All Weekend
Where: Union Square
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., both Saturday and Sunday
Take care of your last-minute gift-buying in one fell swoop. With dozens of local vendors hawking their wares, you can make even your most hastily bought present appear carefully thought out.
► Mistletones
Where: Fulton and Front streets, South Street Seaport
When: Friday, 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Check out the huge Christmas tree at the Seaport, along with a holiday market of artisanal wares, while enjoying some free acapella Christmas caroling from the Mistletones.
► Dancing Korea
Where: 92nd Street Y, 92nd Street and Lexington Avenue, Upper East Side
When: 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. on Sunday
A number of Korean dance groups will perform at the 92Y, including Goblin Party, Ju Bin Kim, Moon Ei Lee, among others. For a list of groups performing, visit 92Y’s website. Tickets are $20.
► Chelsea Market Jingle Holiday Pop Up Shop
Where: Chelsea Market, 75 9th Ave., Chelsea
When: Mondays through Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Chelsea Market is hosting the ninth annual Jingle Holiday Pop Up Shop, where market-goers can purchase a range of last-minute Christmas gifts from pop-up shops featuring items from Ayala Jewelry, Izola, Jak & Peppar and other vendors.
Friday, Dec. 18
► Caroling with the Riverside Dog Park Group
Where: Meet in front of 308 W. 97th St., Upper West Side
When: 6:15 p.m.
Participate in a caroling session on the Upper West Side, with or without your dog.
► ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ introduced by Donna Reed’s Daughter
Where: IFC Center, 323 Sixth Ave., Greenwich Village
When: 9:40 p.m. (also other showtimes throughout the weekend)
The IFC is screening classic Christmas flick “It’s a Wonderful Life” multiple times daily until Christmas, but a few special screenings will be introduced by Mary Owen, actress Donna Reed’s daughter. Catch Owen at the 9:40 p.m. Friday screening, or the 1:30 p.m. Sunday matinee. If you miss those, you can still see her at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22 or Thursday, Dec. 24.
► Holiday Brass Concert at Bloomingdale School of Music
Where: David Greer Recital Hall, 323 W. 108th St., Upper West Side
When: 7 p.m.
Enjoy a brass quintet playing popular holiday music, with both classical and contemporary selections, to celebrate the season.
► Free Concert by The Orchestra Now
Where: The Great Hall of the Cooper Union, 7 E. 7th St., East Village
When: 7 to 8:55 p.m.
The Orchestra Now, a training orchestra and master’s degree program at Bard College, will perform a free classical music concert featuring pieces by Mozart, Schumann, Leo Weiner and Ligeti. Seating is general admission and doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 19
► East Meets West Christmas Parade
Where: Parade kicks off at Mulberry and Canal streets, Chinatown
When: 1 p.m.
Floats, marching bands, lion and dragon groups and other community organizations will march from Mulberry and Canal streets to Houston Street before heading down Mott Street to Worth Street. Following the parade, there will be a live music performance.
► Watch Girl Scout Troops Sing Christmas Carols
Where: Dichter’s Pharmacy & Soda Shoppe, 4953 Broadway at 207th St., Inwood
When: 5 p.m.
Still haven’t had a chance to go caroling this holiday season? Join Uptown’s Girl Scout Troops to sing Christmas Carols outside of Dichter’s Pharmacy and get into the holiday spirit.
Where: El Museo Del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave., East Harlem
When: Noon to 5 p.m.
Take part in this entire afternoon of free family-friendly activities that include guided tours of exhibitions, interactive storytelling, arts and crafts, and a festive sing-a-long to spread some holiday cheer.
Sunday, Dec. 20
Where: 4140 Broadway, 175th St., Washington Heights
When: Doors open at 4 p.m.; Pre-show Entertainment at 5 p.m.; Movie at 5:30 p.m.
The Palace’s “Women of Fox Festival” wraps up with a bang, as they present the Christmas classic, "Miracle on 34th Street." The festival launched in September with films featuring Shirley Temple, and continued through the fall season with features from Betty Grable, Carmen Miranda and Marilyn Monroe — all female talents that helped build the Fox Studios and then 20th Century Fox empires.
► #Follow Mary: a Festival of Lessons and Carols
Where: Outside the Our Lady of Peace Church, 239-241 E. 62nd St., Upper East Side
When: 4:30 p.m.
Listen to carols performed by the Patriot Brass Ensemble in front of Our Lady of Peace Church, which was shuttered by the Archdiocese of New York this year. The 54-day rosary will begin at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served after the service.
► Volunteer for Operation Santa
Where: Church of the Incarnation, 209 Madison Ave. between East 35th and East 36th streets, Murray Hill
When: 12:30 to 5 p.m.
Don’t be a grinch! Church of the Incarnation is organizing a gift drive for children who sent letters to Santa, and volunteers are needed to sort letters, wrap presents, and buy gifts.
► New York’s Oldest Christmas Tradition: Reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas"
Where: Church of the Intercession, 550 W. 155th St., Hamilton Heights
When: 3 to 4 p.m., followed by a reception.
Clement Clarke Moore, the son of a rector at the church, wrote the famous poem in 1822. Every year the church honors him by reading the Christmas classic. After the reading, St. Nicholas leads a procession to lay a wreath on Moore’s tomb at the mausoleum across the street.
These listings were compiled by DNAinfo's Manhattan reporters: Lisha Arino, Emily Frost, Gustavo Solis, Maya Rajamani, Noah Hurowitz, Danielle Tcholakian, Irene Plagianos, Carolina Pichardo and Shaye Weaver.
