scroll all the way down to the ‘all weekend’ section to find events that occur all weekend (some start friday), including the best holiday displays in nyc, 30+ holiday markets, pop-ups, and sales, and more.
friday
fri 7pm (+ 12/12 at 192 books): fashionspeak friday: join fashion historian and author rebecca tuite for a conversation on her new book, 1950s in vogue: the jessica daves years, 1952-1962. the national arts club (gramercy), free (rsvp). >>
fri 7pm doors, 8pm show: astronomy + physics professor janna levin (how the universe got its spots) hosts the scientific controversies series at red hook’s pioneer works. tonight: a conversation that will stretch across the universe, theories of consciousness, and infinity with mathematical physicist, mathematician and philosopher of science sir roger penrose. free (rsvp). >>
fri 7pm (+ 12/20): columbia astronomy outreach’s stargazing + lecture series returns with talks by moiya mctier, nicole melso, and alex teachey on galactic habitability, the fireball balloon mission, and exomoons. q+a and stargazing with telescopes (weather permitting) follows. columbia university’s pupin hall (morningside heights), free. >>
fri 7pm: common holly, sam skinner, and cheeky play trans-pecos (ridgewood). $12+. >>
fri 7pm + 9pm: composer and musician phyllis chen presents a work-in-progress examining the intersection between traditional shodo calligraphy performance and live music. baryshnikov arts center (midtown west), $15. >>
fri 7:30pm: fashion designer isaac mizrahi, jim henson creature shop master puppet designer and builder rollie krewson, and colbert writer brian stack are the guests at tonight’s installment of the george lucas talk show, a comedic talk show hosted by connor ratliff as lucas. ucb theater (hell’s kitchen), $14. >>
fri 7:30pm: comedian matt koff (the daily show writer) hosts an evening of stand-up with guests claudia cogan (last comic standing), brendan mclaughlin (mtv), and randall otis (the daily show) at q.e.d. (astoria). $10. >>
fri 7:30pm (monthly): engage politically and comedically with myq kaplan (netflix), the el-salomons (jess salomon and eman el-husseini), and gordon baker bone at standup 2020: a comedy show and voter registration drive. hosted by jarret berenstein, alison klemp, selena coppock, and matt nedostup. already-registered voters are also welcome. the pit underground (gramercy), $12 adv, $15 door. >>
fri 7:30pm doors, 8pm show (monthly): speak american: a comedy show with an accent celebrates everyone that’s come here from a different place. tonight’s show features dave merheje (ramy), katie hannigan (colbert), meg stalter, and usama siddiquee. hosted by noa osheroff and kendall farrell. friends and lovers (crown heights), free. >>
fri 7:30pm doors, 8pm show: wbar barnard college radio’s annual winter formal concert features live music by kari faux, quay dash, oceanator, and la chula y sus perrxs. altschul atrium at barnard college (morningside heights), free. >>
sponsored: fri 8pm (+ sat): after sold out parodies of pulp fiction and ghostbusters, the usual rejects are back at the chain theatre with i’ve got a bad feeling about this: star wars a new hope! stop staring at that binary sunset with a glass of blue milk and hop on that old bucket of bolts, because it’s time to save the galaxy with this staged reading/parody/drinking game. your $15 advance ticket ($20 at the door) gets you 2 beers, a raffle ticket, and a wild ride! >>
fri 8pm (+ sat): movement research returns to danspace project with its annual fall festival, featuring works by eight movement creators, choreographers, and interdisciplinary artists. danspace project (east village), $15. >>
fri 8pm: the chelsea symphony’s holiday concert, ‘rise up: music that inspires and uplifts,’ includes seasonal favorites and an orchestral rendering of the night before christmas with guest narrator mario cantone (sex and the city). a wine reception and silent auction follows. st. paul’s german lutheran church (chelsea), $20 suggested donation at the door, $25 adv for reserved seats. >>
