Picks Of The Week: December 12-18

Doesn’t this time of year
just make you smile? (Us too.) And
with a week chock full of bon bons, trimmed trees, pop-up markets and
soon-to-be lit menorahs—here are just nine more ways to celebrate the season. —

Monday, December 12
The Three Bears Holiday
Bash Marionette Show
81^st Street and Central Park West
10:30am, 12pm

The holidays collide with hilarity in this puppet show brought to you by the
Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre. Reservations required.

Tuesday, December 13
St. Bart’s Joyous
Christmas Concert
325 Park Avenue at 51^st
Street
7:30-9:30pm

Choral arrangements span the sacred and the secular in an organ-backed evening
at St. Bartholomew’s. Catch some of your favorite seasonal carols!

Wednesday, December 14
The Jewish Museum’s Family
Hanukkah Benefit Party
1109 Fifth Avenue and 92^nd Street
5:30-7:30

Count down to Hanukkah at
the Jewish Museum’s very special family party, complete with live music by The
Maccabeats, dreidel decorating, airbrush face painting and snowman sculptures.

Thursday, December 15
A New Holiday Revue: Jazz
at Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis
70 Lincoln Center Plaza
8pm

Get ready to be
entertained by this long-standing holiday and family favorite! Though the show
starts today, it runs through Saturday evening. (And P.S. for sweet little
music lovers, catch free cookie decorating at 1pm before the 2pm show.)

Friday, December 16
Hansel and Gretel At The
Met Opera
70 Lincoln Center Plaza
7:30pm

Recommended for ages 7 and
older, Richard Jonses’ English-language production of the classic Brother
Grimms fairy tale is brought to life through lavish sets and re-imagined
costumes for the Met Opera stage.

Saturday, December 17
Dan Zanes And Friends
Special Christmas Show At City Winery
155 Varick Street
1pm seating, 2pm show

Celebrate the release of
Dan’s new holiday EP, Christmas in
Concord, in a sing-a-long and dance party.

The Hey-Ya Brothers
Holiday Comedy Hour At Dixon Place
161A Chrystie Street
2pm

With circus tricks, magic
and music up their sleeves, The Hey-Ya Brothers are sure to please in this
comedy event just for kids.

Sunday, December 18
Free Chanukah Celebration
At The JCC
334 Amsterdam Avenue
10-11:30am

Crafts, dreidel games and
cookie decorating abound—but we’re especially excited about the performance by
Little Maestros at 10:30am. Not to miss!

Poppy Seed Players: Latkes & Applesauce at Merkin
Concert Hall
129 West 67^th Street
11am

This year’s wildly popular
rendition of Latkes & Applesauce will
include a Hanukkah-esque rendition of a Christmas Carol a parody a la “American
Idol”.

British Swim School - Long Island

The premier learn-to-swim provider for people of all ages, offering programs for children ages 3-months through adults.&nbsp; British Swim School uses gentle teaching methods and a survival-first approach to help people of all experience levels become safer, stronger swimmers. British Swim School&rsquo;s safe, fun, and effective instructional program has made it the preferred choice for parents and students for over 40 years. Come see the British Swim School difference!

Super Soccer Stars

Soccer Stars is New York&rsquo;s most popular youth educational soccer program! With 24 years of experience under our cleats, we have positively impacted over one million kids in our local community by putting the FUN in FUNdamentals in our weekly classes and camps. At Soccer Stars, we use the soccer ball as a vehicle to help children not only improve their soccer skills, but develop self-confidence and physical literacy, improve gross motor skills, build teamwork, and hone socialization skills. Our highly trained coaches and early childhood experts lead an age-specific curriculum with a low kid-to-coach ratio so every child gets individual attention and can grow at their own pace. Kids ages 1-12+ can join our seasonal programs, including Parent &amp; Me, FUNdamentals, Development Training, and Travel Soccer. Join us at one of over 80 locations in neighborhoods across across Westchester County, Connecticut and New York, available 7 days-a-week: Connecticut: <ul> <li>Cos Cob</li> <li>Greenwich</li> <li>Port Chester</li> </ul> &nbsp; Westchester: <ul> <li>Briarcliff</li> <li>Eastchester</li> <li>Mt. Kisco</li> <li>New Rochelle</li> <li>Ridgefield</li> <li>Scarsdale</li> <li>White Plains</li> </ul> &nbsp; New York City: <ul> <li>Bronx</li> <li>Inwood</li> <li>Upper West Side</li> <li>Upper East Side</li> </ul> &nbsp; Can&rsquo;t find a class or location that fits your schedule? Soccer Stars also offers private classes for small groups or individual training. Let our coaches come to you with a completely customizable program, anytime, anywhere. Birthday parties are also available!&nbsp;

Elf the Musical

They'll sing loud for all to hear. You can bring the Christmas cheer. Start decking the halls, people &ndash; it's Elf The Musical! After a decade away, the beloved holiday classic is back on Broadway for a strictly limited run. Whether you&rsquo;re searching for the perfect stocking stuffer or a festive outing for the whole family, this family-friendly show is packed with joy, laughter, and snow-covered magic. A musical comedy adaptation of the hit 2003 film, Elf The Musical follows Buddy the orphan who, after being raised by elves at the North Pole, embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and help the people he meets rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. Academy Award&reg; nominee Sean Astin ("Lord of the Rings") is Santa Claus alongside Tony Award&reg; nominee Grey Henson as Buddy, Drama Desk Award nominee Ashley Brown as Emily, and rising star Kayla Davion as Jovie. Plus, keep an eye out for social media celebrity Kalen Allen &ndash; known for his appearances on "The Ellen Show" &ndash; as the hilarious store manager. Called &ldquo;a slickly irresistible and fizzily enjoyable confection of a show&rdquo; (Time Out), this holly-jolly hit is one you won't want to miss. Through January 4 only!