This Week in Parks:

Dec 18, 2015 – Dec 23, 2015

Citywide Highlights

Christmas Eve at Washington Square Arch

Celebrate the holiday with carols at the Washington Square Arch this Christmas Eve. Songbooks will be provided, so all we need is your good cheer!

Holiday Train Show

The New York Botanical Garden’s annual holiday tradition features toy trains zipping through a landscape of 150 NYC landmarks made out of plant materials.

Become a Lifeguard

Learn how to get the best summer job NYC has to offer: lifeguarding at our beaches and pools. Tests for this summer season conclude in early January, so act now.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Birding: Winter Waterfowl 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at Baisley Pond Park Parking Lot, Baisley Pond Park, Queens

Holiday Family Karaoke 2:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. at Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center, Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center, Manhattan

Astronomy in Central Park 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. at North Side of the Great Lawn, Central Park, Manhattan

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Christmas Bird Count Central Park 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. at South Pump Station (85th Street & 5th Avenue), Central Park, Manhattan

Winter Solstice Celebration 4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. at Van Cortlandt Golf House, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx

Ursids Meteor Shower 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. at Wolfe’s Pond Park Comfort Station, Wolfe’s Pond Park, Staten Island

Monday, December 21, 2015

Film Screening: A Christmas Story 4:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. at 112th Street and Manhattan Avenue, Morningside Park, Manhattan

Melrose Tree Lighting and ‘Parranda’ Procession 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. at Bronx Documentary Center, Bronx

Melrose Tree Lighting and ‘Parranda’ Procession 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. at Railroad Park, Railroad Park, Bronx

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Central Park Tour: Northern Forts 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Central Park, Manhattan

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Christmas Eve Caroling at the Washington Arch 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. at Washington Square Arch, Washington Square Park, Manhattan

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Primitive Survival Skills 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. at Van Cortlandt Nature Center, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx

Birding: Jamaica Bay 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. at Bay 32nd Street and Beach Channel Drive, Bayswater Park, Queens

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Historic New York: Monuments of Prospect Park 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. at Grand Army Plaza Arch, Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Nature Exploration Hike for Families 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at Dana Discovery Center, Central Park, Manhattan

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Nature Exploration: The Pinetum 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at 85th Street and Central Park West, Central Park, Manhattan

Nature Exploration: The Pinetum 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at 85th Street and Central Park West, Central Park, Manhattan

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Nature Exploration for Families 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at Dana Discovery Center, Central Park, Manhattan

2016 Coney Island New Year’s Eve Celebration 9:00 p.m.–11:59 p.m. at Steeplechase Plaza, Brooklyn

New Year’s Eve Fireworks 11:00 p.m.–12:00 p.m. at Grand Army Plaza, Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn

Friday, January 1, 2016

HIstoric New York: The Children’s District in Central Park 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at Doris Freedman Plaza, Central Park, Manhattan

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Nature Exploration (Moderate) 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at Forest Park Visitor Center, Forest Park, Queens

Seal Exploration 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m. at Orchard Beach Nature Center, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Botanical History Tour with Author Leslie Day 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. at Heather Garden, Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan

Arts, Culture & Fun’s Dark Nights, Bright Lights: Quadrantids Meteor Shower 7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m. at Salt Marsh Nature Center, Marine Park, Brooklyn

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Birding: Eagles 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. at Payson Center, Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan

MulchFest 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at New York City, Manhattan

Living with White-Tailed Deer 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at Blue Heron Nature Center, Blue Heron Park, Staten Island

Sunday, January 10, 2016

MulchFest 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at New York City, Manhattan

Fitness Hike in the Greenbelt 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at Parking Area, High Rock Park, Staten Island

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Nature Exploration: Hunter Island (Moderate) 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. at Orchard Beach Nature Center, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx