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Deep Space Cielo; Dec 14 at 10pm; $20, with e-flyer free before 11pm or $12 after
Dance-music deity François K's weekly Deep Space soiree focuses on dub in all its glorious, echo-drenched forms but extends its reach to all types of underground dance music. The only dress code is "an open mind." If that's a stretch, the evening's futuristic vibes will set the tone.
The Museum of Feelings Brookfield Place Plaza; Through Dec 15, 11am; free
Feeling like crap? Glade can help you turn your frown upside down! Prepare yourself for all of the feels, channel your inner muse and turn your emotions into art thanks to an interactive exhibit dubbed The Museum of Feelings. The sensory (and free!) showcase portrays the beautiful connection between scent and emotions as Glade uses its fragrances to make you feel either optimistic, joyful, invigorated, exhilarated or calm within the different rooms. Just think of the museum as a giant mood ring.
Mariah Carey Beacon Theatre; Dec 14–18 at 8pm; $59.50–$255
Mariah Carey returns to the Beacon for her second annual All I Want for Christmas Is You series, in which the megawatt singer will run through the holiday hits from her 1994 seasonal smash, Merry Christmas, and its 2010 sequel, Merry Christmas II You.
Whiplash Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre; Dec 14–28; Free
This always packed show, hosted by Leo Allen, features the city’s best up-and-coming comedians. But it’s the surprise special guests—Chris Rock, Louis C.K. and David Cross have appeared—who keep audiences hooked.
Side Ponytail Over the Eight; Dec 14 at 8pm; Free
Carolyn Busa hosts what she calls "Williamsburg's cutest comedy show," featuring the city's top up-and-coming stand-ups. She's not wrong about the cuteness, but she forgot to mention that it's also one of the funniest in the city.
Nobodies Talking Shit Don Pedro, Dec 14 at 9pm; Free
Drag queens Lady Bearica Andrews and Ariel Italic plus DJ Accident Report are collectively the Nobodies. They (who?) are pooling their nightlife currency (or lack thereof) to rock your Monday night with trash talk and screenings at 10, followed by debaucherous drag performances and dirty dance music.
Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair Vanderbilt Hall; Dec 14 through Dec 24 at 10am; Free
For once, take a leisurely stroll through Grand Central instead of rushing for a train. The annual Holiday Fair will take over the majestic Vanderbilt Hall for six weeks this year, letting New Yorkers browse an array of holiday wares like jewelry, toys and bath products while staying warm and toasty. Many of the fair's 76 vendors offer handcrafted, American-made products from locally sourced materials. The market will close at 6PM on Christmas Eve, and is closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Candela sample sale Dec 15–Dec 23 at 10am; Free
Searching for the perfect winter getup for the holidays? Snatch NYC designer Gabriela Perezutti’s trendy duds and footwear for up to 80 percent off at her showroom sample sale. Stunning pieces include a lace Baca dress with bell sleeves ($341, trimmed to $110), which would look fab with a pair of Lovin over-the-knee suede boots ($299, formerly $520).
Roots Cielo; Dec 16 at 10pm; $20, before 11pm free
House heroes Louie Vega (of Masters at Work) and Kevin Hedge (of Blaze) have kept New York dance music alive and kicking for more than 10 years with their long-running midweek dance party. Show up before 11pm for free admission, plus an open vodka bar from 10 to 11pm!
Target Wonderland; 10am–8pm; Through Dec 22; Free
Make holiday shopping a lot more fun at Target’s Wonderland, featuring 10 holiday spectacles to delight the whole family. Check out a life-size version of the ice palace from Frozen or video chat live with Santa, and much more. Plus, put items on your wish list on an electronic shopping list, and purchase them with ease at the end of your visit.
Gilmore Girls Party Videology; Dec 18 at 9:30pm; $5
Celebrate the TV show responsible for the greatest mother-and-daughter duo of all time at Videology. TV Hangover will show the best wintry episodes, paired with spiked coffee for Stars Hollow–related drinking games. Channel your Chilton smarts and study up on town troubadour bylaws and The Art of War if you want to win at trivia. But you better bring your Paris face.
How Cats Took Over the Internet Museum of Moving Image; Dec 16 at 10:30am; $12
Whether you’ve read a Pusheen Web comic, posted the perfect lolcat on your Tumblr or even sat through Lifetime’s Grumpy Cat movie, you’re officially part of the Internet’s cat cult. Learn about the history of this feline phenomenon, and maybe discover an amazing meme you have missed, at this purrfect (come on, we had to say it) exhibit.
Fifth Annual No Office Holiday Party Littlefield; Dec 17 at 8pm; $5–8
Freelancers—feeling blue this time of year because working from home means missing out on all those cool holiday parties your friends' employers throw for them? Well, feel down no longer. This night of office-free reverie comes with attractions even dot-com workplaces would be jealous of: live-band karaoke from Rock Star Karaoke, drunk snacks from Brooklyn's Yeah Dawg, a photo booth, drink specials, and more—all hosted by comedian Jacqueline Novak. It's almost enough to make not having benefits worthwhile.
Distorted Kristmess 2015 Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe; Dec 15 at 9pm; $20 + $20 minimum
Holly Dae, Bootsie Lefaris, Pixie Aventura and Brenda Dharling share the bill for this holiday send-up, now in its fourth year. Expect high-energy dance numbers, glittery costumes and wrongheaded twists on Chrismas classics like "The 12 Drunks of Christmas" plus a special tribute to Bea Arthur.
A Christmas Carol at the Merchant's House: Charles Dickens in New York, 1867 Merchant's House Museum; Through Dec 24 at 7pm; $40–$60
John Kevin Jones plays Charles Dickens in this account of the novelist's classic holiday ghost story, which he adapted with director Rhonda Dodd. The Merchant's House Museum, formerly the home of a wealthy 19th-century family, provides an atmospheric setting for Jones's third annual engagement.
Oh, Hello Cherry Lane Theatre; Dec 15–20; $49
Two of comedy’s biggest young stars Nick Kroll and John Mulaney bring their curmudgeon, upper west side alter egos Gil Faizon & George St.Geegland—previously featured in Kroll Show—to Off Broadway. Kroll and Mulaney’s commitment to these bizarre old perverts is something to behold. They’ll quickly go from their detailed opinions on each of the New York Mayors (Koch is their decided fave) to a bizarre anecdote about their fictional families—each occasssionaly finishing the other's sentence like an old married couple.
Company XIV: Nutcracker Rouge Minetta Lane Theatre; Through Jan 17 at 8pm; $50–$175
Austin McCormick and his risqué neo-Baroque dance theater Company XIV present a lavish erotic reimagining of the classic holiday tale, complete with circus performers, operatic singers and partial nudity. Definitely leave the kids at home: The word nutcracker has customarily conjured innocent wonder; now be ready to add glitter pasties, stripper poles and comically large stuffed penises to the, shall we say, toys to expect in wonderland.
Star Wars and the Power of Costume: The Exhibition Discovery Times Square; Through Feb 29 at 10am; $27.50
Enter fan Valhalla and feast your eyes upon more than 70 impeccably preserved original costumes from the first two Star Wars trilogies, along with seven pieces from The Force Awakens. You'll be able to see yourself reflected in Vader's helmet, wish you were Naboo royalty when passing Queen Amidala's regal gowns and cringe in disbelief at Princess Leia's bikini. Just try to keep your arguments over midi-chlorian counts to a minimum.
Joie Equipment and Current/ Elliott sample sale 260 Fifth Avenue Showroom; Dec 15 at 9am; Free
Trendy ladies can scoop up fashionable duds without feeling shoppers’ remorse thanks to this shopfest. Women’s sweaters, tops and denim are marked up to 80 percent off, and outerwear is up to 75 percent off. Be on the lookout for CURRENT/ELLIOTT skinny jeans (normally $198), Joie wool ponchos (normally $358).and Equipment blouses (usually $108–$228).
Union Square Holiday Market Union Square; Dec 14 through Dec 24 at 11am; Free
If there’s one alfresco shopping event worth braving the cold for, it’s this one. This European-style winter market boasts more than 150 local and national vendors hawking an impressive selection of handcrafted gifts, ranging from jewelry and accessories to leather goods and artwork. And with food vendors like Momofuku Milk Bar, Bar Suzette, Wafels & Dinges and No Chewing Allowed!, you could easily spend a whole day here.