What to do over the Holiday break

Best things to do this winter break with the kids!

• Central Park: Ring in the new year without spending a buck. No cost firework.  Tuesday Dec 31, 2013. From 10 PM- 2 AM.http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2013/12/31/central-park-fireworks-and-nyrr-midnight-run

• Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park: New Year's Eve fire work. Fire works, hot chocolate and Holiday Entertainment. Celebration starts at 11 pm. http://www.prospectpark.org/calendar/event/new-years-fireworks   

• New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train. The Holiday Train Show is back and bigger than ever! Holiday Week: (Mon Dec 16-Wednesday Jan 1) 10 am-7 pm. http://www.nybg.org/exhibitions/2013/holiday-train-show/index.php

• Prospect Park ice skating. Brand new ice rink in Brooklyn's own Prospect Park. Mon-Thurs. 11 am-6 pm, Friday & Saturday 9 am-10 pm, Sunday 9 am-8 pm. Weekdays $6 for adults, Weekends $8 for adults. Free for children under 12, $5 for skate rentals.http://www.lakesideprospectpark.com/

• McCarren Pink, Williamsburg. Open daily from 11 am-10 pm. $8 adults, $5 students, $5 seniors (60 and older), $4 children under 12 and skate rental $5. http://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/iceskating/12

•  Dyker Height, Brooklyn: Check-out their awesome Christmas Displays and it's free. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dyker-Heights-Christmas-Lights/149275121790027

• The  Brooklyn Children's Museum located at 145 Brooklyn Ave(St. Marks): Arts and Crafts at this New Year's Eve Workshop, little ones will craft their own festive hats to wear on New Year's Eve. Dec 31, 2013, from 11:30 am- 2 pm. Ages 1-5, check-out what else the y have going on! http://brooklynkids.org/

• Jewish Children's Museum located at 792 Eastern Parkway: While the kids are off from school, visit the Jewish Children's Museum for a week of arts making fun. Suminagashi workshop, design your own stain glass window and add your creative touch to the JCM kids mural.             General Admission is $13, ages 2+ includes all activities. From 10 am-5 pm. http://www.jcm.museum/ArticleFiles/11x17.pdf

• The Bronx Zoo Conservation Society  located at 2300 South Blvd, Fordham RD. Ice Carving Week. Visit the Zoo to enjoy Wildlife-themed Iced Sculptures, an ice carving competition,  Polar Bear themed Ice playground, Ice Playground and enjoy cheerful tunes from carolers.  Until Dec 31, 2013, from 10 am-4:30 pm. Admission $16.95, Senior $14.95, Children 3-12 $12.95 and children under 3 are free. http://bronxzoo.org/

• New Victory Theater located at 209 W 42nd Street, between Seventh & Eighth Ave. Mother Africa, This African Circus Show features Stilt Walkers, Ethiopian Jugglers and Kenyan Contortionists performing to the beat of Traditional instruments like the Djembe and Mbria. Exuberant afro-beats radiate from the stage. Now through Sun, Jan 5 2014. For ticket information, click on the link. http://www.newvictory.org/Home.aspx

        More on what to do for this Holiday break, click on the link. 

http://mommypoppins.com/kids/things-to-do-over-holiday-break-with-nyc-kids-2012

2013 Atlantic Ave Tree Lighting Ceremony

Here we go Brooklyn, Atlantic Ave Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Festivities.
 Belarusian Church at 401 Atlantic Ave, Boerum Hill, on Tuesday, Dec 3, 2013 from the hours of 6-8 pm.

With appearences by, The Brooklyn Award-winning Band Rolie Polie Guacamole will engage the audience with their popular tunes.

Dance wave Rachel Easton, Celinna Haber, and Chandra Kelly will perform their title piece TRIO, with accompanying music by Balkan Beatbox. Children from P.S. 38 will perform Holiday songs and a dance piece.

Children's gifts will be collected as part of Council member Levin's toys and book drive for children living in Gowanus Houses and Independence Towers. Please bring a gift-wrapped new toy or book.

Complimentary Holiday Treats and Refreshment will be provided by local Atlantic Ave Restaurants and Shops.

For more Info on this event, click on the link: http://atlanticave.org/2013-holiday-treelighting/

2012 Atlantic ave Tree Lighting Ceremony

2012 Atlantic Ave Tree Lighting Ceremony

Brooklyn Award-winning Children's Band Rolie Polie Guacamole 

2012 Atlantic Ave Tree Lighting Ceremony

New York City is the place to be when the clock hits 12 am.

With all that is happening on New Year's Eve, Live Shows, Musical Event and more. Here are a few places to be at when the ball drops in New York City. Let's ring in the new year with fun and laughter.

