This weekend’s activities include an innovative light show installation in Lower Manhattan, the annual traditional Christmas lights showcase in Dyker Heights, and a trip through Christmas village.
Luminaries: The Luminaries is a holiday light installation at Brookfield Place in Lower Manhattan. From December 2nd, 2016 to January 8th, 2017, there will be a light show presented every 30 minutes on the hour and a half synced to the sound of “Winter Wonderland,” “Silver Bells,” and “Carol of the Bells.” There will be touch-sensitive “wishing stations” available to children at the venue. Here, the children can hold a wishing cube in their hands, make a wish, and watch it come to life as it travels to the lanterns above.
The Original Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights: Now in its 10th year, the Original Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights has some of the most mesmerizing and extravagant Christmas light displays in the country. Considered to be a must-see for adults and children, this 3.5-hour tour has now been extended to January 4th, 2017 as a result of the increased demand.
Beary Merry Holiday: Come celebrate the holiday season at the Bear Den in Bear Mountain on Saturday, December 17th, 2016. Families should arrive early to help assemble tasty snacks for the bears and then stick around to watch as they unwrap their gifts. Afterward, enjoy a day of ice-skating and hiking on the trailside.
Bethlehem on Broadway: On Saturday, December 17th, 2016, the Times Square Church will bring a cast of 100 plus actors and live animals outside its church doors. There will be six forty-minute performances throughout the day, which include new musical arrangements of traditional Christmas carols and original songs. Additional events at the church include puppet shows and a Christmas market.
The Snowman at the Met: The Snowman is an animated film that tells the story of a young boy who builds a snowman that comes to life and travels with him to meet Santa Claus at the North Pole.
A Christmas Carol: the Musical: Now in its 8th year, this live musical production is an adaption of the classic Dickens tale. A Christmas Carol is the story of a curmudgeon named Ebenezer Scrooge and visitations by ghosts of his former business partner as well as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.
Holiday Opera Mouse: This sweet musical production features Tilly Mouse, a mouse that lives under an opera house whose goal is to one day perform in the big holiday concert. When the Diva goes missing before she has to go on stage, it’s up to Tilly to save the day! This production features arias by Mozart and Puccini as well as music from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker.
Christmas Village in New York City: The Christmas Village is located in two parts of New York: Rockefeller Center and Little Italy. It is a walk-through exhibit of twenty-one decorated scenes featuring audio-animatronic elves, animals, people, and machines operating throughout. Afterward, families can purchase ornaments that can be personalized for themselves or friends.
The Butterfly Conservatory: This exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History features butterflies from three of the five families. Considered to be the museum’s most popular annual seasonal exhibition, it is open from December 10th, 2016 through May 28th, 2017.