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Nov 24
Ghost Brothers of Darkland County; Beacon Theatre, Upper West Side, 7:30pm. $49.50–$89.50
Stephen King and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee John Mellencamp have come together to create a supernatural Southern Gothic musical, and you can see it for one night only at the Beacon Theatre.
Origami Holiday Tree; American Museum of Natural History, Upper West Side, 10am. $19.
Opening day for the festooned tree rocking more than 500 meticulously hand-folded paper ornaments. This year’s decor is inspired by the museum’s new “The Power of Poison” exhibit, meaning you’ll spot toxic mushrooms, poison ivy, spiders, snails and jellyfish.
Whiplash; Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, Chelsea, 11pm. Free.
This wildly popular show, started by Leo Allen and adopted by Aparna Nancherla, has run for more than five years and been home to the best up-and-comers and biggest names in comedy.
B.o.B. + Kevin Gates; Irving Plaza, Gramercy & Flatiron, 7pm. $35.
With support form New Orleans rapper and singer Kevin Gates, Atlanta's B.o.B. performs effortless Southern pop-rap best described as Outkast crossed with Katy Perry.
Henri Bendel Holiday Window; Henry Bendel, Midtown East, Through Jan 1. Free.
Here you'll see Louise the Elephant, a plush green fellow made of shrubbery and covered in oversize silver ornaments. Other windows will feature fountains, cobblestones, scattered camellias and all-around holiday whimsy.
Flint Fiction; 2A, East Village, 8pm. Free.
Budget-friendly drink specials and a hoard of talented young writers, like Yelena Akhtiorskaya, Shelly Oria and Jared Hohlt make up this new, noteworthy reading series. Check it out, ya'll.
Holiday Under the Stars; Time Warner Center, Upper West Side, 5pm. Free.
Take a break from Christmas shopping and check out Time Warner Center’s state-of-the-art holiday light display.
Nov 25
Julian Casablancas & the Voidz; Hammerstein Ballroom (at the Manhattan Center), Hell's Kitchen, 8pm. $35.
NYC rock legend (and the last guy still swapping s for z) Julian Casablancas isn't resting on his considerable laurels as frontman for New York's beloved Strokes, who played a knockout gig at this year's Governors Ball.
Jason Moran and the Bandwagon; Village Vanguard, West Village, 8:30pm and 10:30pm. $25–$30 plus one-drink minimum.
Polymathic piano great Jason Moran and his trusty triomates (bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits) show off their slyly engaging, historically minded modernism during a week in the Village.
This is Why You're Single: Holiday Edition; People's Improv Theater, Gramercy & Flatiron, 8pm. $8.
Put down that Ben & Jerry's pint and change out of that Snuggy to learn about why you're single just in time for the holidays with comedic sketches. Or maybe you're a smug couple with a strong desire to laugh about your former . Either way, this is the show for you.
Blonde Redhead; Bowery Ballroom, Lower East Side, 9pm. $30, advance 25.
No, this is not a show featuring siamese twins. However, two of these band members are twins and their joined by singer Kazu Makino to rock out their latest album, Barragán, a subdued evolution of its trademark off-kilter pop.
Blaria Live!; UCBEast, East Village, 9:30pm. $5.
A perceptive and thoughtful blogger and comic, Phoebe Robinson brings her online alter ego to the stage, and invites several other stand-ups to come along.
Nels Cline and Julian Lage; SubCulture, East Village, 8pm. $25, advance $20.
Avant-guitar star Nels Cline—of Wilco, his own recently rebooted Singers trio and various other groups—continues his fruitful collaboration with prodigious young plectrist Julian Lage, who's making waves all across the jazz spectrum.
Nov 26
Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Balloon Inflation; W 79 St at Columbus Ave, 3–10pm. Free.
This pre–Turkey Day ritual, held near the American Museum of Natural History, has become almost as crowded as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but we prefer it to the main event, but it's still totally worth it for close-ups of some of the most popular floats.
Method Man and Redman + Berner + Mick Jenkins + B-Real; Best buy Theater, Midtown West, 8pm. $30–$35
United by a shared love of marijuana, Method Man, Redman, Cypress Hill's B-Real, Berner and Mick Jenkins have elected to dub their jaunt the World Wide Rollers tour, though in reality, it's so much more than that.
Basement Bhangra Vs. Que Bajo; Baby's All Right,
Two bass-heavy mainstays go head to head in Williamsburg for your dancing pleasure.
Bob Dylan and His Band; Prudential Center + Beacon Theatre, 7:30pm. Sold out.
Bob Dylan—the most celebrated lyricist in pop-music history—may be more or less unintelligible onstage these days, but his current shows (a mixture of old and new, beloved and obscure) prove that the potency of his songs transcends the verbal realm.
NYC International Mariachi Festival; Symphony Space, Upper West Side, 8pm. $40, advance $35.
Sure, you may get a taste of it on NYC subways but this fest will truly represent the purest and much better version (no offense) of the Mexican music tradition.
Nov 27
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; Manhattan (Begins at W 77th St and Central Park West)
For the 88th year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will usher in the holiday season with familiar sights like giant balloons, high-kicking Rockettes and Santa’s sleigh, plus celebrity appearances.
Thanksgiving Cruise; Hudson River Park at Pier 40, 1:30pm. $99.
Eat and be merry on this holiday cruise with all the trimmings: a buffet full of harvest-inspired food, a flatscreen featuring the big football game for those of you that just can't miss it and sparkling wine at the door when you arrive.
Macy's on Thanksgiving; 151 W 34th St at Sixth Ave. Free.
Ready, set—shop! Promptly after the parade and your Thanksgiving meal, eager Black Friday shoppers should know that Macy’s will open its doors one day early (sucking two more hours out of the holiday than last year) by opening at 6pm.