m. Tickets start at $50.
Saturday, Dec. 11
Screening of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula”: If you love “Dracula,” you’ll want to head to this screening. Directed by Francis Coppola, the adaptation of the original Victorian-era Gothic vampire novel pulls out all the stops and brings the story to life. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35 Ave, Astoria, Queens. 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 / $11 senior and students / $9 youth (ages 3–17) / discounted for MoMI members ($7–$11).
“RowsAttacks!” by elrow: Are you ready to party? How about a 13-hour party? That’s what you can get with elrow this weekend. This sci-fi-themed winter bash is aiming to be the biggest party in the city. Avant Gardner, 140 Stewart Ave, Brooklyn. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $74.79.
Sunday, Dec. 12
Paint in Central Park: Whether you’re looking to sharpen your art skills or are just wanting a nice fun time, painting in Central Park is a great option. All participants get a pre-sketched canvas, unlimited painting materials (brushes, acrylic paints etc.) and a take-home bag. Central Park. 1:30 p.m. $39.95.
Santa Claus is Coming to Estuary: Jolly ol’ Saint Nick is swinging by Brooklyn this weekend for a special event. Hosted by Estuary, come by to take a photo with Santa and contribute to their annual Toy Drive for Friends of Karen. A photobooth will be onsite for families to use, plus complimentary hot chocolate from Ebb & Flow Bakery. 159 Bridge Park Drive, Brooklyn. 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Reservations encouraged.
If you are looking for some of the best info on food and drink, restaurants and eating in New York City, then you want to head to New York magazine’s Grub Street.
“Make up for lost meals. No takeout, no pasta kits, just 66 of the best new (or newly relevant) places to eat.” Edited by Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld, Photographs by Dina Litovsky
The trapezoidal windows at Teranga have long afforded patrons panoramic vistas of Central Park North, but the city’s embrace of outdoor dining has made Pierre Thiam’s West African–leaning venue even more appealing than before. Now you can snack on kelewele (spicy roast plantains) right at the edge of the park, overlooking the verdant trees while enjoying a warm summer breeze. On a recent Friday, I sat near a pair of diners, one of them relaxing in a jujitsu T-shirt, as I made quick work of a yassa bowl: tender chicken thighs slathered in saucy golden onions. If indoor dining is still quiet here, you’ll never feel alone in the alfresco area. Folks zoom by on hoverboards and messenger bikes, shaved-ice vendors pour polychromatic syrups into snowy cups, and people flood in and out of the park.—R.P.S.
The conga drums are back. Their steady beats spill out onto Eighth Avenue, where outdoor patrons sip minty mojitos on white tablecloths. Although this Hell’s Kitchen Cuban canteen served porky lechon asado and garlicky cassava throughout the pandemic, what was missing for months was the music — the prickly guitars and folksy Caribbean tunes that have made the restaurant an accessible spot for everyday salsa dancing. Ceiling fans spin overhead near the open-air frontage as waiters ferry crisp Cubano sandwiches and some of the city’s finest vaca frita: shredded skirt steak that’s seared until it achieves the texture of soft jerky. —R.P.S.
Airy and sun-drenched, the dining room pulsates with Israeli pop and a steady conversational hum. If you didn’t know better, you would think you’d wandered into some beachside hot spot in Tel Aviv, not a post-pandemic restaurant in the sleepy West 90s. Chef Ari Bokovza’s Levantine-leaning menu looks similar to others across the city. But the familiar mezze and salads take a fun turn with delectable things like shishbarak (Lebanese mushroom-filled dumplings) and kubaneh, the fluffy Yemenite Jewish bread that you pull apart like Parker House rolls. —B.O.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“The quality and quantity of free events, free things to do that take place in New York City every day of the year is truly amazing. So don’t miss the opportunities that only New York provides: stop wondering what to do; start taking advantage of free things to do, free events to go to in NYC today!”
Join Club Free Time – I did, and it’s one of the best things I ever did. Here is a sample of FREE events this week. Get more information by going to the Club Free Time website.
If you are looking for some of the best info on food and drink, restaurants and eating in New York City, then you want to head to New York magazine’s Grub Street.
“Make up for lost meals. No takeout, no pasta kits, just 66 of the best new (or newly relevant) places to eat.” Edited by Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld, Photographs by Dina Litovsky
Last summer, as restaurateurs hastily built makeshift patios, Silver Apricot partners Emmeline Zhao and Simone Tong created a space that truly translated the dining experience to the street without sacrificing a bit of elegance or refinement. (Being situated on one of the West Village’s quieter blocks didn’t hurt.) Purse hooks on the plastic dividers, lavender planted along the perimeter, and quality glass and plateware made for a setting worthy of Tong’s inventive Chinese American dishes like chile-crab rangoon dip and burnished scallion puffs. Now they are renovating the dining room in preparation for indoor service and plan to reopen June 17 with a new seasonal menu.—A.K.
