In New York
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| Courtesy of Keith Sherman & Associates |
5) The American Soldier
In 90 minutes, playwright and actor Douglas Taurel performs 14 different characters - men, women, and children - affected by various wars. He exposes their scars with darkness and humor while transporting the audience to a dozen different wartime eras - from the sweltering jungles of Vietnam to the freezing fields of Valley Forge. Taurel masterfully portrays the stories of those most deeply touched by the scourge of war, including a father in the wake of his veteran son's suicide, a soldier dealing with the loss of his limb, a wife and son coping with a deployed father's absence, a grieving mother remembering her son at the Vietnam Memorial Wall, a perilously shell-shocked World War II veteran, a female combat veteran sharing her struggles with PTSD and experiences as a woman on the front lines, and many more. Created through exhaustive research, actual letters sent from soldiers to their loved ones, and verbatim language lifted from countless interviews with veterans, the play is an intensely personal look at the humanity behind the specter of war. The American Soldier is decidedly not a political play but a profoundly human story - a piece of theater created to honor our veteran.
A.R.T./New York (502 SW. 53rd St.)
12/2 - 12/21
6) Blackbird
A grown man knows what he’s doing. A young girl believes she knows love. Blackbird forces us to face what lies between them. This new staging of Blackbird examines the play through a contemporary lens—foregrounding questions of identity, trauma, and power dynamics in the modern world. If the past comes knocking at your door, what will it say? Ray has a new identity, a new life, and is trying to put the past behind him, una thinks of nothing else. When Una arrives at Ray's new office unannounced, raw emotions run high as they reexamine the relationship they had in the past. Never able to reconcile the brutal truth, Una is looking for answers, and the consequences are shattering.
The Industry Loft (755 N. Highland Ave.)
12/2 - 12/7
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| Courtesy of DD PR |
7) Bipolar & The English Channel
A near decade later, she found herself on an unforgiving psychiatric ward with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. This solo show chronicles how her life with bipolar disorder has paralleled her unlikely swim across the
grey murky seas of the English Channel.
Theatre Row (410 W. 42nd St.)
12/3 - 12/14
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| Courtesy of Emily Owens PR |
8) Esplash
A Queer Latinx Comedy in benefit of the Trans Justice Funding Project in partnership with National Queer Theater. ESPLASH is a short, bold, and hilarious piece about Sínse, a quirky non-binary Latine on a mission to overcome their biggest struggle: they can’t squirt. Guided by friends and the divine wisdom of La Virgen de Guadalupe, Sínse navigates pleasure, pressure, and self-discovery — learning that letting go is harder than it seems, but liberation might be closer than they think. A celebration of queer bodies, pleasure, and the messy, beautiful journey toward self-acceptance. The event features an evening of laughter and queer joy, including a performance of the FuerzaFest award-winning play ESPLASH, and a special performance by Flower Tortilla and Audry Funk. A portion of the proceeds from each ticket sold will be allocated to Trans Justice Funding.
wild project (195 E. 3rd St.)
12/4 & 12/5
9) Everything is Here
In a retirement community, three women reflect on their pasts, reenact scenes from A Streetcar Named Desire, and confront the absurdities of aging.
Quirky and unsentimental, Everything is Here examines how strange and perilous life can be in this lighthearted reflection on impermanence, language, and the fragile stories that shape us.
59E59 Theaters (59 E. 50 St.)
12/2 - 12/21
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.59E59.org.
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| Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR |
10) From the Other Side Reimaging Theater from the Balkans
FROM THE OTHER SIDE is groundbreaking on many levels; the first time that such a broad selection of cultural activities from the Balkans will be presented in the United States. Reimagining Theater From The Balkans invites audiences to open themselves to new themes, poetics, and approaches to theatre arts, and to reconsider its political context through a different lens. The ten-day run includes two productions that offer distinct perspectives on themes of collective and individual memory, tradition and the past; three staged readings that present a selection of texts that showcase the formal and poetic qualities of contemporary drama recognized across the broader European context; archival recordings that feature important 21st-century productions by some of the region’s most prominent directors, offering a rare glimpse into significant theatrical achievements; and a round table discussion serving as a platform for dialogue on the intersections of art and politics as it is introduced in the chosen art works.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
They Are All Gone
By Doruntina Basha
Directed by Andrej Nosov
Starring: Mirjana Karanović, Svetozar Cvetković, Alban Ukaj, with voices of Maja Salkić, Davor Sabo, Kemal Rizvanović, Matea Mavrak, Hana Zrno, Sanin Milavić, Faruk Hajdarević, Alen Konjicija, Natalia Dmitrieva, Dino Hamidović
Presented by Heartefakt; Serbia, Belgrade
December 4 & 5 at 8:00 pm, 6 at 4:00 & 8:00 pm, 7 at 4:00 pm
This play examines the position of all of us in the audience—how we understand and relate to those who survived the genocide in Srebrenica. It is the artistic way of questioning and trying to understand the fates and consequences of the wars that took place across the former Yugoslavia. You will meet Sadika, a fictional character, and her family—also fictional—whom she lost and never truly had. Can people truly continue to live if we remember them? And what happens if we forget? Now, as this play is being created and performed, people in the Balkans are once again hearing similar voices—those who hate, who spread fear, and who deepen the consequences of a war that ended thirty years ago.
Things That Burn Easily
Written and Directed by Vedrana Klepica
Starring: Hrvojka Begović, Lea Jevtić, Vladimir Aleksić
Ganz Culture For Change, Zagreb, Croatia
December 11, 12, & 13. at 8:00 pm and 14 at 4:00 pm
Things That Burn Easily narrates a story about a family living on a modest piece of land affected by a catastrophe. Some of them believe that they have been wronged by irreparable injustice and that a system that will compensate for some of the consequences of it should exist. Others are skeptical and have modeled for themselves a picture of the world in which every other individual is a potential threat. The only reliable certainty comes from social and societal isolation and autonomous construction of their own systems of survival and belief. When a big new natural disaster appears on the horizon, the tragedy of it will escalate into an unbearable misunderstanding of these two principles.
STAGED READINGS
The Last Girls on Earth
Written and translated from Serbian by Maja Pelević
Directed by Alice Reagan
December 6 at 1:00 pm
Today, more than ever, our system absorbs every facet of human existence and profits from them. The Last Girls on Earth explores situations wherein even biological and emotional aspects like motherhood are marketable goods. A woman’s worth is often linked to her status as a mother, making those without children feel devalued and pressured to fulfill that role. This environment fosters the transformation of a fundamental human desire into a commodity, with children becoming a resource to own. The story begins where the womb becomes a factory and the child a luxury product. The Last Girls on Earth received an award for the best contemporary play at the biggest national theater festival in Serbia.
