Celebrating Christmas New York City-style

Originally published: November 24, 2009 6:24 PM

Quick Summary

You're still eating leftover turkey, but the Christmas season has officially begun. Say goodbye to Thanksgiving and start your yuletide celebrations in the city this weekend.

GIFTS FROM NATURE

WHAT Cap the Thanksgiving holiday with this weekend-long program at Brooklyn Children's Museum, celebrating the tools and artwork of the Native Americans and encouraging kids to make their own "natural" crafts.

WHEN|WHERE Today, tomorrow and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. (at St. Marks Avenue),Brooklyn.

INFO $7.50, 212-735-4400, brooklynkids.org

GRAND CENTRAL HOLIDAY FAIR

WHAT Ready, set, shop. This annual fair features 76 vendors invited to set up shop in Vanderbilt Hall. Look for hand-painted table linens, hand-loomed knitwear, New York-themed art, children's toys and more.

WHEN|WHERE Today and tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (through Dec. 31). Grand Central Terminal, Lexington Avenue at 42nd Street.

INFO Free, 212-340-2345

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS WALKING TOUR

WHAT New York played a crucial role in the development of Christmas as we know it today. This NYC Discovery walking tour explores three Victorian neighborhoods - Gramercy Park, Ladies Mile and Chelsea - with stops where O. Henry wrote "Gift of the Magi" and Clement Clarke Moore created "'Twas the Night Before Christmas."

WHEN|WHERE Tomorrow at 12:15 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Call for reservations and meeting spot.

INFO $18, 212-465-3331

CHRISTMAS IN ITALY

WHAT Buon Natale! Soprano Cristina Fontanelli performs a concert of Italian folk songs, Neapolitan songs, arias and holiday classics with the Montfort Academy Choir.

WHEN|WHERE Sunday at 3 p.m. Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Center, 129 W. 67th St.

INFO $35-$55, 212-501-3330, kaufman-center.org