Veteran chefs John Nguyen and Nhu Ton began peddling their Vietnamese sandwiches and crispy pork-belly salad rolls from an empty pop-up space on the upper reaches of Amsterdam Avenue last summer, and the operation was such a hit that by January they’d put down permanent roots in the neighborhood. There are five varieties of toasty bánh mìs to choose from (when in doubt, order the charcoal-grilled pork), numerous sturdy classics from Ton’s native central Vietnam (try the Frisbee-size rice-noodle delicacy called bánh dap), and a deeply flavorful beef pho. —A.P.
Last summer, the outdoor-dining setup at downtown Portuguese-Spanish restaurant Cervo’s was a destination almost in spite of itself. Simple wooden folding tables and chairs sprawled across an unadorned and fluorescent-lit expanse of Canal Street. Counter-service orders were called out brusquely over a loudspeaker mounted on the building’s exterior. Serviceware was disposable. You found and bussed your own table. But the Dimes Square denizens flocked nonetheless, pushing together tables laden with dark-pink Spritzes, fried-fish sandwiches, and glistening head-on prawns. It was casual, cool, and as COVID-safe as one could hope for. Now, after a winter hiatus operating as a shop, the scene returns to Cervo’s, but this time the restaurant has full-service outdoor dining on a newly built yellow-tiled patio with proper glassware, plateware, and a menu of old favorites like piri-piri chicken, mussels escabeche, and crispy shrimp heads.—A.K.
Pre Covid-19 we searched the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you didn’t have to.” We made it as easy as 1-2-3. Covid has required some changes.
“The week after Thanksgiving always feels unbearably long (remind us why we have five-day workweeks, again?), but we’ve finally made it to the other side. To celebrate this first weekend in December, we have plenty of cold weather-friendly activities for you. Instead of one fondue night, why not have two, or three? And if cheese isn’t your thing, what about a new restaurant and bar serving French and Mexican food? Finally, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater also makes its much anticipated return since the pandemic.
Read about all of these, plus other actually fun stuff to eat, drink, and do this weekend in NYC”
Weekend-long West Village In case you didn’t realize, it’s rib-sticking-dinner weather. And we can think of no better place to celebrate than the newly opened Marian’s on Greenwich Ave. Helmed by chef Christian Rowan (Eleven Madison Park, Le Bernardin), the menu features comforting dishes like mushroom cavatelli, roasted squash with brown butter crumble, and hanger steak topped with red wine jus. And for dessert, don’t miss the seasonal, housemade pop-tart; it’s currently a spiced quince and brown sugar-cream cheese filling. Cost: Entrees from $24
Weekend-long Greenpoint Outdoor lunches by the water will need to wait until next year, but if you close your eyes while at El Pingüino, you can almost smell the salty Mediterranean breeze. This new innovative Spanish spot from chef Nick Padilla (Alameda, Momofuku Ssäm Bar), bar director Mike Zorman and John Ortiz brings both Mediterranean and Latin American seafood dishes to Brooklyn, with plates like anchovy skewers with olives and peppers, or conservas (Spanish tinned seafood). Wash it all down with a variety of Spanish wines, or a glass of sherry, port, or amaro. Cost: Tapas from $2.50
Weekend-long East Village Endless Hospitality is the team behind popular watering holes like Goodnight Sonny and The Wayland, so it’s little surprise that their newest spot, Bar Lula, is already garnering serious attention. What sets this spot on First Ave. and St. Mark’s apart from others is its innovative menu: the cocktails and food here are inspired both by French techniques and Mexican ingredients. We recommend grabbing share plates like warm winter carrots topped with habanero pepper and crispy garlic, or agave-roasted squash with chorizo. As for tipples: expect unique takes on classic drinks, like the Mexican Mai Tai made with mezcal, Martinique rum, avocado orgeat, coconut, and orange juice. Cost: Cocktails fromm $16; share plates from $9
Weekend-long Rockefeller Center This is controversial, but we’ll say it anyway: Detroit-style pizza is… also good? If you’re willing to branch out from our beloved New York slice this weekend, we have the ideal spot to expand your horizons. Ace’s Perfect Pizza is a new pop-up from chef and owner Matt Etchemendy serving both Detroit-style square pies and Long Island-inspired grandma slices. Toppings range from the usual suspects—cheese, pepperoni—to more unique options like white sesame and in-season vegetables. Look out for the restaurant’s brick-and-mortar shop to open early next year. Cost: Pizzas from $7 for a half-square
Weekend-long Midtown West After a far-too-long pandemic pause, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is finally back on stage at New York City Center. The three-week long engagement starts this week and features a repertory of premieres as well as Ailey classics. This Friday, catch the world premiere of For Four, a piece for four dancers accompanied by the music of Wynton Marsalis, along with Ailey’s Resident Choreographer Jamar Roberts’ Holding Space, a piece that was created during the pandemic. Cost: Tickets from $29
Friday, December 3; 6 pm-9 pm Nolita Even if Paris isn’t on your agenda this winter, you can still go shopping like a true Frenchperson at the French Wink Holiday Market at Coucou. For one night only, Coucou French Classes and French-themed boutique French Wink will partner to offer a variety of goods sourced from the country, ranging from Bio Milk probiotic French skincare to Pompon de Brest chocolates to Tissage Moutet dish towels. And of course, you can expect plenty of French hors-d’oeuvres and sips. Cost: Free with registration
