Winter Programs

Celebrate the beginning of the winter season with free programming throughout the Park.

Each December, the Central Park Conservancy marks the beginning of winter with the Women's Committee's annual Winter Holiday Lighting of the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (pictured), followed by a variety of free programming. Enjoy ornament-making crafts, solstice stargazing, Kwanzaa celebration, an interactive winter sword dancing performance, and lots more.

Check out the Conservancy's event calendar.

Holiday Lighting in Central Park
Sunday, December 4
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Dana Discovery Center                                                                                        
Celebrate the season at our annual holiday and winter warm-up in northern Central Park.  Make holiday crafts, decorate cookies, and take your photo with Santa (bring your own camera). Event culminates with caroling and the lighting of the Dana Center for the holiday season.

Social Hour: Ornament Origami
Thursday, December 15
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Dana Discovery Center
Fold paper ornaments you’ll treasure forever at this ornament-origami workshop with author and famed origami genius Sok Song.  Ages 18+

Kwanzaa Celebration for Families
Friday, December 16
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Dana Discovery Center
Celebrate the harvest, family, community and culture by crafting a work inspired by nature and African art. Co-presented with the Museum for African Art.

Solstice Stargazing
Wednesday, December 21
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Belvedere Castle
Celebrate the first day of winter! View the night sky as guided by the Amateur Astronomers Association. Bring your own binoculars if you have them; telescope provided. Ages 10+

 Winter Holiday Crafts
Thursday, December 22
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Chess & Checkers House
Capture the smell of the winter holiday season through a fun paper gingerbread craft.

Evergreen Craft
Thursday, January 19
2:00 - 4:00 pm
Chess & Checkers House
Learn about the evergreen trees and shrubs that keep Central Park looking beautiful in winter while crafting your own wintery landscape.

Ice Festival @ Tavern
Saturday, February 11
11:00 - 3:00 pm
Tavern on the Green
Watch master carvers from Okamoto Studio turn blocks of ice into Central Park icons. Fun family activities will be offered.

Sword Dancing Family Performance
Saturday, February 18
1:00 pm & 3:00 pm
Dana Discovery Center
Be Amazed by dancers who weave swords into complex configurations as part of this ancient winter celebration.