fri 8pm + 10pm: comedian tyler fischer (colbert) will bring on the cheese (but only in the form of free pizza) as he records his debut stand-up album at secret loft, with opening sets from yannis pappas (comedy central) and ashley gavin (sirius xm) at the early show and nore davis (conan) and caitlin peluffo (colbert) at the late show. note: free pizza served at the 8pm show. secret loft (greenwich village), $6-12. >>
fri 8:30pm (weekly): see what all the brew-ha-ha is about at the bitches brew comedy show, featuring stand-up by kate willett (netflix), amy miller (comedy central), rell battle (conan), phil duckett (bravo), alyssa wolf (the new york times), and keenan steiner. hosted by alison leiby. the back room at halyards (gowanus), free (a tip jar will be passed around). >>
fri 9pm doors, 9:30pm show (monthly): comedians, writers, and performers nominate their favorite queer icons for sainthood–with a seasonal twist–at hail merry: a queer saints pageant (‘the kennedy center honors for divas and deviants’). hosted by tim kov and david perez. the footlight (ridgewood), $10. >>
fri 10pm (+12/20): at random access theatre’s the drunk texts, thespians dust off a classical text, or a text made classical, in a performance that combines drinking games, improvisation and audience participation. tonight: a christmas carol at the players theatre (west village). $10 with promo code ‘skint10’ (reg. $14) includes a drink. >>
sponsored
Nuzzle up with Nutcrackers and Sugar Plum Fairies at the Greenpointers Holiday Market!
Get cozy Sunday, Dec 8th 1-7pm for the Greenpointers Annual Holiday Market located at 67 West Street! This year’s Nutcracker-inspired holiday market is transforming the rustic Greenpoint Loft into a magical winter wonderland filled with 60+ Vendors, Mulled Wine & Craft Beer, Tasty Treats, Tarot readings, Acupuncture, Ornament Making and so much more!
saturday
sat 11am: have a ball at resobox’s orinigiri workshop, where participants will craft unique, origami-inspired onigiri (rice balls). resobox (east village), $15. >>
sat 12-6pm: get strung along in a good way at the annual coney island yo-yo fling, new york state’s official yo-yo competition. coney island usa, $15-20 to watch, $35-45 to compete. >>
sat 1pm: navigate brooklyn streets and grocery store aisles while searching for foods to benefit local charities during the annual cranksgiving bike ride/scavenger hunt/food drive. restoration plaza (bed-stuy), bring a bike, a bag, a lock, and $15-$20 to purchase food. >>
sponsored: sat 2-5pm, 6:30-9:30pm: try over 100 styles of whiskey and craft spirits from around the world at the brooklyn whiskey and spirits fest! taste an outstanding selection of whiskeys and even a variety of craft spirits ranging from all-american kentucky bourbons to irish whiskeys, and more! brooklyn expo center (greenpoint), save $25 on advance tickets with promo code ‘theskint’ here. >>
sat 2-6pm: don’t drag your feet to singlecut tap room’s solstice sock drive, where you can get your first beer free in exchange for a donated pair of socks for new yorkers in need. singlecut tap room (astoria). >>
sat 5-8pm (on view thru 12/29): westbeth winter show: the resident visual artists of westbeth present their recent work in painting, sculpture, photography, and multi-media. opening reception tonight. westbeth gallery (west village), free. >>
sat 5-10pm: bring an ugly sweater and a cute furry friend to bushwick bark’s seventh annual awkward family holiday pet photo shoot, raising funds for two local rescue organizations through a pet photo booth, raffles, and drink specials. pine box rock shop (bushwick), free admission ($20 suggested donation for photos). >>
sat 5-10pm (monthly): this month’s free first saturday at the brooklyn museum celebrates the best of the borough with an evening of music, performance, and art-making. highlights include music by los hacheros, gemma, adrian daniel, and dj laylo, burlesque and drag from switch n’ play, plus poetry, talks, a guided tour, a screening from visual aids, and a night market. food, beer and wine will be available for purchase. brooklyn museum (prospect heights), free admission. >>
sat 6pm: bronx documentary center hosts a panel discussion and book signing with conversations on conflict photography author lauren walsh, along with award-winning photographers nina berman, meridith kohut, and michael kamber. free. >>
