Friday, Dec. 11
► Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Open Studios
Where: Governors Island When: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Twenty artists open their studios to the public, for a behind-the-scenes peak at the creative process. Bonus: you get to ferry over to Governors Island, which is closed for its public season, to see the art. The event is free.
Where: Harlem School of the Arts at 647 Saint Nicholas Ave., Harlem
When: Show starts at 7 p.m.
This holiday show applies a modern interpretation to the classic Nativity story. The score features Gospel, rock, R&B, and rap while the performance features dance and comedy. Tickets are $25 at the door and there are discounts for seniors and students.
Saturday, Dec. 12
Where: Madison Square Park, Flatiron
When: 4 p.m.
Catch a holiday-themed performance by the People’s Improv Theater, part of Madison Square Park’s “23 Days of Holiday Cheer” month.
Where: FIAF Language Center, 22 E. 60th St., Upper East Side
When: 1:30 and 3 p.m.
The French Institute Alliance Francaise is hosting an afternoon of workshops celebrating the holidays in French style with music, dance and winter-themed arts and science activities, like learning how to make snow and a snowman. For ages 2 and 3.
► Cancer Research Benefit Concert by HyLi
Where: The Great Hall of the Cooper Union, 7 E. 7th St., East Village
When: 8 p.m.
Join the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in a benefit concert featuring HyLi. All proceeds will go toward cancer research. $30 per ticket.
► "Star Wars" Themed littleBits Party
Where: littleBits pop-up shop, 355 West Broadway, SoHo
When: 7 p.m.
The littleBits pop-up shop is hosting “an intergalactic night of invention,” with promises of light saber duels, R2-D2 races and the opportunity to show off submissions to the Bit Wars Global Makeathon, their competition to create a new gadget for your favorite Star Wars character.
► Christopher Street Holiday Boutique Walk
Where: Christopher Street from Greenwich Avenue to Weehawken Street, Greenwich Village and West Village
When: All day
The eclectic boutiques of Christopher Street are offering discounts, exhibits, cider tastings, giveaways and more surprises all day as part of their holiday walk this weekend. Explore the street that holds many of the Village’s (last remaining) small businesses, and be serenaded by the phenomenal vocal ensemble from the Door, the SoHo-based organization that offers services to low-income and homeless LGBT youth, singing holiday carols along the street from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The walk’s northernmost store is fancy perfumerie Aedes de Venustas, at the corner of Greenwich Avenue, and it extends south all the way to Heermance Farm, a brick-and-mortar farmers market connected to a real New York State farm in the town of Tivoli with a great story. The walk also includes the Finnish Festival at St. John’s Church, with its own bazaar and more caroling. For a full list of participating shops, click here.
► Bank Street School for Children Book Sale and Holiday Bazaar
Where: 610 West 112th St., Harlem
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The bazaar features gently used books for kids and adults for $2 and handmade gifts, with all profits benefiting the school.
► Higher Ground Winter Rise Benefit
Where: Cornerstone Church, 178 Bennett Ave., between 189th and 190th St., Washington Heights
When: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Come celebrate and meet other musicians, dancers, filmmakers, writers and theater folks from Washington Heights and Inwood. The proceeds raised will go to the 2016 Higher Ground Premieres, which is an annual performance produced in partnership with the NoMAA Uptown Arts Stroll in June.
Sunday, Dec. 13
► Sing Christmas Carols with the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church
Where: Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, 921 Madison Ave., Upper East Side
When: 4 p.m.
Get in the holiday spirit by singing carols with the church’s choir, the New York City Children’s Chorus, with backing by strings and harp. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Free, but donations are accepted.
► Dress Up, Dreidel Down Hanukkah Disco Party
Where: The Jewish Museum, Fifth Avenue and 92nd Street, Upper East Side
When: 3 to 5 p.m.
This family Hanukkah fundraiser features holiday activities for everyone, including a set by 9-year-old DJ Alden, paparazzi photos, a glitter tattoo parlor, balloon art, a photobooth and tons of goodies to eat. A candle lighting ceremony will take place at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $48 for indiviuduals and $218 for a family. Other packages are available.
► Jewelry and Pottery Gift Sale to Benefit Youth Basketball Camp Scholarships
Where: 215 W. 90th St., Penthouse D, Upper West Side
When: 3 to 7 p.m.
Get your holiday shopping done while benefitting a good cause. The sale features jewelry from MZ Designs and pottery by Francesco Filiaci that ranges from $50 to $250. A portion of the proceeds go to Coop’s Hoops, a fund created by the parents of Cooper Stock, a 9-year-old killed by a taxi driver in 2014. Coop’s Hoops is devoted to providing basketball camp scholarships to children in need.
Where: Studio Museum in Harlem at 144 W. 125th St., Harlem
When: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Bring your dreams to live by using mystic symbols to recreated your favorite dreams. The family-friendly is free but you must RSVP through the museum.
These listings were compiled by DNAinfo's Manhattan reporters: Emily Frost, Gustavo Solis, Lisha Arino, Noah Hurowitz, Danielle Tcholakian, Irene Plagianos, Carolina Pichardo and Shaye Weaver.
