12/31/11 New Year's Eve Fireworks @ Grand Army Plaza

Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 11:00pm

Grand Army Plaza

Brooklyn, NY

Subway: 2, 3 to Grand Army Plaza; Q to 7th Ave. (Flatbush Ave.)

Bus: B-41, B-71, B-69 to Grand Army PlazaCost: Free

For all ages

Ring in the New Year at Brooklyn's biggest party! Fireworks, entertainment, and more.

Start the celebrations off around 11pm with entertainment and hot refreshments at Grand Army Plaza. We can’t help you keep your resolutions, but we can get you off to a dazzling start! Best locations for viewing the fireworks include: anywhere in Grand Army Plaza, inside the Park on the West Drive, and along Prospect Park West between grand Army Plaza and 9th Street.

New Year’s fireworks and festivities are sponsored by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

http://www.prospectpark.org/calendar/event/1471647

12/28/11 Kid Fun Day @ Staten Island Zoo

Wednesday, December 28, 2011 from 11:00am to 3:00pm

Staten Island Zoo

614 Broadway (across the street from the Broadway YMCA)

Staten Island, NY 10310

(718) 442-3100

Admission: $8.00 for adults (15+ yrs), $6.00 for Seniors (60+ yrs), $5.00 for children (3-14 yrs) and free for children under 3 years of age and for all members. Free admission on Wednesday after 2:00pm, donations welcome. Parking is free every day.

Visit the zoo for some vacation fun while wishing the animals at the Zoo a “Happy Holiday”. Activity, craft, movie and more:

* Meet animals

* Tour the zoo

* Have a scavenger hunt

* Watch a special movie

* Make crafts

* All indoors!

http://statenislandzoo.org/pdfs/KidFunDayFlyer.pdf

http://statenislandzoo.org/index.php?option=com_eventlist&view=details&id=173&Itemid=90

12/28/11 KidsLIVE presents The Paper Bag Players: Laugh! Laugh! Laugh! @ Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Wednesday, December 28, 2011, 2:00pm

Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Celeste Bartos Forum

Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street

New York, NY 10018

(917) 275-6975

Cost: Free

For ages 3 to 12 years

The Paper Bag Players: Laugh! Laugh! Laugh! includes lots of funny stories, music, and audience participation. Featuring the Paper Bag Players’ infectious energy and distinctive cardboard and paper sets and costumes, Laugh! Laugh! Laugh! celebrates creativity and humor and introduces a brand-new dance: the Shakey Shake. For ages 3 to 9.

All KidsLIVE and TeenLIVE programs are sponsored by the Katerina and Andreas C. Dracopoulos Family Endowment for Young Audiences.

http://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2011/12/28/kidslive-presents-paper-bag-players-laugh-laugh-laugh?utm_source=eNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=NYPLFamilyPrograms20111226&utm_campaign=NYPLFamilyPrograms

12/25/11 Merry Christmas from nycfamilyfun!

Holiday Greetings and Best Wishes for a New Year of Happiness in a world of peace!

12/26/11 Charles H. Tally Holiday Monday Family Programs @ Brooklyn Music Factory

Monday, December 26, 2011

Four Times Available: 11:00am–12:00pm, 12:00–1:00pm, 1:15–2:15pm and 2:30–3:30pm

Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street

Carson Family Hall, Uris Center for Education

New York, NY
(Please note that you may enter the Museum at Fifth Avenue and 81st street or at Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street.)
(212) 535-7710
Cost: museum admission is pay-what-you-wish
For ages 5-12 yrs old; Family Program is free with Museum admission

Take a day to play at the Met and enjoy fun discussion and sketching! For families with children ages 5–12.

http://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/family-programs/charles-h-tally-holiday-monday-family-programs/charles-h-tally-holiday-monday-family-programs?eid=A005_%7b821618AB-3FEE-450D-996D-ED904752FC45%7d_20111006144600

12/19/11, 12/20/11, 12/21/11, 12/27/11, 12/28/11 + 12/29/11 SciLab@NYPL: The Mad Science Holiday Spectacular @ NYC Libraries

It's the most wonderful time of the year and Mad Science is going to share it with you! You won't believe your eyes as you try to determine if what you're seeing is magic or science. Don't worry, Mad Science will explain it all as they use indoor fireworks to create a festival of lights and share top secret "special ice", shipped straight from the North Pole. It all comes together with a magical no-melt snow. You'll have to see it to believe it! Presented by Mad Science of Westchester and Manhattan. 

Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs for children at The New York Public Library are made possible through the generous support of Con Edison.

Cost: Free

For ages 3 to 12 years old

Monday, December 19, 2011 at 3:30pm
Morrisania Library

610 East 169th Street (at Franklin Ave.)
Bronx, NY 10456
(718) 589-9268
http://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2011/12/19/mad-science-holiday-spectacular

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 4:00pm
Epiphany Library

228 East 23rd Street (near Second Ave.)
New York, NY 10010-4672
(212) 679-2645
http://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2011/12/20/mad-science-holiday-spectacular

Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 4:00pm

Edenwald Library

1255 East 233rd Street (at DeReimer Ave.)
Bronx, NY 10466
(718) 798-3355
http://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2011/12/21/mad-science-holiday-spectacular

Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 4:00pm

West Farms Library

2085 Honeywell Avenue (between E. 179th & 180th Sts.)
Bronx, NY 10460
(718) 367-5376
http://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2011/12/27/mad-science-holiday-spectacular

Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 3:30pm
Parkchester Library

1985 Westchester Avenue (at Pugsley Ave.)
Bronx, NY 10462
(718) 829-7830
http://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2011/12/28/mad-science-holiday-spectacular

Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 4:00pm
Mott Haven Library

321 East 140th Street (at Alexander Ave.)
Bronx, NY 10454
(718) 665-4878
http://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2011/12/29/mad-science-holiday-spectacular

12/18/10 + 12/19/11 Free Annual Holiday Concert @ The Guggenheim Museum

2 Performances:

Sunday, December 18, 2010 at 7:00pm
Monday, December 19, 2010 at 7:00pm

Doors open at 6:30pm

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
1071 Fifth Avenue (at 89th Street)
New York, NY 10128-0173
(212) 423-3587

Cost: Free

For all ages

Celebrate the season with the joyous sound of holiday music in the museum's Frank Lloyd Wright-designed rotunda. The Vox Vocal Ensemble and the Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble will perform in what has become a revered annual tradition. The museum will close at 5:45 pm and re-open at 6:30 pm for the Free Holiday Concert.

Watch a video sneak peak:

http://www.youtube.com/worksandprocess#p/u/6/DsnEgFV_E70

http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/calendar-and-events/2011/12/18/free-holiday-concert/i/10055

12/17/11 Super Sabado: Super Holidays! @ El Museo del Barrio

Saturday, December 17, 2011 from 11:00am to 6:00pm

El Museo del Barrio

1230 Fifth Avenue (at 104th St.)
New York, NY 10029
(212) 831-7272
Cost: Free
For all ages

Add flair to your holiday line-up with us as we share Latino traditions to pass along for generations to come. Our Super Holiday inspired activities include maraca making, a sing-along of traditional Latino holiday repertoire, a Three Kings Photo Booth, and concert featuring world renowned harp virtuoso Celso Duarte.

EXHIBITIONS ON VIEW
11:00am – 6:00pm, Las Galerías 
VOCES Y VISIONES: Gran Caribe
EL MUSEO'S BIENAL: The (S) Files 2011


COLORIN COLORADO...with members of Balún and Tepeu
11:00am - 12:00pm, El Teatro 
We're putting a fresh take on the "holiday sing along" with popular tunes from Latin America performed by members of the musical groups Balún and Tepeu... performers will be equipped with güiros, maracas, claves and rhythms that will get your family moving!

ARTEXPLORERS & ARTMAKING
12:00am - 3:00pm, El Cafe and El Taller 
Follow your own star and create a distinct work of art inspired by the 3 Kings puppets and costumes.

ARTMAKING
12:00noon - 3:00pm, Black Box Theater 
Join us for merry maraca making for our upcoming 35th Annual Kings Day Parade... one is for you, and the other will go to a Three Kings parade participant.



DIMELO!
12:00pm - 3:00pm, Black Box Theater 
Tell us what La Cultura de Compartir , or a culture of sharing means to you at this month's photo booth.

THREE KINGS DAY ALL STARS
3:00 - 3:30pm, El Café 
Learn the inside scoop about our 35th Annual Three Kings parade directly from the “who’s who” being honored as Madrinas and Padrinos in this year’s festivities.