sat 7pm doors, 7:30pm show (monthly): head on down to christmas town for a tim burton-inspired edition of cat’s eye cabaret, bringing seasonally spooky burlesque, aerial, and variety artists to the deep end (ridgewood). $15 adv or in costume, $20 door. >>
sat 7pm, 8:30pm: (monthly): be there and be square. nerd nite returns with entertaining and informative presentations spanning a wide range of nerdom. tonight, hear talks about crypto currencies, diminishing shared experiences, and pixar’s storytelling methods. littlefield (gowanus), $10 for the presentations at 8:20pm, or add $4 for pre-show trivia at 7pm. >>
sat 7pm doors, 7:30pm show (monthly): animators, cartoonists and other artists project their on-the-fly drawings of live comedian routines at the picture this! show. hosted by clare o’kane. union hall (park slope), $8 adv, $10 door. >>
sat 7:30pm: calidore string quartet performs a concert of selections by haydn, webern, and beethoven at tonight’s installment of the peoples’ symphony concerts classical music series. washington irving auditorium (gramercy), $18. >>
sat 7:30pm doors, 8pm show (monthly): laugh your tracksuit off at aunt sassy, a monthly comedy show featuring a lineup of women and lgbtq performers. tonight: lorelei ramirez, zach zimmerman, jessica henderson, amanda hunt, and courtney o’donnell. hosted by schuyler robinson and marissa solomon. friends and lovers (crown heights), free. >>
sat 8pm (bimonthly thru may): the all-volunteer, community-based new york repertory orchestra‘s 2019-20 concert season continues with a program of opera selections by wagner and strauss. the church of st. mary the virgin (times square), free ($15 suggested donation). >>
sat 9pm: underground art party throwers rubulad presents its annual holiday revue party, with live music, djs, projections, and more. bushwick location provided with rsvp. $10 adv or before 10pm, $15 otherwise. >>
sat 9pm doors, 9:30pm show: get saved from sadness at church night, a religious parody show including guest stand-up comedians and a shots-n-tots communion. gutter bar (williamsburg), $10 suggested admission. >>
sat 9:30pm: the armory comedy group’s shot4shot series takes a movie or tv script and blind casts it for a reading/drinking game. this time, the group takes a swing at a league of their own. the tank (midtown west), $5. >>
sunday
sun various times: more free tree lighting ceremonies:
• 4pm: astoria holiday festival + tree lighting celebration. the great lawn at astoria park. >>
• 6:30pm: park avenue tree lighting ceremony. outside brick presbyterian church (ues). >>
sun 10am-5pm (sundays thru 12/29): holiday nostalgia rides are back! go back in time while riding vintage 1930’s-era subway cars along the f, a, and d lines in manhattan every sunday thru the end of the year. free with your metrocard swipe. >>
sun 2pm (monthly thru april): philly’s aya piano trio makes its new york debut at today’s edition of the new school’s schneider concerts chamber music series, which spotlights early-career artists. the auditorium at the new school (union square), $18 general, $16 seniors, $5 student standby tickets. >>
sun 3-9pm (monthly): this month’s second sunday open studios at pioneer works features open studios of current artists in residence, music, a photo printing workshop, a vintage tech exhibit, stargazing through telescopes, and more. pioneer works (red hook), free (donations welcome). >>
sun 3pm-midnight: crazy pills, sharkmuffin, theophobia, and more play the babes all rock fest, an all-day music fest highlighting bands led by non-male-identifying individuals. trans-pecos (ridgewood), $10 adv, $12 dos (50% of proceeds will be donated to the mount sinai savi program, which aids survivors of sexual assault in nyc). >>
sun 4pm: before the winter chill has you feeling under the weather, warm up with a fire cider workshop, where you can learn about the history and health benefits of the herbal drink, try samples, and learn how to make your own blend to take home. the storefront project (les), $20 (save $3 with promo code ‘healing’). >>
sun 4pm: come together in peace and (literal) harmony at the annual west village chorale ‘messiah’ sing, where the audience sings along to the handel oratorio with piano and string quartet accompaniment. musical scores and light refreshments provided. judson memorial church (greenwich village), $15 general, $10 students. >>
