The best things to do in NYC in December 2021 are to celebrate the holidays including: Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve.
December 2021 NYC
New York City is one of the world’s best places to celebrate the holidays. Many American holiday traditions began here. So Happy Holidays!
December has early winter weather. Temperatures average 42° – 54°F, so it is cool. First snow usually falls in the first week.
New Yorkers celebrate many different holidays:
Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, is Mon, Nov 29 – Dec 6. 🕎
Winter Solstice, the ancient celestial holiday, is Tue, Dec 21.
Christmas, the world’s most popular Latin holiday, is Sat, Dec 25. 🇮🇹
Kwanzaa, the African American holiday tradition is Sun, Dec 26 – Jan 1. 🇺🇸
New Year’s Eve on the Gregorian Calendar is Fri, Dec 31. 🇮🇹
Latin holidays continue to Three Kings Day in January and beyond in Puerto Rico.
Holiday Culture
December 2021
Holiday markets include:
- Bryant Park Winter Village
- Columbus Circle Holiday Market is Nov 29 – Dec 24 centralpark.com
- Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair returns in 2022
- Union Square Holiday Market urbanspacenyc.com
Look for holiday windows at Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, Macy’s Herald Square, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
The Holiday Train Show is at the NY Botanical Garden in Bronx Park, The Bronx, Sat, Nov 20, 2021 – Sun, Jan 23, 2022. $32. nybg.org
The NYBG Glow, outdoor light experience, is at the NY Botanical Garden in Bronx Park, The Bronx, Wed, Nov 24, 2021 – Sat, Jan 22, 2022. $35. nybg.org
The Rockefeller Christmas Tree is lit live and on NBC-4 on Wed, Dec 1 at 8pm.
Most Dyker Heights Christmas Lights go up the weekend after Thanksgiving on 11th – 13th Avenues from 83rd to 86th St in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Visit around Fri, Dec 3 – New Year’s Eve, sunset to 9pm.
Art NYC
December 2021
NYC’s art world heads south to Art Basel Miami Beach, the American edition of the world’s most prominent art fair, Thu-Sat, Dec 2-4. artbasel.com
Broadway + NYC
December 2021
Slave Play, where things go south for three mixed couples on a plantation, previews at the August Wilson, Tue, Nov 23, opens Thu, Dec 2, and runs to Jan 23, 2022. Ages 17+. From $39. slaveplaybroadway.com 🇺🇸
Mrs. Doubtfire, based on the 1993 Robin Williams comedy, previews at the Stephen Sondheim, Oct 21 for a Sun, opens Sun, Dec 5, and runs to May 8, 2022. Ages 8+. From $49. mrsdoubtfirebroadway.com
Company, a Sondheim musical comedy about NOT getting married, previews at the Jacobs Nov 15, opens Thu, Dec 9 and runs to June 26, 2022. From $59. companymusical.com
Dear Evan Hansen (6 Tonys), a coming of age musical at the Music Box, reopens Sat, Dec 11, and runs to June 5, 2022. Ages 13+. From $42. dearevanhansen.com
Broadway Previews
The Music Man (Hugh Jackman) at the Winter Garden previews Mon, Dec 20 and opens Thu, Feb 10, 2022. (Ages 6+) musicmanonbroadway.com
Off-Broadway
Colombian standup comic Saulo García’s Quinceañera is in repertory at Repertorio Español in Kips Bay, Manhattan, Fri, Dec 17 – Sun, Jan 9. repertorio.nyc 🇨🇴
Dance NYC
December 2021
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Opening Night Gala is at New York City Center in Midtown, at 7pm. From $55. The season continues for three weeks Dec 1-19. From $29. 🇺🇸
Harold Puente’s Añoranza de Colombia (Longing for Colombia) is at the Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside, Queens, Fri-Sun, Nov 26 – Dec 12 at 8pm (4pm Sun). From $37. 🇨🇴
AXIS Dance Company: Roots Above Ground streams Disability Dance from The Joyce in Chelsea, Tue-Sun, Dec 7-12. From $26. 🇺🇸
International Tango Day is Sat, Dec 11. 🇦🇷🇺🇾🇫🇷
Ongoing
NY City Ballet’s “George Balanchine The Nutcracker” is at the David H Koch Theater in Lincoln Center Fri, Nov 26, 2021 to Jan 2, 2022.
The Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular is at Radio City Music Hall in Midtown, Manhattan almost daily from Nov 5, 2021 to Jan 2, 2022.
Benedetta, Paul Verhoeven’s story of a nun’s forbidden passion, opens at IFC Center in the West Village on Fri, Dec 3. $13. ifccenter.com 🇫🇷
The Hand of God, Paulo Sorrentino’s (The Great Beauty) 1980s Neapolitan coming of age story that involves Maradona, opens at IFC Center in the West Village on Fri Dec 3. $13. ifccenter.org 🇮🇹
Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” opens citywide Fri, Dec 10. 🇵🇷
Pedro Almodóvar’s Parallel Mothers opens at Film at Lincoln Center on Fri, Dec 24. $15. 🇪🇸
Memoria, Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s tale of a Scottish woman who starts hallucinating in the Colombian jungle, is at IFC Center Sun, Dec 26 – Jan 1, 2022. $13. ifccenter.com 🇨🇴
Music NYC
December 2021
Chris Botti 17th Blue Note Holiday Residency is Dec 6, 2021 – Jan 2, 2022, 8 & 10:30pm.🇮🇹
The Metropolitan Opera’s Magic Flute stars Rolando Villazón as Papageno, at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center, Dec 10 – Jan 5.
The NY Philharmonic Handel’s Messiah is at Riverside Church in Morningside Heights, Manhattan, Tue-Sat, Dec 14-18. From $51. nyphil.org
Andrea Bocelli brings his Believe World Tour to Madison Square Garden Wed-Thu, Dec 15-16 at 7:30pm. From $86 🇮🇹
The 42nd City Singing choral concert is at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown East on Thu, Dec 16 from 7-9pm. saintpatrickscathedral.com 🇮🇹
The 42nd Paul Winter’s Winter Solstice Celebration, Solstice Saga, livestreams Fri-Sun, Dec 17-19 and then is video on demand. $20. 🇧🇷🇲🇱🇺🇸
Sports NYC
December 2021
Watch New York City FC play an Eastern Conference Final at Philadelphia Union on Sun, Dec 12 at 4pm. 🇦🇷🇧🇷🇧🇿🇱🇾🇵🇾🇺🇾
The MLS Cup US club soccer championship is Sat, Dec 11.
Latin Traditions
December 2021
Hanukkah is Mon, Nov 29 – Dec 6. 🕎
Portugal Restoration Day is Wed, Dec 1. 🇵🇹
Great Union Day, the Romanian national day, is Wed, Dec 1. 🇷🇴
Candombe Day is Fri, Dec 3. 🇺🇾
The New Moon is Sat, Dec 4.
Changó is Sat, Dec 4. 🇨🇺🇵🇷
Santa Barbara is Sat, Dec 4. 🇨🇺🇵🇷
Día de las Velitas is Tue, Dec 7. 🇨🇴
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is Wed, Dec 8. 🇨🇴
Las Mañanitas a la Virgen de Guadalupe is Sat, Dec 11. 🇲🇽
Our Lady of Guadalupe is Sun, Dec 12. 🇲🇽
Babalú-Ayé is Fri, Dec 17. 🇨🇺🇵🇷
The Cold Moon full moon is Sat, Dec 18.
National Sangria Day is Mon, Dec 20. 🇵🇹🇪🇸
Winter Solstice is Tue, Dec 21.
Huitzilopochtli is Tue, Dec 21. 🇲🇽
Christmas Eve is Fri, Dec 24. It’s also this year’s day off for Christmas. 🇮🇹
Christmas Day is Sat, Dec 25. 🇮🇹
Osain or St Sylvester is Fri, Dec 31. 🇨🇺🇫🇷
Kwanzaa is Sun, Dec 26 – Jan 1. 🇺🇸
Things to Do in NYC in December 2021 Week 48
November 29 – December 5, 2021
Hanukkah is to Dec 6. ✡️
Giving Tuesday is Tuesday.
The Rockefeller Christmas Tree is lit live and on NBC on Wednesday.
Celebrate Changó or Santa Barbara, on Saturday. 🇨🇺🇵🇷
Broadway+
Slave Play opens at the August Wilson on Wednesday. slaveplaybroadway.com 🇺🇸
Torched! A People Ignited, by Rosalba Rolón opens at Pregones PRTT in Concourse, The Bronx on Thursday. 🇵🇷
Mrs. Doubtfire opens at the Stephen Sondheim on Sunday. mrsdoubtfirebroadway.com
Dance
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Fall Season is at New York City Center in Midtown, for three weeks Dec 1-19. 🇺🇸
Film
Benedetta, by Paul Verhoeven, opens at IFC Center in the West Village on Friday. 🇫🇷
The Hand of God, by Paulo Sorrentino, opens at IFC Center in the West Village on Friday. 🇮🇹
Music
Pedrito Martinez and regular collaborator, Jazz pianist Alfredo Rodriguez, play a “Yoruba Soy” concert at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall on Saturday. carnegiehall.org 🇨🇺
Wednesday, December 1
In 1955, when a White bus driver asked Rosa Parks to move to the back of the bus so White passengers could take her seat, Parks kept her cool and became the “Mother of the Freedom Movement” with these polite words, “I don’t think I should have to stand up.” It’s a lesson for all of us. The only way to overcome colonial hate is with courtesy and love. d
Celebrate Central African Republic Independence Day, December 1, 1958 🇨🇫
Celebrate Great Union Day, the Romanian national day, December 1, 1918. 🇷🇴
Celebrate Portugal Restoration Day, December 1, 1640. 🇵🇹
La Gringa, the Carmen Rivera comedy, is at Repertorio Español in Kips Bay, Manhattan, at 11am. $30. 🇵🇷
Celebrate the fourth night of Hanukkah at sundown. The Grand Army Plaza Manhattan menorah lighting is at 5:30pm. The Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn menorah lighting is at 6pm. 🕎
OPENING NIGHT (TRADE ONLY)
Slave Play, where things go south for three mixed couples on a plantation, opens at the August Wilson and runs to Jan 23, 2022. Ages 17+. From $39. slaveplaybroadway.com 🇺🇸
The Rockefeller Christmas Tree is lit live and on NBC-4 at 8pm.
OPENING NIGHT GALA
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Opening Night Gala is at New York City Center in Midtown, at 7pm. From $55. The season continues for three weeks Dec 1-19. From $29. 🇺🇸
John Benitez & Drive Band play Blues Rock at Terraza 7 in Elmhurst, Queens at 7pm. $10. 🇵🇷
Papo Vázquez Mighty Pirates Troubadours play Latin Jazz at Chelsea Table & Stage in Chelsea, Manhattan on Wed, Dec 1 at 7 & 9:30pm. From $33. 🇵🇷
Roman Díaz plays Cuban Rumba at Mi Salsa Kitchen in the Lower East Side at 8pm. Donation. 🇨🇺
Mamady Kouyate’s Mandingo Ambassadors play Guinean Jazz at Barbés in Park Slope, Brooklyn on Wed, Dec 1 at 11pm. $15. 🇬🇳
Thursday, December 2
La Gringa, the Carmen Rivera comedy, is at Repertorio Español in Kips Bay, Manhattan, at 11am. $30. 🇵🇷
OPENING DAY
Carrie Mae Weems: The Shape of Things is an installation and performance series produced by the renowned photographer of African American life, at the Park Avenue Armory in the Upper East Side through Fri, Dec 31. $18. 🇺🇸
OPENING NIGHT
Rosalba Rolón’s Torched! A People Ignited, tells stories of surviving The Bronx in the 1970s at Pregones PRTT in Concourse, The Bronx, Thu-Sun through Dec 19. From $19. 🇵🇷
Celebrate the fifth night of Hanukkah at sundown. The Grand Army Plaza Manhattan menorah lighting is at 5:30pm. The Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn menorah lighting is at 6pm. 🕎
Dominique Gagné leads a Brazilian Roda de Choro jam session at Terraza 7 in Elmhurst, Queens at 7pm. Free. 🇧🇷
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs “Lazarus” at NY City Center in Midtown at 7:30pm. From $29.
The 15 Years of SONORO Festival celebrates Romania’s national day (Dec 1) at Carnegie Hall Weill Recital Hall at 8pm. From $45. 🇷🇴
Dance Argentine Tango at Tango La Nacional at La Nacional in Chelsea, Manhattan. Intermediate class at 7pm. Gets busy around 9pm. Performances at 11pm. Dancing until around 2am. 🇦🇷
Rubén Blades brings his SalSwing Tour! with special guest Luba Mason (his talented wife) to the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on Thu, Dec 2 at 8:30pm. From $59. 🇵🇦
Jalikunda plays Senegalese Griot Folk music at the Bronx Music Heritage Center in Foxhurst, The Bronx on Thu, Dec 2 at 9pm. Free. 🇸🇳
César Orozco & Kamarata Jazz play Cuban and Venezuelan Jazz at LunÀtico in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn on Thu, Dec 2 from 9-11:30pm, and Fri, Dec 3 from 9-11:30pm. $10. 🇨🇺🇻🇪
Los Hermanos De Leon play Salsa for dancing at Gonzalez y Gonzalez in Greenwich Village on Thu, Dec 2 from 9:30-11:30pm. $10.
