Amanda Monaco: Carols & Car Races — Jazz guitarist and composer Monaco brings her quartet, Formula One, to perform original songs about car racing mixed in with classic holiday songs.
When: Friday, Dec. 13, at 8 pm
Where: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd.
Cost: $15/adults, $10/members and students
Contact: (718) 463-7700
Website: www.flushingtownhall.org
Nutcracker and Toyland — Join Clara, Herr Drosselmeyer and the Nutcracker Prince on their holiday journey through music and dance. After the performance, visit Santa in Toyland where he has a special gift for every child.
When: Saturday, Dec. 14, at 3 pm
Where: LaGuardia Performing Arts Center’s Main Stage, 31-10 Thomson Ave., LIC
Cost: $15/advance, $20/at door
Contact: (718) 482-5151
Website: www.lagcc.cuny.edu/LPAC
Winter Solstice Star Celebration — Join professor/astronomer Mark Freilich for an evening of star gazing and a party in celebration of the winter solstice.
When: Saturday, Dec. 14, from 7:30 pm to 10 pm
Where: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston
Cost: $18/adult non-member, $12/adult member, $9/children ages 9 to 12
Contact: (718) 229-4000
Website: www.alleypond.com
Holidays Around the World — The Queens Symphony Orchestra will guide audience members on a musical tour of how the world celebrates the season.
When: Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3 pm
Where: LeFrak Concert Hall, Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing
Cost: $20/adults, $10/seniors and children 13 and under
Contact: (718) 793-8080
Website: www.kupferbergcenter.org
A Christmas Concert — The Sacred Music Society of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs presents Geraldine McMillian, soprano; John Easterlin, tenor; and Vaughn Fritts, bass-baritone in a concert of holiday music.
When: Sunday, Dec. 15, at 4 pm
Where: Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, 110-06 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills
Cost: $25/general, $10/children 12 and under
Contact: (718) 268-6251
Winter Holiday Jazz Concert — The David Leonhardt Trio presents a concert of holiday classics with a jazz beat.
When: Friday, Dec. 20, at 8 pm
Where: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd.
Cost: $15/adults, $10/members and students
Contact: (718) 463-7700
Website: www.flushingtownhall.org
Winter Snow Globes — As part of Alley Pond’s Scientifically Speaking series, join an interactive workshop on the history of snow globes and learn how they work. You’ll even create your own globe.
When: Saturday, Dec. 21, from 1 pm to 3 pm
Where: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston
Cost: $24/per person, pre-registration is required
Contact: (718) 229-4000
Website: www.alleypond.com
Christmas Workshop: Season of Giving — Create Christmas wreaths with fabrics, beads and ribbons, which will then be donated to senior centers in Queens.
When: Saturday, Dec. 21, at 1 pm
Where: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd.
Cost: Free
Contact: (718) 463-7700
Website: www.flushingtownhall.org
Kwanzaa Workshop: African Adornment — Experts talk about the importance of dress and personal style as manifest in the Kwanzaa principle of Kujichagulia or Self-determination.
When: Saturday, Dec. 21, at 3 pm
Where: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd.
Cost: Free
Contact: (718) 463-7700
Website: www.flushingtownhall.org
Holiday Concert — Celebrate the holiday season with the Oratorio Society of Queens annual holiday concert featuring excerpts from Handel’s “Messiah.” Sing-along to Christmas carols and Chanukah favorites.
When: Sunday, Dec. 21, at 4 pm
Where: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside
Cost: $30/general, $25/seniors and students, $10/children 12 and under
Contact: (718) 279-3006
Website: www.QueensOratorio.org
Noel; A Night of Everlasting Love — The Joint Choirs of Ignis Angelicus, The Sacred Music Chorale, The Most Precious Blood Parish Choir and the Broadway Blockbusters Co. present the story of the first Christmas.
When: Sunday, Dec. 22 at 3 pm and 7 pm with a special holiday dinner at 4:30 pm
Where: Douglaston Immaculate Conception Center Theater, 7200-7250 Douglaston Parkway, Douglaston
Cost: $25/general, $35/VIP reserved, $30 additional for dinner and show
Website: www.thejosephinefoundation.org
Holiday Open House — Tour the decorated farmhouse, join craft activities for children and sip mulled cider.
