Brown Harris StevensPlan Your December 2021with This Daily New York City Event Guide
Updated: Dec 8, 2021
In New York, December is a magical time. Each year, the city comes to life with jaw-dropping décor and holiday displays, winter-friendly events, and one-of-a-kind exhibitions.
Whether you're looking to celebrate the holidays or indulge in New York's arts & culture scene, here are 31 events—one for each day of the month—happening throughout the city. To have a monthly event guide sent to your inbox, subscribe to our New York City Inbox Concierge here.
December 1: Hanukkah Family Fest
Crown Heights
Head to the Jewish Children’s Museum for a fun-filled day of activities including donut decorating and craft workshops.
December 2: A Gala Evening with Itzhak Perlman
Upper West Side
The renowned violinist and conductor will take the New York Philharmonic stage to perform Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1.
December 3: The Mood Room
Fort Greene
At once theatre, dance, and spoken opera, “The Mood Room” features an all-female cast and centers around the story of five sisters in 1980.
December 4: Autumn Abstractions
Virtual
The Riverdale Art Association's latest online exhibit explores the essence of autumn via mixed media, collage, photography, oil, acrylic, fractal print, and monoprint.
December 5: Double Dutch Holiday Classic
Harlem
Watch the best Double Dutch teams in the world compete at the 30th Double Dutch Holiday Classic taking place at the Apollo.
December 6: Lincoln Center’s Big Top Thank You
Upper West Side
Enjoy a winter celebration under the circus tent in Damrosch Park, where there will be cocktails, food carts, and festive performances.
December 7: The American Experiment: Dialogues on a Dream
Upper West Side
Businessman and author David M. Rubenstein will discuss the evolution of the American experiment with New-York Historical Society CEO Louise Mirrer.
December 8: African Diaspora International Film Festival
Greenwich Village + Virtual
The weeks-long New York African Diaspora International Film Festival will continue through December 12, featuring films focused on the global African diaspora.
December 9: NYBG Glow
The Bronx
Explore dramatically illuminated displays of color at the New York Botanical Garden’s holiday installations. Plus, don’t miss the beloved Holiday Train Show while you’re there.
December 10: Van Eyck to Mondrian
Midtown East + Virtual
The Morgan Library and Museum’s exhibition celebrates the Dresden Kupferstich-Kabinett’s 300th anniversary by showcasing 60 of its finest drawings created between the 15th and 20th centuries.
December 11: A Conversation with Spike Lee
Fort Greene
Join the Oscar-winning filmmaker and his brother and official photographer David Lee for a conversation about the new photo book “SPIKE.”
December 12: Winter Family Fair
Midtown East
See the original manuscript of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at the Morgan Library and enjoy live music, gallery exploration, and more.
December 13: The Makers Show
Downtown Brooklyn
Do your holiday shopping and support local makers at this market at City Point.
December 14: The Shape of Things
Upper East Side
Experience this powerful new installation and series of performances by artist Carrie Mae Weems.
December 15: Flying Over Sunset
Upper West Side
Cary Grant, Clare Boothe Luce, and Aldous Huxley take a psychedelic journey together in this new musical by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner James Lapine.
December 16: Holiday Brass
Upper West Side
The New York Philharmonic’s holiday tradition returns with a family-friendly program celebrating the most festive time of year.
December 17: Greater New York
Long Island City
Featuring the work of nearly 50 artists and collectives, this MoMA survey offers an intimate portrayal of New York City through various mediums.
December 18: Big Band Holidays
Upper West Side
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis will celebrate the season with its big-band arrangements of holiday classics.
December 19: The African Origin of Civilization
Upper East Side
This Met exhibition presents masterpieces from West, Central, and Northern Africa to showcase five millennia of creativity from across the continent.
December 20: Victorian Christmas Tour
Irvington, NY
Visit the Armour-Stiner Octagon House for a festive tour of the unique structure—the only known fully domed octagonal residence.
December 21: Winter Solstice Walk
Riverdale
Take a scenic walk through Wave Hill’s gardens and learn about the plants that you see along the way.
December 22: Andy Warhol: Revelation
Prospect Heights
This Brooklyn Museum exhibition explores the celebrated artist’s relationship with his Byzantine Catholic faith.
December 23: Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
The Bronx
Enjoy immersive light displays and animated light shows at the Bronx Zoo’s holiday celebration, which also features live entertainment and seasonal treats.
December 24: Animating The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
Astoria
Learn how the 1966 short “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” was created when you visit this Museum of the Moving Image exhibition.
December 25: Binge-Watch Holiday Movies
Virtual
Curl up on the couch with your loved ones and enjoy one or several of these holiday movies that are currently on Netflix.
December 26: Kwanzaa: A Regeneration Celebration
Virtual
The Apollo Theater’s annual Kwanzaa tradition returns with an evening of music and dance that celebrates unity and intergenerational sharing.
December 27: NYC Art Deco Tour
Virtual
Learn about New York City’s lesser known Art Deco enclaves, from Inwood to Bay Ridge to Sunnyside, through this on-demand video package.
December 28: Sophie Taeuber-Arp: Living Abstraction
Midtown West
Featuring 300 works, this MoMA exhibition explores Sophie Taeuber-Arp’s multifaceted approach to abstraction.
December 29: The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe
Hudson Yards
Originally performed by Lily Tomlin, this one-woman show stars Cecily Strong of “Saturday Night Live.”
December 30: Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts
Upper East Side
Be inspired by the Met’s first-ever exhibition exploring the work of Walt Disney and his use of French motifs in his films and theme parks.
December 31: Give Back to Your Community
Across NYC
In the spirit of the season of giving, choose from an array of volunteer opportunities—whether it’s packing groceries, delivering meals, or tutoring young adults—to help your fellow New Yorkers.
To have a monthly event guide sent to your inbox, subscribe to our New York City Inbox Concierge here. Plus, here's what's happening in Connecticut in December.