Mike Lavalle’s Forro Party plays Brazilian Forro at Barbés in Park Slope, Brooklyn on Thu, Dec 2 from 11pm – 1am. $20. 🇧🇷
Friday, December 3
Celebrate Candombe Day, the Afro-Uruguayan dance that is a bridge between Brazilian Candomblé traditions and Argentine Tango, on Fri, Dec 3. 🇺🇾
Remember “Machito” Francisco Grillo, one of the godfather’s of Latin Jazz. He was born in Havana, Cuba on December 3, 1909. 🇨🇺
Benedetta, Paul Verhoeven’s story of a nun’s forbidden passion, opens at IFC Center in the West Village on Fri, Dec 3. $13. 🇫🇷
The Hand of God, Paulo Sorrentino’s (The Great Beauty) 1980s Neapolitan coming of age story that involves Maradona, opens at IFC Center in the West Village. $13. 🇮🇹
Celebrate the sixth night of Hanukkah at sundown. The Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn menorah lighting is at 3:30pm. The Grand Army Plaza Manhattan menorah lighting is at 5:30pm. 🕎
Dayramir Gonzalez screens his Juan Formell Los Van Van documentary and performs at Ideal Glass Studios in the West Village at 6pm. $30. 🇨🇺
Eric Kurimski celebrates his “La Molina” album release of Afro-Peruvian Jazz at Terraza 7 in Elmhurst, Queens at 7pm. $10. 🇵🇪
The Metropolitan Opera performs Puccini’s “La Bohème” at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center at 7pm. From $30 🇮🇹🇫🇷
Filomena Marturano: Un Matrimonio a la Caribeña, the Leyma López adaptation of De Filippo’s romantic comedy, is at Repertorio Español in Kips Bay, Manhattan, at 8pm. From $15. 🇮🇹🇨🇺
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs new works “For Four, Holding Space and the classic Revelations” at NY City Center in Midtown at 8pm. From $29.
Trova legend Xiomara Laugart sings Cuban Timba at Mi Salsa Kitchen in the Lower East Side at 8pm. No cover. 🇨🇺
Harold Puente’s Añoranza de Colombia (Longing for Colombia) is at the Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside, Queens at 8pm. From $37. 🇨🇴
Venezuelan comic Led Varela brings his “Orgullo Nacional” standup tour to the Broadway Comedy Club in Hell’s Kitchen on Thu, Dec 3 at 8:30pm. $35. broadwaycomedyclub.com 🇻🇪
La Mofle brings Ecuadorian comedy to Sabor Latino in Elmhurst, Queens on Fri, Dec 3 at 9pm. From $55. 🇪🇨
Feria de Cali, featuring Ray de la Paz, Luisito Carrion and Ray Sepulveda, plays Puerto Rican Salsa for dancing at La Boom in Woodside, Queens at 10pm (9pm doors). From $40. 🇵🇷
Gerardo Contino & Los Habaneros play Cuban Timba at Terraza 7 in Elmhurst, Queens on Fri, Dec 3 at 10:30pm. $10. 🇨🇺
Anissa Gathers sings Puerto Rican Salsa for dancing at Gonzalez y Gonzalez in Greenwich Village on Fri, Dec 3 from 11:30pm-2am. $20. 🇵🇷
Saturday, December 4
Celebrate the Feast Day of Changó
On Saturday, December 4, many Caribbean and Latin American families will celebrate the feast day of Changó. He is the orisha of drumming and dancing, and owner of the sacred batá drums. Changó is very popular with musicians and dancers.
The same sacred rhythms and dances have been calling our ancestors since the beginning of human time. In the Americas, they evolved into Rumba, Méringue, Merengue, Bomba, Bélé, Cumbia, Tambor, Festejo, Samba, Candombe, Tango, Salsa, Reggaeton and other popular music and dances of the Americas. So that dance move you like, may have been used to call Changó in West or Central Africa a thousand years ago. 🇨🇺🇭🇹🇩🇴🇵🇷🇹🇹🇨🇴🇻🇪🇵🇪🇧🇷🇺🇾🇦🇷🇺🇸
The Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) is one of the keepers of the traditions in New York City. Maferefún Changó. cccadi.org
Celebrate Changó, the masculine orisha of thunder, lightning, fire and war (but also drumming, singing and dancing). 🇨🇺🇵🇷
Celebrate the Feast of Santa Barbara, patron saint of mathematicians and people who work with explosives. 🇨🇺🇵🇷
The new moon reaches minimum over New York City at 2:43am.
Carolina Oliveros (Combo Chimbita & Bulla en el Barrio) sings Colombian Jazz in Residency at Barbés in Park Slope, Brooklyn on Sat, Dec 4 (11 & 12) from 7-8:30pm. $20. 🇨🇴
Celebrate the seventh night of Hanukkah at sundown. The Grand Army Plaza Manhattan menorah lighting is at 5:30pm. The Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn menorah lighting is at 7:15pm. 🕎
Pedrito Martinez and regular collaborator, Jazz pianist Alfredo Rodriguez, play a “Yoruba Soy” concert at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall at 7:30pm. From $36. carnegiehall.org
La breve y maravillosa vida de Oscar Wao, the Junot Díaz Pulitzer Prize winner, is at Repertorio Español in Kips Bay, Manhattan at 8pm. From $15. 🇩🇴
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs 50 years of Cry: “Blues Suite, Cry and Revelations” at NY City Center in Midtown at 8pm. From $29.
Harold Puente’s Añoranza de Colombia (Longing for Colombia) is at the Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside, Queens at 8pm. From $37. 🇨🇴
Watch the Ecuador vs El Salvador friendly soccer game at Sabor Latino in Elmhurst, Queens on Sat, Dec 4 at 8pm. From $20. 🇪🇨🇸🇻
Barbara Martínez sings Spanish Flamenco at Addictive Wine and Tapas in Jackson Heights, Queens at 8pm. Free. 🇻🇪🇦🇷🇪🇸
Plena Libre plays Puerto Rican Plena Folk music and holiday Parrandas at Lehman Center in Jerome Park, The Bronx at 8pm. From $25. 🇵🇷
Las Rubias del Norte (Barbès Records) play Latin Pop at Barbés in Park Slope, Brooklyn on Sat, Dec 4 from 9-10:30pm. $20.
At House of Grooves, Eli Escobar spins the party at House of Yes in Bushwick, Brooklyn on Sat, Dec 4 at 10pm. From $20.
The Spanish Saturdays Latin dance party features DJ Spinking, DJ Manny Mills and DJ 3Sixty at La Boom in Woodside, Queens at 10pm. Guestlist.
The Bollywood Beats: Desi Saturdays party is at SOB’s in Hudson Square, Manhattan at 10:30pm. $30. 🇮🇳
The Bomba Black & White Party is at Le Poisson Rouge in Greenwich Village on Sat, Dec 4 at 11pm. From $20.