OH SNAP!
4:00pm - 6:00pm, Black Box Theater 
Write your thoughts and speak your mind as The Peace Poets lead this installment of our monthly spoken word workshop series for teens. (Ages 13-19)

http://www.elmuseo.org/en/event/super-sabado-super-holidays-0

12/15/11 Songs for the Holidays: Brooklyn Youth Chorus featuring Harolyn Blackwell @ World Financial Center

Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 7:30pm

World Financial Center
Winter Garden
220 Vesey Street
New York, NY 10281
(212) 417-7000
Cost: Free
For all ages

Celebrating 20 years of outstanding performance, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus reunites with soprano Harolyn Blackwell for a special holiday concert featuring the world premiere of a new Ricky Ian Gordon work based on a Langston Hughes poem, and several new holiday arrangements by long time BYC friend and collaborator Joel Martin.

http://www.artsworldfinancialcenter.com/cgi-bin/Go.cgi?q_id=1182

12/17/11 Sci-Tech Workshop: Flower Power @ Sony Wonder Technology Lab

Saturday, December 17, 2011 from 2:00 to 4:00pm

Sony Wonder Technology Lab
Sony Plaza, 550 Madison Ave (at 56th St.)
New York City
(212) 833-8100
Subway: 4, 5, 6, N, R to 59th Street; E, V to 5th Avenue; F to 57th Street
Cost: $10 per participant. RSVP needed.
Best for ages 8 and up

Create a flower like no other that will never wilt...because it runs on batteries! Using LEDs, fiber optics, colored cellophane and some technical know-how, you can design and power-up your very own colorful electronic flower to take home! Reservations of up to 4 children can be made beginning the Monday of the week the program is offered by calling (212) 833-8100.

http://www.sonywondertechlab.com/pe-events_workshops.html

12/16/11–12/17/11 Winterfest @ Central Park Zoo

December 16 + 17, 2011

Central Park Zoo

830 Fifth Ave. (southeast corner of Central Park)
New York, NY 10021
(212) 439-6500


Prices for Total Experience Tickets (Total Experience Tickets provide zoo admission and one ticket to the 4-D Theater, now showing two family-friendly short films, Planet Earth: Ice Worlds from BBC Earth and The Polar Express™ 4-D Experience. Water mist, bubbles, scents, seat vibrations, and other sensory effects accompany these films.)

Adult $18; Child (3-12) $14; Senior (65+) $15

Save 10% if you purchase tix online for the package: Adult $16; Child (3-12) $11.50; Senior (65+) $13.50
______
General Admission: Adult $12; Child (3-12) $7; Senior (65+) $9

Relish the beauty of the Zoo at the best time of the year—the winter holidays! On the first three Fridays and Saturdays in December, the zoo is open until 6:30pm so you can stop by in the afternoon or after work for a stroll under thousands of twinkling lights. Visit cold-weather creatures, enjoy crafts and Wildlife Theater, see two wintry 4-D features, and watch the animals enjoy fish-cicles, fruits, and other favorite treats during holiday enrichment sessions. For a break from the chilly air, warm up with birds, lemurs, and tortoises in the Tropic Zone, a steamy 80 degrees all year long.

Also do some holiday shopping at the Zootique and enjoy to holiday treats and hot cocoa in the Dancing Crane Cafe.

Event Schedule
Wildlife Theater
Time: 2:00–6:00pm; performances begin on the hour
Location: Zoo Gallery

Holiday 4-D Movies
Bring your family to see The Polar Express™ 4-D Experience, based on the film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment, and Planet Earth: Ice Worlds from BBC Earth. Both features are full of special effects that little ones will love.

