Free spirit

Andrew W.K. at Santos Party House

Photograph: Scott Weiner/Retna

Santos D’Amour at Santos Party House
A Toys for Tots benefit with Andrew W.K. manning the decks? We’re so there. Where else can you trade in a measly G.I. Joe with Kung Fu Grip action figure for DJ sets from W.K., the Rapture, Gang Gang Dance and others? 100 Lafayette St at Walker St (212-714-4646, santospartyhouse.com). Thu 18 at 9pm; free with a new, unwrapped toy donation.

“A Ceremony of Carols” at St. Paul’s Chapel
Leave your bah-humbug boyfriend at home for this one. A free rendition of Benjamin Britten’s 1942 classic—performed by the Trinity Choristers and the American Boychoir—is followed by (here’s where the bf will really start muttering) hot chocolate and holiday carols. 209 Broadway between Fulton and Vesey Sts (212-602-9633, trinitywallstreet.org). Fri 19 at 4:30pm.

Lighting Up the Park at Sunset Park
No, not lighting up in the park. Friends of Sunset Park have already gussied up three of the area’s best and (soon to be) brightest evergreens. All that’s left to do is flip the switch. Meet at 41st St and Fifth Ave, Sunset Park, Brooklyn (718-437-1413). Fri 19 at 6pm.

East Meets West Christmas Parade
The denizens and merchants of Little Italy and Chinatown prove they have more in common than a shared cultural claim on the noodle in this parade packed with opera singers, acrobats, decorative floats and a few marching bands for good measure. From Mulberry St at Canal St to Chatham (Kimlau) Square (212-302-0551, littleitalynyconline.com). Sat 20 at 2pm.

Holiday concert at the Guggenheim
NYC’s most festively shaped art institution gets in the giving mood with this gratis holiday concert in the rotunda, part of the Works & Process series. The show includes 16th- and 17th-century music, plus the debut of a Gugg-commissioned piece by classical wunderkind Nico Muhly. 1071 Fifth Ave at 89th St (212-423-3500, guggenheim.org). Sun 21, Mon 22 at 6pm.

Tree-trimming party at Goodbye Blue Monday
This Bushwick bar (where you can make an offer on any of the kitschy odds and ends you see lying around) hosts a holiday shindig dedicated to decorating the Tannenbaum. Attendees are invited to bring an ornament to hang on the tree, and each of the night’s entertainers (lineup not set at press time) will prove his or her Xmas mettle by performing at least one original holiday song, with a prize for whoever shares the most heinous tale of Christmas gone afoul. 1087 Broadway at Dodworth St, Bushwick, Brooklyn (718-453-6343). Mon 22 9pm–2am.

Holiday family films at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Okay, this will cost a few bucks—unless you scrimp on the Met’s “suggested donation” policy to catch film showcases on either Wednesday 24 (which includes Co Hoedeman’s remarkable, captivating sand-animation short “The Sand Castle”) or Friday 26 (which presents Dylan Thomas narrating a short of his own holiday prose, “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”). Then swing by the Medieval Sculpture Hall for the museum’s 20-foot blue spruce adorned like only the Met can. 1000 Fifth Ave at 82nd St (212-535-7710, metmuseum.org). Wed 24, Fri 26 at 12:30pm; free with suggested museum admission.

Rob Susman Brass Quartet in Washington Square
With songbooks provided, it’s practically Christmas karaoke. Washington Square Park Arch, Washington Sq North at Fifth Ave (212-252-3621). Wed 24 at 5pm.

Celebrations at the Farmhouse
Take a gander at Ye Olde Christmas celebrations, preserved straight from the 19th century, back when coal was actually an extremely useful present. (Kids these days got it so easy.) Guided tours explain everything, every 30 minutes. Lefferts Historic House, Prospect Park, enter on Flatbush Ave at Ocean Ave, Prospect–Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn (718-789-2822, prospectpark.org). Sat 20, 27, Sun 21, 28 1–3.30pm.

Three Kings Day Parade and Celebration
The original magi (except, maybe, that one with the gold) had none of the pomp and swagger that’ll surround this parade, held on January 6. On January 10, continue the Three Kings Day party at El Museo del Barrio’s celebration, featuring live parranda music, theater and more. Parade: from 106th St and Third Ave to La Marqueta Plaza at 115th St and Park Ave. Jan 6 at 11am. Celebration: El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave at 104th St; Jan 10 3–5pm. (212-831-7272, elmuseo.org).

NEXT: SCREW TRADITION»
We asked an elf—and a few other guards of the old guard—what new holiday traditions they’d like to see around the city.