Banda de Los Muertos play Mexican Banda (brass band) at Barbés in Park Slope, Brooklyn on Sat, Dec 4 from 11pm – 1am. $20. 🇲🇽
Cosa Sería plays Japanese Puerto Rican Salsa for dancing at Gonzalez y Gonzalez in Greenwich Village on Sat, Dec 4 from 11:30pm – 2am. $20. 🇵🇷🇯🇵
Sunday, December 5
Barbara Martínez records personalized vinyl Flamenco records that make very special holiday gifts. Preorder only $20. 🇻🇪🇦🇷
James Sedano’s Brunchata, Bachata lunch is at Gonzalez y Gonzalez in Greenwich Village on Sun, Dec 5 from 1-6pm. $10. 🇩🇴
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs Shelter, BUSK and Revelations at NY City Center in Midtown at 3pm. From $29.
La breve y maravillosa vida de Oscar Wao, the Junot Díaz Pulitzer Prize winner, is at Repertorio Español in Kips Bay, Manhattan at 3pm. From $15. 🇩🇴
Watch New York City FC play an Eastern Conference Final at Philadelphia Union at 3pm. 🇦🇷🇧🇷🇧🇿🇱🇾🇵🇾🇺🇾
Harold Puente’s Añoranza de Colombia (Longing for Colombia) is at the Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside, Queens at 8pm. From $37. 🇨🇴
Celebrate the eighth night of Hanukkah at sundown. The Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn menorah lighting is at 5pm. The Grand Army Plaza Manhattan menorah lighting is at 5:30pm. 🕎
Dance Argentine Tango at the El Destino milonga at Solas in the East Village on Sundays from 6-11pm. 🇺🇸
Dayramir Gonzalez plays a Cuban Son Buena Vista Club Tribute at Chelsea Table and Stage in Chelsea, Manhattan at 7pm. $32. 🇨🇺
The Benito Gonzalez 4Tet plays Venezuelan Jazz at Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem on Sun, Dec 5 at 7pm & 9pm (6pm & 8pm doors). $25. 🇻🇪
The Hostos College 30th Kwanzaa Celebration is virtual on Zoom, Facebook and YouTube at Hostos College in Mott Haven, The Bronx at 7pm. FREE. 🇺🇸
The Klezmatics play a “Happy Joyous Hanukkah” concert of Jewish Klezmer for the World Music Institute at Peter Norton Symphony Space on Sun, Dec 5 at 7:30pm (6:30pm doors). From $35. worldmusicinstitute.org ✡️
OPENING NIGHT (TRADE ONLY)
Mrs. Doubtfire, based on the 1993 Robin Williams comedy, opens at the Stephen Sondheim and runs to May 8, 2022. Ages 8+. From $49. mrsdoubtfirebroadway.com
Papote Jimenez (Los Hacheros) sings Puerto Rican Salsa at Mi Salsa Kitchen in the Lower East Side on Sundays at 8pm. No cover. 🇵🇷
At A Very House of Yes Hanukkah, David Kiss spins a special Hanukkah at House of Yes in Bushwick, Brooklyn, on Sun, Dec 5 from 9pm to late. From $20. 🕎
Stephane Wrembel plays Django Reinhardt style Jazz Manouche at Barbés in Park Slope, Brooklyn on Sundays at 9-11:55pm. $20. 🇫🇷
Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble play Cuban jazz at Birdland in Hell’s Kitchen at 10:30pm. From $20 🇨🇺
Things to do in NYC in December 2021 Week 49
December 6-12, 2021
Dance
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is at New York City Center in Midtown. 🇺🇸
AXIS Dance Company: Roots Above Ground streams Disability Dance from The Joyce Tuesday-Sunday. Free. 🇺🇸
Flamenco Vivo Holiday Fiesta, a Zambomba, the Andalusian Christmas caroling tradition, is at 4W43 Gallery in Midtown on Friday. 🇪🇸
Film
Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” opens Friday. 🇵🇷
Music
Chris Botti’s 17th Blue Note Holiday Residency starts Monday. 🇮🇹
Sports
The MLS Cup Major League Soccer championship is Saturday.
Traditions
Día de las Velitas is Tuesday. 🇨🇴
Feast of the Immaculate Conception is Wednesday. 🇮🇹
Panamanian Mother’s Day is Wednesday. 🇵🇦
International Tango Day is Saturday. 🇦🇷
Las Mañanitas de La Virgen de Guadalupe is Saturday. 🇲🇽
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is Sunday. 🇲🇽
Monday, December 6
Dance salsa at Latin Mondays at Taj with Talia Castro-Pozo from 7pm to 1am (5pm doors). From $10
OPENING NIGHT
Chris Botti’s 17th Holiday Residency is at the Blue Note in Greenwich Village nightly (including Christmas and New Year’s Eve) through Jan 2, 2022 at 8 & 10:30pm (6 & 10pm doors). From $55. 🇮🇹
Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks play Hot Jazz for Swing dancing at Bond 45 Downstairs in the Times Square Theater District, from 8-11pm. $25 + $25 minimum. 🇮🇹
La Banda Chuska plays Peruvian Psychedelic Cumbia (a Barbès specialty) at Barbés in Park Slope, Brooklyn on Mon, Dec 6 from 10pm – 1am. $20. 🇵🇪
Tuesday, December 7
Celebrate Día de las Velitas, the Colombian Festival of Lights that commemorates waiting for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception to be affirmed! 🇨🇴
La Gringa, the Carmen Rivera comedy, is at Repertorio Español in Kips Bay, Manhattan, at 11am. $30. 🇵🇷
OPENING NIGHT
AXIS Dance Company: Roots Above Ground streams Disability Dance from The Joyce in Chelsea at 5pm. Through Sunday. Free. joyce.org 🇺🇸
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrates Robert Battle’s 10th Anniversary with Mass, Ella, In/Side, For Four, Unfold, Takademe, and Love Stories finale at NY City Center in Midtown at 8pm. From $29.
Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks play Hot Jazz for Swing dancing at Bond 45 Downstairs in the Times Square Theater District, from 8-11pm. $25 + $25 minimum. 🇮🇹
Wednesday, December 8
Celebrate Feast of the Immaculate Conception when the Catholic church finally accepted the idea that women are divine too.
Celebrate Panamanian Mother’s Day. 🇵🇦
AXIS Dance Company: Roots Above Ground streams Disability Dance from The Joyce in Chelsea. Free. joyce.org 🇺🇸
The Albert Alabedra Trio plays Spanish Flamenco influenced by Miles Davis “Sketches of Spain” with a Spanish wine tasting at The Cecil Steakhouse (Minton’s) in Harlem at 7pm. $75. 🇪🇸
T.E.N.S. Black Sound of Brazil plays Brazilian R&B at Drom in the East Village at 7pm. $20. 🇧🇷
Cuban Chinese cellist Sophia Bacelar plays a Ruiz Memorial Recital at Carnegie Hall Weill Recital Hall on Wed, Dec 8 at 7:30pm. 🇨🇺
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is at NY City Center in Midtown at 7:30pm. From $29.
Roman Díaz plays Cuban Rumba at Mi Salsa Kitchen in the Lower East Side at 8pm. Donation. 🇨🇺
Bobby Sanabria and the Multiverse Big Band percussion section dig into the music from his “West Side Story Reimagined” album on Wed, Dec 8 at 8pm on Facebook @BxMusic. Free. 🇵🇷
Thursday, December 9
Celebrate Tanzania Independence Day. December 9, 1961. 🇹🇿
AXIS Dance Company: Roots Above Ground streams Disability Dance from The Joyce in Chelsea. Free. joyce.org 🇺🇸
Brazilian abstractionist Júlio Villani: Conflicting Perspectives opens with a reception at Slag Gallery in Chelsea from 6-8pm, and runs to Jan 22, 2022. slaggallery.com 🇫🇷🇧🇷
At The Get Down, Tasha Blank channels the emergence of Hip-Hop in the Latin Bronx, at House of Yes in Bushwick, Brooklyn on Thu, Dec 9. Doors 6pm. From $5.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs new works at NY City Center in Midtown at 7:30pm. From $29.
BENEFIT
Teatro SEA presents an early screening of Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” at Que Chevere restaurant at Essex Crossing in the Lower East Side on Thu, Dec 9 at 8pm (6pm Red Carpet and 7:30pm doors). From $50. 🇵🇷
Pedrito Martinez Group plays Cuban Timba at Drom in the East Village on Thu, Dec 9 at 8pm (7pm doors). $30. 🇨🇺
Dance Argentine Tango at Tango La Nacional at La Nacional in Chelsea, Manhattan. Intermediate class at 7pm. Gets busy around 9pm. Performances at 11pm. Dancing until around 2am. 🇦🇷
Long Island Latin Rhythm Band plays Salsa for dancing at Gonzalez y Gonzalez in Greenwich Village at 9:30 & 11:30pm. $10
Friday, December 10
Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts opens at the Met Museum in Central Park at 10am. 🇫🇷
AXIS Dance Company: Roots Above Ground streams Disability Dance from The Joyce in Chelsea. Free. joyce.org 🇺🇸
Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” opens in theaters.
Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts is at The Met Fifth Avenue through March 6, 2022. 🇫🇷
OPENING NIGHT
Sueño de Reyes / Dream of Kings children’s theater is at Teatro SEA in the Lower East Side at 7pm. $20. teatrosea.org 🇵🇷
Jorge Glem and Sam Reider play Venezuelan Folk Jazz at Chelsea Table and Stage in Chelsea, Manhattan at 7pm. $32. 🇻🇪
French Malagasy pianist Mathis Picard tributes Earth, Wind & Fire at Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem on Fri, Dec 10 at 7pm & 9pm (6pm & 8pm doors). $25. 🇫🇷🇲🇬
Folklore Urbano Orchestra “El Barrio Project” plays Colombian Salsa at Terraza 7 in Elmhurst, Queens at 7pm. 🇨🇴
Flamenco Vivo Holiday Fiesta, a Zambomba, the Andalusian Christmas caroling tradition, is at 4W43 Gallery in Midtown at 7:30pm. $35. 🇪🇸
Filomena Marturano: Un Matrimonio a la Caribeña, the Leyma López adaptation of De Filippo’s romantic comedy, is at Repertorio Español in Kips Bay, Manhattan, at 8pm. From $15. 🇮🇹🇨🇺
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs Ailey & Ellington at NY City Center in Midtown at 8pm. From $29.
Harold Puente’s Añoranza de Colombia (Longing for Colombia) is at the Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside, Queens at 8pm. From $37. 🇨🇴
Trova legend Xiomara Laugart sings Cuban Timba at Mi Salsa Kitchen in the Lower East Side at 8pm. No cover. 🇨🇺
Grupo 5 plays Peruvian Cumbia at La Boom in Woodside, Queens at 10pm. From $65. @elgrupo5oficial 🇵🇪
At AfroMuzika, DJ mOma spins Afro-House at House of Yes in Bushwick, Brooklyn on Fri, Dec 10 from 10pm – 4am. From $20.
Grupo Ocho plays Puerto Rican Salsa for dancing at Gonzalez y Gonzalez in Greenwich Village on Fri, Dec 10 at 12 midnight and 1:30am. $20. 🇵🇷
Saturday, December 11
Celebrate International Tango Day 🇫🇷 🇦🇷 🇺🇾
Celebrate Burkinabé Independence Day, (from France) December 11, 1958. 🇧🇫
Celebrate South African Independence Day (from UK) December 11, 1931. 🇿🇦
Remember Carlos Gardel, the iconic Argentine tango singer and second Latin screen idol. He was born in Toulouse, France on December 11, 1890. 🇫🇷 🇦🇷
Remember Damaso Perez Prado, the bandleader famous for “Mambo No. 5.” He was born in Matanzas, Cuba on December 11, 1916. 🇨🇺
AXIS Dance Company: Roots Above Ground streams Disability Dance from The Joyce in Chelsea. Free. joyce.org 🇺🇸
Watch the MLS Cup ⚽️ Major League Soccer championship.
Sueño de Reyes / Dream of Kings children’s theater is at Teatro SEA in the Lower East Side at 3pm. $20. teatrosea.org 🇵🇷
Mexican American draftsman Martín Ramírez: Memory Portals opens with a reception at Ricco / Maresca Gallery in Chelsea from 5-7pm, and runs to Feb 12, 2022. riccomaresca.com 🇲🇽
French photographer Marcel Bascoulard: Being Marcel Bascoulard opens with a reception at Andrew Edlin Gallery in NoLita from 6-8pm, and runs to Jan 22, 2022. edlingallery.com 🇫🇷
Celebrate Las Mañanitas de La Virgen de Guadalupe, the traditional birthday eve celebration of the patron saint of Mexico. 🇲🇽
The Dirty Circus Variety Show is at House of Yes in Bushwick, Brooklyn from 6:30-9:30pm. From $30. eventbrite.com
Violette performs her new French Jazz record “Only Love” at Chelsea Table and Stage in Chelsea, Manhattan at 7pm. $32. 🇫🇷
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrates the Robert Battle 10th Anniversary at NY City Center in Midtown at 8pm. From $29.
Harold Puente’s Añoranza de Colombia (Longing for Colombia) is at the Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside, Queens at 8pm. From $37. 🇨🇴
La breve y maravillosa vida de Oscar Wao, the Junot Díaz Pulitzer Prize winner, is at Repertorio Español in Kips Bay, Manhattan at 8pm. From $15. 🇩🇴
Celebrate the holidays at Parrandón Navideño with El Conjunto Quisqueya, Ramon Orland and Jose Alberto “El Canario” at Lehman Center in Jerome Park, The Bronx on Sat, Dec 11 at 8pm. From $40. 🇩🇴
Orquesta de los Adolescentes play Venezuelan Salsa at Sabor Latino in Elmhurst, Queens on Sat, Dec 11 at 9pm. From $40. 🇻🇪
Nanny Assis and Friends play Brazilian MPB (pop) and Forró at Chelsea Table and Stage in Chelsea, Manhattan on Sat, Dec 11 at 9:30pm. $27. 🇧🇷
The Bollywood Beats: Desi Saturdays party is at SOB’s in Hudson Square, Manhattan at 10:30pm. $30. 🇮🇳
Jimmy Bosch “El Trombon Criollo” (Spanish Harlem Orchestra) plays Salsa for dancing at Gonzalez y Gonzalez in Greenwich Village from 11:30pm – 2am. $20. @jimmyboschforever 🇵🇷
Sunday, December 12
Celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico and icon of our multiracial identity. 🇲🇽
Celebrate Kenyan Jamhuri Day (from UK) December 12, 1963. 🇰🇪
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs all Ailey at NY City Center in Midtown at 3pm. From $29.
La breve y maravillosa vida de Oscar Wao, the Junot Díaz Pulitzer Prize winner, is at Repertorio Español in Kips Bay, Manhattan at 3pm. From $15. 🇩🇴
Sueño de Reyes / Dream of Kings children’s theater is at Teatro SEA in the Lower East Side at 4pm. $20. teatrosea.org 🇵🇷
Harold Puente’s Añoranza de Colombia (Longing for Colombia) is at the Thalia Spanish Theatre in Sunnyside, Queens at 4pm. From $37. 🇨🇴
AXIS Dance Company: Roots Above Ground streams Disability Dance from The Joyce in Chelsea. Free. joyce.org 🇺🇸
Dance Argentine Tango at the El Destino milonga at Solas in the East Village on Sundays from 6-11pm. 🇺🇸
OPENING NIGHT (TRADE ONLY)
Flying Over Sunset, a 1950s Hollywood acid trip musical at the Vivian Beaumont Lincoln Center Theater opens tonight and runs to Feb 6, 2022. From $87. flyingoversunset.com
Arturo Ortiz & 7 Con Calle play Puerto Rican Salsa for dancing at Gonzalez y Gonzalez in Greenwich Village on Sun, Dec 12 from 8pm – midnight. $10 🇵🇷
Papote Jimenez (Los Hacheros) sings Puerto Rican Salsa at Mi Salsa Kitchen in the Lower East Side on Sundays at 8pm. No cover. 🇵🇷
Stephane Wrembel plays Django Reinhardt style Jazz Manouche at Barbés in Park Slope, Brooklyn on Sundays at 9-11:55pm. $20. 🇫🇷
Calibre 50 plays Regional Mexican Norteño and Banda at La Boom in Woodside, Queens on Sun, Dec 12 at 10pm. 🇲🇽
Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble play Cuban jazz at Birdland in Hell’s Kitchen at 10:30pm. From $20 🇨🇺
Things to Do in NYC in December 2021 Week 50
December 13-19, 2021
Aurelio Martínez & the Garifuna Soul Band play Garifuna Folk for the World Music Institute with Wabafu Garifuna Dance Theater opening at Le Poisson Rouge in Greenwich Village on Thu, Dec 16 at 7:30pm (6:30pm doors). worldmusicinstitute.org 🇭🇳|🇧🇿🇬🇹🇳🇮🇺🇸
Art
The African Origin of Civilization features West African, Central African and Egyptian art at the Met Museum in Central Park from Tue, Dec 14 ongoing. 🇧🇯🇨🇩🇪🇬🇨🇮🇬🇭🇲🇱🇬🇳🇳🇬🇸🇸
Dance
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is at New York City Center in Midtown all week. 🇺🇸
Music
Andrea Bocelli plays Madison Square Garden Wednesday and Thursday. 🇮🇹
The 42nd City Singing is at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown East on Thursday. 🇮🇹
The 42nd Paul Winter’s Winter Solstice Celebration livestreams Friday-Sunday. 🇧🇷🇲🇱🇺🇸
Monday, December 13
Alsarah (Alsarah & the Nubatones) talks and performs Sudanese and Yemeni Retro-Pop from home for the World Music Institute on Mon, Dec 13 at 5pm. Free with registration. 🇸🇩🇾🇪
Dance salsa at Latin Mondays at Taj with Talia Castro-Pozo from 7pm to 1am (5pm doors). From $10
The Pedro Giraudo Big Band plays Jazz at Terraza 7 in Elmhurst, Queens at 7:30pm. $10. 🇦🇷
Tuesday, December 14
OPENING DAY
The African Origin of Civilization featuring West African, Central African and Egyptian art at the Met Museum in Central Park opens from 10am -6pm and is then ongoing. 🇧🇯🇨🇩🇪🇬🇨🇮🇬🇭🇲🇱🇬🇳🇳🇬🇸🇸
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater perform Ailey & Ellington at NY City Center in Midtown at 7:30pm. From $29.
Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks play Hot Jazz for Swing dancing at Bond 45 Downstairs in the Times Square Theater District, from 8-11pm. $25 + $25 minimum. 🇮🇹
Wednesday, December 15
Happy birthday Eddie Palmieri! The Latin jazz legend was born in Harlem, Manhattan on December 15, 1936. 🇵🇷
Los Hacheros play Salsa Dura at SOB’s in Hudson Square, Manhattan on Wed, Dec 15 at 6pm. 🇵🇷
Big Band Holidays featuring The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis is at Jazz at Lincoln Center, at 7pm. From $55.
Luan Barbosa Group plays Brazilian Samba at Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem on Wed, Dec 15 at 7pm & 9pm (6pm & 8pm doors). $20. 🇧🇷
Argentine American Mezzo-Soprano Solange Merdinian, 2019 Pro Musicis International Award winner sings at Carnegie Hall Weill Recital Hall at 7:30pm. $30. 🇦🇷
Andrea Bocelli brings his Believe World Tour to Madison Square Garden at 7:30pm. From $86 🇮🇹
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs 50 years of Cry at NY City Center in Midtown at 7:30pm. From $29.
Roman Díaz plays Cuban Rumba at Mi Salsa Kitchen in the Lower East Side at 8pm. Donation. 🇨🇺
Thursday, December 16
Novena caroling traditions including La Posada (Mexico), La Parranda (Puerto Rico) and La Novena de Aguinaldos (Ecuador/Colombia/Venezuela) run from today through Christmas Eve. 🇲🇽🇨🇴🇪🇨🇵🇷🇻🇪
French German painter Pierre Knop: Paysage Wonderlust opens with a reception at Yossi Milo Gallery in Chelsea from 6-8pm, and runs to Jan 22, 2022. yossimilo.com 🇫🇷 🇩🇪
The 42nd City Singing choral concert is at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown East from 7-9pm. 🇮🇹
The Pedro Giraudo Quartet plays Tango at Terraza 7 in Elmhurst, Queens at 7pm. $10. 🇦🇷
Aurelio Martínez & the Garifuna Soul Band play Garifuna Folk for the World Music Institute with Wabafu Garifuna Dance Theater opening at Le Poisson Rouge in Greenwich Village on Thu, Dec 16 at 7:30pm (6:30pm doors). worldmusicinstitute.org 🇭🇳|🇧🇿🇬🇹🇳🇮🇺🇸
Andrea Bocelli brings his Believe World Tour to Madison Square Garden at 7:30pm. From $86 🇮🇹
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs “Lazarus” at NY City Center in Midtown at 7:30pm. From $29.
Big Band Holidays featuring The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis is at Jazz at Lincoln Center, at 8pm. From $55.
Dance Argentine Tango at Tango La Nacional at La Nacional in Chelsea, Manhattan. Intermediate class at 7pm. Gets busy around 9pm. Performances at 11pm. Dancing until around 2am. 🇦🇷
LowerEastSalsa plays Salsa for dancing at Gonzalez y Gonzalez in Greenwich Village from 9:30pm – 2am. $10.
Friday, December 17
Celebrate the Feast Day of Babalú-Ayé, Cuban orisha of the sick. 🇨🇺
Celebrate the Feast of St Lazarus. 🇮🇹
Sueño de Reyes / Dream of Kings children’s theater is at Teatro SEA in the Lower East Side at 7pm. $20. teatrosea.org 🇵🇷
OPENING NIGHT
The Metropolitan Opera’s “Cinderella” English holiday version of Massenet’s “Cendrillon” stars Argentine American mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center at 7pm. From $30. 🇫🇷🇦🇷
The 42nd Paul Winter’s Winter Solstice Celebration, Solstice Saga, livestreams at 8pm. $20. stellartickets.com 🇧🇷🇲🇱🇺🇸
OPENING NIGHT
Saulo García’s Quinceañera, 15 years of greatest hits, opens at Repertorio Español in Kips Bay, Manhattan at 8pm. From $15. 🇨🇴
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrates Robert Battle’s 10th Anniversary at NY City Center in Midtown at 8pm. From $29.
Big Band Holidays featuring The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis is at Jazz at Lincoln Center, at 8pm. From $55.
Trova legend Xiomara Laugart sings Cuban Timba at Mi Salsa Kitchen in the Lower East Side at 8pm. No cover. 🇨🇺
Wilmer Manga y Las Musas del Vallenato play Colombian Vallenato at Sabor Latino in Elmhurst, Queens on Fri, Dec 17 at 9pm. From $40. 🇨🇴
The Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet plays Barbès in Park Slope, Brooklyn from 9-10:30pm. $20. 🇦🇷
DJ Pereira celebrates his birthday with Reggaeton at La Boom in Woodside, Queens on Fri, Dec 17 at 10pm. From $50. @imdjpereira 🇩🇴
Sebastian Natal plays Uruguayan Salsa for dancing at Gonzalez y Gonzalez in Greenwich Village on Fri, Dec 17 at 11:30pm & 1:30am. $20 🇺🇾
Saturday, December 18
Happy birthday Alejandro Sanz! The Spanish pop star was born in Madrid, Spain on December 18, 1968. 🇪🇸
Sueño de Reyes / Dream of Kings children’s theater is at Teatro SEA in the Lower East Side at 3pm. $20. teatrosea.org 🇵🇷
The 42nd Paul Winter’s Winter Solstice Celebration, Solstice Saga, livestreams at 8 & 11pm. $20. stellartickets.com 🇧🇷🇲🇱🇺🇸
Saulo García’s Quinceañera, 15 years of greatest hits, is at Repertorio Español in Kips Bay, Manhattan at 8pm. From $15. 🇨🇴
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is at NY City Center in Midtown at 8pm. From $29.
Big Band Holidays featuring The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis is at Jazz at Lincoln Center, at 8pm. From $55.
The Bollywood Beats: Desi Saturdays party is at SOB’s in Hudson Square, Manhattan at 10:30pm. $30. 🇮🇳
The Cold Moon, December full moon, is fullest at 11:37pm.
Sunday, December 19
Happy birthday Wisin! The reggaeton star was born in Cayey, Puerto Rico on December 19, 1978. 🇵🇷
Big Band Holidays featuring The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis is at Jazz at Lincoln Center, at 2pm. From $55.
The 42nd Paul Winter’s Winter Solstice Celebration, Solstice Saga, livestreams at 3pm. $20. stellartickets.com 🇧🇷🇲🇱🇺🇸
The Metropolitan Opera’s “Cinderella” English holiday version of Massenet’s “Cendrillon” stars Argentine American mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center at 3pm. From $30. 🇫🇷🇦🇷
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs its season finale at NY City Center in Midtown at 3pm. From $29.
Saulo García’s Quinceañera, 15 years of greatest hits, is at Repertorio Español in Kips Bay, Manhattan at 3pm. From $15. 🇨🇴
Sueño de Reyes / Dream of Kings children’s theater is at Teatro SEA in the Lower East Side at 4pm. $20. teatrosea.org 🇵🇷
Dance Argentine Tango at the El Destino milonga at Solas in the East Village on Sundays from 6-11pm. 🇺🇸
Papote Jimenez (Los Hacheros) sings Puerto Rican Salsa at Mi Salsa Kitchen in the Lower East Side on Sundays at 8pm. No cover. 🇵🇷
Stephane Wrembel plays Django Reinhardt style Jazz Manouche at Barbés in Park Slope, Brooklyn on Sundays at 9-11:55pm. $20. 🇫🇷
Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble play Cuban jazz at Birdland in Hell’s Kitchen at 10:30pm. From $20 🇨🇺
Things to Do in NYC in December 2021 Week 51
December 20-26, 2021
Friday is Christmas Eve and Saturday is Christmas. 🇮🇹
Film
Memoria by Apichatpong Weerasethakul opens at IFC Center on Sunday. 🇨🇴
Traditions
Monday is National Sangria Day. 🇵🇹🇪🇸
Tuesday is Winter Solstice.
Tuesday is Huitzilopochtli.🇲🇽
Kwanzaa starts Sunday. 🇺🇸
Sunday is Boxing Day. 🇬🇧
Monday, December 20
Celebrate National Sangria Day. 🇵🇹🇪🇸
Dance salsa at Latin Mondays at Taj with Talia Castro-Pozo from 7pm to 1am (5pm doors). From $10
Tuesday, December 21
The Oscar Shortlists are announced today at abc.com
Celebrate Winter Solstice, the ancient celebration of the longest night of the northern hemisphere.
Remember Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec sun god of war, sacrifice and Tenochtitlan (México City). 🇲🇽
Wednesday, December 22
Remember Jean-Michel Basquiat 🇭🇹 🇵🇷. The 1980s art star who was born in Brooklyn on December 22, 1960.
The Metropolitan Opera’s “Cinderella” English holiday version of Massenet’s “Cendrillon” stars Argentine American mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center at 7pm. From $30. 🇫🇷🇦🇷
Roman Díaz plays Cuban Rumba at Mi Salsa Kitchen in the Lower East Side at 8pm. Donation. 🇨🇺
Thursday, December 23
Dance Argentine Tango at Tango La Nacional at La Nacional in Chelsea, Manhattan. Intermediate class at 7pm. Gets busy around 9pm. Performances at 11pm. Dancing until around 2am. 🇦🇷
Friday, December 24
Celebrate Libyan Independence Day (from Italy) December 24, 1951 🇱🇾
Happy birthday Ricky Martin! The Latin pop star who started in the Menudo boy band, was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 24, 1971. 🇵🇷
The Metropolitan Opera’s “Cinderella” English holiday version of Massenet’s “Cendrillon” stars Argentine American mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center at 2pm. From $30. 🇫🇷🇦🇷
Celebrate Christmas Eve.🇮🇹
Saturday, December 25
Merry Christmas! 🇮🇹
The Bollywood Beats: Desi Saturdays party is at SOB’s in Hudson Square, Manhattan at 10:30pm. $30. 🇮🇳
Sunday, December 26
On the first day of Kwanzaa, the African American holiday tradition, celebrate “Umoja” unity. If we get together, we are so strong. 🇺🇸
Celebrate Boxing Day, the English Christmas tradition.
OPENING DAY
Memoria, Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s tale of a Scottish woman who starts hallucinating in the Colombian jungle, is at IFC Center Sun, Dec 26 – Jan 1, 2022. $13. 🇨🇴
Saulo García’s Quinceañera, 15 years of greatest hits, is at Repertorio Español in Kips Bay, Manhattan at 3pm & 7pm. From $15. 🇨🇴
Dance Argentine Tango at the El Destino milonga at Solas in the East Village on Sundays from 6-11pm. 🇺🇸
The John Benitez Experience plays Latin Jazz at Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem on Sun, Dec 26 at 7 & 9pm (6pm & 8pm doors). $25. 🇵🇷
Papote Jimenez (Los Hacheros) sings Puerto Rican Salsa at Mi Salsa Kitchen in the Lower East Side on Sundays at 8pm. No cover. 🇵🇷
Stephane Wrembel plays Django Reinhardt style Jazz Manouche at Barbés in Park Slope, Brooklyn on Sundays at 9-11:55pm. $20. 🇫🇷
Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble play Cuban jazz at Birdland in Hell’s Kitchen at 10:30pm. From $20 🇨🇺
Things to Do in NYC in December 2021 Week 52
December 27, 2021 – January 2, 2022
New Year’s Eve is Friday.
Books
Comic Sebastian Maniscalco is at Barclays Center on Wednesday. 🇮🇹
Music
The Carlos Henriquez Nonet plays Latin Jazz at Dizzy’s Club in Jazz at Lincoln Center through New Year’s Eve. 🇵🇷
Monday, December 27
On the second day of Kwanzaa, celebrate “Kujichagulia” self-determination. It’s true that in America, everything is possible, but nothing is given. That is why we have to be responsible for ourselves.
Dance salsa at Latin Mondays at Taj with Talia Castro-Pozo from 7pm to 1am (5pm doors). From $10
The Carlos Henriquez Nonet plays Latin Jazz at Dizzy’s Club in Jazz at Lincoln Center at 7:30 & 9:30pm. From $40. jazz.org 🇵🇷
Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks play Hot Jazz for Swing dancing at Bond 45 Downstairs in the Times Square Theater District, from 8-11pm. $25 + $25 minimum. 🇮🇹
Tuesday, December 28
On the third day of Kwanzaa, celebrate “Ujima” collective work and responsibility. If we want to benefit from society, we have a responsibility to contribute to it.
The Metropolitan Opera’s “Cinderella” English holiday version of Massenet’s “Cendrillon” stars Argentine American mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center at 7pm. From $30. 🇫🇷🇦🇷
Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks play Hot Jazz for Swing dancing at Bond 45 Downstairs in the Times Square Theater District, from 8-11pm. $25 + $25 minimum. 🇮🇹
Wednesday, December 29
Happy Birthday Marco Antonio Solis! The Regional Mexican pop star, was born in Ario de Rosales, Michoacán, Mexico on December 29, 1959. 🇲🇽
On the fourth day of Kwanzaa, celebrate “Ujamaa” cooperative economics. People work better together.
Italian comic Sebastian Maniscalco brings his “Nobody Does This Tour” to Barclays Center in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn on Wed, Dec 29 at 7pm. From $65. 🇮🇹
The Carlos Henriquez Nonet plays Latin Jazz at Dizzy’s Club in Jazz at Lincoln Center at 7:30 & 9:30pm. From $40. jazz.org 🇵🇷
Roman Díaz plays Cuban Rumba at Mi Salsa Kitchen in the Lower East Side at 8pm. Donation. 🇨🇺
Thursday, December 30
On the fifth day of Kwanzaa, celebrate “Nia” purpose. Beginning with the end in mind helps us be efficient and avoid distractions.
Happy Birthday Miguel Zenon! The Jazz saxophonist was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 30, 1976. 🇵🇷
The Metropolitan Opera’s “Cinderella” English holiday version of Massenet’s “Cendrillon” stars Argentine American mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center at 7pm. From $30. 🇫🇷🇦🇷
The Carlos Henriquez Nonet plays Latin Jazz at Dizzy’s Club in Jazz at Lincoln Center at 7:30 & 9:30pm. From $40. jazz.org 🇵🇷
Dance Argentine Tango at Tango La Nacional at La Nacional in Chelsea, Manhattan. Intermediate class at 7pm. Gets busy around 9pm. Performances at 11pm. Dancing until around 2am. 🇦🇷
Friday, December 31
On the sixth day of Kwanzaa, celebrate “Kuumba,” creativity. If you can dream it, you (or someone in the future) can make it.
Celebrate National Champagne Day. 🇫🇷
It’s New Year’s Eve!
The Times Square Ball Drop is live.
The Metropolitan Opera premieres a new staging of Verdi’s “Rigoletto” at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center at 6pm. From $52. 🇮🇹
Chris Botti plays Jazz Pop at the Blue Note in Greenwich Village at 7 & 10pm (5 & 9:30pm doors). From $75. 🇮🇹
The Carlos Henriquez Nonet plays Latin Jazz at Dizzy’s Club in Jazz at Lincoln Center on at 7:30 & 11pm. From $285. jazz.org 🇵🇷
Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks play Hot Jazz for Swing dancing at the Redeye Grill in Midtown at 8pm. 🇮🇹
Happy New Year!