Yes, Thanksgiving is less than a week away (where has November gone?), but we think you should skip the stress of planning the festivities and enjoy the weekend with your brood instead. Since holiday decor is already gracing the windows of stores and institutions around the city, make a checklist of the various spots and spend the afternoon peering at their lights and life-size panoramas; the weather is supposed to be perfect for a fall stroll. Our favorites so far are the brightly colored windows of Macy’s and the traditional arrangements at Bloomingdale’s.
If you’re looking for other no-cost activities, check out Super Sabado at El Museo del Barrio, which is hosting a bunch of family-friendly happenings and free admission to boot. Should you find yourself in Queens, stop by City Ice Pavilion’s Opening Weekend Celebration, which includes free ice time and skates (Sat 7–9:30pm, Sun noon–2pm) and a performance by NY’s Ice Theater. If you’d rather cozy up indoors, MoMA hosts an afternoon of animated shorts; after the flickfest, families can enjoy the museum without paying a dime. Check out all the free events here.
Saturday’s got a lot in store: For just $5, you can rock out with your kiddos at the Roulette Children’s Concert, which features kid-friendly renditions of jams from cool artists like Nick Cave. If you want to follow the holiday theme this weekend, the New York Botanical Garden launches its Holiday Train Show—a must see for city tykes. See more Saturday events here.
Looking for more fun on Sunday? Kids who don’t mind getting a little dirty will dig Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s Ickyfest. If your tots prefer to stay clear of snot and slime, pop into the Guggenheim for its Family Day, or enjoy some tunes with Elizabeth Mitchell at the 92YTribeca. Browse all Sunday events here.
The moment we (and countless fans of Beetlejuice, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure and The Nightmare Before Christmas) have been waiting for is finally upon us. The retrospective on the career of macabre filmmaker Tim Burton is set to open at the Museum of Modern Art on Sunday. If you’re planning on braving the crowds, just remember to buy your tickets in advance online. And don’t forget report back here to let us know how you (and your kids!) enjoyed it.
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.
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).
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.
Seventh Generation, a company that produces green household products, is hosting this event meant to bring attention to our nation’s sub-par chemical regulatory laws. The hope is that if enough babies come out to crawl (toward a faux Capitol, natch) then our government will change how it monitors the toxins contained in cleaning products. If making a statement doesn’t grab you, an 11:15am performance by the always-entertaining Gustafer Yellowgold should do the trick.
‘Tis the season for the unveiling of holiday windows, so it’s easy to forget that there are other—dare we say, cooler—art exhibits that will get you in the spirit of the season. One you really don’t want to miss is the annual “Canstruction” show in the Winter Garden at the World Financial Center. The installation features giant whimsical sculptures made of canned goods—you’ll see huge mushrooms, a piggy bank, a caterpillar and more. Next week, the works will be deconstructed and the food will be delivered to City Harvest just in time for Thanksgiving. Entry is free, although visitors are encouraged to donate canned goods to be given to NYC’s hungry.