Saturday, December 4 Brownsville and Astoria The circus is coming to town this weekend, but Bindlestiff Family Cirkus definitely doesn’t resemble the big tops of your childhood. Their Frostbite Follies Holiday Tour is not only performed on top of flatbed trucks, parade-style; the shows are also entirely free. The company’s aim is to bring the fun of the circus to the areas of NYC that were hit hardest during the pandemic or places that have minimal arts programming. Catch them this weekend in Brownsville and Astoria, but they’ll also be performing for the next few weekends in December. Expect all your favorite circus acts, from clowns to aeralists to foot jugglers. Cost: Free
Eat a pot of melted cheese for dinner because you can
Weekend-long Various locations There’s never really a wrong time for fondue, but post-Thanksgiving generally seems to be high season for the cheesy variety. This weekend, why not try your own fondue crawl through some of NYC’s best versions? First up: Austrian restaurant Schilling, which just launched a new fondue recipe made of local cheeses, apple brandy, and white wine and is served with seasonal meats, fruit, and veggies. Also reopened for the season is Hütte, the quasi-secret restaurant hidden behind Schaller’s Stube. They’ll have both cheese and chocolate fondue for guests looking to double-dip. If a more immersive experience is what you’re after, book a cozy yurt at the Winter Garden at The Standard, East Village; menu options include fondue, warm apple pie, and plenty of spiked winter drinks. And of course, no fondue lover should skip Cafe Select, one of NYC’s most famed places for that classic Swiss dish. Here, you can choose from six varieties, including a wild mushroom or dark beer. Cost: Varies
Weekend-long; 11 am-7 pm Downtown Brooklyn Looking for a present for someone who is just impossible to shop for? We got you: head to The Holiday Makers Show at City Point this weekend. The fair will feature over 40 different businesses (75% of which are women-owned and 25% black-owned), including cards from Black Lamb Handmade, Natchie Art’s pajamas for children and adults, and sustainable jewelry made from recycled metal by Mottive inc. And if that’s not enough to lure you in, there will even be a “hip” Santa worthy of the show’s Brooklyn location. Cost: Free to enter
Thrillist, a site with tons of food, drink, travel & entertainment info, introduces folks to the coolest things to do in NYC (and other places when you are traveling). I like to check them out regularly. You should, too.
If you are looking for some of the best info on food and drink, restaurants and eating in New York City, then you want to head to New York magazine’s Grub Street.
“Make up for lost meals. No takeout, no pasta kits, just 66 of the best new (or newly relevant) places to eat.” Edited by Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld, Photographs by Dina Litovsky
It’s one thing to offer a $335 meat-free menu for the one percent (see Eleven Madison Park 2.0). It’s another to charge $10 and under for veggie-centric Chinese food for everyone: the curious carnivores, the certified vegans, and the dedicated superfans like Deborah from the Upper West Side, who loves the food and the vibe so much she literally hiked down the West Side Highway from 88th Street to Broome and Orchard one recent Saturday afternoon just to tuck in to paper-boatloads of chewy rice rolls topped with gai lan and juicy bok choy showered with crispy fried garlic. We know she did this because Fat Choy is the kind of place where diners who have navigated the scrum of Lower East Side streeteries — bars, vegan-cupcake shops, more bars — start conversations with strangers to recommend dishes, offer bites, and generally share communal moments of vibrantly flavored, inventively conceived culinary bliss. —Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld
This elegant Greenwich Village establishment has flown so far under the radar that many regulars (ourselves included) were afraid it would close forever when disaster struck. Miraculously, unlike with the still-shuttered Gotham Bar & Grill across the street, the opposite has happened. Owner Catherine Manning fitted the space out back with tables and little enclosed “garden rooms” that have become a hit during the outdoor-dining craze. The Sazeracs we enjoyed on a recent summery evening were exceptional, and you can also addle yourself with $9 cocktails during the new happy hour. The talented young chef Tyler Heckman (Ferris, Le Turtle) took over the kitchen last fall, and he’s slowly added the kind of variety and style to the aggressively seasonal menu (braised spring lamb on our visit, white-asparagus velouté, gnocchi with escargot) that threatens to turn this sleepy local favorite into a proper big-city dining destination. —Adam Platt
Sample the Latest Fusion Cuisine on New York’s Original Open Street
Long before 2020 brought alfresco eating to every corner of our city, Stone Street was a pedestrian paradise, and it still is, a cobblestoned car-free wonderland for outdoor pints, pizza, and mozzarella sticks. The Migrant Kitchen, which opened last fall, brings Middle Eastern–Latin fusion to this Fidi pub-grub zone. Owner Nasser Jaber, who operates out of the Dubliner bar’s kitchen, sends out sumac-butter-slicked fried-chicken-and-falafel waffles, mariquitas (fried plantain chips) nachos, and pastelon mahshi, a Dominican-style maduros-and-beef riff on the traditional Palestinian stuffed gourd. And since many office workers are still Zooming in from home, Stone Street feels distinctly chiller and less suits-y these days. —Ryan P. Sutton
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NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide 