The 5 Coolest Things to Do in NYC Over Thanksgiving Weekend

NEW YORK, NY — By now you've emerged from your tryptophan-induced coma to indulge in a little Black Friday madness, and you're feeling almost-human again. What better way to announce to the world "this holiday season, I will not be crushed under the weight of unreasonable expectations, self-doubt, and too much butter!" than to take an afternoon or evening of for something fun and cultural? Look no further than the Patch Culture Hound's roundup of the five coolest things to do in NYC this weekend, in every price taste and range. You can do this!

HOLIDAY TIME IN PALEYLAND

Where: The Paley Center for Media, Midtown [map]

When: Friday (11/25), Saturday (11/26) and Sunday (11/27) from noon to 6 p.m.

What: All weekend long, now through the end of the year, the Paley Center for Media presents Holiday Time in Paleyland, a family-friendly holiday experience. Sip cocoa as you take in screenings of holiday classics from the Paley archives — including favorite titles like How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Frosty the Snowman — visit with Santa, and view displays of the iconic "Wooden Soldier" costumes worn by the Rockettes. Other activities include ornament and puppet making. For more information and a complete schedule, go here.

How much: FREE!

THEO BLECKMANN'S HELLO EARTH! THE MUSIC OF KATE BUSH

Where: Roulette, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn [map]

When: Saturday (11/26) at 8 p.m.

What: The second of three concerts in the Curated by Meredith Monk series at Roulette, Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist and composer Theo Bleckmann presents Hello Earth: The Music of Kate Bush, with selections from his 2011 album of the same name. Bleckmann and his band pay homage to the British pop queen with a setlist of wholly reconceived songs infused with his signature ethereal sensibilities. These aren't sound-alike bar covers you might expect, but fully realized jazz compositions. For more information and tickets, go here.

How much: Tickets are $20 in advance.

BAR CAR NIGHTS: ADULTS-ONLY HOLIDAY TRAIN SHOW

Where: New York Botanical Garden, Bronx [map]

When: Saturday (11/26) from 7 to 10 p.m.

What: Every year, tens of thousands of weary parents wait in excruciatingly long lines to take their tykes to see the (admittedly awesome) Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden. But once the sun goes down, Bar Car Nights provides a more adult-oriented option. Stroll the walks of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory as toy trains zip by and live music plays, all with a cocktail or warm spiked beverage in hand! For more information and to purchases tickets, go here.

How much: Tickets are $25.

A MURRAY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

Where: Joe's Pub, Greenwich Village [map]

When: Friday (11/25) at 7 and 9 p.m.

What: New York fixture Murray Hill (aka Mr. Showbiz) brings his nutty Yuletide cocktail-party-cum-burlesque extravaganza A Murray Little Christmas to Joe's pub this weekend with two insane shows Friday evening. Joined onstage by the Brian Newman Quartet and featuring performances from a handful of special guests, including burlesque stars Dirty Martini and Angie Pontani, Murray sings, dances, and brings the funny — and may or may not break out a Cookiepuss cake in honor of his birthday! For more information and tickets, go here.

How much: Tickets are $20 to $55

WEEN

Where: The Capitol Theater, Port Chester, Long Island [map]

When: Friday (11/25), Saturday (11/26), and Sunday (11/27) at 8 p.m.

What: Following a four-year hiatus, schizo-rock legends Ween reformed late last year and now bring their eclectic catalog to the area with three shows this weekend at the Capitol Theater on Long Island. Often compared to Frank Zappa for their genre-defying songs and comic lyrics, Ween actually counts Prince and the Beatles as their primary influences (who doesn't?) Devoted local fans have had this weekend marked in their calendars for a long while, but tickets are still available for all you noobs looking to add a cult classic to your repertoire. (You really should.) For more information and tickets go here or find third-party tickets at Vivid Seats.

How much: Tickets are $65 and up

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