So many shows to see, so little money to spend on them! It’s a holiday headache that’s hitting everyone hard this year. We share in your frustration, that’s why we’ve rounded up a bunch of discounts to family shows.
Love the New Victory? We sure do. The theater’s raucous holiday show, Chestnuts Roasting on the Flaming Idiots, is likely to be a smash. Snag tickets to the show, which opens December 4th, for 20% off by using code TOKids when purchasing.
Haven’t seen Wintuk or The Radio City Christmas Spectacular yet? Well, what are you waiting for? Use discount code EM1040 to receive a whopping 40% off select performances of Wintuk, and code TONYK for $50 orchestra and first mezzanine seats at select performances of The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Just be forewarned: Both offers expire November 29.
Parents may know Mitchell from his stage performances in the original Ragtime and the most recent revival of Kiss Me, Kate (for which he snagged a Tony). If your kids haven’t yet been introduced to the Broadway star (and New York City dad), today’s the day to do it. Head over to Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Center, where Mitchell will read from Lights on Broadway: A Theatrical Tour from A to Z, a book about backstage for which he penned the foreword. After the reading, Mitchell will and kids from TADA! Youth Theater will treat the audience to a free mini concert.
‘Tis the season for generosity, but who says you can’t get something in return? From Tuesday November 24 through Thursday December 17, bring a nonperishable food donation to a participating BumbleBee Tennis location—one’s at the U.N. Plaza’s Millennium Hotel, the other is in Soho—and your child (age 3 to 9) can score a free introductory lesson. Sign up in advance on the company’s website. It’s a great way to spread the, er, love. You should also check out our roundup of tennis classes around the city.
It looks like the folks at Racked, one of our favorite shopping websites, had it right when they said “this year’s holiday season might go down in history as the December of the pop-up shop.” We recently learned Jade’s Toybox and Zaba, two children’s online retailers, have opened up a temporary brick-and-mortar store in Tribeca through Christmas Eve. In addition to selling unique clothing and eco-friendly toys from the two companies, the shop will host a slew of family activities. Kids can make holiday crafts out of recycled materials, write a letter to Santa and get their picture taken with a 20″ x 24″ Polaroid camera. Parents can also get in on the action: Esther K. Smith, author of How to Make Books and Magic Books and Paper Toys, will lead workshops on how to make pop-up holiday cards and ornaments. 25 North Moore St at Varick St (917-349-5107).
It’s no secret that we at Time Out Kids are big fans of Archie comics. Last spring, in conjunction with Kids Comic Con, we held a contest in which one lucky winner—a girl named Summer—got to appear as a character in an issue of the beloved, long-running series.
It’s not surprising that the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art shares our obsession. Its latest exhibit, “The Art of Archie Comics,” opens tonight and stays on view through February 28. Check out rare and unpublished Archie pages, vintage house ads, news clippings, toys and merchandise spanning 65 years. If your kids have yet to fall for Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and Reggie, this display is an ideal way to introduce them to the teenage crew. Tonight’s opening reception begins at 7pm. $5, kids under 13 free. MoCCA, 594 Broadway between Houston and Prince Sts, , Ste 401 (212-254-3511, moccany.org).
Evidenced by our many, many blog posts on sales this week, holiday shopping is in full force. At the Goddard Riverside Community Book Fair this weekend, you can strike a seasonal balance between mass consumption and giving. Sponsored by the local publishing industry for over 20 years, the sale benefits the namesake community center. Shoppers can choose from thousands of brand-new donated tomes (including lots of children’s books), which are sold at half the normal cost. For the best deals, go on Sunday, when prices will be slashed down even more. Sat Nov, 21 10am–6pm, Sun Nov 22 11am–5pm. Goddard Riverside Community Center, 593 Columbus Ave at 88th St (212-873-6600, goddard.org).
Holiday windows are already aglow around the city, with more displays appearing every day. Tonight’s lighting truly captures the spirit of the season: UNICEF is hosting a celebration that reminds New Yorkers to give to those in need. At 6:30pm, locals (and celebrity guest Lucy Liu!) are invited to gather outside of Louis Vuitton’s flagship store to watch the illumination of a giant snowflake. Afterward, youngsters from Broadway Kids Care will perform a musical number.
