It's one thing to hear holiday tunes piped through the sound systems in city restaurants and stores, and another entirely to belt them out yourself.
The tradition of singing church carols and Christian folk music in the streets dates back to the late 19th century, when Brits and Americans revived medieval English carols and composed new folks songs to sing on house porches and in parlors on holidays.
Today, New Yorkers carry on the custom as a community-building exercise around Christmas, blending their voices and wishing their neighbors happiness and good health.
They may need it especially this December, after an election that illuminated the progressive bubble encircling their city and looming threats to its integrity.
Taking place through Christmas Eve, here are 10 sing-alongs bringing New York neighborhoods together in two-, three- or four-part harmony:
Friday, December 16
Where: The DiMenna Center for Classical Music, Cary Hall, 450 W. 37th St., Hell's Kitchen
When: 7 p.m.
Choir conductor Rachel Blackburn leads singers from the Long Island-based youth chorus Voices of Virtue while Tito Muñoz conducts the St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble at this free Hell's Kitchen event. Attendees are encouraged to "sing along with friends old and new."
Saturday, December 17
Where: Begins and ends at Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square S., West Village
When: Starts at 12 p.m.
Sport your Christmas sweater (ugly or cute) with members of the West Village Chorale and other carolers as they roam the neighborhood streets. Then head back to Judson Memorial Church for more crooning, refreshments and piano music. This event is free, but donations are welcome.
► Holiday Cookie Swap and Sing-Along!
Where: Trans-Pecos, 9-15 Wyckoff Ave, Ridgewood
When: 3 to 6 p.m.
Bakers are encouraged to bring two to three dozen of their favorite cookies for exchange at a cookie swap that kicks off at at this cafe/bar/music venue at 3 p.m. When the crumbs have settled, "local dad" Paul Hogan (unrelated to DNAinfo's Gwynne Hogan, we have confirmed) will lead a sing-along of popular holiday tunes at 4 p.m.
► The 8th Annual Jackson Heights Winter Holiday Sing-A-Long
Where: Starts in front of Cassidy's Ale House, 7502 31st Ave., Jackson Heights
When: 7 to 10 p.m.
Bring a Santa hat to this family-friendly sing-along if you have one, as well as a flashlight or candle for each member of your group. Portable acoustic instruments are welcome, and organizers say the plan is to sing winter and holiday songs "from all faiths, languages & cultures."
Sunday, December 18
► Adventsingen/Christmas Caroling
Where: Zum Schneider NYC, 107 Ave. C, Alphabet City
When: 1 to 7 p.m.
Get in the Christmas spirit this Sunday at a Bavarian beerhouse, where a man named Sylvester will play German and American carols on a hammered dulcimer. In between renditions of "Stille Nacht" and "Jingle Bells," quench your thirst with mulled wine, and nosh on some stollen, or fruit bread, and Christmas cookies. Admission is free and open to all ages. Songbooks will be provided.
► Annual Soft Spot Holiday Sing-Along!
Where: Soft Spot Bar, 128 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg
When: 8 to 11 p.m.
Soft Spot Bar promises "cookies and hot cocktails and merriment" at its holiday sing-along. The watering hole is known for its two-for-one draft and well drinks, as well as its $5 shot-and-a beer special, available daily.
Where: From Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village to Tompkins Square, East Village
When: 5:45 to 6:30 p.m.
This is the 25th year in a row that composer Phil Kline will lead a procession of speaker-toting participants across downtown Manhattan, filling the air with ambient score of his 45-minute piece "Unsilent Night." Unconventional carolers can download one of four tracks to play out loud at the event from this website in advance, or pick up an analog cassette or CD from an organizer the night of.
Thursday, December 22
Where: St. Peter's Chelsea, 346 West 20th St., Chelsea
When: 7 to 9 p.m.
Love George Frideric Handel's oratorio, a fixture of classical music programming every Christmas season, as much as "O Holy Night" and "Joy to the World"? Sing it yourself with eight professional vocalists and a bassist at St. Peter's. There's no rehearsal — so obviously no pressure to sound good — and no cover charge. A reception with light fare will follow the performance.
Saturday, December 24
Where: Gramercy Park, on Irving between 20th and 21st Streets, Gramercy
When: 6 to 7 p.m.
This is your once-a-year opportunity to roam the exclusive private park, which is otherwise only accessible to an exclusive group of key holders. The nearby Calvary St. George’s parish will host one hour of caroling on the gated property, inviting carolers and any other interested parties to take a tour around the typically verboten grounds.
► Christmas Eve Caroling Under the Arch
Where: Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village
When: 5 to 7 p.m.
The Washington Square Association will distribute songbooks at this caroling session under the Washington Square Arch, accompanied by the Rob Susman Brass Quartet.
