Happy Holidays!
Dear Residents:
We’re always thrilled to welcome the winter season to New York City – a time filled with many holiday events and traditions that local New Yorkers and visitors to our great city look forward to each year. In our winter newsletter, we’ll take a look at some of our favorite places to eat, can’t miss holiday décor and merriment, special events and more to help you make the most of the holidays in New York City!
PLAY
There is no shortage of festive fun in New York City at the holidays. But a favorite tradition to kick-off the season is of course the beloved Christmas Spectacular, starring the Radio City Rockettes, which returns this year for its 85th year! The classic show offers a flying Santa Claus, outstanding choreography and beautiful costumes. In recent years, the show has added some high-tech upgrades with digital projections and 100 Intel drones to this unforgettable experience. The show runs from now until January 1, 2019.
All aboard! For even more family fun, the annual Holiday Train Show at The New York Botanical Garden is another beloved favorite. The Lionel model trains travel along a miniature version of more than 175 New York landmarks such as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty on a
half mile track. This year’s exhibition showcases lower Manhattan – with One World Trade Center and the historic Battery Maritime Building both making their first debut! Round out your visit with a selection of great programming including music, poetry, films and more. The Holiday Train Show is open now until January 21, 2019, and advance reservations are strongly recommended. Visit www.nybg.org for more info.
Watch a true childhood classic come to life on stage as the Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical tour hits New City. Featuring hit songs such “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” the whole family will love this heart-warming production staring the scheming Grinch and the holiday-loving Whos. The show – which is receiving rave reviews – runs December 13th -30th at
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com.
This year, New Yorkers need not trek all the way to Antartica for an epic wintery adventure! Arlo Artica, the immersive winter pop-up at Arlo Nomad and Arlo SoHo hotels invites guests to experience the atmosphere of Sir Ernest Shackelton’s famed 1907 expedition to the South Pole. This ultimate winter escape includes an exclusive and care-fully curated cocktail menu, hourly snow flurries, a cozy, fire-lit den with rustic décor and shearling blankets, and two private, heated ice huts that sit 31 stories high above the city at The Heights – the hotel’s rooftop bar – which are available to reserve. The experience runs through March 2019. For more information and reservations, visit www.arlohotels.com.
Looking some holiday dazzle? The 2018 Dyker Heights Christmas Lights display is undoubtedly a must-see when it comes to holiday decorations in NYC. Thousands of people flock to the South Side of Brooklyn each year to see the over-the-top decorations that include more than tens of thousands of lights. The best displays are on Dyker Heights Boulevard (11th to 13th Avenues) from 83rd to 86th street, and the best time to see the most lights are in mid-December until New Year’s Eve from dusk until 9pm. Head out on foot to wander the neighborhood on your own, or grab tickets for the popular guided bus tour from A Slice of Brooklyn. More info available at www.asliceofbrooklyn.com.
Looking for reservations or tickets to any of these great holiday events and attractions? Keep in mind that our dedicated “Sky’s The Limit” concierge is available to you free of charge at any time to assist with planning and arrangements!
SHOP
The Winter Village at Bryant Park features a holiday market with over 170 shopping kiosks offering food, apparel and accessories, artwork and so much more, making it the perfect place to knockout some holiday shopping. When you need to catch a break from the shopping spree, The Winter Village at Bryant Park also features NYC’s only free-admission skating rink, The Lodge by Urbanspace – a rink side bar and food hall – and the cozy Overlook observation deck above the skating pavilion. The market is open daily through January 2nd, and the Winter Village touts a full schedule of festive programming, too. For more info visit www.bryantpark.org.
Holiday pop up shops can be found all over the city, and at Williamsburg pop up Areaware X Swordsmith, playfully-designed and affordable toys, gifts, and games abound! With prices starting at just $15, you won’t want to miss this Brooklyn shopping experience located at 98 South 4th Street, and open through January 4th.
The Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair is a long-running and popular one-stop shopping experience right in the heart of New York City. Featuring 40 talented artisans and a focus on American-made and handmade products with locally-sourced materials or a socially-conscious business model, you’ll find plenty of incredible and unique gift-giving options that you can feel great about! Housed in Vanderbilt Hall, the fair runs daily through December 24th. For more info visit www.grandcentralterminal.com.
You’ll find a winter wonderland of shopping, brand pop-ups, eclectic food vendors and live performances right in Lower Manhattan at the Holiday Market at The Oculus. Now open through December 31 at the Westfield World Trade Center (185 Greenwich Street), the market offers 20 handpicked specialty shops – many offering limited-edition gifts – including Lovepop, The Amazing Chocolate Workshop, Eataly, Miss Tea and Robin Ruth.
When your wallet needs a break – we love window shopping, and the best of it can be found right here in New York City, with many of Midtown’s famed department stores displaying fantastic holiday windows through January 3rd. It’s an eye-popping and iconic New York tradition, and some favorites include Saks Fifth Avenue (located between 49th and 50th streets near the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and famous ice rink), Macy’s Herald Square, which has two sets of windows on Broadway and 34th decked out with holiday decorations), and Bergdorf Goodman, which has a swoon worthy display of antiques and couture fashions. Other beautiful displays to check out include Barney’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Tiffany & Co.
EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY
Holiday pop-ups aren’t only for shopping, with bars and restaurants getting in on the seasonal fun this year.
The Roof – a chic midtown rooftop lounge at the top of the Viceroy Central Park New York, is debuting “The Winter Room,” and a sparkly white new look for the holidays, along with a new menu of warm, holiday inspired cocktails to sip on while overlooking Central Park. For more info visit www.theroofny.com.
VYNL, a 9170’s inspired East Village cocktail bar and eatery, has created its second annual “Holiday Hideaway,” pop up bar where this December you can enjoy four new holiday cocktails in the snowy forest designed space. With a cocktail on the menu called “Christmas in Your Mouth,” you can’t ask for much more to get the taste of the holidays! VYNL is located at 100 3rd Ave., near East 13th Street.
Who could pass up a mulled wine or a rum spiked hot apple cider in a heated alpine yurt? Happily, the Winter Garden is making its return to The Standard East Village. Grab some friends and cozy up under a complimentary fur while you enjoy a fondue feast in a yurt of your very own! The Winter Garden is open through March 2019. Email wintergarden@standardhotels.com for reservations.
German restaurant Rolf’s is a true sight to see during the holidays with ornaments, garlands, lights, Christmas trees and much more covering every nook and cranny in the restaurant. Decorations are on display through December. Located at 281 3rd Avenue – the famous Schnitzel at Rolf’s can’t be passed up either!
UPCOMING EVENTS
DECEMBER
Ready to join the dating scene in 2019?
Head to the New York City edition of the nation’s leading Jewish single’s event, MatzoBall New York. It was named “The Number 1 Holiday Party of the Year” by USA Today and each year the party gets bigger and better. Tickets for this year’s party – on December 24th at Capitale – are on sale now. More info at matzoball.org.
Nothing will get you into the holiday spirit like Christmas Caroling on Christmas Eve at Gramercy Park. Join along with the Parish of Calvary St. George in singing Christmas carols in a celebration that begins at 6pm and is open to the public. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to spend some time in one of New York’s City’s most exclusive – and usually private – outdoor spaces.
Set sail into the New Year aboard The New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruise. Take in the sights of the city from this three hour yacht tour, which also offers a four-course dinner, open bar and champagne toast at midnight. The onboard DJ will have you dancing the night away, and you’ll be treated to front row access to the famous firework display at The Statue of Liberty!
Get ahead of your New Year’s resolutions with a New Year’s Eve midnight run in Central Park with the New York Road Runners. There will be music and dancing to celebrate the start of 2019 New Year beginning at 10pm. The four-mile run starts at the stroke of midnight and kicks off with fireworks to hail in the New Year.
