Baby it’s cold outside. Welcome to winter! it’s almost time for Christmas, Hanukkah (Chanukah), and Kwanzaa and there’s lots of holiday fun.  There’s Chanukah on Ice at Central Park, an awesome immersive art experience at Cipriani, and 1000s of lanterns on Staten Island.  Our health & beauty editor, Anne Akers reports in from the opening night of “Famous” an exhibit of photos by our dear friend society photographer, Annie Watt. Want the Broadway show scoop? Check out Valerie Smaldone’s reviews. elow are highlights of some unique holiday fun ideas.

Now to Jan. 6. “Famous” the Portraits of Annie Watt

The 3T health & beauty editor, Anne Akers says opening night of “Famous” at the Laverdin Gallery this week was spectacular. Through rain, snow squalls and inclement weather, friends and client of Annie Watt, Society Photographer, showed up in droves for FAMOUS:  A Decade of The Celebrated and Legendary (2009-2019), a photo exhibit of portraits by Annie Watt.  Held at LaVerdin Gallery on Park Avenue, the walls were lined with black and white photographs of the “Famous” including celebrities like Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Bill Clinton and Carolina Herrera as well  the Kings and Queens of New York philanthropy. 

There’s even a photo of Cheryl Benton and Anne Akers (aka, the “head tomato”) pictured below.

The collection was drawn from Annie’s client list which includes groups ranging from the American Cancer Society to the NYC Opera.  Annie’s work has been featured in Avenue, Quest, Town and Country and well as thousands of charity event.  Her photographic exhibit will remain on site at the LaVerdin gallery at 445 Park Avenue thru January 6th and is a recommended visit.  Annie’s heart is as big as her talent and 100% of proceeds from print sales will go to the School of Visual Arts Aumni. www.anniewatt.com.

Dec. 21. Chanukah on Ice

Head to the Lasker Rink in Central Park for the biggest Chanukah party in the city. The ice rink has been turned into a Festival of Lights. $30 gets you skates and on the rink, plus complimentary Kosher food (donuts and latkes), a DJ, a surprise celebrity guest, and a menorah ice carving. Get the details.

Now – Jan. 9. SuperReal – An Immersive Digital Art Experience

The iconic architecture of Cipriani 25 Broadway and its grand hall (the former cunard building ticketing lobby) is the home to SuperReal, a destination immersive multimedia art experiment that adds a layer of reality to the real world. Using cutting-edge visual effects and pixel-precise projection mapping technology, SuperReal sends visitors on an immersive journey through large-scale, 360-degree multidimensional realms that blur the boundaries between real and virtual.  Get details and tickets.

Now – Jan. 12. Winter Lantern Festival

Take the Staten Island Ferry and a shuttle bus will transport you to the NYC Winter Lantern Festival which transforms Staten Island’s Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden into a whimsical world of light. Bring your whole family to wonder at eight acres of lights, live cultural shows, interactive exhibits, and more. Get details and tickets.