Your Week Untapped: Best Events for December 24-30

Our curated list of events for this week: Underground Eats Christmas Eve dinner, MAS tour of Rockefeller Center, the holiday train show & more.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 24: Underground Eats Christmas Eve Dinner at Louro. If Santa were a chef, he’d be a Santos. Chef David Santos is the jolliest guy we know and he spreads the joy through his food every time he cooks. On Christmas Eve give your belly the gift of delicious grub by making your reservation at Louro for a special tasting menu inspired by the movie, A Christmas Story. 5:30pm seating, 3 course prix fixe menu, $70 per person; 9pm seating, 5 course prix fixe menu, $93 per person. Louro, 142 West 10th Street. Buy tickets here.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25: Birdland is proud to announce the the third year of “A Swinging Birdland Christmas,” starring Klea Blackhurst, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch, with special guest jazz violinist Aaron Weinstein. In the tradition of beloved seasonal specials, Blackhurst, Caruso and Stritch will perform swinging arrangements of “Christmas Waltz,” Kay Thompson’s “Holiday Season,” “Sleigh Ride,” and “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm” among other favorites. The singers will be joined by the Birdland Jazz Quartet with Stritch on piano, John Hart on guitar, Paul Gil on bass and Carmen Intorre on drums. Doors at 5pm, show at 7pm. Birdland NYC, 315 West 44th Street. $30 + $10 minimum for food & drinks. Buy tickets here.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26: The Standard Ice Rink is open for the winter season. Skate to your heart’s content and then warm up at the Kaffeeklatsch with a crêpe, hot chocolate, or something a little stronger. 12pm-12am at The Standard Plaza, 848 Washington Street.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27: The Holiday Train Show at the Bronx Botanical Gardens. The enchanting setting of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory showcases more than 140 scaled iconic buildings and structures under thousands of twinkling lights. Artistically crafted by Paul Busse’s team at Applied Imagination, the landmarks are made of natural materials such as bark, twigs, stems, fruits, seeds, and pine cones and include the original Penn Station and Yankee Stadium, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, The New York Public Library on 42nd Street, and the Brooklyn Bridge. 10am-6pm at the Bronx Botanical Gardens, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx. $20 adults / $10 children. Advanced reservations recommended. Buy tickets here.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28: The New-York Historical Society’s inaugural film series, featuring opening remarks by notable directors, writers, actors, and historians. Produced in conjunction with New-York Historical’s exhibition WWII & NYC, this selection of classic films will show a broad scope of life during and after the most widespread and destructive conflict in human history.  It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). 7pm at the New York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West. Entrance to the film series is included with Museum Admission during Pay-as-you-wish Friday Nights (6-8pm).

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29:  Gingerbread Extravaganza at Le Parker Meridien. Marshmallows, Gum Drops and more! Check out the Gingerbread wonderland located in the 56th Street atrium of the lobby from December 1st — January 3rd all created by local bakeries and restaurants. This year’s theme is “Landmarks Around The World”. Purchase one ticket for $1 or 8 tickets for $5 through the concierge desk to vote for your favorite. Drop it in the box to be entered for a chance to win a 5 night stay at the luxurious Parker Palm Springs. All proceeds benefit City Harvest, the world’s first food rescue organization, dedicated to feeding the city’s hungry men, women and children. Le Parker Meridien, 119 West 56th Street.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30:  MAS Tour of Rockefeller Center. Join Architectural Historian Tony Robins for a tour of this urbane urban wonderland. Rockefeller Center is full of surprising history, remarkable art and stunning architecture. Conceived as a new home for the Metropolitan Opera, but built instead as Radio City, Rockefeller Center is a private real estate venture that has evolved into the public square of midtown Manhattan. 10am. Cost: $20 / $15 Members. Meeting location provided after tickets are purchased. Buy tickets  here.