To help you plan your busy weekend, we have partnered with Mommy Poppins, the NO COST online resource curating the best things to do for kids and families in NYC. Each week they will provide us with their top weekend picks for events and activities in New York City.
It’s the last weekend before Christmas and NYC is overflowing with holiday cheer. It’s a great weekend to hit all the seasonal sights before the tourists take over. So in between last-minute gift shopping, make sure you carve out time to see Santa, gawk at awesome holiday windows and light displays.
ALL WEEKEND:
Grand Opening: Ice-Skating Rinks in Prospect Park – Prospect Park
After years of construction and $74 million dollars, Prospect Park‘s brand-new ice-skating spot is set to open to the public. Dubbed the LeFrak Center at Lakeside, the complex features two rinks, a cafe and awesome views. Plus it’s one of the cheaper outdoor rinks in town, and will offer hockey and learn-to-skate programs. $6 on weekdays, $8 on weekends, $5 for skate rental
An Animated World: Celebrating Five Years of GKids Classics – Greenwich Village
Catch cool animated family flicks from around the world at the IFC Center. Curated by the folks behind the beloved New York International Children’s Film Festival, this two-week fest kicks off this weekend with five flicks from Japan including Summer Wars, Grave of the Fireflies and the new classic My Neighbor Totoro by the inimitable Hayao Miyazaki. $13.50 for adults, $9.50 for children
SATURDAY:
East Meets West Christmas Parade – Little Italy to Chinatown
One of Mommy Poppins December Go List picks: Adjacent communities Chinatown and Little Italy come together to celebrate the holidays in this multi-culti mash up. Watch marching bands, Chinese Lion and Dragon Dance troupes, half a dozen floats, a gondola on wheels, and other entertainers and attractions parade throughout the nabes’ main streets. FREE
Make Music Winter – Manhattan & Brooklyn
Make some noise at a dozen interactive music-filled parades in honor of winter solstice. While a handful of the processions require preregistration and rehearsals, most don’t. Families should enjoy Tom Peyton’s Bell by Bell in Midtown West and Peregrine, a boombox parade in Fort Greene led by Unsilent Night‘s Phil Kline. See the event listing for the complete schedule of parades. FREE
SUNDAY
Reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – Washington Heights
Get into the holiday spirit old-school-style at the Church of the Intercession’s 103rd (!) annual reading of Clement Clarke Moore’s ode to Christmas. Afterward, enjoy caroling, a lantern-lit procession to the poet’s grave at nearby Trinity Cemetery, a commemorative wreath laying and complimentary hot cocoa. FREE
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