On Wednesday, the Financial Center Winter Garden kicked off its month-long series of family-friendly holiday events with the illumination of 50,000 holiday lights throughout the venue. The indoor light show, which packs a pretty hefty punch, will be open to the public 7a.m. – 10p.m. daily until January 3. The center also presented two days of performances by New York Theatre Ballet in Keith Michael’s version of “The Nutcracker.”  Don’t fret if you missed the fun as there is still a long list of free holiday events on-deck.

Debra Simon, Vice President and Artistic Director of Arts Brookfield, commented that “Arts Brookfield is committed to presenting an array of free holiday events that celebrate New York City’s dazzling cultural tapestry.”

And with that, next week the excitement for holiday-lovers of all ages gets ramped up when Santa makes a weekend visit to the Winter Garden December 7-9.

Those with a song in their hearts can enjoy 15-minute Christmas Carol during lunchtime, where just two actors of New York Classical Theatre perform the memorable Dickens’ characters in record time (December 10-20).

On December 11, Danú, an Irish ensemble, will perform traditional Celtic holiday songs and on December 13, Chanukah will be celebrated with a special performance by Turtle Island Quartet. The eclectic foursome will also play music of India’s Diwali as well as songs from Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas.

The National Yiddish Theatre-Folksbiene alongside special musical guests will commemorate the Festival of Lights with Yiddish music and theater at noon on December 16.

A more detailed calendar of the center’s family-friendly daytime events is available online.

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