Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

The holidays are here, and New York City is the place to be to get into a festive mood.  The Upper West Side has no shortage of events and happenings this month to celebrate the holidays.  Click through for some of the many holiday events taking place this month on the Upper West Side.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market
The holiday shops at the Columbus Circle entrance to Central Park are now open.  Stop by to pick up some unique gifts for the special people in your life while enjoying some hot cider and premium chocolates.

Central Park
Our favorite park to the east certainly knows how to celebrate the holidays.  Come to Central Park throughout the month for some great events.  Happenings include a Victorian holiday lighting celebration on Sunday, December 5th,  free holiday crafts on December 23rd, and a visit from Santa on December 23rd and December 24th.  Don’t forget to stop by after Thursday, December 9th to check out an unconventional wreath exhibit at the Arsenal (near 64th and 5th Avenue), or hit up the park on New Year’s Eve for fireworks and a midnight run, hosted by New York Road Runners.

Jewish Community Center, 76th and Amsterdam
Enjoy a series of fun Chanukah activities to celebrate the holiday, starting at sundown today.  From Latkes and Vodkas with Gary Shteyngart on Tuesday, December 7th to a Chanukah Soiree for 20′s and 30′s on Wednesday, December 8th, there is a wide variety of Chanukah events at the JCC, both free and at a minimal cost.  Check out the full list of Chanukah events at the JCC here.

George Keeley, Amsterdam between 83rd and 84th
Hit up the bar this Saturday, December 4th for the George Keeley Holiday Party.  Enjoy an open bar, a BBQ buffet, a holiday ornament contest, and an ugliest Christmas sweater contest from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  Entry is $25.

The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, Amsterdam at 112th
The breathtaking church is hosting events to match the beauty of the building this month.  Holiday concerts include Christmas Quilt, anthems and hymns performed by a men’s vocal ensemble along with a lively band of fiddle, flute, bass and guitar, with performances throughout December; the 31st Winter Solstice Celebration, featuring musicians and vocalists accompanying the church’s pipe organ and taking place on December 16th, 17th, and 18th; A Cathedral Christmas, a rich medley of voices on December 11th; and the New Year’s Eve Concert for Peace, featuring a traditional passing of candle flames.  Don’t miss the church’s other holiday events like An Advent Procession on Sunday, December 5th and the Christmas Eve service.

Whole Foods Columbus Square, Columbus and 97th
Hit up the Whole Foods Market this month to get all of your holiday meal necessities, and participate in some holiday events while you are there.  Stop by on Thursday, December 2nd to meet Frank Falcinelli and Frank Castronovo from Frankies Spuntino for a holiday events, beer and wine tastings, and book signings, or head over to the store on Thursday, December 9th for a free Kosher Wine Tasting and Klezmer Band.

Central Park Zoo, east side of park near 64th
It’s Winterfest at the zoo! Come to the zoo on Fridays and Saturdays from Friday, December 3rd to Saturday, December 18th for extended hours until 6:30 pm and events like presents to the penguins, snow leopards, and polar bears, wildlife theater, holiday lights, and tasty holiday treats.

American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th
Enjoy some cool activities this holiday season at the museum.  Members can celebrate at the Holiday Party in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life on December 12th, astronomy fans can sip some hot cocoa while observing celestial objects on the Arthur Ross Terrace for the Winter Solstice Telescope Party on December 20th, and those looking to celebrate African American life and heritage can party at the museum’s vibrant Kwanzaa event on December 26th.

Lincoln Center, near Columbus and 64th
The nation’s premier cultural center is keeping all in a holiday spirit with some amazing performances.  Events include the ongoing run of The Nutcracker at the New York City Ballet, a Baroque Holiday with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center on December 19th, the International Holiday Concert 2010 presented by the Harmony for Peace Foundation on December 19th, and the free Holiday Soul Spectacular featuring The Sweet Divines on December 23rd.

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Tags: Columbus Circle Holiday Market, George Keeley, JCC, Jewish Community Center, Kwanzaa, St. John The Divine