Live Animal Encounters
Time: 2:30–5:30pm; encounters every half-hour
Location: Zoo Gallery

Crafts
Time: 2:00–6:30pm
Location: Zoo Theater Classroom

Presents to the Penguins
Time: 3:15pm
Location: Penguin house

Presents to the Polar Bear
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Polar bear exhibit

Special Performances and Meet & Greet

* * * * * * * *
On December 17, Meet Sprout's Super WHY and Wonder Red during a special character appearance.
Time: 3:00pm
Location: Zoo Gallery

http://www.centralparkzoo.com/plan-your-trip/events-calendar/presents-to-the-animals.aspx

12/11/11 Winter Party @ Brooklyn Music Factory

December 11, 2011 from 12:30 to 5:00pm


Littlefield
622 Degraw St
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Cost: Free
For all ages

The Brooklyn Music Factory is throwing a big music party at Littlefield, and 14 bands will be playing. Come check out Brooklyn's coolest kid and teen rockers as they show off on the big stage.

http://www.littlefieldnyc.com/event/75261/

12/10/11 Family Affair Holiday Festival @ The Bronx Museum of the Arts

Saturday, December 10, 2011 from 1:00 to 4:00pm


The Bronx Museum of the Arts
1040 Grand Concourse (at 165th Street)
Bronx, NY 10456 
(718) 681-6000 
Cost: Free
For all ages


Celebrate the holidays with art-making activities, food, and tours of our current exhibitions Muntadas: Information>>Space>>Contro​l and Urban Archives: Emilio Sanchez in the Bronx.


Family Affair is a seasonal afternoon program that promotes the special bond between parents/guardians and their children (12 and under). Family Affair offers an ever-changing program that includes hands-on activities developed in collaboration with teaching artists, performances, guided tours, screenings, and many other surprises.


http://bronxmuseum.org/events.php

12/10/11 No Longer Bored: Scavenger Hunt-Exploring Space @ XYZ: NYC 10 Downing

Saturday, December 10, 2011
Tour begins at 1pm promptly. Workshop is estimated to begin 2pm.

XYZ: NYC 10 Downing
10 Downing Street (at Sixth Ave)
New York, NY
See map at: http://www.nolongerempty.org/nc/home/what-we-do/exhibitions/exhibition/xyznyc-10-downing/

Cost: Free. Limited Attendance. Please RSVP online.
For all ages

Children and their parents are invited to experience an exhibition tour of XYZ: NYC 10 Downing. Like a scavenger hunt, the self-guided visit will allow children to discover the arts works as well discover details they may have missed. Children and their families will also uncover the fascinating elements of a camera obscura and other interactive installations.

Come enjoy delicious hot chocolate and join us for a fun afternoon of exploration and discovery.

In addition, children and youth completing the scavenger hunt will get a "buy one, get one free" discount entry into The Children's Museum of the Arts on that day as well as the Museum's new publication "Make Art in Public--A Young Artist's Guide".

This children's program is generously supported by Children's Museum of Art and Stonehenge Partners.

http://www.nolongerempty.org/nc/home/what-we-do/events/event/no-longer-bored-scavenger-hunt-exploring-space/

12/9/11, 12/10/11 + 12/11/11 Cow-nival Weekend Festival @ Chelsea Market

Friday, Dec. 9, 2011 from 12pm to 6pm

Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 from 11am to 6pm

Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 from  11am to 5pm

Chelsea Market

75 9th Avenue (btw 15 & 16 Sts)

New York, NY 10011
Cost: Free

(212) 741-96455

For all ages

Chelsea Market is having its first annual “Cow-nival”, a collaborative event with Ronnybrook Farm Dairy and Edible Manhattan. There will be fun, interactive farm-inspired activities. Live cows will be available for petting and photo opportunities!

http://chelseamarket.com/

12/8/11 Making Smiles Bright: A Holiday Photo Card Event @ Etsy Labs Brooklyn

Thursday, December 8, 2011 from 6:00 to 9:00pm


Etsy Labs Brooklyn

55 Washington Street, Suite 712

Brooklyn NY, 11201
(718) 855-7955

Cost: Free

For all ages

Who doesn’t love that photo card from 1983 of the whole sweatered family at the mall, with its woodgrain border and bedazzled holiday greeting? Celebrate the schmaltz this year at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn with our Making Smiles Bright: A Holiday Photo Card Event!

On Thursday December 8 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. ET, Etsy Labs Brooklyn will be open for you to bring friends, family, colleagues and comrades to get your photo taken and turned into a holiday card.

Choose from one of three backdrops that we have hand-curated and decorated with merchandise direct from Etsy holiday shops and sellers (see details below), smile wide and bright, and leave with a digital file that you can customize and circulate near and far. Our long-time partners from the Magnolia Photo Booth Co. will be on hand to get those pictures print and sent.

