New York City, we know the week's been tough. We've been in a weird lag between Thanksgiving and that big holiday involving a tree everyone keeps talking about.
You've sort of spent this whole week feeling like you already should've gone on vacation, right? Have you been thirsting for the weekend all week long?
Okay, so we yearn for the weekend even when we aren't smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, but you get what we mean.
The point is, you deserve a really wonderful weekend this weekend. Like, a really wonderful one.
Whether you're barhopping for SantaCon or rocking out to Shaggy at the Sounds of Reggae, there are a lot of hot ways to get down in NYC this weekend. Read on to find out what they are.
1. Macbeth with open cocktail bar (until December 13th)
It's the time-old tale. Macbeth, the tale of cascading ambition and visceral consequence. You know the story; the whole thing about how everyone wants their descendants to be kings, and there are witches and murders and everything.
You paid attention in High School English, right?
Well, even if you don't know the story already, hopefully you'll be able to catch some of it at this Foxwolf Production of the classic Shakespeare play. It's taking place at the New York Distilling Company until December 13th, so your chances to get tickets are running out.
This production's music will feature mandolin, classical and steel string guitar, and aims to completely immerse the audience in the world of Macbeth: with provocative landscapes and grounded, yet brutal choreography. Ready to get your mind blown?
Oh, did we mention there's an open cocktail bar? We knew that'd get your attention. Get your tickets here.
Friday, December 11th
2. Comedy Night at Stand Up New York (236 West 78th Street)
You like laughing, don't you? We thought you did. So that's why we want you out at this event. It's going down on Friday night at Stand Up New York, on the Upper West Side.
Performing will be Paul Mercurio, who's won both an Emmy and a Peabody Award, Mike Yard, Jon Laster, and more.
Tickets only cost $10, and you've also got to buy two drinks while you're there. What a bummer, right? The requirement to get the tiniest bit buzzed?
Picture it for us, will you? It's Friday night, you're laughing so hard you can hardly breathe, so hard you spill beer on your shirt. That sounds pretty good, doesn't it?
Great, then get your tickets here.
3. Live Art Exhibition and Wine Tasting (55 Murray Street)
tribecaartfactory Favorite guests Ever! David @davidhirschy and Ryan @ryan_sasse . Friday Night Live Art at TriBeCa Art Factory. #city #newyorkartscene #artistlifestyle #artistsoninstagram #artlovers #artlife #fridanightliveart #thinkingart #theplacetobe #thebestofnewyork #artguide #thecollaborators #tribecaartfactory Photo by Lemiron Starling.
Drinking wine is a great way to spend your Friday evening, and so is looking at art. Maybe you'd buy tickets to a wine tasting, and maybe you'd buy tickets to an art exhibition, but we're going to be so bold to suggest you might want to buy tickets to both at once.
Oh, also, you'll get to meet a bunch of excellent, like-minded party people, and that's pretty great too, right?
We thought you'd think so. The Tribeca Art Factory is hosting this casual affair. You'll socialize with strangers in a vibrant, welcoming environment. There will be an open bar from 8 p.m. to midnight, accompanied by some nibbles because drinking on an empty stomach is always a mistake.
The best part? You'll get to see art created before your very eyes. Get your tickets here.
Saturday, December 12th
4. SantaCon (various locations)
eastcoaststeeze Santacon NYC is this Saturday, who else will be joining us? Time to break out the Santa suit again, so excited!! @mattress_king @instaagranttt @csm_dsm @sweet_pete_ #santacon #santacon15 #santacon2015 #santaconnyc
You've probably heard that SantaCon is on Saturday. How did this trend originate? Why will hundreds of New Yorkers spend their Saturdays getting way too drunk, stirring up way too much ruckus, storming Midtown dressed as Santa?
There isn't a reason for all the madness. There is a cause, though. All SantaCon participants are asked to donate $10 to charity. Every year they raise close to $50,000 for Toys for Tots, the Food Bank for New York City and FIGMENT Arts Festival.
So, all of this festive imbibing isn't completely without purpose. This year's route will be posted here on the night of December 11th. All you need to do to prepare is to buy a Santa hat, and pregame.
We mean it. Don't pregame too hard, but there will lines both in and outside of all the bars, and we're sure of that. Having a buzz when you get there is key.
,5. Unsilent Night (Washington Square Arch)
It's a spectacle. It's a tradition. It's something special, something super NYC. Well, now it's in a bunch of other cities, but like so many other excellent ideas (like toilet paper) it started in NYC.
In the winter of 1992, Phil Klein wanted to create an event that would be both artwork and a holiday caroling party. He composed a multi-track electronic piece that was 45 minutes long, gathered a crew, gave them all boomboxes with the cassettes in it, and instructed everyone to hit play at once.
What happened next was nothing short of magical, and it's been happening every year since. Everyone in the audience becomes a performer during this street promenade that marches from the Washington Square Arch to Tompkins Square Park, blasting music the whole time.
If you want to participate, all you've got to do is show up at the Washington Square Park Arch at 6:45. Phil Klein will hand out a limited number of vintage boomboxes from his collection. You're strongly encouraged to bring your own boomboxes or sound blasters, and pre-download the tracks.
If you're in, learn more about participating and pre-downloading the tracks here, and then get ready to rock.
Sunday, December 13th
carib_am_media Get your tickets now! @jamminsevents - Need information on tickets, ticket pricing, ticket outlets and more? Visit www.kingstheatre.com www.ticketmaster.com Or Call 718.282.8041 #soundsofreggae #shaggy #allyourlove #kingofthedancehall #jamaica #caribbean #brooklyn #media #music #caribamhotsummerpicks #newmusic #newartistes #inthenews #radio #nowplaying #checkitout #lituation #bestofjamaica
Do you love reggae? Do you want to spend your Sunday jamming to the sounds of Shaggy & Friends?
Yeah, it's that Shaggy. The Grammy Award Winner, the guy who famously proclaimed, "It wasn't me." He'll be performing with legendary reggae ambassadors Third World and Ky-Mani Marley at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn.
Amber Lee will be special guest performer, and the whole thing will get wild at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 13th, with doors at 6 p.m.
We're just letting you know, you really don't want to miss this concert. Get your tickets here.
7. Sunday Jazz Brunch Cruise (353 West Street)
onika1981 #tbt #jazzbrunchcruise #goodtimes #statueofliberty #nyc #manhattan #cruising #selfie #lovemycity
This is just about the best way we could imagine spending a Sunday: on a boat, the wind whipping through your hair, catching your breath from the beauty of the New York Harbor while you pour champagne down your throat.
This two-hour cruise also includes, as you could've already guessed, live jazz. You'll get to chow down on a bountiful brunch buffet, with a dessert station, and signature coffee and herbal teas.
It's impossible to resign yourself to the anxieties of a hangover while you're squinting at the sun glinting on the Hudson River. Do you see what we're saying?
The cruise boards at 12 p.m. from Pier 40. If you've been jiving with what we've been saying, get your tickets here.
Check out 6 Bar Crawls to Drink Your Way Through the Holiday Season in NYC.
[Feature Image Courtesy Daum.net]