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Culture Events Lifestyle Living News NYC Outdoor

2021 Downtown Holiday Lights and Events

South Street Seaport Tree Lighting
South Street Seaport Tree Lighting

Photo: J. Kratochvil.

Downtown NYC is filling up with the holiday spirit! We’ve included here a roundup of upcoming holiday lighting ceremonies and fun festivities.

*South Street Seaport’s Chanukah Family Fun Day, Nov. 28, 3pm-5pm

Photo: J. Kratochvil.

Festivities begin with the Grand Ice Carving of Menorah Show – 3:00pm – 3:30pm

  • Indoor and Outdoor Activities and Entertainment – 3:00pm – 4:30pm
  • Families can enjoy a variety of winter themed and Chanukah activities and projects including balloons, coloring books, and donut decorating. RSVP for Chanukah crafts here.
  • Grand Menorah Lighting – 4:30pm – 5:00pm
  • Celebrate the start of Chanukah with your loved ones as neighborhood figureheads light the first candle at sundown.

Brookfield Place Luminaries, Nov. 29-Jan. 2

Brookfield Place Luminaries
Brookfield Place Luminaries

This installation and holiday tradition features a canopy of colorful lights emanating from hundreds of suspended lanterns. Luminaries was created by the LAB at Rockwell Group for Brookfield Place, inspired by the season’s traditions of sharing, giving, and community.

Touchless wishing stations located on the ground allow visitors to send a motion-activated ‘wish’ into the canopy of lanterns above, prompting a magical display of lights and colors. For each wish made and each interaction with Luminaries, Brookfield Place will donate $1 up to $25,000 to City Harvest, New York City’s largest food rescue organization.

This year, Luminaries debuts Maestro, a new interactive experience that will enable guests to conduct their own symphony. Maestro leverages skeletal tracking technology which allows you to show off your creativity as your own unique light show is displayed in unison with holiday music. The kiosk is an organic form, inspired by an abstraction of global instruments from harps to guitars, and is manufactured by Timbur and made of CNC-milled plywood.

NYSE Tree Lighting, Dec. 1, 2pm-6pm

The NYSE’s Tree Lighting prepares for its 98th holiday season. Head over to Experience Plaza, on the corner of Wall and Broad Streets. The event will feature performances by the Harlem Globetrotters, The Salvation Army Band, Senri Oe, the Léman Manhattan Preparatory School Choir and the USMC Toys for Tots Kettle Bell Ringers; holiday-ready companies like Build-a-Bear, Barkbox and Coca-Cola will also be getting in on the festivities-Santa may also be stopping by! Refreshments will be served. The event will livestream beginning 4:15pm. nyse.com

The Seaport Christmas Tree Lighting Block Party, Dec. 2, 5pm-8pm

Ring in the holidays with live music, pictures with Santa, hot chocolate, apple cider, and kids crafts the block party will have indoor and outdoor activities open to the public. Schedule breakdown:
Holiday crafts and live music – The Corner, 25 Fulton St. (RSVP here)
Kids’ coloring activities – McNally Jackson Books, 4 Fulton St.
Hot chocolate at Cobble & Co. and hot apple cider from Fulton Stall Market – Cobble & Co., 19 Fulton and St. Fulton Stall Market, Corner of Fulton St. and Water St.
Mulled wine and spiked hot chocolate – Garden Bar, 19 Fulton St.
Hester Street Pop-Up Marketing – 205 Front St. (5:00pm – 9:00pm)
Sip & shop at SJP – SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker, 93 South St.
Christmas tree cookies – Funny Face Bakery, 6 Fulton St.
Upcoming Exhibit Previews – The South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St.
Live music performances – (5:30pm – 8:00pm)
Photobooth with Santa – 8 Fulton St.
Christmas Tree Lighting – 6:45pm
Watch the Howard Hughes Corporation and special music guests light the locally sourced tree and enjoy the Christmas magic.
The Ugly Sweater Party – 8:00pm – 12:00am
Unwind and celebrate the start of the holiday season with specialty cocktails and music from special guest DJ Mel Debarge at Pearl Alley. RSVP free for the Ugly Sweater Party here.

