Things to do on a Sunday in New York

The New York Transit Museum is giving the time-honored subway swipe a proper sendoff with a new exhibit called "FAREwell, MetroCard" (see what they did there?), opening on December 17 in Brooklyn.

The exhibit covers the full journey of the little yellow card that changed how the city moved. When the item launched in 1994, the goal was simple: retire the cumbersome token for something more fitting for the modern era. The show explores how that idea grew from clunky magnetic stripe prototypes into the systemwide rollout that reshaped the daily commute. Through early pilot brochures, SubTalk ads and photos of the first activated turnstiles, you'll realize how much work went into convincing riders to trust the new system.

New York is burnin' up for the JoBros. The Jonas Brothers are bringing Jonas20: Greetings From Your Hometown Tour with Jesse McCartney, Franklin Jonas & Deleasa to UBS Arena on December 21 and Barclays Center on December 22, 2025.

Tickets are now on sale, and it's highly recommended that you buy them in advance, since the band is celebrating the milestone with large crowds and iconic special guests, including Jordin Sparks, JoJo, 5 Seconds of Summer, Jason Mraz and more.

You'll feel like you're rolling into Emerald City itself with this Wicked Skate night at Xanadu, perfect for all fans of Wicked, The Wizard of Oz and The Wiz. The roller-skating Brooklyn dance club will turn into the Land of Oz with music from Misbehaviour, Operator Emz and DJ Cindy Kim. An Oz-themed costume party will win you a pair of fresh Impala skates, so pull your best Glinda, Elphaba, Dorothy, The Tin Man, etc.

New York’s stalwart old-school entertainer and star of HBO's glorious Somebody Somewhere Murray “Mr. Showbiz” Hill brings his rollicking year-end celebration—always one of the highlights of the season—back for a big 25th anniversary show at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. Expect burlesque titillation, musical mayhem and comedic mirth, with a 10-piece band, a choir, guest performers and celebrity cameos (including Jeff Hiller, Sasha Velour, Angie Pontani and J. Harrison Ghee, among others), and plenty of holiday cheer. Attendees are invited to dress for the occasion, so don't forget your ugly Santa sweater or festive furry suit!

Celebrate the holiday season Belcher-style at this deliciously funny Bob's Burgers Christmas Drag Spectacular at C'mon Everybody. On Saturday, December 20, join Bob, Linda, Tina, Gene and Louise — brought to life by iconic local drag performers including Megami, Matzah Belle Soup, Boxa Crayonz and Benedick the Bastard — for a festive night of music, comedy and holiday chaos.

The Jewish answer to SantaCon, the 2nd annual HannukCon is back this year with a diverse eighth-night live show at Littlefield on Sunday, December 21. Expect a special Hanukkah rap set from Kosha Dillz and some female Yiddish rock courtesy of Riki Rose, as well as knishes, comedy and a human-sized cash-dreidel contest. Holiday-inspired hip-hop tunes will be provided by DJ J-Ronin.

Get into the holiday spirit with The New York Pops' annual holiday concert at Carnegie Hall. This year's concert, "A Place Called Home," will feature Broadway and television sensation Megan Hilty with the acclaimed Essential Voices USA choir.  Two joyous evenings promise to enchant audiences with holiday classics, spirited carols and heartwarming performances that capture the magic of the holidays inside an iconic New York City destination.

The performances will take place on Friday, December 19 and Saturday, December 20 at 8pm in Carnegie Hall (57th Street and 7th Ave). Tickets are on sale here. 

If the 4:30pm sunsets weren't enough to let you know that the holiday season is finally here, then some pretty spectacular vintage holiday trains just might. In line with one of our favorite festive traditions, the New York Transit Museum is bringing back its holiday nostalgia rides every Sunday this December from 10am to 5pm, so you'll soon be able to step inside a subway car that operated on the city's tracks in the 1930s. Check out the full schedule and routes here. 

This Christmas, you can visit Japan without having to leave New York. On Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, 21, niji will be hosting a Japanese Holiday Market at Japan Village in Brooklyn. Discover over 15 talented Japanese artists and makers who will be showcasing their homemade crafts, jewelry, accessories, home goods and more.

It's the perfect opportunity to support independent artists as well as find unique, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts for all your loved ones. Peruse through booths selling necklaces, earrings, pottery, handwoven dolls, Japanese calligraphy designs, floral arrangements, wreaths, skincare, stationery and anime/K-pop inspired stickers. Enjoy the festive atmosphere inside the village, connect with artists and experience the culture and charm of Japanese craftsmanship. 

The market will be on the second floor of Sunset Park's Japan Village (934 3rd Ave) and will be open from 12pm to 6pm. 

Kids are welcome at this staging of the Mozart classic. It’s the perfect starter opera: Performed in English, this abridged version by Julie Taymor, the Tony Award–winning director of Broadway’s The Lion King, clocks in at less than two hours and features delightful costumes and sets, but it’s still a Met Opera production with some of the world’s finest performers.

If you want an extra special peek behind the curtain, mark your calendar for December 14 when families with tickets to the matinee performance are invited to experience the Met’s immersive Holiday Open House, with festive behind-the-scenes demonstrations by members of the Met’s backstage and artistic staff.