All Adventurous Women Do
Written by Tanja Sljivar
Directed by Tea Alagić
December 12 at 1:00 pm
All Adventurous Women Do explores the social phenomenon of seven thirteen-year-old girls who fell pregnant on a school trip. Here Šljivar gives voice to young female subjects whose speech in public space is prevented, and whose very experiences are often interpreted and processed with certain ideological points of view and from the perspective of the adult world, which does not see girls as equal social subjects. All Adventurous Women Do premiered at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin and has been publicly read and performed in various countries, including Serbia, Germany, USA, Croatia, Austria and Italy. It has been translated into seven languages thus far.
All of a Sudden, A River
Written by Dimitrije Kokanov
Directed by Davin Brain
December 14 at 1:00 pm
Composed of three parts, All of a Sudden, a River, with its dystopian narrative, focuses on themes of colonialism, international warfare, social oppression, authoritarian regimes, the disenfranchisement of the Other, and issues of the pervasive violence within patriarchal and heteronormative societies. The play is an authentic response to Orwell’s 1984. Conceived as a space for silenced voices, this play allows its characters to speak in a way that the world can finally hear — revealing their deepest fears. In its conclusion, the author predicts a radical regression of civilization, reducing society to a distorted version of so-called “traditional” values. All of a Sudden, a River premiered in Slovenia in 2022, and was later published as part of a collection of plays by the same author.
PRODUCTIONS ON VIDEO
The World and What It Holds
Written by Aleksandar Hemon
Directed by Selma Spahić
December 5 at 1:00 pm
A refugee epic centered around a powerful love story between two Sarajevo conscripts on the frontlines during World War I, The World and What It Holds confronts us, once again, with the question of how love can survive, in what forms it manifests, and whether it is a strong enough force to keep us alive even in the most extreme circumstances. We remember history through the lens of those who have the privilege of leaving a mark and recording their memories. But what about the history of all those who do not have that privilege?
Cement Belgrade
Written by Milan Ramšak Marković
Directed by Sebastijan Horvat
December 7 at 12:30 pm
Inspired by the East German playwright Heiner Müller, Sebastijan Horvat’s production, which he developed with Milan Ramšak Marković, is set in present-day Belgrade. The relationship between trauma and memory, political dementia, as well as the conflicts inscribed in our bodies are some of the motifs that characterize this work. The play won the Mira Trailović« Grand Prix at the 54th BITEF Festival and many other awards.
Zoran Đinđić
Authorʼs Project by Oliver Frljić
December 13 at 12:30 pm
Zoran Đinđić deals with the issue of guilt and trauma in society following the assassination of Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić of Serbia in 2003. This significant and brutal historical moment served as a point of departure for the artists, led by author Oliver Frljić, to question collective consciousness and the responsibility of the entire community. It also raises the issue of artistic responsibility in communicating with the audience on topics that transform and define our individual participation in the life of that very same community. Among many awards, the play won the Mira Trailović Grand Prix at the 47th BITEF Festival.
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS
Opening discussion
ART/and/or/is POLITICS
December 3 at 1:00 pm
The panel discussion on the role of arts and culture in the socio-political milieu of the Balkans. The aim of the discussion is to question the position of labor in the arts, and art itself as a space of (un)freedom within oppressive social systems. What are the dangers of the instrumentalization of art for political purposes? What is the role of didacticism in theater and its potential for enlightenment in contemporary society?
Closing discussion
Theatre and Its Context
December 14 at 6:00 pm
Some of the topics to be tackled are: does everything that is written and/or performed today in the theater have to have a political/social connotation? And/or how do the political/social views of the author correspond to the context of the production?
La Mama Experimental Theater Club, Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4th St.)
12/4 - 12/14
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.lamama.org/from-the-other-side
11) It's a Wonderful Life
Step back in time to radio station W.I.R.T. on Christmas Eve, 1946, where Frank Capra’s holiday classic It’s A Wonderful Life comes thrillingly to life before your eyes—and ears! Irish Rep’s celebrated production of It’s A Wonderful Life!, adapted by Anthony E. Palermo and directed by Charlotte Moore, reimagines the beloved film as a live radio broadcast filled with nostalgic songs, vintage commercials, and delightful handmade sound effects.
Irish Repetory Theater (132 W. 22nd St.)
12/3 - 12/31
Opening Night 12/7
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit irishrep.org.
12) My First Nutcracker
Adapted for young audiences by Barbara Zinn Krieger and directed and choreographed by Kristen Brooks Sandler, MY FIRST NUTCRACKER celebrates imagination, family, tradition, and female empowerment. Clara-Marie and the Prince travel to a magical kingdom filled with dancing flowers, delicious treats, and a pesky mouse king in this reimagined interactive holiday classic
Theatre Row (410 W. 42nd St.)
12/6 - 12/21
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| Courtesy of DD PR |
13) Nepo Baby
An eccentric, old-school classy, Oscar-nominated character actor, Augustus Nepopoulos, is going through a rough patch in his career when he reconnects with his nephew, Baby. Twenty-two, unemployed, and still living with his rich parents, Baby is in desperate need of some guidance. So, when he mentions in passing that he wants to try acting, Augustus is quick to offer a helping hand. It’s an invigorating partnership for both, but as Baby’s career begins to skyrocket, his intentions come into question: will he stick by his uncle and bring him along for the ride? Or will he get sucked into the darkness of fame and leave him for dead?
New Stage Performance Space (36 W. 106th St.)
12/4 - 12/21
Opening Night 12/6
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| Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR |
14) Peter and the Wolf
Isaac Mizrahi narrates and directs Sergei Prokofiev’s charming children’s classic, Peter & the Wolf, accompanied by Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect, conducted by Michael P. Atkinson. The cast, wearing costumes by Mizrahi, performs choreography by John Heginbotham, bringing the thirty-minute story to life for the young and young at heart.
Peter B. Lewus Theater at Guggenheim New York (1071 Fifth Ave,)
12/5 - 12/14
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| Courtesy of Emily Owens PR |
15) Predictor
PREDICTOR is a play about the real-life inventor Meg Crane, who, in 1968, turned a paperclip box and a spark of defiance into one of the most revolutionary inventions of the 20th century—the home pregnancy test. A comedic drama inspired by the true story of the woman who challenged the system and gave women the right to know. It’s a witty, theatrical, and sharply feminist story—blending Mad Men–style corporate satire with heartfelt moments of empowerment.
The AMT Theater (354 W. 45th St.)
12/ 6 - 1/18
16) The Queer Without a Santa Claus
The debut Spankin’/Ass parody of THE QUEER WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS unleashes a wild crew of dancers, drag queens, and divas serving dirty jokes in Drag and burlesque to holiday hits like “Blue Christmas,” “Here Comes Santa Claus,” and the iconic “Snow Miser/Heat Miser” duets. In this retelling, Mrs. Claus, Vixen, the “innocent” reindeer,” and the North Pole’s boldest little elf boys scour New York City for anyone who still believes in Santa… even if things have to get a little hot to save Christmas.
Laurie Beechman Theater (inside West Bank Cafe) (407 W. 42nd St.)
Tuesdays & Fridays 12/2 - 12/19
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| Courtesy of Everyman Agency |
17) Seven in One Blow or the Brave Little Kid
Set just before the holidays on a snowy winter day, Seven in One Blow, or the Brave Little Kid tells the story of a child living in the city who kills seven flies with a single swat and makes a belt emblazoned with "SEVEN IN ONE BLOW" to commemorate the event. As he is traveling about, most people think his belt refers to seven people and assign the Kid all kinds of difficult tasks based on this faulty presumption. Along the way a few interesting things are learned: an Ogre finds that you don't always have to show how strong you are... sometimes it's okay just to be quiet about it; a girl realizes that when you tease people you are hurting someone who may be just like you; and a scary monster understands that because she is loved, she may not be so scary after all. In the end, the Kid ultimately discovers that a parents’ love and care has no bounds.
Axis Theatre (1 Sheridan Square)
12/5 - 12/21
All proceeds for the performance on Saturday, December 13 at 3pm will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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| Courtesy of Spincycle NYC |
18) The Slide is the Negative
When a photographer betrays her closest friend by displaying an intimate, revealing photograph in a prestigious Chelsea gallery, the fallout spirals into a deadly web of infidelity and violence. THE SLIDE IS THE NEGATIVE is a thrilling and urgent exploration of art, consent, and the price of privacy—asking whether wealth and power grant license to destroy lives without consequence.
The Chain Theatre (312 W. 36th St.)
11/29 - 12/21
B) Cast Changes
In New York
19) Hell's Kitchen
Lamont Walker assumes the role of Knuck full-time starting 12/2.
Kelsee Kimmel assumes the role of Jersey from 12/2 - 1/11.
Ne Yo joins the cast in the role of Davis on 12/4.
Relatable, raw, and refreshingly fun, it’s a celebration of finding yourself, your purpose, and the people who lift you up. The music—a mix of Keys’ classics and new songs written exclusively for the show—and exhilarating choreography bring to life a story that speaks to you no matter where you’re from, where you’ve been, or where you’re going. Come experience where dreams begin: HELL’S KITCHEN.
Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th St.)
C) Festivals
In New Jersey
20) Holiday Film Festival
Passage Theatre Company and the Trenton Film Society are delighted to announce a brand-new Holly Folly Film Festival, a four-day celebration for adults and children.
Thursday, December 4: The Preacher’s Wife, PG, 7:30 pm
Friday, December 5: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, PG-13, 5:00 and 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 6: It’s a Wonderful Life, PG, 5:30 pm, right after the Mill Hill Holiday House Tour
Sunday, December 7: The Polar Express, G, 1:30 and 4:00 pm
Mill Hill Playhouse (205 E. Front St., Trenton)
12/4 - 12/7
In New York
21) Best of BAMKids Film Festival
Best of BAMkids: Ages 9+
Saturday, December 6, at 12PM
Runtime: 71 min
Bold, handpicked gems about courage and curiosity, including BAMmie Best Live Action winner Wood Hood and Best Animated Short winner My Name is Edgar and I Have a Cow. Recommended for ages 9 and up.
BAM Rose Cinemas (30 Lafayette Ave.)
12/6
22) Edgar Allen Poe Festival
Come in! Come in! Down the cold stone steps into a dark cellar below St. Mark’s Place here in the heart of the historic East Village. For the past 50 years, this place has been known for its experimental theater. And, so, it is here that the multi-award-winning, critically acclaimed RADIOTHEATRE, now in its 23rd Season in NYC, once again presents LIVE ON STAGE five classic tales of terror and suspense by the Grandmaster Of Horror in its 15th Annual EDGAR ALLAN POE FESTIVAL.
For a LIMITED TIME ONLY, Radiotheatre presents each night Poe’s THE TELLTALE HEART; THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO; THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH; BERENICE; THE CASE OF M.VALDEMAR…Complete with a great cast, original orchestral music and a plethora of cinematic sound FX. Just bring your imaginations!
Frigid New York at Under St. Marks (94 St. Marks Pl.)
Through December 28
23) The Gene Frankel Winter Festival
Following a successful inaugural festival this summer, the Gene Frankel Theatre Festival returns this December with The Gene Frankel Theatre Winter Festival. Eighteen new short plays and one-acts will make their New York Premiere and be presented across seven performance blocks.
The Gene Frankel Theatre Winter Festival will showcase a diverse range of voices and stories, from an impending asteroid collision to a heaven designed exclusively for Mormons, to three bank robbers hiding out in an unsuspecting librarian’s sanctuary.
Audiences can expect an eclectic mix of characters, including an AI therapist, a 1950s nuclear family, a Cupid who can’t feel love, and Mrs. Claus spending Christmas Eve alone. Each production offers a distinctive theatrical experience that celebrates innovative new works.
Gene Frankel Theatre (24 Bond St.)
12/8 - 12/22
24) Human Rights Festival
The International Human Rights Art Festival (IHRAF) was created to be an open space for performance artists-activists in New York City to tell their stories and influence society. Freedom of expression and ethnic/cultural/economic and religious diversity are fundamental to our work, as is the protection of human rights and social justice. DEI is in our DNA, as we use creativity to build a more equitable world. Over the past six years, we have presented more than 1500 artists at our festivals and interim events throughout NYC. We believe in a world where artists are free to use their creativity to provide an engine for social change, and their work is honored as a human right. We need to come together - now more than ever!
The Tank (312 W. 36th St.)
12/8 - 12/14
D) Staged Readings
In New York
25) Holiday Spirits
This FRIGID New York production will feature 8 short plays:
Dark Druids and Their Dark Jars
Written by Jonathan Josephson
In ancient Ireland, Keyroris, Quidove, Iarrieth, and Nerihan gather to honor the dark druidic Night of Spirit Remembrance. But infighting and petty grievances can distract from even the most critical of ancestral rituals.
Dead of Winter
Written by Christopher Soucy
An empty mansion in the dead of winter becomes the battleground between one woman and the spirits that have haunted her all the days of her life.
Chelm, KS
Written by Ruth Geye
Heshy has a little dreydl. He made it out of clay. And now? It's come out to play...
The Ghost of Christmas Love
Written by Michael Hagins
Sammy is having a quiet Christmas until the Ghost of Christmas Past comes for a visit...about 100 years too late.
I'll Be Alone for Christmas
Written by AJ Rose
Is there anything worse than spending the holidays alone? Lorna, the host of a late-night radio show, and her producer, Cheyenne, spend the hours before Christmas morning playing holiday music, taking calls, and offering advice. However, the callers seem to know more about Lorna than she has disclosed on air. As the calls hit closer to home, Lorna and Cheyenne have to wonder if they really are alone in the studio. Not being alone for the holidays is suddenly much worse.
Putting Away the Decorations
Written by Andrew Black
A father is taking down the holiday decorations, but his young son is strangely resistant as Dad takes down the talking Christmas tree. When his son becomes somewhat aggressive about the end of the holiday, it turns out that his resistance may be justified!
Secret Sarah
Written by Taylor Rankin
At their annual Secret Santa gathering, 3 friends conjure up the spirit of their 4th, who brings a few surprising gifts of her own.
Visions of Sugarplums
Written by Katelin Wilcox
The Mouse King and the Nutcracker Prince meet under the Christmas tree for their annual duel, but this year Mouse throws caution to the wind by refusing to fight and exposing the Sugarplum Fairy for the cheating liar she is.
FRIGID New York (94 St. Marks Pl.)
12/6 & 12/7
E) What Else is Happening
In New Jersey
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| Courtesy of American Theater Group |
26) American Theater Group and UCPAC’s Play Reading Series Present
“The Unwitting Magician” Event
American Theater Group (ATG) in partnership with the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC), will present a special work in development -- The Unwitting Magician -- by Jeremy Dobrish as part of its free Play Reading Series on Mon. Dec.
8th at 7pm at UCPAC’s Hamilton Stage in Rahway, NJ.
The Unwitting Magician is a unique theatrical and magical one-night-only experience. A lone actor steps onto a bare stage—armed with little more than a music stand and a sealed manila envelope. Inside: a script they have truly never seen, its contents a complete mystery. The actor has no idea what sort of play or theatrical experience may unfold. As the actor reads the script to the audience he (or she) is swept into a whirlwind of impossible feats and playful surprises,
becoming an unwitting magician and inviting the audience to question who is truly in
control—the performer, the script, or something more magical still? The event is free but registration is requested at:www.americantheatergroup.org/news.This special piece is an opportunity to experience a work currently in development.
This performance will feature Stacey Linnartz, a professional actor, director, and teaching artist most recently seen in ATG’s production of Our Town.
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| Courtesy of Prana PR |
27) bergenPAC
Upcoming Events
'90s Hits & Xmas Riffs: Mark McGrath, Kevin Griffin & Emerson Hart Live
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 at 7 p.m.
https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/00006308F55D974C
A trio of multiplatinum iconic rock frontmen - Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray, Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra, and Emerson Hart of Tonic - will bring '90s Hits & Xmas Riffs: Mark McGrath, Kevin Griffin & Emerson Hart Live to Englewood, notably marking the supergroup’s first headline run as Ezra Ray Hart and their first-ever holiday jaunt.
bergenPAC (30 North Van Brunt St., Engelwood)
For more information about these or other upcoming shows and events at bergenPAC or to purchase tickets, visit www.bergenpac.org
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| Courtesy of Prana PR |
28) HOLIDAY PHOTOS WITH A HORSE
AT BERGEN EQUESTRIAN CENTER
BENEFITS OUR STABLE LIFE, EQUINE THERAPY PROGRAMS
Bergen Equestrian Center (BEC), home to Bergen County's first equine emotional wellness center, Our Stable Life, is excited to offer Holiday Photos with a Horse for the first time. Reserve your spot for holiday photos, where you can choose props ranging from wreaths and Santa hats to Hanukkah decorations—whatever you celebrate!
Horses will be available for photos on Sunday, December 7, from 11 AM to 4 PM. A donation of $35.00 is requested, and all proceeds will support free programs for individuals facing life challenges who are in need of equine therapy, visit www.bergenequestrian.com/support
Bergen Equestrian Center is located in Overpeck Park in Leonia, New Jersey, just 10 minutes from the George Washington Bridge.
Bergen County Equestrian Center at Overpeck Park
(40 Fort Lee Rd, Leonia)
December 7, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
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| Courtesy of Prana PR |
29) FREE PHOTOS WITH SANTA
KIDS +PETS FREE PHOTOS WITH SANTA
AT FORTUNOFF BACKYARD STORE IN PARAMUS + TOTOWA
Saturday, Dec. 6th 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. in Paramus
Sunday, Dec. 7th 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. in Totowa
Fortunoff Backyard Store continues its tradition as a premier destination for Christmas decorations and holiday décor. This year, they are adding extra joy to the holiday season by offering FREE photos with Santa!
Christmas at Fortunoff Backyard Store’s Santa photo opportunities are on Saturday, December 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at their Paramus location on Route 17 and on Sunday, December 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at their Totowa location on US 46.
Families with children and pets are warmly welcomed for a complimentary photo with Santa and to join in on the festivities.
Beginning in October, Fortunoff Backyard Store showrooms transform into winter wonderlands, offering an impressive selection of Christmas decor and other seasonal outdoor products. Visit Christmas at Fortunoff Backyard Store Holiday Shops near you for exclusive Christmas tree ornaments, lawn ornaments, indoor holiday decor, and Christmas at Fortunoff’s signature Christmas tree forest.
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| Courtesy of Prana PR |
30) NJPAC
Upcoming Events
Christmastime with Trisha Yearwood with a Symphony
Friday, December 5th at 8:00 P.M.
Ticket Link: Starting at $37
Join Trisha Yearwood for a magical evening of holiday music at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall, featuring songs from her brand-new album Christmastime. Accompanied by a full symphony, Trisha’s powerhouse vocals and heartfelt style bring new life to festive favorites and soon-to-be holiday classics.
New Jersey Symphony: Elf In Concert
Saturday, December 6th at 2:00 P.M.
Ticket Link: Starting at $46
Get ready to relive the holiday magic as Elf in Concert brings the beloved film to life on the big screen at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall. Watch Buddy the Elf’s hilarious and heartfelt journey unfold while a live symphony orchestra performs John Debney’s enchanting score in sync with the movie.
A Chanticleer Christmas
Saturday, December 6th at 3:00 P.M.
Ticket Link: Starting at $60
Celebrate the season with the Grammy-winning a cappella ensemble Chanticleer, as their exquisite harmonies fill NJPAC’s Victoria Theater with holiday magic. Known for their seamless blend and stunning range, Chanticleer brings centuries of music to life—from Renaissance madrigals to festive Christmas carols.
