Have a Not So Silent Night
For the first time in its over two-decade history, Alt 92.3 is bringing its annual Not So Silent Night Christmas Concert to New York! The all-star lineup includes Florence + the Machine, Muse, Death Cab for Cutie, AJR, Mike Shinoda, Foster the People, Bastille and Chvrches. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Dec. 6, 7 p.m., Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, $75 and up, barclayscenter.com
The sexy side of punk rock
Punk culture protested pretty much everything about what it saw as the mass-produced, repressed lives we were leading, often by using sexuality to transgress and defy expectations. New York’s lusty playground the Museum of Sex just opened a new exhibit Punk Lust: Raw Provocation 1971-1985, an immersive gallery with over 300 artifacts spanning various archives and private collections. Though their clothing and songs, punks helped women shed the societal expectations they had been held to and picked up where glam rock left off to allow men to explore a more fluid side of their sexuality. Through Nov. 30, 2019, 233 Fifth Ave., $19.50, museumofsex.com
Meet under the lights
Brookfield Place is not only one of our favorite places to hide from winter, it’s also one of the best to celebrate it. There’s ice skating and Santa photo ops, but the annual Luminaries display of over 600 lanterns suspended above the Winter Garden always steal the show. A special wishing station lets you send your heart’s desire into the universe and makes the colors and motions of the lanterns change. Through Jan. 4, 2019, 290 Vesey St., free, bfplny.com
The Nutcracker goes uptown
The original Russian production of The Nutcracker premiered in 1892 — and somehow wasn’t a hit. With considerably more critical acclaim, Francis Patrelle’s playful version sets the story in 1895 New York City instead and casts dancers of all ages for a professional production with the warmth and inclusivity of community theater. Starting with a holiday party at Gracie Mansion, the delightful spectacle includes a midnight skate in Central Park, a sleigh ride to the New York Botanical Garden’s glittering Crystal Palace. Dec. 6-9, The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, 695 Park Ave., $55-$65, dancespatrelle.org
Roll into winter
Lola’s Dreamland Roller Disco is a staple of summer in Prospect Park, but for the first time the inimitable Lola Star is continuing her party indoors at Industry City. The giant new 15,000-square-foot roller rink promises to be “an immersive disco experience” with lots of all-ages retro fun including a hula hoop hour, themed parties (starting with Spice Girls in Xanadu) and more. It’s on every Friday night through April. Dec. 7, 7:30-10:30 p.m., 233 37th St., Brooklyn, $18 and up, industrycity.com
Christmas favorites by way of Italy
Brooklyn’s most unusual new ice cream shop Republic of Booza, which makes “stretchy” ice cream thanks to a 500-year-old recipe from the Levant, just launched its holiday flavors. If you haven’t tried their smoother, denser take on ice cream, now they’ve mixed up holiday flavors with traditional Italian infgredients like Eggnog Zabaione, Babka and Panettone, which might actually be better than the classic Christmas cake. 76 N. Fourth St., Brooklyn, republicofbooza.com
Craft that gift
Bust Magazine is all about feminism and crafting, so the winter edition of the Bust School of Creative Living will teach you how to be a more well-rounded person with over 80 classes and talks. Alongside the mag’s annual Holiday Craftacular holiday market going on at the same time with 150 vendors with vintage and handmade products, you’ll learn all about everything from CBD to spirituality to “practical magic for artists and creatives.” Dec. 8-9, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Brooklyn Expo Center, 72 Noble St., Greenpoint, $15 per class or $60 all-access, bust.com
Take a sleigh ride on the west side
New York’s newest neighborhood is having its first Christmas celebration. The Hudson Yards / Hell’s Kitchen Alliance is inviting everyone to Block 3 of Hudson Blvd Park, which will be transformed into Holiday Blvd Park. There will be horse-drawn carriage rides around the park, photos with Santa Claus, holiday arts and crafts, and more. Dec. 8, 2-5 p.m., between West 33rd-36th streets and 10th and 11th avenues, free, hyhkalliance.org