285 Kent Avenue.- 285 Kent Ave, Brooklyn NY 11211

8 pm show- Blanche-Blanche, Tonstartsbandht and special guest

Tickets are $8.

http://www.ohmyrockness.com/venuedetail.cfm?venueid=1333

Radio City Music Hall-Nas will be performing

tickets still available 

http://musichall-ny.com/?gclid=CICwz8OuxLQCFUWo4AodwTUARg

The Boom Boom Room in NYC

848 Washington Ave

New York , NY 10014

Tickets are $250.00 with performance by young rapper from Harlem Azealia Banks(Tickets still available)this is a black tie event.

https://standardnyc.myshopify.com/collections/nye-tots

Irving Plaza

17 Irving Place

New York, NY 10003

(212)-777-6800

With performance by Blonde Redhead plus  Beach Fossils. Show starts at 8 PM. Tickets still available

http://irvingplaza.com/event/000049657B4044A4

Terminal 5

610 West 56th St.

New York, NY10019

With performances by Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra (playing Prince's Purple Rain).

Tickets still available

http://www.terminal5nyc.com/

Rose land Ballroom

239 West 52nd St

New York, NY.10019

With performance by Pretty Light. Tickets still available. Show starts at 8 pm.

http://roselandballroom-newyork.com/ResultsTicket.aspx?evtid=1978328&event=Pretty+Lights

Madison Square Garden

7th Ave & 32nd St.

New York, NY. 10001

With performance by Phish. Show starts at 8 pm. Tickets available.

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1D00493DB5BB38F2?artistid=748766&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=60&camefrom=CFC_MSG_MSG&brand=msg

Villain

48 North 3rd Street.

Brooklyn, New York 11249

(718)-782-2222

Featuring DJ sets by Onra(Paris), Nick Catchdubs(Fools Gold, BK), Samo Sound Boy(Body High, LA), Nick Hook(Fools gold, BK).

Tickets starting at $35., Includes a champagne toast at midnight and open bar from 8-9 pm. They also have VIP tickets. Tickets still available.

The last Weekend of the year. Here are a few thing to do with the kids before the year is over.

Everyone across the world looks forward to the New Year and think of ways to celebrate and herald in the New Year in a positive way. 

Holiday Circus-Brighten Beach,

Dec. 30, 2012

Last weekend for this festive spectacular that mixes cruel skills with seasonal spirit. Hosted by the one and only SANTA, this show features Acrobats, Jugglers, Animal Acts and a trio of Clowns. A pre-dance party for those early bird.http://www.broadwaybox.com/shows/holiday_circus_nyc_tickets.aspx

Remake the Holiday- New York Hall of Science

Dec. 30, 2012 at 4 pm.

Remake for the holiday is wrapping up it's final week of hands-on recycling fun.  On Saturday Dec 29, kids can enjoy themselves transform greeting cards into festive photo frame. Sunday is Water day, when kids can create boats from recycle goods and bracelet from soda can tabs. 

Admission: Adults $11 and Children from 2-17 $8.http://www.nysci.org/visit/events/event/remake2012

Kwanzaa Celebration at the Brooklyn Children's Museum

Dec. 26-Jan. 2, 2013

Crafts for the pre-school set and a lesson on the Seven Principles of the Holiday. Learn about  African-Inspired Holiday and their tradition. http://brooklynkids.org/index.php/kidsandfamily/kidsandfamilycalendarofevents/calendar/1356498000
http://whatsupnewyork411.blogspot.com/2012/11/being-built-in-1895-by-architects-mckim.html

It's the final Weekend of 2012.

Your last chance to enjoy all the Holiday fun.

                                      Monday Dec. 31, 2012-11 pm.

 New Year's Eve Fire Work at Grand Army Plaza.

Come and Celebrate the New Year at Brooklyn biggest outdoor party.

Filled with live Entertainment, Hot Refreshment and Fire Works. Grand Army Plaza celebration starts off at 11 pm.  Get there early for a prime spot for viewing the fire works that begins at 12 and make sure you bundle up. Situated near Park Slope, where Bars and Venues will be hosting New Year's Eve Events after the Fire Work. This is a FREE event.http://www.prospectpark.org/calendar/event/1471647

                                  Monday Dec 31, 2012-10:15 and 11:15 pm.

    Brooklyn Bridge walk into the New Year

New York City Guide will lead you around City Hall area and the Brooklyn Bridge.  

Free Refreshment for those who gets there early and free prizes.  Registration for the walk begins at 9:45 pm $50. cash or $40 online or call 1(888)-377-4455 http://www.newyorktalksandwalks.com/cgi-bin/calendar/long_calendar.cgi?y=&m=12

                                         Monday Dec. 31, 2012 10 pm.

                    New Year's Eve Bike Ride

Greenwich Village to Central Park. Come join in this FREE Time's Up ride from Washington Square Park to Belvedere Castle in Central Park. Dress up in your BEST festive wear and bring the noise makers with you. Everyone will be rewarded with an outdoor party filled with Music, Dancing and Fire works.. http://times-up.org/index.php?page=new-years-ride

Have nothing plan with the kids on their Holiday Break. Here are just a few things to do in the Big Apple.

Photo by What's up New York?

