Hi loopers,
This weekend’s guide includes holiday activities that run through December (beware the crowds on those extra-sparkly blocks) and the holiday gift guide. I’ve added a few extra picks to the list since it’s getting colder out and indoor activities are very welcome right now. And wishing a Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating!
And because many of us are juggling school closures and short winter days — the kind where the sun taps out by 4:30 and the kids are somehow still going strong — I’ll send out a full day-by-day guide soon for the end of December, so keep an eye out. All activities are free unless otherwise noted.
Reminder that Santa Con is Dec. 13, from Midtown to the East Village. I’ll probably avoid being in those areas with our toddler.
Friday
Coloring for Babies and Toddlers @ Columbus Library (51st & 10th Av), 10:30-11:00am, ages 0-12
Open Playtime @ Bloomingdale Library (100th & Amsterdam Av), 11am-12pm, all ages
Family Storytime @ Columbus Library (51st & 10th Av), 11-11:45am, ages 0-5
Holiday Book Exchange @ Bloomingdale Library (100th & Amsterdam Av), 3-4pm, all ages. Bring 3 used books in good condition to share with others and take home up to 3 books per child each week.
Free Book Friday: Teen Edition @ Bloomingdale Library (100th & Amsterdam Av), 3-4:30pm, teens.
Children's Family Board Games Night @ Columbus Library (51st & 10th Av), 3-4:30pm, ages 0-12.
Skeleton Canoe @ Lincoln Center (Clark Studio Theater), 2pm and 7 pm, +5 ages. Shop at the Artisan Marketplace before or after any performance and/or join fellow audience members for a birch bark etching workshop following the 2pm performance. Choose what you pay and reserve your tickets in advance. Note: Tickets may be sold out online but in the past, I’ve gone to these events day of and they’ve had space but you can call them day of and ask. The Parent Loop pick!
Rodeph Sholom Celebrates Chanukah 2025 @ Congregation Rodeph Sholom, 4:15 PM -7:45 PM, members free, nonmember adults $18 and children free.
¡Vaya! Orquesta Broadway @ Lincoln Center (David Rubenstein Atrium), 7:30pm, all ages, first-come first-served.
Saturday
Puzzles & Play @ Bloomingdale Library (100th & Amsterdam Av), 10-2:00pm.
Open Process Art Afternoon @ Columbus Library (51st & 10th Av), 12-3pm, ages 18 months-12 years.
Skeleton Canoe @ Lincoln Center (Clark Studio Theater), 11am and 2pm, +5 ages. Shop at the Artisan Marketplace before or after any performance and/or join fellow audience members for a birch bark etching workshop following the 11am performance. Choose what you pay and reserve your tickets in advance, see note above.
Holiday Sip & Swap | The Nest x Little Swaps @ Oula Upper West (111th and Broadway), 10am-12pm.
Lenfest Kids: “Klaus” @ Columbia University, Lenfest Center for the Arts (W129th St), 12pm, PG/ages 8+, registration here.
Petestrumental (conversation and 1hr DJ set by Pete Rock) @ Lincoln Center (David Rubenstein Atrium), 7:30pm, all ages, first-come first-served.
Sunday
Skeleton Canoe @ Lincoln Center (Clark Studio Theater), 11am and 2pm, +5 ages. Shop at the Artisan Marketplace before or after any performance and/or join fellow audience members for a weaving craft workshop following the 11am performance. Choose what you pay and reserve your tickets in advance, see note above.
Fifth Avenue Holiday Open Streets @ Fifth Avenue (48th to 57th St), 12pm-6pm. There will be lights, holiday decor, entertainment and other activations. Expect crowds. Another The Parent Loop pick!
Hot tickets
Pajama Storytime @ St. Agnes Library (82nd & Amsterdam Av), Dec 17, 10:30-11:00am, ages 0-5. Registration opens Dec 15 at 11 am.
The Magic Flute - Holiday Presentation @ The Met, tickets are $35 and up, Dec 11 - Jan 3, 1.5 hrs, all ages. Note: It’s an abridged version and in English. Recommendation: Use all the downloadable activities to review the plot before and after with your kids.
A Murray Little Christmas: 25th Anniversary @ Lincoln Center (Alice Tully Hall), ages 16+, Dec 19 and 20.
Swaps
Holiday Sip & Swap | The Nest x Little Swaps @ Oula Upper West (111th and Broadway), Dec 13, 10am-12pm.
Toy Swap Donations @ St. Agnes Library (82nd & Amsterdam Av), donations accepted Dec 22-Jan 2. Donate outgrown toys and swap them for something new at their upcoming post-holiday Toy Swap.
Recurring neighborhood favorites
Storytime @ Book Culture (2915 Broadway & 114th St), Fri, 10:30am & Sun 1pm, ages 0–7.
Coloring for Babies and Toddlers @ Columbus Library (51st & 10th Av), Fri, 10:30-11:00am, ages 0-12
Open Playtime @ Bloomingdale Library (100th & Amsterdam Av), Fri, 11am-12pm, all ages
Family Storytime @ Columbus Library (51st & 10th Av), Fri, 11-11:45am, ages 0-5
Children's Family Board Games Night @ Columbus Library (51st & 10th Av), Fri, 3-4:30pm, ages 0-12.
Open Process Art Afternoon @ Columbus Library (51st & 10th Av), Sat, 12-3pm, ages 18 months-12 years.
Storytime @ The Strand (81st & 82nd), Sun, 12pm & 3pm. Stroller parking is upstairs and it’s so cozy down there. Tip: If storytime hasn’t started, ask a staff member. They’re lovely about reading but they may not start if no one is there.
Hands-on-activities @ American Museum of Natural History, NYC residents pay-what-you-wish
Discovery Room: 0-12, open daily except Tues, check exact times
Climate Learning Lab: ages 8 and up, select Sat and Sun
Human Origins Learning Lab: ages 8 and up, Sat and Sun
Holiday-themed activities - be prepared for some crowds!
Gingerbread NYC - The Great Borough Bake-Off 2025 @ The Museum of the City of New York (1220 Fifth Av.), 10am-6pm, all ages. A miniature gingerbread cityscape crafted by bakers from all five boroughs. Quick tip: Want to make your own but not spend too much? Trader Joe’s has them for $8.99!
Holiday train show @ Grand Central (NY Transit Museum Gallery & Store in the Shuttle Passage), Nov 13-Feb, M-F 10am-7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am-6pm. Pair it with the Holiday Fair in Vanderbuilt Hall.
Holiday lightscape @ Brooklyn Botanical Garden, prices vary and tickets required.
Holiday train show @ Bronx Botanical Garden, prices vary.
Ice skating:
Ice skating @ Wollman Rink (Central Park, near east 63rd). Prices vary and tickets required.
Ice skating and winter village @ Bryant Park. Prices vary and tickets required but free if you bring your own skates.
NYC holiday markets: Grand Holiday Bazaar UWS (Dec 7, 14, 21), Winter Village at Bryant Park, The Church of Sweden Holiday Market (Midtown), Holiday Bazaar Pop Up at Grand Central on Dec. 16-18 (from the makers of the Grand Bazaar Market!), Chinatown Holiday Market, Urbanspace Union Square Holiday Market, and more. Remember to check exact dates, times, and if tickets are required.
Christmas trees throughout the city: Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, Washington Square Park, Madison Square Park, Tavern on the Green (Central Park), Seaport’s Holiday Tree, New York Stock Exchange Tree, Lotte New York Palace Tree, Harlem Meer (Central Park). Note: Expect some crowds.
Holiday Your Way Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show @ 611 5th Avenue, 5- 11:00 pm. You can also pay to go to the Top of the Rock and see it from there.
The Loop Edit
Re-sharing my “gift guide” here which I curated based on our toddler, Addie’s, all time favorite toys from ages 0-2 that fit our NYC, minimalist, space-impacted lifestyle. The list includes a board game with a banana, a board book about NYC, and go-to travel toys. I also added what we’re gifting grandparents this year.
Have something you want to write about? Submit your posts — I’m always looking for voices from around the neighborhood.
The Parent Loop Bookclub
Our first TPL book club pick is How Toddlers Thrive by Dr. Tovah P. Klein, PhD. We’re meeting on Jan 15th at 7 pm. Spots are limited but there will be more bookclub get togethers!
Because good stuff really shouldn’t sit in a closet. See you around the neighborhood! - Jessie
The Parent Loop
Disclaimer: Event details, dates, and links are subject to change — please check with venues before heading out. Some product links may earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share items we genuinely use and love.