Holiday Lights at Battery Park, Dec. 2, 6pm

Celebrate the fifth night of Chanukah and see the annual tree lighting at Battery Park’s Holiday Lights event! Special appearances by Sing Harlem Choir, PS/IS 276 Advanced Chorus, and you-know-who! Free RSVP here. 

Washington Square Park Tree Lighting, Dec. 8, 6pm 

Washington Square Park Christmas Treet
Washington Square Park Tree Lighting Ceremony

NYC’s iconic park in the heart of Greenwich Village prepares for the holiday season. There will also be a Meta/Facebook live event, streaming The Rob Susman Brass Quarter along with singalong holiday songs. Santa may make an appearance. Also, there will be Christmas Eve caroling Dec. 24, at 5pm. washingtonnyc.org

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Culture Entertainment Events Featured

Friday Night Films in NYC This Summer

Films on the Green 2018
Films on the Green 2018

Films on the Green, the 11th edition of the free outdoor French film festival, will present a selection of films around a theme intrinsically related to French culture and society: gastronomy. Produced by the French Embassy and NYC Parks, Films on the Green will present a selection of classic and contemporary French films including Le Grand Restaurant (Jacques Besnard), The Rules of the Game (Jean Renoir),  Le Boucher (Claude Chabrol), The Scent of the Green Papaya (Tran Anh Hung), The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (Luis Buñuel), The Grocer’s Son (Eric Guirado), and Haute Cuisine (Christian Vincent). Films will be shown at various parks in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey, from June 1 to September 6, 2018.

 

 

Downtown is proud to be one of this year’s sponsors for Films on the Green. “Our love for French Film’s and New York City parks are one and the same, having the opportunity to bring these to together was too good to pass up” CEO Grace A. Capobianco. Ms. Capobianco’s affinity with France dates back to the early 80’s during her very first trip to the South of France, since then she has spent an extensive amount of time in France, enjoys many French friends, an adoptive French daughter and her very own pup Barclay, Downtown’s Pawblisher, answers to only French commands!

Last year was a banner year for Films on the Green. They celebrated their 10th edition with a selection of contemporary and classic French cinema selected by 10 guest curators, including some of the most compelling and creative filmmakers, actors, and artists of our time: Wes Anderson, Jim Jarmusch, Isabella Rossellini, Laurie Anderson, and more. This year, they are building on this momentum with the theme “à table!” celebrating the French “art de vivre” through a selection of 11 classic and contemporary films screened in 7 parks across the city.

Washington Square Park
Washington Square Park

The Festival will kick off on June 1 with a private reception at the French Embassy, followed by the first screening in Central Park. Subsequent screenings will take place at Washington Square Park, Tompkins Square Park, Transmitter Park and Riverside Park. The series will conclude with a special back-to-school screening at Columbia University on September 6. We will also present a screening in Spanish in Washington Heights to further broaden our already diverse audience of New York francophiles and cinephiles.

DJs spin music prior to each screening and the films attract a hip and dynamic crowd. Last year 5,600 people attended and visibility was very strong for our partners and sponsors with thousands of New Yorkers and visitors passing through the film viewing areas.

We look forward to seeing you at one or all of the many films this year. Bring a baguette, some Reblochon, and sweets from Ladurée, Maison du Chocolat, or Dominique Ansel Bakery.

Be sure to add Films on the Green to your Summer New York City outings, and we’ll see you on the Green!

More information at frenchculture.org/

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Events Featured

Downtown TripPicks: Dec. 4 – Dec. 10

Trip by Skyscanner is an innovative planning tool that tailors recommendations for places to stay, eat and play to your specific tastes. It also allows you to share your great experiences with people who have the same interests as you; people in your “tribes.” Trip by Skyscanner’s TripPicks This Week feature empowers you to discover and take advantage of events, openings and exhibits throughout the city each week.

Here are some exciting events and sites to check out this week in Downtown New York, courtesy of Trip by Skyscanner. Visit the Trip by Skyscanner website or download the app for more upcoming events.

 

Global Spiritual Life

Moderated by NYU Law Professor Alina Das, the audience will hear from Shaun King, Imam Khalid Latif, Simranjeet Singh and angel Kyodo Williams Sensei as they discuss the role of religion and spirituality in “bringing about a more racially just world” Tickets $7.33-$12.61.

Kimmel Center for University Life (Greenwich Village)
Monday, Dec. 4 from 7-9:30pm

 

The Winter’s Tale

Taking a break from bringing free, world-class productions to the five boroughs, The Public Theater’s Mobile Unit comes home to perform Shakespeare’s sweeping story of loss and redemption, The Winter’s Tale, directed by Lee Sunday Evans. FREE

The Public Theater (East Village)
Through Sunday, Dec. 17 (check site for times)

 

SantaCon

Some may say that SantaCon is the only thing that sucks about the holidays in New York, but we say, where’s your Christmas spirit? Join the herd of Kris Kringles as they make their way through the city’s bars, boosting the economy and our spirits. FREE

TBD
Saturday, Dec. 9 10am-7pm

 

Miracle on 9th Street

Every year Mace transforms into a veritable winter wonderland — Miracle on 9th Street! The Christmas-themed pop-up bar totally goes over the top to serve customers holiday-inspired drinks and cheer.

Mace (East Village)
Monday-Friday from 4pm-2am; Saturday-Sunday from 2pm-2am

 

Washington Square Park Tree Lighting

Mark the start of the holiday season with a tree-lighting ceremony in Washington Square Park. Festivities include holiday songs with the Rob Susman Brass Quartet (songbooks will be provided) and Santa Claus, who’ll be handing out candy canes to all. FREE

Washington Square Park (Greenwich Village)
Wednesday, December 6 at 6pm

 

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Living

Downtown TripPicks: July 24 – July 31

Trip.com is an innovative planning tool that tailors recommendations for places to stay, eat and play to your specific tastes. It also allows you to share your great experiences with people who have the same interests as you; people in your “tribes.” Trip.com’s TripPicks This Week feature empowers you to discover and take advantage of great events, openings and exhibits throughout the city each week.

Here are some exciting events and sites to check out this week in Downtown New York, courtesy of Trip.com. Visit the website or download the app for more upcoming events.

Ice Factory

Bet on seeing works that are not afraid to take risks or push buttons. We are stoked to see “True Right,” a reimagining of Sam Shepard’s “True West,” the psychosexual thriller “Fernando,” the futuristic participatory rock concert that blends American and Afghan music, “Tear a Root from the Earth” and “The Anthropologists Save the World.” Tickets start at $16.

The Ohio Theater (West Village)
Wednesday – Saturday at 7 p.m. (through Aug. 12)

Restaurant Week

Restaurant week gives New Yorkers and visitors a chance to indulge their taste buds at restaurants that would normally be reserved for very special occasions. With three course lunch and dinner deals this sweet, every day is going to feel like a celebration. This year’s new addition include Mission Chinese Food, Fowler & Wells, Lupulo, Porsena, Salvation Burger and Untitled. Dinners are $42 and lunches are $29.

Check the website for participating restaurants
Monday, July 24 – Friday, Aug. 18

The Matrix Rooftop

Celebrate throwback Thursdays with Tony Dapolito Rooftop Movie Festival! This week the series is screening the 1999 mega hit “The Matrix.” Take the red pill and see “how deep the rabbit-hole goes.” Free.

Tony Dapolito Recreation Center (West Village)
Thursday, July 27  from 8:30 p.m.- 11:30 p.m.

New Food Hall and Market

Keep ‘em coming! Another food hall/fancy supermarket has opened in Manhattan’s Financial District. Stroll the aisles of City Acres Market, which is well-stocked with specialty items, and then check out the goods from favorite local vendors Artichoke Basille’s Pizza, Cinnamon Snail, Beyond Sushi, Vanessa’s Dumpling House and JuiceBrothers.

City Acres Market (Financial District)
Daily from 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.

J Brand Sample Sale

Premium denim, with cuts that flatter, J Brand jeans are on everybody’s must-have list. Stock up on these fashion-forward jeans and denim fashions for men women at unbeatable prices.