JANUARY
Listen to 50 comedians each tell their first new joke of 2019 at 50 first Jokes. Veteran comedians and newcomers will be taking the stage at the event hosted by comedian John F. O’Donnell at the Bell House in Brooklyn on January 4th.
The Winter Jazzfest kicks off January 4th and will run through January 12th. The jazz fest will include 150 artists celebrating jazz music at Bleeker Street music venue Le Poisson Rouge. On January 8th the event will be paying homage to the late jazz musician Roy Hargrove. Tickets are on sale now.
The Winter Show is a popular art, antiques and design fair in America, where 70 of the world’s top experts in the art world compete for the best works from ancient times to present day. This event will be held at the Park Avenue Amory. All revenue from admission and net proceeds go to the East Side House Settlement, an organization that uses education and technology to help underprivileged communities in the Bronx and Northern Manhattan. This events runs from January 18th -27th.
Head to Central Park to check out the Winter Jam on January 26th! Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, sledding and snowshoeing. This event is great for all ages. The rain date is scheduled for February 2nd.
FEBRUARY
Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2019 hits NYC from February 8th -16th when designers, top brands and fashionistas decend on the city for a week of events, runway shows, parties and premiers. It’s a great time to score tickets to events and shows and spot lots of celebs as they hit the streets of Manhattan.
Camaje bistro and lounge frequently hosts group and private cooking classes in the kitchen of this cozy restaurant. This February, you can get tickets for a special Lovers’ Menu for Valentine’s Day cooking class (Feb.10, 11, 12th). Be ready to learn and bring your appetite. The menu includes tuna tartare, spice-roasted pork tenderloin, bacon-fat roasted Brussel sprouts and parsnips, and coeurs à la crème (unbaked, heart-shaped cheesecakes) with raspberry coulis. For more info visit www.camaje.com/cooking-classes
On Feb. 17, check out the Chinatown Annual Lunar New Year Parade and Festival. There will be food, performances, and floats to celebrate the year of the pig.
The Manhattan School of Music is hosting a Black History Month Concert, presented by the MSM Black Student Union and featuring performances by students, faculty, alumni, and friends. This event – slated Feb. 28 at 7:30pm – is free and open to the public at the Ades Performance Space, located at 130 Claremont Avenue, just north of 122nd Street. For more info visit www.msmnyc.edu.
IN CLOSING
We’re so grateful for the generosity of our residents are we thrilled to have once again hosted a successful Thanksgiving food drive for City Harvest to help feed New Yorkers in need. We’re keeping up the charitable giving efforts through the holidays, and this month, we invite you to participate in our annual holiday toy drive for the Association to Benefit Children (ABC).
ABC's mission is to defend the right of every child to a joyful and nurturing childhood by creating compassionate programs in urgent response to the needs of New York City's most vulnerable children and families. Last year, thanks to your generosity, we were thrilled to deliver boxes and bags filled with marvelous holiday gifts to ABC, ensuring a brighter and more joyous season for the children the organization supports. Let’s help make this year’s drive an even bigger success! We are currently collecting new and unwrapped toys in all of our Manhattan Skyline buildings portfolio wide. You’ll find marked donation boxes readily available in your building lobby.
And of course – we love to give back to our residents as well! Be sure to follow us on Instagram for great content about New York City, what’s happening within the portfolio, and awesome giveaways! We’ve recently awarded residents with tickets to the Global Citizens Music Festival in Central Park and Broadway tickets to the hit show Come From Away. We’re currently offering up a VIP movie-going experience to the newly opened CMX Cinema on the Upper East Side. Enter the contest now by following @manhattanskylinemgmt on Instagram and tagging two friends you would share the tickets with.
Stay in touch on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and have a terrific holiday season!
-Manhattan Skyline
