Cheap and Free NYC Winter Holiday Activities and Events 2011

September 09, 2011 - January 29, 2012
The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats, Jewish Museum Exhibit
This exhibit pays homage to children’s author/illustrator Ezra Jack Keats, who wrote and illustrated The Snowy Day, the first modern full-color picture book to feature an African-American protagonist that was published in 1962. “The exhibition features over 80 original works by the artist, from preliminary sketches and dummies or preparatory books, to final paintings and collages, including examples of Keats’s most introspective but less-known output inspired by Asian art and poetry. One of the spaces in the galleries will be transformed into a reading room for visitors of all ages inspired by Keats's art and stories.” Jewish Museum, Fifth Ave. at 92nd Street, adults: $12!

November 19, 2011-January 1, 2012
Holiday Film Festival at NY Botanical Garden (Fridays-Sundays)
Enjoy holiday classics and cartoon favorites. Plus, get a behind-the- scenes look at the creation of the Holiday Train Show in a PBS documentary narrated by David Hartman and featuring exclusive interviews with designer Paul Busse. For a full schedule of films go here: http://www.nybg.org/exhibitions/holiday-train-show-2011/film-festival.php

Friday, November 25, 2011 to Saturday, December 31, 2011
Miracle on 52nd Street: Holiday Highlights from Holiday Variety Specials at the Paley Center!
After seeing Miracle on 34th Street, head uptown to the Paley Center for “miracle on 52nd Street, and see clips from holiday variety shows! Rare clips include The Annie Christmas Show, with the cast of the 1977 Broadway hit; Dolly … A Down Home Country Christmas, from Dolly Parton’s short-lived series; Dinah Shore singing a Christmas song written by Judy Holliday; a tribute to Macy’s by Bob Hope; Leslie Uggams on Holiday Sing Along with Mitch; a number with Robert Morse and the cast of the 1960s musical sitcom That’s Life; and Gene Kelly hoofing with the Carpenters. Paley Center for Media, 25 West 52 Street, bet Fifth and Sixth Avenues, included with museum admission, $10 for adults! Please note that the museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For the full line-up of screenings go here: http://www.paleycenter.org/2011-fall-holiday-highlights-from-variety-specials

Monday November 28, 2011-Monday December 26, 2011
Ride a vintage holiday train! Travel back in time with the MTA!
For more info go here: http://www.mta.info/news/stories/?story=152

Gingerbread Adventure at the NY Botanical Garden
Children explore the spices that make up a classic gingerbread recipe. Kids can step inside a child-sized gingerbread playhouse and also decorate a gingersnap cookie with frosting and candies. All ages will enjoy viewing a display of gingerbread houses made by New York City-area bakers.

Dec 4–Jan 17, 2012
See the Park Avenue trees
The illumination of the Park Avenue Douglas Firs began 66 years ago, in memory of fallen soldiers, who died in World War II. Park Ave between 54th and 96th Streets. fundforparkavenue.org.

December 5-through holiday season
See Brooklyn Borough Hall tree
This tree is strung with 2,500 multicolored bulbs and placed in front of the 163-year-old Greek Revival Borough Hall. The lack of Rock Center–sized crowds makes the scene even more appealing. Borough Hall Plaza, Court St between Montague and Remsen Sts, Downtown Brooklyn (brooklyn-usa.org).

South Sea Seaport Chorus Tree
See these Performance Groups in the upcoming weeks!
December 9th, 10th and 11th New York City Gay Men’s Chorus
December 16th, 17th and 18th Cantori New York
December 23rd and 24th Big Apple Chorus

December 11, 2011
"If You Really Love Polar Bears"
Presented in conjuction with Making Books Sing this 45-minute interactive play follows the story of Patchy, a boy obsessed with polar bears. Through time travel Patchy discovers how his wasteful habits impact planet Earth. Recommended for chidren ages six-ten.Space is limited and free tickets will be passed out on a first-come-first-served basis. 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., New York Hall of Science, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, directions are here: http://www.nysci.org/visit/1428642/directions, free w/ admission ($11)!

December 14, 2011-January 12, 2012
Wreath Interpretations
More than 29 wreath interpretations will be on display at this annual exhibit. There will be wreaths created by fine artists, and horticulturists, as well as artist Cara Enteles, artist/taxidermist Takeshi Yamada, and the Parks’ blacksmith Larry Hagberg. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, Arsenal at Central Park, 64th Street and Fifth Avenue, free!

December 16, 2011
Winter Solstice Party
This annual bash benefitting local Bklyn nonprofit, EcoStation NY, and features a silent auction, live bands, a silent auction, and tons of locavore-inspired food! 7 p.m. to midnight, Brooklyn Fire Proof'sThe Nut Roaster Studio120 Ingraham St, $20 suggested donation, RSVP here: http://bushwickfarmersmarket.org/solstice/

December 17, 10 a.m. – Noon
Children's Workshop: A Season of Lights: A Winter Solstice Celebration
In this special workshop, children and their families brighten up their winter with a reading of Nancy Luenn’s Celebrations of Light, learning about winter festivities from around the world. After exploring the many sources of light in the Cathedral, including stained glass windows, families are then off to the workshop. Activities include rolling beeswax candles; cutting Chinese and Taiwanese paper lanterns; sculpting clay candelabras inspired by Hindu floating lamps, Jewish menorahs, and Kwanzaa kinaras; and more! Recommended for ages 4 and up. $8 per child, with accompanying adults.

KidsLIVE presents The Mad Science Holiday Spectacular
View indoor fireworks that create a "festival of lights," and share the top secret of "special ice" shipped straight from the North Pole, which all comes together with magical no-melt snow! For ages four and up! NYPL, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building 42nd Street Branch, South Court Auditorium (Map and directions), free!

Jim Vagias Holiday Express
Take a magical train ride around the world to learn how different holidays are celebrated in different countries. Through a series of library books, children learn the celebrations behind Kwanzaa, Diwali, Solstice, Ramadan, Hanukkah and Christmas. All ages. 1 p.m. Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, Grand Army Plaza at Flatbush Ave. Free!

Vintage Subway Car Swing Dance Party
Jump, jive, and wail as you jam to live bands and enjoy a tea party! (Free drinks and cookies, but byo your own chinaware, sugar, and cream!) 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., 2nd Avenue Subway Station, Uptown track, Just $2.25 for subway fare!

M. Wells Winter Carnival at MOMA/PS1
"M. Wells will host a Winter Carnival in the MoMA PS1 courtyard, complete with a wood-oven duck cassoulet, meat pie, and maple pie (both will be available for pre-order and for pick up that afternoon), and maple taffy. In addition, Manducatis Rustica will set up a pyramid of panettone and a Ciocaria-style grill for skewers of meats. Snow, ice sculptures, a gingerbread house, and live music are also part of the festivities." There will also be the opportunity to purchase gifts at the ArtBook @ MoMA PS1 Special Winter Store, which will offer discounts of up to 30% off your purchase through December 31, 2011. MOMA PS1, 22-25 Jackson Ave. at the intersection of 46th Ave, $10 suggested admission! Cheap Chick Cheap Tip: LIC residents get in for free!

December 19, 2011
The Moon’s Multidenominational Year-End Celebration
The event will feature a live house band, videos, cartoons, musical numbers, good cheer, exclusive prizes and a thrilling storyline to tie it all together. 8p.m., 92ndY Tribeca, 200Hudson Street, tkts are $12 and can be bought here: http://www.92y.org/Tribeca/Event/The-Moon-s-Year-End-Celebratio.aspx

December 19 and December 20, 2011
Legendary KASPAROV VS. IBM DEEP BLUE Chess Match Recreated in Ice
Live ice carving of giant chess pieces reproducing the legendary 1996 chess match in which chess master Gary Kasparov was defeated by IBM’s Deep Blue computer. Monday, December 19th
- Live ice carving of four chess pieces: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 20th
- Exhibit of all 14 ice sculpture/chess pieces: 8:00 a.m. until ice melts
- Live music & winter treats: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Grace Plaza, 1114 Avenue of the Americas (behind Grace Building at West 43rd Street), free!

December 21, 2011
Princes of Persuasion Indoor Winter Picnic
The Princes of Persuasion, a NYC indie-dance band, invite you to their first-ever indoor winter picnic to sing songs about romantic confusion, chilled imagination and winter life. 7 p.m., 92ndY Tribeca, 200 Hudson Street, cost: $12!

Make Music New York Presents Winterfest Musical Parades
Bell choirs, Midevial music, and mobile electric guitars provide a musical soundtrack to the city! There are 12 different parades you can participate in! Various locations and times, For more information go here: http://makemusicny.org/winter-parades/, free!

Star Gazing With the Amateur Astronomers Association
Observe the shortest day and longest night of the year by gazing at the night sky with this "starry-eyed" group! 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Central Park, Belvedere Castle, Mid-park about 79th Street, free!

Remember the “Reason for the Season!” Volunteer or give to a local charity!
NY Cares Coat Drive
http://www.newyorkcares.org/volunteer/holiday_volunteering/coat_drive/

Answer a "Dear Santa” letter from a child at Henry Sreet Settlement
http://www.henrystreet.org/news/latest-news/joy-drive 2011.html

Toys for Tots Toy Drive
http://www.toysfortotsnyc.org/about.html

Saturday December 10, 2011 and Sunday, December 11, 2011, 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
High Line Toy Drive
From The High Line, “Friends of the High Line is teaming up with Hudson Guild, Fulton Youth of the Future, Chelsea Market, Posman Books, and Chelsea Market Baskets to bring toys to over 300 Chelsea kids.” On the High Line at 15th Street and inside Chelsea Market in Main Concourse. Please bring new, UNWRAPPED toys for ages four to 14 to one of the two locations above. Or, stop by Posman Books or Chelsea Market Baskets to buy a toy or donate money toward the drive!

Ice Skating
Break the ice with friends or out-of-town guests by going ice skating at one of NYC’s many ice skating rinks! Many offer inexpensive admission; in the case of Citi Pond at Bryant Park, it's free (tho if you don’t own a pair of skates, you have to shell out some $ for skate rental.) Rinks that are currently open include the World Ice Arena , The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center, Citi Pond at Bryant Park, The Ice Rink at Riverbank State Park, Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers (open year-round), City Ice Pavilion (open year-round) and Aviator Sports & Events Center (open year-round). Standard Hotel ice rink at the High Line.

Hot Chocolate Crawl
After ice skating go on a hot chocolate Crawl, Courtesy of Mommy Poppins! http://mommypoppins.com/newyorkcitykids/ultimate-nyc-hot-chocolate-crawl

See the Polar Express 4D Experience and Planet Earth: Ice Worlds at The Central Park Zoo
Take a magical journey with a doubting young boy on a trip to the North Pole during the 4D Polar Express! “As the Polar Express arrives at the North Pole, it actually begins to snow inside the 4-D Special FX Theater; when the conductor sings "Hot Chocolate" and the dancing waiters begin to pour, the audience can smell the delightful aroma of every cocoa cup.” From the Central Park Zoo, “Explore the mysterious frozen worlds of the Arctic and Antarctic in this exciting 4-D adventure from BBC Earth. Planet Earth: Ice Worlds transports viewers to the danger-filled world of the Polar Regions and depicts the effects of the ice on the animals that live there. Learn how the seasonal advance and retreat of the ice shapes the lives of polar bears at the North Pole and emperor penguins at the South Pole.” Through January 31, 2012, Included with Total Experience tkt or tkts are $7 per person per film

Stroll the Holiday Windows
See the various department stores outdo one another with their outlandish holiday displays!

Story: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/guide/guide-2011-nyc-department-store-holiday-windows/

Map: http://gonyc.about.com/od/christmassights/l/bl_xmaswindows.htm

See Shooting Stars Downtown
See more than 208 shooting stars in Lower Manhattan! The Alliance for Downtown New York is installing 167 shooting stars and 41 star clusters to brighten up the neighborhood for the holidays. The lights will stay up until January!

See the UNICEF Snowflake
“The enormous, 3,000-pound crystal snowflake was first lit for the season last week on the eve of Universal Children's Day. But you can marvel at it throughout the holiday season.” Fifth Avenue at 57th Street, free!

Here's a list of holiday happenings at the Bronx Zoo!
http://www.bronxzoo.com/plan-your-trip/events-calendar/ice-sculpting-weekends.aspx