Check out the full calendar here! These are my Top 10 picks for events and activities happening in and around the Upper East Side this week. Don't miss out on all the fun, and please be sure to let them know you saw it in Macaroni Kid NYC Upper East Side! Events are subject to change or cancellation. Please confirm events before attending.
TOP 10 for the Week
Friday, December 31st
1. Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden - Lightscape is coming to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden this winter. A new after-dark, illuminated spectacular lightscape celebrates the beauty of nature in winter with a festive one-mile trail winding through the garden’s 52-acre landscape, animated by dazzling light, color, and sound. More than 18 distinct works of light art will be on view, among them the Cathedral of Light tunnel, a Fire Garden on Lily Pool Terrace, and the Field of Light, an animated light installation covering Cherry Esplanade. A series of new light-based artworks by local artists will be featured as well. Lightscape was launched at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London in 2014, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is the show’s only U.S. East Coast venue.
Saturday, January 1st
2. Jim Henson's Emmets Otters Jug-Band Christmas: Sensory Friendly at New Victory Theater - Treasure a new holiday tradition with Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas! Based on Jim Henson’s beloved television special, this tuneful tale takes us to Frogtown Hollow where Ma and Emmet Otter risk what little they have to make each other’s holiday dreams come true. Featuring a lovable cast of performers with puppets from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, and a toe-tapping score by legendary songwriter Paul Williams, this very merry musical will warm the hearts of a new generation for winters to come! During this special performance there will be modified lighting and sound, a judgment-free, inclusive environment, a calming corner and activity area & specialists and support resources.
3. Virtual: Sketch with Jeff and the Guggenheim Museum - Guggenheim teaching artist Jeff Hopkins will share stories about the museum’s iconic Frank Lloyd Wright building on Saturdays. Each segment of Sketch With Jeff will feature Jeff sketching stories followed by a prompt to create drawings of your own at home. Children are encouraged to share their sketches on Instagram and Twitter @Guggenheim using the hashtag #SketchWithJeff. FREE
Sunday, January 2nd
4. Luminocity Festival- The LuminoCity Festival, a spectacular display of larger-than-life figures lit from within returns to Randall’s Island this winter. ‘Shine Again’ is the theme of the event, which features exhibitions of spectacular light art displays inspired by the traditional art of Chinese lantern festivals. “Lumio”, the LuminoCity Festival mascot serves as your guide through the fantastical landscape, which features new displays for 2021. The all-new ‘Lumi’s Utopia” will include 3D sculptures made from drawings by six young artists, while “Lumi’s Friends” will feature light sculptures of social media pets @smoothiethecat & @turboroo.
5. Big Apple Circus: The Big Apple Circus invites your entire family to become part of their circus family this season. Tickets starting at $25. Featuring Nik Wallenda, Alan Silva, Johnny Rockett, and more.
Monday, January 3rd
6. Virtual: Storytime with Ms. Angela: This event is online only. Join Riverdale's Miss Angela for virtual storytime fun, including books, songs, and maybe a guest appearance from a puppet or two! Registration is required
Tuesday, January 4th
7. Toddler Storytime at Yorkville Library - Toddlers and their parents/caregivers can enjoy great books, lively songs, and rhymes, and meet other toddlers in the neighborhood. Ages 18-36 months old (walkers) and their parents/caregivers.
Wednesday, January 5th
8. Virtual: Toddler Storytime Happy New Year: Ring in the New Year with the Mariners Harbor Library at a live, online storytime! Listen to stories, sing songs, and share rhymes as you help your active toddler or pre-schooler build important early learning skills. Recommended for children ages 18 months to five years old and their caregivers.
9. Virtual: Comics Drawing Club for Grades 3-5: Think about how to convey motion in your art and practice drawing people, animals and objects in action! This program is geared towards children in grades 3-5 and will be conducted on Google Hangouts Meet. You must register with your email address in order to receive the link to participate. You may register on this page; we ask that you also email halschrieve@nypl.org to confirm your registration. The link to our comics club will be sent to you by email approximately one day before the discussion. You will need a device with audio and/or video and an internet connection to join.
Thursday, January 6th
10. Virtual: Diverse Reads with Teen Book Club - This event will take place online. Every month, we read a book by a BIPOC author. This month’s pick will be Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians But Were Afraid to Ask (Young Readers Edition) by Anton Treuer.
