Holiday sights

Radio City Christmas Spectacular

The classic: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
Since 1954, the New York City Ballet has transported audiences to a world of frost fairies, toy soldiers and towering mice. Tchaikovsky’s score may be hummably familiar, but the gliding choreography still feels magically fresh. New York State Theater at Lincoln Center, Columbus Ave at 63rd St (212-870-5570). $10–$215. Through Jan 3.

The artsy: Peter & the Wolf
Leave it to the Guggenheim to tap Target fave Isaac Mizrahi to narrate Prokofiev’s musical fable. Mizrahi, who studied acting in high school, dons a wolf-eared fedora for the role and relishes “leaving some aspects to chance—I prepare by not preparing.” Peter B. Lewis Theater at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave between 88th and 89th Sts (212-423-3587). Dec 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 2:30, 4pm; Dec 15 and 16 at 4, 5:30pm; $35, members $30.

The trippy: Grand Central Terminal Kaleidoscope Light Show
It’s rush hour, Grand Central is slammed, you’re really irritated—and then suddenly music chimes, the walls turn neon and you’re surrounded by giant swirling snowflakes, twinkling stars and carousels. If you’re still pissy after that, you don’t deserve the holidays in New York. Grand Central Terminal, 42nd St and Lexington Ave (grandcentralterminal.com). Daily 11am–9pm; free. Through Jan 1.

Wild Winterland

The photo op: Wild Winterland
Meet four earthbound reindeer and three Clydesdales during the Bronx Zoo’s annual family event, held for the first time ever during daylight hours (yay, environment!). Wintry tie-ins include ice-sculpting demos, marshmallow roasting and caroling. The Bronx Zoo, Bronx River Pkwy at Fordham Rd, Bronx (718-367-1010). Weekends only Sat 6–Dec 21; daily Dec 22–Jan 4 11:30am–3:30pm; $15, seniors $13, children $11.

The literary: The Berg Collection
The NYPL’s collection of Christmas ephemera includes Dickens’s prompt copy of his 1843 best-seller A Christmas Carol, a kitschy card from James Joyce, a greeting poem by e.e. cummings and a photograph of the real Tiny Tim. (No, it’s not Verne Troyer.) New York Public Library: Humanities and Social Sciences Library, Fifth Ave at 42nd St (917-275-6975). Fri 5–Jan 4, free.

A Murray Little Christmas

The naughty: A Murray Little Christmas
For showbiz maestro Murray Hill, Xmas is a time to get “lit up like a tree, fill stockings with prescription pills, and invite plenty of fruitcakes and nuts” to his cocktail party. Burlesque queens Dirty Martini, Lil Miss Lixx and Broadway Brassy croon as Murray frets that Santa doesn’t visit foreclosed houses. The Zipper Factory, 336 W 37th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves (212-352-3101). Sat 13, 20 at 8, 10:30pm; $30.

The nice: Radio City Christmas Spectacular
The Rockettes do up to 300 kicks, visit the North Pole and fall domino-style—all in a day’s work. And did we mention they roll out in a real double-decker bus? Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Sixth Ave between 50th and 51st Sts (212-247-4777). Sun 7–Dec 30, $45–$105.

The semi-spontaneous: Yale Glee Club performance
The Yale Glee Club always performs a brief concert in Grand Central. The exact location is not formally announced (last year, they were told by “men in fatigues with large guns” to leave), but one member tells us it’ll be at the “opposite end” of the main hall’s steps. Grand Central Terminal, 42nd St and Park Ave (203-432-4136). Fri 5 at 10pm, free.

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