Offbeat Holiday Celebrations You'll Only Find In NYC
Don't feel like being a tourist this Christmas? New York City is known for the nontraditional -- and holiday celebrations are no exception. Below are our favorite offbeat events to make the most out of the season. By Jessica Allen.
Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"
Morgan Library & Museum
225 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
(212)685-0008
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We all know the story: one Christmas Eve, an evil miser is visited by three ghosts, depicting the past, present, and future, and he discovers the tremendous error of his ways. What you might not know, however, is that Charles Dickens wrote the novella in a furious six-week burst just in time for a Christmas publication in 1843. The Morgan Library owns an original manuscript presented by Dickens as a gift to his lawyer, and puts it on display for several weeks each year. It's a wonderful treat to see in person. Now through January 8, $20, tickets required.
TUBACHRISTMAS
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
600 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10020
(812) 824-8833
http://bit.ly/2fNMQFk
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TUBACHRISTMAS, as you might infer from the name, celebrates both the instrument and the holiday. What began in 1974 as a tribute to a beloved mentor has grown into a worldwide celebration. The concert features ensemble and solo compositions for the tuba performed by professionals and amateurs alike. If you play, registration begins at 11:30 am and rehearsals at 12:30 pm (participation costs $10.) Festive clothing is encouraged. We've said it before, and we'll say it again: let it blow, let it blow, let it blow! Sunday, December 11, 3:30 pm, free.
2016 Yule Ball
The Bell House
149 Seventh Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 643-6510
Join Harry and the Potters—the world's first wizard rock band, playing songs about books—for a spirited pre-holiday party. (A portion of all proceeds goes to the Harry Potter Alliance, which uses the eponymous books to spur conversations about and activism around social justice.) Also scheduled to appear are Swish and Flick, the Potter Puppet Pals, and Blue Milk Run. Attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately (i.e., in wizard capes and gowns.) Thursday, December 15, show starts at 6:30 pm, $20, tickets required.
Carnival of the Animals
Miller Theatre at Columbia University
2960 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
(212) 854-7799
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Going to the theater around the holidays is a time-honored tradition. From "A Christmas Carol" to "The Messiah" to "The Nutcracker," performances of all kinds dominate our memories of the season. Columbia University's Miller Theatre launched its own holiday tradition last year with an inaugural performance of "Carnival of the Animals." This lively musical is family-friendly, featuring, as it does, plenty of puppets, talking toys, and witty poems by Ogden Nash. Saturday, December 17, see schedule for details, tickets start at $9.
Reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"
Church of the Intercession
550 West 155th Street
New York, NY 10032
(212) 283-6200
Every year, the Church of the Intercession welcomes a notable New Yorker for an animated reading of "A Visit from Saint Nicholas," otherwise known as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." This year news anchor Sade Baderinwa will read, and afterwards everyone will be invited to join a lantern procession to lay a wreath on the grave of Clement Clark Moore, the poem's author. Sunday, December 18, 3 to 5 pm, free.
Unsilent Night
The Arch at Washington Square Park
1 Washington Square East
New York, NY 10012
In 1992, sound artist, musician, and composer Phil Kline wandered around Washington Square Park, handing out tapes of an original electronic composition to his friends. Each person held a boom box—and everyone hit "play" at the same time. Since then, Unsilent Night has grown to become a coordinated joyous occasion of peace, love, and music held around the world. Join Phil and friends during the 25th anniversary event this year. Don't have a boom box? Not too worry! You can download the music to your smartphone. Sunday, December 18, 6 pm, free.
Jessica Allen is a New York-based writer.