 With the kids being home for this Holiday Season and don't have anything plan. We have come up with a few things to do with your children during this Holiday Break

What better then to intrigue the mind of young ones. Museums that will be open during this Holiday Break.

1. Brooklyn Children Museum:  Kwanzaa Celebration,  Wed, Dec 26-Sunday, Dec. 30. Come join them on the Seven Principals of Kwanzaa, Nguzo and Saba.http://whatsupnewyork411.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-brooklyn-childrens-museum-said-to.html
2. Children Museum of Manhattan: The tot spot offers special programming all week. http://www.cmom.org/visit/calendar
3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art:The Metropolitan Family Program, Holiday Food Program.  http://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/family-programs/holiday-family-programs
4. The Jewish Museum: Whimsical Puppet Creatures  http://www.thejewishmuseum.org/site/pages/calendar_main.php#/?i=4
5.  Museum of Moving Images:Clayton Creatures Workshop Astoria   http://www.movingimage.us/families/visiting
6. Museum of the City of New York: Hands on activities East Harlem          https://boxoffice.mcny.org/public/show.asp
7. New York Transit Museum:  The underground Museum offers a pair of daily programs for tots.                         http://mta.info/mta/museum/pdf/NYTM_ccalendar.pdf

Please check for scheduling. Click on Links.                                                

With so much to do this Holiday Season, here are a few things to do with your children on Christmas Day

            Come and celebrate the Holidays with a City that doesn't sleep.  Join us on things to do in New York on Christmas Day with the kids. Here are just a few: 

Let's not forget the animals. Be with them as they open their gifts on Christmas Day. Bronx Zoo will be closed due to the holidays. 

Prospect Park Zoo:                                                                                                 http://www.prospectparkzoo.com/

Queens Zoo:                                                                                                                    http://www.queenszoo.com/                                                                 

Central Park Zoo:            
   http://www.centralparkzoo.com/

What's more Christmas then, Ice Skating on Christmas day. Why not hit the ice. Here are just a few 

1. Citi Pond, Bryant Park                                                                                      http://citipondatbryantpark.com/
2. Lasker Rinks, Central Park                                                                                                        http://www.laskerrink.com/
3. Van Cortland Park                                                                                          http://www.vcpicerink.com/
4. Rockefeller Center                                http://whatsupnewyork411.blogspot.com/2012/11/rockefeller-center-skating-rink.html

What better then to take in a show with the kids. New York has a lot of small low-key productions for the Holidays:  http://whatsupnewyork411.blogspot.com/2012/12/holiday-shows-for-kids-this-holiday.html

Only a few Broadway show will be open on Christmas Day.

1. Radio City Music Hall:                                                          http://www.radiocitychristmas.com/newyork.html
2. Holiday Circus(Brooklyn):                                                                               http://www.holidaycircus.com/
3. Angelina Ballerina the very Merry Holiday:                                    http://vitaltheatre.org/angelinaballerinaholiday-2012.php
4. The Big Apple Circus: Legendarium:                                                                          http://bigapplecircus.org/

                                                   

Hot Spots in New York City all to familiar to us, also great place to be with the kids on Christmas Day. I had taken my granddaughter and daughter to Madam Tussauds. My granddaughter was about 4 yrs. old at that the time and my teenage daughter wanted to go to Ripley's Believe it or Not! Not soon as we see the display  in the front my granddaughter said, grandma i don't want to go in there. It's not suitable for all ages. 

1. Madam Tussauds:                                                                     http://www.madametussauds.com/NewYork/
2. Harry Potter Exhibits:                                                     http://www.discoverytsx.com/exhibitions/harry-potter
3. Ripley's Believe or Not!                                                                           http://www.ripleysnewyork.com/

Holidays is about giving. With Hurricane Sandy hitting New York City and leaving behind  huge devastation and the shooting of 20 bright first grader and six staff, teacher and Principal in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Conn. Always remember your gift to you every Christmas is your family. Be thankful  for your childdren. That you are able to have them by your side to celebrate this festive holiday, one can rebuilt from Hurricane sandy, but you can't rebuilt on the death of a child or love one. 

New York City famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

As we get ready for New York City famous Christmas Tree Lighting on Nov 28 2012. Let me just give you a little history on The Christmas Lighting at Rockefeller Center.

The official Christmas tree tradition at Rockefeller Center began in 1933, on the year Rockefeller Center opened.  The unofficial tradition began during the depression era, when Rockefeller was under construction.  Workers decorated a smaller 20 feet tree. Decorating  with strings of cranberry, garland of papers and a few tin cans, on Dec 24 (Christmas Eve) as recounted by Daniel Okrent, trees was decorated with tin foil ends of blasting cups.

                                                                                                                                                                       The decorated famous Christmas tree stays lite up through Jan. 6, 2013.  Then it's removed from the premises and recycled for a variety of reasons.

The Rockefeller Christmas tree stays lite up with LED Light (Go Green) as of 2007.  The tree is used to furnish lumber for Habitat of Humanity.  The tallest Christmas Tree at Rockefeller stood at 100 feet.