Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Now in its 85th year, this classic event includes 15 giant character balloons; 44 novelty/ornament balloons, balloonicles and balloonheads; 27 floats; 1,600 cheerleaders, dancers, and performers; 800 clowns; 11 marching bands; a bunch of celebrity performers, and one jolly Santa Claus.
Parade Route: Starting at 77th Street and winding its way down Central Park West to Columbus Circle, then down 7th Avenue, to 42nd Street, then on 6th Avenue down to 34th Street.
Thursday, Nov. 24, begins at 9 a.m.
This event is free
www.macys.com/parade
George Balanchine’s ‘The Nutcracker’
You know it’s the holidays when “The Nutcracker” begins performing. It features 150 dancers, 50 children, a one-ton Christmas tree, an onstage storm, and hundreds of elaborate costumes. This is the same 1954 production by George Balanchine that spawned countless versions across the country. The ballet tells the classic story of the nutcracker that came to life; set to Tchaikovsky’s 1892 score.
David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center
Nov. 25–Dec. 31
Tickets: $55–$225
nycballet.com
Great Turkey Burn Off - Indoor 3K
A good way to shed some holiday pounds: Asser Levy Recreation Center will host an indoor 3-kilometer (2 mile) race. Participants will run on treadmills and be timed for winners.
Asser Levy Recreation Center
Asser Levy Place, East 23rd Street, Manhattan
Saturday, Nov. 26, 8 a.m.
This event is free
Contact number: (212) 447-2020
www.nycgovparks.org
Arlo Guthrie’s Annual Thanksgiving Concert
Performing at Carnegie Hall for more than 40 years, folk singer Arlo Guthrie returns again for a different kind of Thanksgiving tradition. This time, with three generations of his family on stage and playing music by Arlo’s famed father Woody Guthrie, the concert will represent four generations of Guthrie music. Arlo gained fame in 1967 with the song “Alice’s Restaurant.”
Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall
Saturday, Nov. 26, 8 a.m.
Tickets: $12.50–$70
www.carnegiehall.org
“Messiah” … Refreshed!
One of the most beloved choral works in the Western world and a holiday epic, Handel’s “Messiah” will be performed with a full symphony orchestra by Distinguished Concerts International–New York. Featuring conductor Jonathan Griffith, soprano Sara Jean Ford, countertenor Nicholas Tamagna, tenor Ryan MacPherson, and bass Michael Scarcelle.
Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center
Sunday, Nov. 27, 2 p.m.
Tickets: $20–$100
www.lincolncenter.org
Important American Paintings, Drawings, and Sculpture
Historic scenes, tranquil landscapes, and gorgeous flowers highlight viewings and an auction of important American paintings, drawings, and sculpture. Some of the works include Emanuel Leutze’s 1855 oil painting depicting Christopher Columbus’s departure from Palos, Spain, in 1492 (estimated value $1.2–$1.8 million); Alfred Thompson Bricher’s (1837–1908) oil painting portraying a magnificent seascape (estimated value: $60,000–$80,000); and Adelheid Dietrich’s oil painting (1827–1891) gorgeously rendering a still life with flowers (estimated value: $40,000$60,000).
Viewings: Sunday Nov. 27, 1 p.m.–5 p.m., Monday Nov. 28, Tuesday Nov. 29, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Auction: Wednesday Nov. 30, 10 a.m.
This event is free
www.christies.com
Chinese International Figure Painting Competition
Like a modern renaissance, this exhibition features exquisite oil paintings from New Tang Dynasty TV’s Chinese International Figure Competition. The competition awards paintings by artists of Chinese descent that best express traditional virtues and values with classical Western (realistic) methods.
Salmagundi Art Club, 47 Fifth Ave.,
Nov. 28–Dec. 3, Mon–Fri 1–8 p.m., Sat 1–5 p.m.
This event is free
oilpainting.ntdtv.com/en/
Guitarist Joao Kouyoumdjian
Considered one of the greatest Brazilian guitarists of his generation, Kouyoumdjian will play traditional Brazilian music, as well as world premieres of compositions by Raimundo Penaforte and Ricardo Calderoni. Guest artists include soprano Marta Kukularova, guitarist Welson Tremura, flutist Kathryn Farenish, and guitarist Paulo Martelli.
Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall
Monday, Nov. 28, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $20
www.carnegiehall.com
Titus Andronicus
One of Shakespeare’s early tragedies and his bloodiest, this play tells the story of Titus, Rome’s mightiest general and nobleman. After his army vanquishes the Goths, the Goth queen has her revenge, and so the violence cycles on and on.
Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St., Manhattan
Nov. 29–Dec. 18
Tickets: $15
www.publictheater.org
Faust
With music by Charles Gounod (1818–1893), the classic German legend of the academic who sells his soul to the devil is brought to life by the Metropolitan Opera. Tony Award-winning director Des McAnuff sets this version in the first half of the 20th century. Jonas Kaufmann plays Faust, Rene Pape plays the devil, and Marina Poplavskaya plays Marguerite. Approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes with two intermissions. Sung in French with met titles in English, Spanish, and German.
Metropolitan Opera House
Nov. 29–Jan. 19
Tickets: $25–$495
www.metoperafamily.org
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