One of the last few weekends of 2017 is about to start! And if you don’t know yet how you plan on spending it, no problemo. As always, we’ve got some amazing options to ensure an unforgettable end to your week and year alike.
Friday, December 22nd
1. Taiyaki NYC: Red Velvet Holiday Special (12-10 p.m., 119 Baxter St)
If you’ve opened up your Instagram lately, maybe you’ve seen this Soho ice cream hotspot’s latest creation—the mint green tea soft serve coated in green sprinkles and crushed peppermint all served in a bright festive red velvet cone. And today is the last day you can nab the treat and get a second one free! Grab a friend and head out!
2. Pregame Your Brain: Saturnalia (6 p.m., 21A Clinton St)
Is your thirst for fun only matched by your thirst for knowledge? You can have your fill of both at this week’s boozy panel focusing on Saturnalia, the ancient Roman holiday of excess that predated Christmas and supposedly influenced many “Christian” traditions.
Featured experts will offer ten-minute speed lessons on an aspect of the holiday, and you’ll be sure to wow your relatives with your new facts once you make it home for the holidays!
3. Truffle Day and Riserva Tastings At Eataly Flatiron (200 5th Ave)
Were you waiting for that perfect ingredient to top off your Christmas dinner? Something fancy, something exotic, something…. truffly?
Luckily, Eataly Flatiron will be offering up some special rare white truffles for the lowest price of the season this Friday. And once you’ve gotten the goods, you can head over to Eataly Vino from 6-8 pm and enjoy a complimentary expert guided tasting of 5 prestigious wines.
Hey, wine-not?
4. Eat, Drink & Be UGLY: Ugly Sweater Party (10 p. m., 475 Washington Blvd)
Tis the season to be ugly! At the hip Jersey hotspot Villa Borghese III, dance the night away to live DJ tunes in celebration of the sweater season.
It’s close to the PATH train and Hudson rail, so making it over shouldn’t be a problem. Ladies will enjoy half-priced drinks and everyone can nab some $3 VB3-some shots, and save room for their amazing late night bites!
5. Peace (on Earth) March (2 p.m.- 5 p.m., 898 St Nicholas Ave)
Maybe all you really want for Christmas is the world to get a little nicer. Luckily, the Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling has the same idea. They’re partnering with the Small Idea School to March for Peace throughout our community after the Museum closes at 5 p.m.
Before that, they’re hosting an afternoon of art-making, music and stories featuring an I Want Peace poster-making session, Freedom Songs With Marjorie Elliot, and a “Hear Me” open mic. That’s the spirit!
Saturday, December 23rd
6. StrangeLove Before Christmas - a Depeche Mode Party (10:30 p.m., 85 Avenue A)
Are you a rock-and-roller looking for a wild and wonderful way to kick off your holiday season?
We hope so, because Depeche Mode Fanclub is gonna be collaborating with fixe Parties to bring New York a BDSM-themed jam at hip Lower East Side venue Drom, complete with some expert DJs playing only tunes from the band and a dungeon play-area packed with dancers.
Can you handle it?
7. The Black Parade - Emo, Pop Punk, 90s & 2000s - Holiday Party (10 p.m.-4 a.m., 23 W 49th St)
90s kids, prick up your ears! Now’s your chance to relive your youth and jam out to all your angsty teen favorites like Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, and Panic! At The Disco with DJs Jet and Swabby at Manhattan’s Windfall Lounge.
Free before 11 pm with an RSVP and $10 after midnight.
8. Metorana Free Show At Maguire’s (10 p.m., 5420 Roosevelt Ave. Flushing)
After a few months off, this Queens-based alternative rock trio is returning to the stage! They’ll be bringing out some new songs and playing some rare oldies, so this is one show that you definitely won’t wanna miss, and they’ll be plenty of great brews that can top off the tunes.
9. Brunch With Santa (3159 Flatbush Avenue)
If you have any little ones to worry about placating this holiday season, we’ve got an idea. Brooklyn’s Aviator Sports and Events Center is hosting its annual Brunch with Santa this Saturday. The kids can enjoy crafts, candy bags, and a picture with Santa, and the adults will be treated to complimentary bloody Marys and Mimosa’s. And all of you are sure to be impressed by a full brunch buffet of eggs, pancakes, waffles, bacon, and more!
10. NGHTMRE Before XMAS at Terminal 5 (9 p.m., 610 West 56th Street)
Even putting aside the brilliantly punny title of this concert, it’s an awesome chance to see one of the best DJs and trap artists around showing off his skills. Also featured will be DJs Valentino Khan and Justin Caruso, so there will definitely be no shortage of awesome tunes.
Sunday, December 24th
11. Reggae Party At Bar 13 (10 p.m. to 4. a.m., 35 East 13th St)
Every week, this trendy midtown bar brings out some funky beats, and this Christmas eve is no exception! Head out and enjoy 2 floors and a newly remodeled rooftop deck along with great drinks and awesome bites like gooey mozzarella sticks or homemade empanadas. Who said 13 has to be unlucky?
12. Christmas Eve Brunch and Dinner Cruises with Bateaux New York (62 Chelsea Piers)
For those among us who are hungry for great sights and great eats, here’s an amazing option. Bateaux Cruises is offering up not one but two chances for New Yorkers to make their way onto the high seas for a luxurious Sunday meal. Opt for a boozy brunch featuring bottomless mimosas, a live pianist, and a sprawling buffet, or head out in the evening for a plated three course dinner accompanied by a cash bar. There’s no wrong choice here!
13. PsYcHeGrOuND presents: a very special Christmas with Daksinamurti (10 p.m., 85 Ave A)
Another sweet option for the edgier among us. Enjoy an unforgettable performance from Daksinamurti, psychedelic trance artist, ethnologist and the label manager of Sangoma Records from Marburg, Germany. Also performing will be renowned DJ Paradigm, and Bob Smith of Dem Creek Kids will be opening up. Sounds like a can’t miss night!
14. The 10th Annual Got No Tree Slam Hosted by Joanna Hoffman (236 East 3rd St)
This poetic event is anti-holiday spirit at its best. Meant for all who don’t celebrate the holiday, artistic rebels of all sorts are sure to be in attendance. If you care to join them, you can just watch or even participate in a slam/ open mic. The event will also feature a performance by Usman Hameedi, a Pakistani-American scientist and writer who specializes in cancer biology. Talk about multi-talented!
Hopefully, there’s something on this list to get you in the mood to have a merry little whatever-you-celebrate! And if you’re still at a loss for how to spend the big day, check out some options here!