Holidays in New York - Free

New York City free events (or almost free) during this holiday season!

The Staten Island Ferry runs around the clock and offers some of New York City's greatest views of the harbor, the skyline, and the Statue of Liberty (718-815-BOAT)

Rockefeller Center, home of NBC studios, has a free, self-guided tour, ice skating events, tree-gazing, early morning show shout-outs and great window shopping

The Grand Central Terminal Holiday Laser Light Show: The restored Sky Ceiling comes to life with a five-minute seasonal light and music celebration every half hour from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Dec. 1 – Jan. 1 And while you're there, watch the Holiday Train Show at Grand Central: Become a child again at the North Pole fantasy universe. Trains galore. Until January 4, 2009.
East 42nd Street at Park Avenue. (www.grandcentralterminal.com)

The Metropolitan Museum Christmas Tree
The Museum will continue a long-standing holiday tradition with the annual presentation of its Christmas tree, a favorite of New Yorkers and visitors from around the world. A vivid eighteenth-century Neapolitan Nativity scene—embellished with a profuse array of diminutive, lifelike attendant figures and silk-robed angels hovering above—will adorn the candlelit spruce. Recorded music and lighting ceremonies will add to the enjoyment of the holiday display. The Metropolitan Museum of Art: a Neapolitan Baroque crèche adorns a candlelit spruce tree in the Medieval Sculpture Hall (Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street
(212-535-7710) www.metmuseum.org).

The Cloisters: Christmas choral performances are held throughout the season (Fort Tryon Park (212-923-3700) www.metmuseum.org).

New York Public Library features films, concerts, and exhibitions throughout the Season (212-930-0769)

New York Botanical Garden with 27 outdoor gardens and a Victorian conservatory, is free on Wednesdays and 10-noon on Saturdays (718-817-8700)

Wave Hill towers over the Hudson and the 500-foot cliffs of the New Jersey Palisades, free all day Tuesday and Saturday mornings (718-549-3200),

Free events are plentiful during the holiday season at South Street Seaport, where you can stroll through shops, restaurants, and fascinating harbor views (212-748-8600)

Great during the year, but quite special during this Season, the Forbes Magazine Galleries has free guided tours of paintings, Faberge eggs, objects d'art and toys. Advance reservations required (212-206-5548)

Free neighborhoods tours are given by the 34th Street Partnership (212-719-3434), Grand Central Partnership (212-883-2420), Times Square BID (212-768-1560), and 14th Street-Union Square Business Improvement District (212-460-1204)

Free tickets for David Letterman (212-975-5853) or Live With Regis And Kelly (212-456-3054) if you call in advance

The World Financial Center is located in Lower Manhattan in the heart of Battery Park. Enjoy the magnificently light Winter Garden with its glass arched ceiling and indoor palm trees, while watching special holiday caroling concerts including The Accidentals, December 23; from 12PM to 2 PM. Admission is free. (212-417-7143)

Holiday Lights

Metropolitan Klezmer, established in 1994, brings an eclectic energy to Yiddish musical genres. The group will perform traditional Hanukkah songs with a timely flair. 12:30 PM, Dec. 28th at The Winter Garden, the World Financial Center,
220 Vesey Street, Battery Park City. This is an outdoor, kid friendly event. Free. Tickets are not required.

Kwanzaa: A Family Celebration
Poet, author and lecturer John Watsui Branch will share the history and meaning of celebrating Kwanzaa. Branch is the author of "A Story of Kwanzaa." 2:30 PM, Dec. 28th at the New York Public Library Countee Cullen Branch, 104 West 136th Street.
This is an indoor kid friendly event. Free. Tickets are not required.

Jenny Holzer Illuminates the Guggenheim

Jenny Holzer's newest work - a light exhibition commissioned to mark the completion of the Guggenheim's three-year restoration project - casts writings and poems directly onto the facade of Frank Lloyd Wright's landmark building comprised of the artist's own writings and numerous poems. 1071 Fifth Avenue at 89th Street, Manhattan.
Fridays through December from sunset to 11:00 PM, with a special showing on New Years Eve. free.

Take a Tour of Gracie Mansion

Visit the historic country home of Archibald Gracie built in 1799 that later became the home to New York Mayors, starting with Fiorello La Guardia in 1942. Finish with cider in the Ballroom. Tours are offered on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM at a cost of $7 for adults, $4 for seniors and always free for students. Call 311 to reserve a spot.

Holiday Tote Giveaway at Union Square

Pick up a free holiday tote and join the revelers in Union Square. Union Square Park, Manhattan. Daily through December 24; Monday - Friday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. free.

Avram Pengas and the Noga Group with Magda Fishman
Twenty-year veteran of New York's downtown music scene, guitarist and Bouzouki virtuoso Avram Pengas performs Israeli pop hits, Arabic melodies, Persian rhythms and traditional Yiddish songs with his band the Noga Group. For this special holiday performance, the band will be joined by versatile Israeli vocalist and trumpeter Magda Fishman. WFC Winter Garden
December 22nd at 12:30 PM

Handel’s Messiah tops the list of performances at several churches. Catch a performance at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, A Baroque Christmas: Ballads, Carols, Noels & Villancicos -- Early Music New York's Christmas Concert:
Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25th. 1047 Amsterdam Ave., (212-932-7314) www.stjohndivine.org)

CHRISTMAS WINDOWS
One year, after a party, a group of us climbed into a friend's car in circus-like fashion to take the
Grand-Christmas-Window-Tour. There were no lines at that time of night and we could exchange squeals of delight and point out favorite visual moments. This is definitely the best way to see the windows. But walking is good, too. It's one of the most amusing adventures offered in the city at this time of the year. And it's all free:

Each of BERGDORF GOODMAN’S "The Seasons" windows are all completely showered in white, this year. Elaborate, sophisticated and stylized, couture fashions join authentic antiques to depict the different seasons. It's a snowy winter wonderland offering visitors a sense of wonderment. Fifth Avenue at 58th Street (1-800-558-1855)

The theme of the MACY'S windows this year is "Believe" and after this interactive touch-screen experience, you certainly will! Each witty window, complete with original musical soundtrack and voiceovers describing the scenes in playful language, offers a special treat. A prize-snatching claw in an arcade game, an ornament-making machine, tinsel, holiday lights, snowflakes and stars all make this just one more Macy's gift to the city. Macy's at Herald Square, Broadway between 34th and 35th Streets (212-695-4400)

At LORD AND TAYLOR you'll twinkle over the mechanized Victorian-styled windows based on a distinctive holiday tradition: My Favorite Christmas Cards, My Favorite Christmas Songs, My Favorite Christmas Treats, My Favorite Christmas Toys, My Favorite Christmas Toys, and My Favorite Christmas Stories. Here, the six windows include human figures, all hand-sculptured, enjoying decorating the tree, popping popcorn, gingerbread houses, fireplaces, delicious treats, ringing music and childhood toys – all showcased in elaborate scenes. 39th Street at 5th Avenue (212-391-3344)

This year SAKS FIFTH AVENUE displays high fashion ranging from snowflakes and Santa's to crystallized Swarovski Elements. For the Swarovski theme, the flagship store commissioned exclusive gowns from top designers, including Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta and Michael Kors. Also, the store's windows follow the tale of a children’s book, “A Flake Like Mike,” about an individualistic snowflake. The zany snowflake asserts his individuality at a time when all snowflakes looked alike. Eventually, the snowflake Mike transforms himself into elaborate silver patterns that had never been seen before.
611 Fifth Avenue at 49th Street (212-753-4000)

The BLOOMINGDALES windows are going with a nostalgic theme in 2008. The windows are influenced by mid-20th-century Norman Rockwell illustrations of picture-perfect Christmas scenes. Pop-up greeting cards help deliver this traditional message with a musical theme presented by Tony Bennett’s newest holiday album. (Mr. Bennett helped with the unveiling of the windows.) 1000 Third Avenue at 59th Street (212-705-2000)

The iconic department store BARNEYS holiday theme for Christmas 2008 is a pledge for peace. The store recruited some of New York's most respected designers to collaborate on the window displays, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the peace sign. Alexander Wang, Diane Von Furstenberg, Proenza Schouler and Narciso Rodriguez all created inspirations incorporating the peace sign, just for this project, "Have a Hippie Holiday." Madison Avenue at 61st Street (212-826-8900)

Free and discounted events in New York City

Fitness at affordable prices -- in Central Park.
Hatha Yoga in Central Park. Sundays at 2:30 pm (year-round) Fee: $10 per class (bulk packages also available.) Learn the basics of Hatha Yoga in a peaceful, community environment. Each class ends with a short relaxation to let the mind and body rest in total stillness. All levels are welcome, and mats are provided. Registration not required. North Meadow Recreation Center at mid-Park at 97th Street, 212-348-4867.

Walking for Fitness in Central Park. April - June; September - November; Saturdays, 10:00 am - 11:15 am No pre-registration required, Fee: $10 per class. Bulk Class Package: $50 for 6 classes / $95 for 12 classes. This low-impact fitness program is perfect for people who are serious about getting in shape, building muscle tone and strength, and increasing cardiovascular health while enjoying Central Park’s beautiful landscapes. Classes include a warm-up, cool-down, and stretch, and are led by certified fitness instructor Michael Gonzalez-Wallace. North Meadow Recreation Center located mid-Park at 97th Street, 212-348-4867.

Warm Spirit Santa-day Pamper Party -- Saturday, December 13th, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Warm Spirit an Eco-friendly & Green health and wellness company invites you to experience their spa pampering products. As you shop, they offer enjoy door prizes & more. Chair Back Massage $1 a minute. Dress comfortably. Bring a new or softly used handbag to donate. They will fill the donated bags with Warm Spirit products to donate to a local shelter. Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel, 569 Lexington Avenue. Free. RSVP: 917-328-5224

Hatha Yoga. Year-Round, Sundays, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm. No pre-registration required Fee: $10 per class, Bulk Class Package: $50 for 6 classes / $95 for 12 classes. Learn the basics of Hatha Yoga in a peaceful, community environment with instructor Jennifer Schworm. The class begins with pranayama (breath), bringing awareness to the mind and body, then moves in to various standing and balancing asanas (poses) that further strengthen the mental-physical connection. Each class ends with a short relaxation to let the mind and body rest in total stillness. All levels are welcome, and mats are provided. North Meadow Recreation Center, located mid-Park at 97th Street, 212-348-4867.

Fun while learning -- and it's all free.
Sony Wonder Technology Lab, Tech In The Plaza. Uncover the inner workings of the devices you use every day as you watch demonstrations in Sony Plaza. No reservation required, but space is limited. Sony Plaza Public Arcade, 56 Street and Madison Avenue, 212 833-8100 to verify hours.

The Museum of the Moving Image, 35 Avenue at 37 Street, Astoria, NY, 718 777 6820. The Museum's acclaimed exhibition, advances public appreciation of art, history and technology of film, television, and digital media, often presented with personal appearances by directors, actors, critics, and scholars. Free. Tuesday through Sunday.

The National Museum of the American Indian. The George Gustav Heye Center, Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, One Bowling Green, adjacent to the northeast corner of Battery Park. 212 514 3700. Admission is free, and the building is fully accessible. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; Thursdays until 8 p.m. Films Shows, Performances Music, dance, Tours, Talks & Lectures, Reviews, Workshops Crafts and demonstrations.