260 Sample (Flatiron)
Tuesday, July 25 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Wednesday, July 26 – Saturday, July 29 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday, July 30 from 10 a.m. -4 p.m.

High Intensity Workout

Want a good way to jump start your week and repent for all those poor choices you made this weekend? We know just the thing. Every Monday at Washington Square Park you can do quick and intense sets of burpees, pushups, situps, dips, and box jumps. The best part is that it’s totally free. And this high intensity workout lasts only 30 minutes.

Washington Square Park (West Village)
Mondays at 6:30 a.m.

Categories
Events Health

Fitness Friday: Outdoor Yoga

Fitness Friday is here and this week we are featuring the best outdoor yoga spots downtown. Summer is FINALLY officially here and it is the time to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather, so why not find a local yoga class and enjoy the weather while relaxing and staying active?

Downtown has searched different outdoor yoga practices offered around Manhattan, focusing mainly on the Downtown area, but added a few close by just in case you find yourself in other areas of the city.

Downtown

Washington Square Park

Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

Each week all summer long, on Wednesdays at 8:30-9:30 a.m., Garibaldi Plaza in Washington Square Park puts on a yoga event with Sacred Sounds Yoga for FREE, courtesy of NYC Parks. Afterwards, from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m., your kids can also go to a free yoga class at the kids playground. Spend your Wednesdays in Washington Square Park to ensure a relaxing workout.

Battery Park 

Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

Battery Park offers two yoga sessions each week from now until August 27th by Tejal Patel of Tejal Yoga, who is dedicated and passionate. One session is on Sundays from 11:30 am to 12:30 p.m. and another is every Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.. The suggested donation is $10, which goes to The Battery Conservancy.  You must RSVP to attend these sessions. Sunday mornings are for all ages while the Wednesday evening sessions are for the after-work crowd. I can vouch that this was a great class; peaceful, relaxing, and grounding. Take advantage of this opportunity to practice yoga in the beautiful Battery Park!

Citi Summer in the Square

Photo Courtesy of Summer in the Square

Every Thursday, in the morning and afternoon, in Union Square Park, Citi Summer in the Square has two yoga sessions you can attend up until August 10th. To start off your day, you can attend a 7 to 8 a.m. yoga session in the South Plaza, put on by Paragon sports. Or, to end your day, you can attend sunset yoga at 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the North Plaza, with New York Health & Racquet Club. All events in Citi Summer in the Square are free. Make your Thursdays extra special by participating in these awesome events while you can!

Complete Body – Financial District

Photo courtesy of Yelp

Every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m., there is a 45 minute Vinyasa yoga outside class in the Financial District location of Complete Body — located at 10 Hanover Square. It is an open level class driven to strengthen and open the body. Through different postures and certain breathing techniques, Complete Body encourages a “calm, self-awareness and vibrant energy.” Complete body requires a membership.

…. Along with these 4 spots, as promised we’ve included a few places abovee Downtown:

Downtown Goes Up

Summer on the Hudson

Photo courtesy of City Atlas

The Parks Department’s annual outdoor arts & culture festival has begun and takes place in Riverside Park, which is from 59th Street all the way to 153rd Street. Within Riverside Park South, every Wednesday from now until September 27 at 6:30 p.m. there is a yoga class – an evening salute to the sun, located at The Plaza at 66th Street. In Mid Riverside Park, Yoga Flow is every Thursday, present until September 28, at 6:30 p.m., located at the Lawn at 78th Street.

Bryant Park

Photo courtesy of NYC Parks

Open to all ages and fitness levels as well as free to the public, Bryant Park puts on a hit yoga class every Thursday — from now until September 7 — at 6 p.m. held on the lawn. This is their 14th season of outdoor yoga classes and allows anyone and everyone to have an opportunity to end up perfecting their downward dog at their own pace.

Hudson Park

Photo courtesy of HY/HK Alliance

Every Sunday, from now until August 6, the HY/HK Alliance puts on a free morning yoga session with Malorie Bryant 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.. Held at the Hudson Park Fountains, in Hudson Park (between W 34th and W 35th, 10th Avenue and 11th Ave), they are reaching out to all different levels and only require you to bring a mat. The Hudson Yards is a perfect place to practice yoga on the beautiful Manhattan Sunday mornings.