When: Thursday, Dec. 26; Friday, Dec. 27 and Saturday, Dec. 28, from Noon to 4 pm
Where: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park
Cost: Free
Contact: (718) 347-3276, ext. 304
Brunch with Santa
Bourbon Street — At Bayside’s Bourbon Street watch Santa arrive on a FDNY truck and take photos with him and Mrs. Claus throughout the meal. Kids eat free all day with the purchase of an adult meal. Reservations are required.
When: Sunday, Dec. 15 at 11 am
Where: Bourbon Street, 40-12 Bell Blvd., Bayside
Contact: (718) 224-2200
O’Neill’s — Guests can order from O’Neill’s special brunch menu, visit with Santa and have a photo taken with St. Nick. And all for $18.95 per person.
When: Sunday, Dec. 15, from 10:30 am to 1 pm
Where: O’Neill’s, 64-21 53rd Drive, Maspeth
Contact: (718) 672-9696
Vetro Restaurant and Lounge — Enjoy a brunch of traditional favorites and have your picture taken with Santa. Vetro will take the photo and place it into a cardboard frame at no cost. Guests can bring their own cameras as well.
When: Sundays, Dec. 15 and Dec. 22, from 11 am to 2 pm
Where: Vetro Restaurant and Lounge, 164-49 Cross Bay Blvd., Howard Beach
Contact: (781) 843-3900
Photos with Santa
House of Holiday — From now until Christmas, download a letter to Santa — at www.houseofholiday.com — fill it out and bring it into the store for two free photographs with St. Nick, a visit with Mrs. Claus and a special gift.
When: Fridays, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20, 4 pm to 8 pm; Saturdays, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21, from Noon to 3 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm; Sundays, Dec. 15 and Dec. 22, from Noon to 3 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm; Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 4 pm to 8 pm and Thursday, Dec. 19, from 4 pm to 8 pm
Where: House of Holiday, 90-02 Atlantic Ave., Ozone Park
Contact: (718) 848-8882
Myrtle Avenue — Bring a camera and get a photograph of Santa and the kids on a vintage New York City bus.
When: Sunday, Dec. 15, from Noon to 2 pm
Where: Venditti Square, Myrtle and St. Nicholas avenues, Ridgewood
Contact: www.ridgewood-ny.com
Queens Center Mall — From now through Christmas Eve, have your picture taken with Santa. The visit is always free and includes smiles, hugs, wish taking, hand holding and a surprise gift. Personal cameras are not allowed, but a professional photographer will be on hand to capture the visit on digital film and offer photo packages to purchase.
When: Daily through Christmas Eve
Where: Queens Center Mall, 90-15 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst
Contact: (718) 592-3900
Santa on Steinway — Visit Santa in Astoria for a free photo and a free special gift.
When: Sunday, Dec. 15, and Saturday, Dec. 21, from Noon to 3 pm both days
Where: 30-05 Steinway St., Astoria
The Shops at Atlas Park — Photos with Santa in the Center Green. Same company that will be taking photos at the Queens Center Mall.
When: Daily through Christmas Eve
Where: The Shops at Atlas Park, 80-00 Cooper Ave., Glendale
Contact: (718) 326-3300
Holiday Charity Drives
Toys for Tots — St. Michael’s Cemetery and the United States Marine Corps will collect new, unwrapped toys to be delivered to children in need this holiday season.
When: Saturday, Dec. 14, at 2 pm
Where: All Souls Chapel at St. Michael’s Cemetery, 72-02 Astoria Blvd., East Elmhurst
Contact: (718) 278-3240
Christmas Gift Drive — Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens is now collecting toys and gift cards for children and families in need.
When: Through Friday, Dec. 20
Where: CC Community Center, 23-40 Astoria Blvd., Astoria
Website: www.ccbq.org
NY Cares Coat Drive — Resorts World Casino plans to collect new and gently worn used coats for NY Cares Coat Drive. Coats can be dropped off at a collection bin near the casino’s coat check on the Times Square level.
When: Through Friday, Jan. 31, 2014
Where: Resort World Casino, 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., Jamaica
Website: newyorkcares.org