NJPAC (One Center St., Newark)
For more information about this and other upcoming events at NJPAC or to purchase tickets, visit www.njpac.org
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In New York
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| Courtesy of Nicholas & Lence |
31) Broadway Inspirational Voices Presents SEASONS: A Gospel Holiday Concert
On Monday, December 8, 2025, the renowned choir & national nonprofit of Broadway artists will perform to uplift attendees with holiday spirit
Broadway Inspirational Voices (BIV), the nonprofit and renowned choir composed of diverse Broadway performers changing lives through the power of music and service, announces the return of its beloved annual holiday concert. BIV presents: Seasons: A Gospel Holiday Concert will take place on Monday, December 8, 2025 at 7 p.m. at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place), bringing together some of the best of Broadway’s brightest community. The evening will highlight the choir’s talents, spread holiday joy and inspire hope, unity and transformation.
Proceeds from the event will go towards BIV’s programming, focused on community outreach, music education, and collaborative projects that bring the joy of music and the arts to underserved populations.
NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Pl,)
December 8, 7:00 PM
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32) Bronx Little Italy Annual Tree Lighting
Join Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Ciccarone Park (Saturday, December 6 from 4-6 PM) – Join the Belmont BID in kicking off the holiday season with their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Ciccarone Park, at the intersection of East 188th Street and Arthur Avenue, from 4-6pm. Attendees can embrace the spirit of the season by meeting Santa and his elf, singing along to holiday carols, and enjoying Italian cookies and hot chocolate from local small businesses. The BID will also host a toy giveaway for local children on a first come, first served basis.
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33) The Cathedral Church of St John the Divine Annual Crafts at the Cathedral
The 27th Annual Crafts at the Cathedral (Friday, December 5 through Sunday, December 7) – Offering the only juried fine crafts show in New York City, Crafts at the Cathedral will be taking place Friday from 12 pm-7 pm, Saturday from 9:30 am-6 pm, and Sunday from 12 pm-5 pm. Featuring talented artists in one of the premiere locations in the city, visitors can look forward to holiday shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts. With a wide selection of unique products, there is something for everyone. A weekend pass is $18, while single day passes are $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens, and $10 for students. Please see here for more information and to purchase tickets.
The Cathedral of St. John the Divine (1047 Amsterdam Ave.)
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| Courtesy of Emily Owens PR |
34) HERE Arts Center
Upcoming Events
The Pearl – Morvarid
Directed by Soroush Taheri
Written by Ghotbeddin Sadeghi
Performed by Maneli Hosseinpour, Soroush Taheri Aval, Yasha Khozoui, Oyku Guven
Hosted by HERE Arts Center
December 3–7, 2025
Dorothy B. Williams Theater
The Pearl is a historical feminist play that reimagines the Mongol invasion of Iran through the untold perspective of women. Rather than focusing on the conquerors, the story highlights the resilience, courage, and resistance of women who defied violence and terror. It is a narrative of survival, strength, and solidarity that sheds light on overlooked voices in history.
BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism)
Written by Dave Osmundsen
Presented by EPIC Players
Hosted by HERE Arts Center
December 4-14, 2025
Mainstage Theater
EPIC Players, New York’s leading neuroinclusive theater company, presents the world premiere of BUM BUM (or, this farce has Autism); a sharp-witted, genre-bending comedy by award-winning Autistic playwright Dave Osmundsen. Blending farce, satire, and social critique, BUM BUM is a radical, hilarious takedown of how media and society package neurodivergence for mass consumption. EPIC’s neurodivergent cast brings authenticity and bite to this bold new work, continuing the company’s mission to challenge stereotypes, increase representation, and center Disabled artists as creative leaders. And, in a perfectly meta turn, EPIC holds a mirror to the industry and joyfully dismantles the very tropes they've spent years replacing.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit
www.here.org
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| Courtesy of Emily Owens PR |
35) Keens Mixtape Series
Keen’s Mixtape Series
Think of your favorite mixtape—full of unexpected bangers, wild mashups, and deep cuts. That’s Keen’s Mixtape Series: a totally unique, one-night-only theater experience where each show is a handpicked compilation curated by a different visionary artist or company. Every night is a surprise of genres, ideas, and voices. One show only. When it’s over, you can’t flip the tape—you just had to be there. It’s analog fun in a digital world.
Mixtape 1: Curated by Monica Bill Barnes & Robbie Saenz de Viteri
Wednesday, December 3 at The Space at Irondale (85 S Oxford St, Brooklyn, NY 11217)
Featuring Ira Glass, The Bengsons, David Cale, and more!
Mixtape 2: Curated by Adam Gwon
Monday, March 2, 2026 at National Sawdust (80 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249)
Featuring Jennifer Jancuska + BringAbout Development, an excerpt of a new musical by Rona Siddiqui, Bryce Pinkham, Zack Fine, & Kirya Traber, and more!
Mixtape 3: Curated by Ato Blankson-Wood
Monday, April 13, 2026 at TBA Venue
Mixtape 4: Curated by Mona Mansour
Monday, May 4, 2026 at TBA Venue
Featuring Heidi Rodewald and more!
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36) Lincoln Center Upcoming Events
Fall is wrapping up at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, with special holiday presentations and returning beloved series — shows for families to enjoy together, events that push the boundaries of art & technology, and workshops that remind us of the deep connections between the arts and our wellbeing.
As always, all FREE or Choose-What-You-Pay!
December 2025 Highlights:
- The InBETWEEN Music & Tech continues at the David Rubenstein Atrium with Innovation and Convergence in Immersive Experiences (December 4.) The legendary Nona Hendryx will be joined by leaders in themed entertainment and immersive experiences: Disney Imagineer Amy Jupiter, Tech Humanist and an XR Immersive Strategist Kathleen Cohen, Park Avenue Armory Curator Tavia N’yong’o, and XR Producer and Immersive Technologist Jalina Stewart.
This unique chat will explore how entertainment industry giants are integrating AI and immersive XR/AR/VR experiences, both physically and digitally, across traditional theme parks and entertainment venues.
- The Art of Wellbeing continues with an exciting holiday edition, Songs of the Season (December 6) Presented in collaboration with New York-Presbyterian and the New York Philharmonic's Take a Breath, this exciting participatory sing-along gathers the community to spark joy through caroling, highlighting the power of both music and community in supporting mental health throughout the holiday season.
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| Courtesy of Nicholas & Lence |
37) Lincoln Square BID
2025 Holidays in Lincoln Square,
Kicks Off with the Magical Lights Ceremony
on Thursday, December 4
The holidays will shine so bright on the Upper West Side as The Lincoln Square Business Improvement District (BID) celebrates the Holidays in Lincoln Square with a series of free, festive events including nightly interactive light and sound shows, live music, an illuminated neighborhood procession, and more.
The festivities begin with the Magical Lights Ceremony on Thursday, December 4, at 4:30 p.m., at Dante Park (Broadway at West 64th Street) to turn on the holiday lights for the season in Lincoln Square with performances by The Saints of Swing, Kaufman Music Center’s Special Music School Chorus, Princess Schneeflocken, and more.
Magical Lights will illuminate nightly in Dante Park (Broadway at West 64th Street) and Richard Tucker Park (Broadway at West 65th Street) through February, featuring audio-reactive lighting by Limbic Media. This interactive, immersive experience will feature hundreds of lighted vines twinkling to the sounds of New York City as they hang from the trees in Dante and Richard Tucker Parks. Dante Park’s lights will move in sync to recordings provided by the Metropolitan Opera and Jazz at Lincoln Center. In addition, 34 trees wrapped entirely with lights will shine along the ten Broadway Malls from West 60th to 70th Streets.
Expanded Features for 2025 Holidays in Lincoln Square include:
- New Recordings from the Metropolitan Opera: The BID’s Magical Lights installation at Dante Park will feature recordings from the Metropolitan Opera including newly added tracks from the Met’s annual holiday presentation of The Magic Flute. Each evening throughout the holiday season, the audio-reactive Magical Lights, suspended from the magnificent London Plane trees in Dante Park will dance along to recordings from La Bohème, Don Giovanni, Hansel and Gretel, and more.
- Enhanced Lighting in the Broadway Malls: 34 trees in the Broadway Malls from 60th to 70th Street will shine with string lights wrapped from their trunks to the branches.
- Supporting the Community: The BID is asking community members to consider joining them in donating to their longtime local partner, the Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center. The center, which is run by Goddard Riverside Community Center, provides early childhood education, after-school and summer programs for youth, pathways for teens and young adults, including job training, and a full slate of services and enrichment for older adults. Donations can be made here or by visiting HolidaysinLincolnSquare.nyc.
Lincoln Square BID’s Holidays in Lincoln Square includes:
Magical Lights Ceremony – Thursday, December 4, at 4:30 p.m., in Dante Park
- Talented jugglers, stilt walkers, and comedic characters, including the whimsical Princess Schneeflocken, will entertain revelers with holiday-inspired circus acts.
- The Saints of Swing, a collective of musicians featuring Jim Mola and Kati Mac on vocals, Grisha Alexiev on drums, Tim Ouimette on trumpet, Ken Foy on trombone, Dale DeMarco on saxophone, and Lew Scott on bass, will fill the air with lively music as visitors dance along under the twinkling lights.
- Kaufman Music Center’s Special Music School Chorus will add to the holiday cheer with a free performance. The concert choir features high school vocal students from Kaufman’s K-12 public school.
- Local businesses will offer locals and visitors light refreshments, including Rosa Mexicana, which will warm up guests with hot chocolate and Le Botaniste, which will provide fresh cookies. First come, first serve, while refreshments last.
Festive Caroling by The Fabulous Fezziwigs – December 5, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, and 18, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Along the Sidewalks of Lincoln Square
- Throughout December, the Fabulous Fezziwigs will wear their festive Victorian costumes and bring joy to Lincoln Square with their spirited caroling of timeless classics and contemporary holiday favorites.
WinteRamble – Wednesday, December 17, Workshop at 3:00 p.m., Procession at 5:00 p.m.
- The public will come together for the fourth annual WinteRamble, an illuminated community procession of Frost Giant puppets and icicle lanterns led by Processional Arts Workshop. The procession will begin at 5:00 p.m. and travel through the Lincoln Square neighborhood until 6:00 p.m.
- Visitors and residents can welcome in winter by carrying an icicle lantern, creating their own mini lantern, or playing an acoustically-enhanced thumb piano in J.C. King’s Kalimbascope. Reserve your spot at HolidaysinLincolnSquare.nyc.
Nightly Light & Sound Shows at Dante and Richard Tucker Parks
- Throughout the holiday season, enjoy interactive, sensory light and sound shows in Dante Park (Broadway at West 64th Street) and Richard Tucker Park (Broadway at West 65th Street) every night beginning at 4:30 p.m.
- In Dante Park, festive musical recordings from the Metropolitan Opera, including newly-added tracks from The Met Opera, and timeless holiday favorites from the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
- Magical Lights are audio-reactive lighting designed by Limbic Media, an interdisciplinary team of artists and engineers transforming public spaces with high-tech interactive art and light installations.
For more information on the Lincoln Square BID’s upcoming programs and events, visit https://www.HolidaysinLincolnSquare.nyc.
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| Courtesy of Pascal Nadon Communications |
38) THE ORCHESTRA NOW PRESENTS EGYPT IN MUSIC AND ART AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART ON DECEMBER 7 |
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Music Director Leon Botstein and The Orchestra Now (TŌN) present Egypt in Music and Art as part of its popular Sight & Sound series at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2 pm. The program features Grammy-nominated pianist Terrence Wilson, winner of an Avery Fisher Career Grant and the Juilliard Petschek Award, in a performance of Saint-Säens’ Piano Concerto No. 5, “Egyptian.”
Egypt in Music and Art The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 2 pm Leon Botstein, conductor Terrence Wilson, piano Johann Strauss II: Egyptian March, Op. 335 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Magic Flute Overture, K.620 Camille Saint-Säens: Piano Concerto No. 5, “Egyptian” in F Major, Op. 103 Artwork from the exhibition Divine Egypt Ancient Egyptian religious practice flourished across millennia and encompassed a staggering array of gods, goddesses, and other divine beings. In such artworks as figurines, jewelry, and animal mummies, the iconography used to represent Egyptian deities evolved alongside the roles of the gods themselves. In the 18th and 19th centuries, European composers like Mozart and Johann Strauss II incorporated their view of the Middle East’s “exoticism” in some of their music. Saint-Saëns’s Fifth Piano Concerto was written in Egypt, where the composer included the melody of a Nubian love song he heard sung along the Nile.