We’ve also partnered with Moo for a 15 percent discount if you want to turn your digital file into a printed greeting card (discount codes will be distributed at the event). If you’d rather print at home, we’ll be leading small groups in workshops to make your own envelopes from paper ephemera (feel free to bring a favorite new or vintage paper to use). Every hour, we’ll be raffling off a chance to win one piece from the vignettes for use in your own holiday decor.Choose one of these vignettes for your picture-perfect snapshot.

avecorange
“I’m Dreaming of a (Black and) White Christmas”
So much of this season’s cheer is made up of holiday stories and songs that have made a lasting impression on us. This vignette will be decked out with seasonal decor by Etsy handmade sellers made from text, sheet music and other printed matter.

myimaginaryboyfriend

“My Yule Log Has Something to Tell You”
Cuddle up in a cozy sweater and wool hat in this Pacific Northwest ski lodge vignette, à la Twin Peaks. A pinch of surrealism and a dash of small-town quirk will serve up treasures from Etsy’s weird and wonderful side.

vintagedame


“Jingle Bell Bottoms”
Step back in time with this retro kitschy vignette from the seventies. The best of Etsy’s vintage holiday markets will be on display — from dashing disco decor to smashing shag scenery.

So dig out your holiday finest, polish those pearly whites and snap up a ticket to give your holiday correspondence an extra special touch this season — we hope to see you there!

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/making-smiles-bright-a-holiday-photo-card-event/

12/5/11 + 12/6/11 Mad Science Workshop: Kitchen Chemistry

Witness how your kitchen is actually an awesome lab. We’ll use common pantry items to create awesome reactions! Recommended for ages 4 to 8 years old. Limited to 20 participants.

Cost: Free, but please register at your local library or call them to rsvp
For ages 3 to 12 years

Monday, December 5, 2011, 4:00pm
Hamilton Grange Library
503 West 145th Street

New York, NY 10031-5101
(212) 926-2147

http://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2011/12/05/mad-science-workshop-kitchen-chemistry

Tuesday, December 6, 2011, 4:00pm
Battery Park City Library

175 North End Avenue (at Murray Street)

New York, NY 10282
(212) 790-3499
http://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2011/12/06/mad-science-workshop-kitchen-chemistry

12/4/11 Danú: Christmas in Ireland @ World Financial Center

Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 2:00pm

World Financial Center

Winter Garden

220 Vesey Street
New York, NY 10281
(212) 417-7000
Cost: Free
For all ages

The acclaimed Irish ensemble Danú returns to the United States with a glorious celebration of Christmas from their homeland. Celtic music lovers will be thrilled by Danú’s virtuoso musicians and the gorgeous vocals of Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh performing traditional songs in this high-energy holiday event that warms the heart.

http://www.artsworldfinancialcenter.com/cgi-bin/Go.cgi?q_id=1181

Danú’s official site:

http://www.danu.net/

12/3/11 First Saturdays for Families: In and Around the Avian @ New Museum

Saturday, Dec 3, 2011 from 10:00am to 11:00am

New Museum
235 Bowery
New York, NY 10002
(212) 219-1222
Cost: Free from 10-11am; General admission all other hours: adults $16, seniors $14, students $12; and members/kids under 18 are admitted free

For all ages

Journey through the astonishing installations and immersive environments of “Carsten Höller: Experience.” In the scientist-turned-artist’s first New York survey, families are able to study the natural world through Höller’s artworks, in particular, swarms of fish in his Aquarium, 1996, or the dozens of flying canaries in his Singing Canaries Mobile, 2009.

From 10 to 11 a.m., join New Museum educators in the 7th Floor Sky Room and Theater for a hands-on workshop creating ornithological study guides and mobiles; then explore the art of Carsten Höller starting at 11 a.m. All galleries will be closed until 11 a.m. To participate in the Untitled (Slide), 2011, or Mirror Carousel, 2005, visitors must be at least 48 inches tall and must sign the Visitor Guidelines and Waiver for “Carsten Höller: Experience.””

New Museum First Saturdays for Families are free of charge. This program is designed and recommended for families with children aged between four and fifteen years and includes free New Museum admission for up to two adults per family. Children under eighteen are always admitted free. No preregistration is required. Space is limited and tickets are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. Your entire party must be present; tickets will not be given to partial parties.

http://newmuseum.org/events/593