sun 6:30pm doors, 7pm show (monthly): the jokes will be anything but by the book at the symposium, an academic stand-up show featuring material inspired by research and teaching. tonight’s theme, ‘law and order,’ features co-host and lawyer/comedian andrea coleman. hosted by kyle marian. caveat (les), $10 adv, $12 door. >>
sun 7pm: seven playwrights present 10-minute plays that had to follow seven rules at the rule of 7×7 all-stars five-year anniversary. the tank (garment district), $15 admission includes a beer. >>
sun 7pm doors, 7:30pm show (monthly): big irv’s storytelling roadshow is back with short stories told by tracy rowland (story collider), bobby hankinson (kweendom), mark pagán (other men need help), drew prochaska, martin dockery, tracy starin, joey novick, adrien behn, and maybe you (there’ll be two open mic slots). hosted by adam selbst. byob. big irv’s (williamsburg), free. >>
sun 7pm doors, 7:30pm show: (weekly): this just in: news-themed alternative comedy show bad news returns with sets by dina hashem (conan), ranaan hershberg (sirius xm), kendall farrell (adult swim), mia jackson (comedy central), and jamie clauson-wolf (chris gethard presents). hosted by carmen lagala, sam evans, brittany carney, and alex ptak. cherry tree (gowanus), $5. >>
sun 8:30pm: laugh and scream at hoff’s horrorfest, where comedian hoff matthews will host a screening of an american werewolf in london, interspersed with comedy bits and prize giveaways. cantina royal (williamsburg), $10. >>
sun 9pm: christmas gets the cabaret treatment at the electric b*tch holiday spectacular, a completely improvised cabaret show hosted by katy berry. red room at kgb bar (east village), free admission (2 drink minimum). >>
sun 9pm doors, 9:30pm show (weekly): this week’s if you build it stand-up comedy show includes performances by christian finnegan (comedy central), amy miller (last comic standing), caitlin peluffo (colbert), rebecca vigil (netflix), pat burtscher, pete bladel, and conner mcnutt. hosted by alison leiby. ucb at subculture (noho), $9. >>
all weekend
our roundup of 30+ holiday markets, pop-ups, and sales happening this weekend. >>
curbed shares their mapped roundup of the best holiday displays in nyc. >>
fri thru sun: from demons to haunted toys, the annual new york city horror film festival celebrates all things that give us the creeps. the cinépolis chelsea, $17. >>
fri thru sun: the nutcracker gets the art-nouveau treatment with new york theater ballet’s hourlong production of the classic holiday ballet. brookfield place’s ’s winter garden (fidi), free. >>
fri thru sun: flat doesn’t mean boring at bread and puppet theater company’s honey let’s go home, a fusion of opera and puppetry where the costumes, sets, and puppets are made from painted cardboard. theatre for the new city (east village), $18 general, $12 students/seniors. >>
fri thru sun: the kraine theater’s ed’s best fest presents a weekend of shows featuring nyc performers who’ve appeared at the edinburgh festival fringe. kraine theater (east village), $15. >>
fri thru sun: just six audience members at a time will bear witness to the house we never lived in, an intimate, interactive theater piece where attendees listen to a story through headphones while exploring props and objects of nostalgia including a dollhouse. eleventh street arts (lic), $20. >>
fri thru 12/25: ifc center presents its annual run of frank capra’s 1946 christmas classic it’s a wonderful life, with an in-person introduction by mary owen, star donna reed’s daughter at select screenings. ifc center (greenwich village), $16 general, $13 seniors. >>
fri thru 1/5 (closed mondays + tuesdays): explore the sights and sounds at a star wars: the rise of skywalker installation at dolby soho. free. >>
sat thru 1/5 (closed mondays + tuesdays): watch the grinch, rudolph, frosty, and other holiday tv classics on the big screen at the paley center for media’s annual holiday time in paleyland, which also includes family-friendly activities, photo opps, and hot cocoa. the paley center for media (midtown west). free admission. >>
looking for more? check our website for a list of more than 40 ongoing events. >>
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