The exhibition Divine Egypt is on view at The Met Fifth Avenue now through January 19, 2026, in gallery 899. Tickets, starting at $35, include same-day museum admission and may be purchased online at metmuseum.org, by calling The Met at 212.570.3949, or at The Great Hall box office at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. |
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39) LINCOLN CENTER THEATER
ANNOUNCES PROGRAMMING FOR
“THE READING SERIES”
AT LCT3
FEATURING ONE-NIGHT-ONLY READINGS OF NEW PLAYS FROM
CHRISTINA ANDERSON
JAKE BRASCH
KATE CORTESI
MIRANDA ROSE HALL
NICK KAIDOO
AND
MFONSIO UDOFIA
SELECTED BY AND IN CONVERSATION WITH LCT ALUMNI
PLAYWRIGHTS
AYAD AKHTAR
BRANDEN JACOBS-JENKINS
LYNN NOTTAGE
MARCO RAMIREZ
J.T. ROGERS
AND
SARAH RUHL
Lincoln Center Theater announced the programming for The Reading Series at LCT3. In this intimate new series, six of our most celebrated playwrights join forces with exciting voices new to LCT to share the stage and the spotlight. Each one-night-only event features a staged reading of a bold new work, alongside an open conversation between storytellers prior to each reading. These public readings will be presented beginning on Monday, December 1, 2025, and will continue through June 2026. The plays have been selected by a group of LCT alumni playwrights including Ayad Akhtar, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Lynn Nottage, Marco Ramirez, J.T. Rogers, and Sarah Ruhl.
Programming will include the following:
Three Weeks in Paris by Christina Anderson, selected by Lynn Nottage, on Monday, December 1, 2025 at 6:30PM.
Ten Grand by Kate Cortesi, selected by J.T. Rogers, on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 6:30PM.
Work of Devotion by Miranda Rose Hall, selected by Sarah Ruhl on Monday, March 9, 2026 at 6:30PM.
Sycamore by Nick Kaidoo, selected by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins on Monday, March 16, 2026 at 6:30PM.
creation stories and all the important importants by Mfoniso Udofia, selected by Ayad Akhtar on Monday, March 23, 2026 at 6:30PM.
Trip Around the Sun by Jake Brasch, selected by Marco Ramirez, on Monday, June 15, 2026 at 6:30PM.
Tickets for The Reading Series are available at www.lct.org/shows/the-reading-series.
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| Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR |
40) South Street Seaport Museum
Announces
December Monthly Family Activity:
Holiday Collages
Saturdays and Sundays, December 6–28 | 11am–4:30pm | 207 Water Street | Free
Weekends bring fun activities for the whole family to the South Street Seaport Museum. Timely hands-on activities and engagement stations for visitors of all ages provide creative opportunities that illuminate history and life at sea while enhancing your visit to the Seaport Museum galleries, the tall ship Wavertree, and the lightship Ambrose.
Activities and their locations change each month to highlight various aspects of maritime history, New York City’s beginnings as a port city, or the Museum’s collections and offerings. Engagement stations may be located in the Seaport Museum program space at 207 Water Street, the introduction galleries inside Schermerhorn Row at 12 Fulton Street, or aboard the tall ship Wavertree at Pier 16. Museum staff will be happy to point participants in the direction of the weekend’s activity when they check in.
Book free December family activity tickets here.
December 2025: Holiday Collages
Inspired by the works on paper and collages of artist Robert Warner (1956–2023) on view in Maritime City and stored within the Collections of the Seaport Museum, the December family activity invites people of all ages to create seasonal letterpress collages and paper sculptures of their very own.
Whether you chose to create a festive piece inspired by the holiday season or a reflective collage looking back at 2025 as the year comes to a close, let your imagination and creativity lead the way. With a selection of letterpress stamps, materials from Bowne & Co., found objects, and craft supplies at your disposal, you’ll have everything you need to roll up your sleeves and create something unique. Join us this holiday season and bring your artistic vision to life!
This family activity will be offered every Saturday and Sunday from December 6 to December 28, except for December 7.
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41) Colt Coeur presents Special Events
at The Surgeon and Her Daughters
A Series of Post-Show Conversations
December 1, 4, 8, 14 & 15 at Theater 154
Colt Coeur (Founding Artistic Director Adrienne Campbell-Holt and Executive Producer Heather Cohn) will present a series of post-show conversations following select performances of their World Premiere of The Surgeon and Her Daughters by Chris Gabo, directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt, presented November 23-December 20 at Theater 154 (154 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014).
New Sanctuary Coalition: Immigrant Rights
Monday, December 1 (following 7pm performance)
Talkback featuring Ravi Ragbir from the New Sanctuary Coalition who will discuss their work to dismantle the deportation machine, support immigrants at their ICE hearings and how volunteers can contribute.
In Conversation: Chris Gabo & Jacob Padrón
Thursday, December 4 (following 7pm performance)
Colt Coeur is partnering with LatinX Playwrights Circle and the Sol Project for this performance and post-show conversation.
Developing New Work: Adrienne Campbell-Holt, Lia Romeo, Amita Sharma & Ying Ying Li
Monday, December 8th (following 7pm performance)
Post-show conversation on developing new work at Colt Coeur and beyond. Still playwright Lia Romeo reunites with director Adrienne Campbell-Holt, as well as Colt Coeur Resident playwright Amita Sharma and former resident Ying Ying Li. Together, they’ll discuss their creative processes, how they move projects forward, and how motherhood shapes their experiences as theatre-makers.
Deep Seeded Truth: A Conversation with Awab Shawkat, MHC & Roua Eltayeib, LMFT
Sunday, December 14th (following 4pm performance)
On Mentorship and Returning to a Play from your past: Chris Gabo & Rajiv Joseph
Monday, December 15th (following 7pm performance)
Chris Gabo (The Surgeon and Her Daughters, “In Treatment”) and Rajiv Joseph (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Gruesome Playground Injuries) sit down to talk about mentorship — how guidance, dialogue, and creative exchange shape a playwright’s journey.
Additional partnerships:
In addition to these five post-show conversations, the production of The Surgeon and Her Daughters is proud to uplift the efforts of the following organizations:
This production is dedicated to the memory of Diana “Zaza” Oh, who performed in the 2016 Cherry Lane Mentor Project workshop of The Surgeon and Her Daughters. We are uplifting NAMI-NYC to share resources and connect our community with their free mental-health programming.
Inspired by the character of Mohammed-Ahmed, from The Surgeon and Her Daughters, Colt Coeur is collecting funds for the Sudanese American Physicians Association.
Finally, given the holiday timing of the production and Surgeon’s intersection with the theme of food’s integral role in community and grief-processing–Colt Coeur is grateful to collect donations for Food Bank NYC throughout the run of the production.
Accessibility offerings:
Colt Coeur is thrilled to offer a limited number of Childcare Reimbursements to cover childcare costs for primary caretakers who wish to attend a performance of The Surgeon and Her Daughters. They will provide up to $60 per family for 5 families during the run of the show. Funds will be allocated based on a lottery.