Along with these, Central Park is full of many yoga opportunities for beginners, all levels, and more. Although some may require a fee to join the class, there are classes offered at a variety of times and with different groups or even just meet-ups.

Namaste to summer days and outdoor yoga!

Categories
Events Living

Downtown TripPicks: June 5 – June 12, 2017

Trip.com is an innovative planning tool that tailors recommendations for places to stay, eat and play to your specific tastes. It also allows you to share your great experiences with people who have the same interests as you; people in your “tribes.” Trip.com’s TripPicks This Week feature empowers you to discover and take advantage of great events, openings and exhibits throughout the city each week.

Here are some exciting events and sites to check out this week in Downtown New York, courtesy of Trip.com. Visit their site or download the app for more upcoming events.

 

Photo courtesy of Hotel 50 Bowery. 

New Rooftop Bar

A new rooftop bar, aptly named the The Crown, now tops the 21st floor of Hotel 50 Bowery. Come check out the breathtaking views of Manhattan and Brooklyn while sampling Asian-inspired craft cocktails and  “a small menu of rotating globally-inspired street food.” Trust us: you’re going to be very impressed.

Hotel 50 Bowery (Chinatown)
Sunday-Wednesday from 12 pm-2am; Thursday-Saturday from 12pm-4am

 

The Zinfandel Experience

Though the grape’s origin can be traced to Croatia and Italy, Zinfandel is the quintessential American wine. The Zinfandel Experience showcases the wine’s versatility, which ranges from dry to semi-sweet, with wine samples from awarding wineries.  Tickets start at $69.

Union Square Ballroom (Union Square)
Wednesday, June 7 from 7-10pm

 

Kundalini Disco Yoga

Awaken your higher self with groovy music, Kundalini yoga and meditation. This original two hour class will take participants on a unique spiritual journey that will rejuvenate, renew and revitalize from the inside out. Class is $30.

Woom Center (Nolita)
Sunday, June 11 from 2-4pm

 

Washington Square Classical Music Festival

June 6 marks the start of a month-long classical concert series at Washington Square Park. We can’t imagine a lovelier Tuesday evening than in the company of Bizet and Carl Orff‘s “Carmina Burana” with The Stonewall Chorale, the nation’s first LGBT chorus, and soloists. Free event.

Washington Square Park (Greenwich Village)
Tuesday, June 6 at 8pm

Lower East Side Film Festival

The Lower East Side Film Festival showcases low-budget and independent films from across the globe, but this affair is far from low-profile. Don’t miss the opening night film “Avenues” and the after-party hosted by Vimeo at DROM where a $20 cover includes live music and an open bar with beer and wine. While you’re at it, hit up the filmmaker reception and ice cream social on the rooftop of Meet on Bowery. Tickets start at $16.

Check out the site for a complete list of venues and times
Thursday, June 8-Thursday, June 15 

 

Bourbon Bash

Meet fellow bourbon enthusiasts and enjoy eight different premium bourbon tastings at eight different downtown bars. Among them Copper Still, 2A, Parkside Lounge, East Village Social and Plug Uglies at the New York City Bourbon Bash. Neat, on the rocks, or with a soda mixer: it’s bottoms up! Tickets are $65.

Parkside Lounge (Lower East Side)
Saturday, June 10 from 12-10pm

Big Apple BBQ

“Get sauced” with 15 of the finest pitmasters from across the county during two days of Big Apple Barbecue. We can’t wait to taste the heat and smoke from Hometown Bar-B-Que, Baker’s Ribs, Fox Brothers Bar-B-Q, Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ and Salt Lick BBQ. There will also be live musical performances throughout the day.

Madison Square Park (Flatiron)
Saturday, June 10-Sunday June 11 from 11am-6pm

Outdoor Moonlight Screening

Presented in partnership with The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Community Center in observance of June’s LGBTQ Pride Month, don’t miss Barry Jenkins’ moving coming-of-age story, “Moonlight“, under the stars. Free event.

Corporal John A Seravalli Playground (Meatpacking District)
Wednesday, June 7 from 8:30-11:30pm