Get introduced to CBD
As activists continue their long fight toward legalization for marijuana, its non-psychoactive derivative CBD is already the hot new trend in wellness, claiming to help with everything from anxiety to inflammation. Want to try CBD but in a calm, upscale setting rather than a latte or cocktail? White Label CBD Market is a one-day pop-up shop that collects beauty, food and lifestyle brands devoted to all things CBD, from chocolates to skincare. Dec. 8-9, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., The Space in SoHo, 515 Greenwich Street, Suite 506, must be 21+, $15, eventhi.io
How to pair two of your favorite things
It’s the season of hosting parties, and wouldn’t you like to wow your friends with expertly paired cheeses and Champagnes? Murray’s Cheese is hosting a six-course cheese and bubbly pairing dinner with Champagne Bollinger this Saturday to teach you all the basics and why these two are MFEO. Dec. 8, 4:30-6 p.m., 254 Bleecker St., $100, eventbrite.com
Things to do in NYC: Ongoing
Be consumed by love
What is the nature of love, and what forms does it take? A new site-specific play Consumption explores the notion as Devin Burnam and Tracy Weller of Mason Holdings theater company take an audience of just 30 through the 90-minute drama. The lives of five disparate couples intertwine across time, space and even realities across several rooms of Brooklyn’s 100-year-old Beverly Social Club. Through Dec. 8, 1016 Beverley Rd., Ditmas Park, $25, mason.holdings
Smorgasburg at night
Their outdoor markets may be done for the season, but you’ve got two ways to experience Smorgasburg this winter. Opening Fridays through Dec. 21 is the Smorgasburg x Vice Night Market, with 11 food vendors and DJs at Brooklyn venue Villain (307 Kent St.) and the Smorgasburg Winter Market, opening Nov. 3-4 on weekends through March 2019 inside Atlantic Center with 30 food vendors and 20 Brooklyn Flea vendors at 625 Atlantic Ave. smorgasburg.com
King Kong takes over Broadway
It took five years to bring King Kong the musical from Australia to Broadway, but that impressive 20-foot ape — who is entirely too lifelike thanks to a team of 14 puppeteers — was worth every moment of waiting. Don’t wait to see this show at the Broadway Theatre for the most thrilling night you’ll have at a Broadway show. Open-ended run, 1681 Broadway, $114 and up, kingkongbroadway.com
Celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday
Did you know Mickey got his big break in New York? After getting his start at the Broadway Theatre in 1928, Walt Disney’s most famous creation is back, this time in the Meatpacking District. The pop-up gallery — what else? — is called Mickey: The True Original and reveals relics from the Disney Vault among original artworks by modern artists both internationally known and local stars. Plenty of Insta-worthy moments, an ice cream booth by Ample Hills and other surprises await. Nov. 8-Feb. 10, 2019, Tues-Sun from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., 60 10th Ave., $38, showclix.com
Beyond the Campbell’s Soup cans
Who is Andy Warhol? The Whitney Museum goes on a vast journey to find out in its major winter exhibit Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again, opening Nov. 12. The show peels back his carefully crafted persona, the show looks at how Warhol changed the role of artists in society, including new materials discovered after his death in 1987. Nov. 12-March 31, 2019, 99 Gansevoort St., included with admission: $25 adults, free for kids 18 and under; whitney.org
The Big Apple Circus swings again
New look, new acts, new food — everything is new at the Big Apple Circus, which is under new management for its 41st season. A major makeover aimed to attract millennials has brought a glamorous spiegeltent to the grounds, serving cocktails by Pamela Wiznitzer and pre-show entertainment, while the ring now has some world-famous acts like Desire of Flight in addition to longtime favorites. It’s worth a trip even if you’ve been before. Oct. 27-Jan. 27, 2019, Damrosch Park, 60 Lincoln Center Plaza, $29-$80, bigapplecircus.com