Colt Coeur is working with Access Broadway for two Closed Captioning performances:
Wednesday December 10 at 1pm
Friday, December 19 at 7pm
Award-Winning Energy Transfer Veterans Memorial Rink Returns to Newtown Square for the 2025-26 Season
* Flight On Ice to Re-Open Delco’s Favorite Outdoor Winter Attraction, with a Portion of Proceeds Benefiting Our Local Veterans *
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| Courtesy of Aversa PR |
42) Award-Winning Energy Transfer Veterans Memorial Rink Returns to Newtown Square for the 2025-26 Season
Flight On Ice to Re-Open Delco’s Favorite Outdoor Winter Attraction, with a Portion of Proceeds Benefiting Our Local Veterans
Embracing the spirit of winter, Flight On Ice announces the reopening of the Energy Transfer Veterans Memorial Rink in Edgmont, Newtown Square on Nov. 21st, bringing back their award-winning outdoor ice skating rink for the 2025-26 season. This family-friendly concept has captured the hearts of Delco residents since 2021, made possible by the support of Energy Transfer, Visit Delco, and numerous other sponsors.
The Energy Transfer Veterans Memorial Rink is located at 4901 West Chester Pike, adjoining the Shoppes at Marville, and right next door to Starbucks and the Bonefish Grill. Flight on Ice’s winter attraction debuted in 2021 and has quickly become a beloved fixture in the community. The rink has delighted thousands of visitors in just four short years, garnering accolades such as "Best of Delco” for 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025 for “Best Fun Day Family Outing,” as voted by readers of the Delaware County Daily Times.
This year, Flight On Ice promises to create an even more captivating winter wonderland. Patrons can look forward to an array of family-friendly fun, including a kids zone with moon bounces courtesy of One Stop Party Shop, spacious heated tents for comfort, a large LED TV Display, cozy fire pits to enjoy your S’mores, open-air gazebos, and much more. You can also expect a selection of food & refreshments covering all the basics, including nachos, pretzels, popcorn, candy, coffee, and hot chocolate.
Flight is known for its next level events and will release their full schedule soon, but keep an eye out for the annual Tree Lighting, an Eagles Autism Skate, Santa on a Firetruck, and a Kids Noon Years Eve Party on Dec. 31, just to name a few. Make sure you check out the official events calendar at flightonice.com.
In the spirit of giving back, a portion of proceeds generated during this season will once again be donated to support the DCVMA.
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| Courtesy of Aversa PR |
43) FISHTOWN FREEZE TAKES OVER FRANKFORD AVENUE WITH LIVE ICE CARVING AND SCULPTURES, HOLIDAY SHOPPING STROLL, SHOPPING MARKETS AND FAMILY FUN
Fishtown District is thrilled to announce the return of the beloved Fishtown Freeze, an annual celebration of art, community, and holiday cheer. Now in its seventh year, this signature event will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025 transforming the streets of Fishtown into a winter wonderland featuring dozens of custom-designed ice sculptures, festive shopping experiences, and more. This year’s Fishtown Freeze will showcase five live ice carving demonstrations and individual sculptures created by internationally acclaimed artists from Ice Sculpture Philly. Visitors can also enjoy outdoor food and beverage offerings, exclusive holiday specials at local restaurants, and a complimentary trolley service running along Frankford Avenue from 12:00PM to 6:30PM. Additional highlights include photos with Santa at Frankford Hall, plus unique seasonal activities for all ages. The festivities continue with the Fishtown Holiday Shopping Spr ee, a long-standing tradition supporting local businesses. Beginning Saturday, December 6 and running through Sunday, December 7, shoppers can take advantage of special discounts at more than 25 independent retailers and boutiques throughout the neighborhood. Both events are no charge and open to the public, with food, beverages, and gifts available for purchase. In the event of inclement weather, outdoor activities and ice sculptures will be rescheduled for Sunday, December 7.
FISHTOWN FREEZE - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6TH
(Rain date for ice sculptures, live carvings, and outdoor market is Sunday, December 7, 2025
For more information follow @fishtownfeastivale and @fishtown_district on Instagram, @fishtowndistrict on Facebook, #fishtownfreeze or visit www dot fishtowndistrict dot com.
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44) PHILADELPHIA WELCOMES NEW HOLIDAY TRADITION: SHOPS AT THE WANAMAKER LIGHT SHOW DEBUTS INDOORS AT THE HISTORIC WANAMAKER BUILDING
The magic of the holidays in Philadelphia will sparkle even brighter this season with the debut of Shops at The Wanamaker Light Show, presented by the makers of Christmas Village in Philadelphia. In collaboration with the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation, this brand-new indoor holiday market will transform the Wanamaker Building Grand Court into a warm and festive shopping destination featuring 30 curated local vendors - all set against the backdrop of one of the city’s most treasured holiday spectacles. Shoppers can browse a curated selection of artisan gifts, seasonal treats, handmade goods, and festive finds, while surrounded by the glow and music of the iconic Wanamaker Light Show, a Philadelphia tradition that has captivated audiences since 1956. Now, with the addition of Shops at The Wanamaker Light Show, guests can do more than just experience the magic - they can take a piece of it home. From treasured traditions to new holiday memories, this enchanting experience is set to become a beloved part of Philadelphia’s cherished holiday traditions.The event runs through Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, the Shops at The Wanamaker Light Show will offer visitors a cozy new way to experience the season. Market hours are daily 12:00pm to 8:00pm, with special hours on Christmas Eve from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. Shops are closed December 1, 2, 8 and 9, 2025.
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45) Celebrate the Holidays with Great Movies and Concerts on the Big Screen This Season with Fathom Entertainment
Performing Arts
The bold filmed version of the smash four-time Tony Award-winning musical performance, directed by Maria Friedman. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez. The 2023-2024 Broadway production, directed by Friedman, redefined the show for a new era, bringing Stephen Sondheim’s intricate score and George Furth’s book to vivid life with extraordinary depth and clarity.
The Met: Live in HD: The Magic Flute Encore
December 6, 2025
Performing Arts
This holiday season, the Metropolitan Opera’s abridged, family-friendly production by Julie Taymor of Mozart’s The Magic Flute returns to select theatres nationwide. Featuring some of opera’s most popular melodies and brought to life with colorful sets and dazzling puppetry, it’s the perfect treat for audiences of all ages.
André Rieu 2025 Merry Christmas
December 7 & 10, 2025
Performing Arts
Join André Rieu for his latest festive concert Merry Christmas and celebrate the season with joyful carols, enchanting waltzes, and plenty of surprises for the whole family. It’s the ultimate Christmas cinema event! With his fabulous Johann Strauss Orchestra and special guests, including the sensational Emma Kok and over 400 brass players bringing the majestic sound of Christmas, André’s concert is bursting with warmth, laughter, and holiday cheer.
Tickets and ticketing information for Fathom Entertainment Holiday Collection releases are available at Fathom Entertainment and participating theatre box offices.
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And that's the scoop. Tune in tomorrow for More Theater Monday.
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