New York City is already starting to feel the chill of the winter season. Although the sky turns dark (and stays dark) earlier now, the sun is not setting on the city’s thriving arts scene.
Here are a few things in New York City in the art that you won’t want to miss this winter.
NYBG GLOW
2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx
Who doesn’t love a good light display? The New York Botanical Garden has brought back its iconic GLOW display for the fourth year in a row. Enjoy the beauty of the NYBG landscape and historic buildings after dark, breathtakingly illuminated by an incredible display of lights.
State of Emergence
NADA East Broadway, 300 East Broadway, Manhattan
Curated by Lesia Kulychynska and Catinca Tabacaru, “State of Emergence” explores, as the title suggests, different states of emergency, including war, natural disasters, pandemics, or civil unrest, and how they affect human rights, life and death and more. This exhibition is on display until Dec. 10.
Feathers on the Waves at Studio Skate
99 Scott Ave., Brooklyn
Not all art appears the way you expect it to. Underneath the rink at Studio Skate you’ll find a new large-scale commission by artist Christopher Myers. Entitled “Feathers on the Waves,” the piece celebrates the inherent grace of the Black figure through a series of symmetrical forms, resembling the artist’s work in stained glass, and unfolds for skaters as they glide across the ice.
Shilpa Gupta at Amant Foundation
315 Maujer St., Brooklyn
Shilpa Gupta’s work spans decades, mediums, technologies, and cultures, and one of her latest exhibitions is showcasing some of her best works. At Amant, visitors can take a gander at some of Gupta’s work over the past 15 years or so, including a new iteration in the “For, In Your Tongue, I Cannot Fit” series. Gupta’s exhibition will be on display through April 28, 2024.
Lightscape
990 Washington Ave., Brooklyn
Because you can’t have enough light displays, right? Lightscape brings new life to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden every winter, brightening the night sky with an array of light displays. Lightscape will be on display through Jan. 1.
Origami Tree at the American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park West, Manhattan
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree isn’t the only tree worth seeing this season — the American Museum of Natural History decks out a 13-foot tall tree each year with origami, marking the start of the holiday season in the museum. This year’s theme is Proboscideans on Parade, inspired by the museum’s latest exhibition “The Secret World of Elephants,” with a woolly mammoth model and hundreds of intricately designed models of brightly colored elephants forming a garland around the tree. Be sure to check out “The Secret World of Elephants” exhibit after you take a look at the tree.
Just outside NYC
LuminoCity Festival
Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY
Back and better than ever, the LuminoCity Festival brings festive cheer through a variety of dazzling light displays. This year’s theme is “Wonder Journey,” promising visitors the chance to create unforgettable memories for families and friends. The festival will be on display through Jan. 7, 2024.
Smallest Thanksgiving Day Parade at LEGOLAND
Ridge Hill Mall, 39 Fitzgerald St., Yonkers
You don’t have to trek to Manhattan to see the Thanksgiving Day Parade. Up in Westchester, New Yorkers can check out LEGOLAND’s Smallest Thanksgiving Day Parade. Created by Master Model Builder Matt, the parade features hundreds of LEGO blocks and can be found in LEGOLAND’s display in MINILAND New York, which showcases the New York skyline, Ridge Hill and sections of Westchester.
