Columbia, welcome to no man’s land.

For the next two weeks, life will most likely not be fun. You are stuck in the in-between holiday purgatory, having just left home and not far from returning. You must somehow fit what now seems like a lifetime of paper-writing and furious studying into this short amount of time.

Bwog isn’t really going to suggest you do anything during finals week except sigh loudly, complain with your friends and have occasional nervous breakdowns, but until the second week of December, we suggest that you punctuate your finals-induced misery with one or a few of the many lovely free mostly-holiday-themed events taking place in our fair city. A full listing after the jump.

 

Monday, December 1

Beginning at 5:30 PM tonight, sidewalks between the Time Warner Center on 59th Street and 68th Street will be crowded with performers from the Big Apple Circus. There will be a tree lighting ceremony on 63rd and Broadway and other fun holiday UWS fun to be had for all. 

 Tuesday, December 2

The Winter Garden in Tribeca hosts two performances of The Nutcracker, at 12:30 PM and 6:30 PM. The later performance includes a tree lighting ceremony.

Wednesday, December 3

Because you will never get sick of tree lighting ceremonies, ever. Tonight’s the big one: wade through crowds for the pretty-much-worth-it Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony. The tree is lit at 8:55 PM on the dot but the celebration goes from 7-9 PM. 

Thursday, December 4

In addition to our own tree lighting ceremony and fun yule log times with Quigley, you can check out a free concert honoring everyone’s favorite first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, at John Jay College in Midtown. The show starts at 7:30 and includes Metropolitan Opera soloists, the Choral Society and the International Orchestra for Human Rights. Gloria Steinheim and Rwandan Ambassador Joseph Nsengimana will speak, among others. Reserve your free tickets here.  

Friday, December 5

Avoid embarrassing ice skating stumbles over break. Take a free skating tutorial from 9 AM-11 AM at the Pond at Bryant Park.

Saturday, December 6  

Do something you’ve definitely never done before: witness a “vibraphone battle” at the famous Dizzy’s jazz club in Lincoln Center. Featuring Adam Birbaum, Ari Roland, and Uylsses Owens. 2:30 PM. 

Sunday, December 7

Count the semesters ’till you graduate and you have to pay for museums. Not too many, right? Go to the Whitney and see the new Alexander Calder exhibit the Times calls praises for bringing “the giddy ferment of his artistic circle to life.” 

Monday, December 8

Last day of classes. ‘Nuff said.

Tuesday, December 9

Last chance for cheesy holiday merry-making before you begin your week of solitary confinement. Christmas activities, the lighting of the Dana Discovery Center in Central Park, free hot chocolate and cookie decorating. From 3 PM-5 PM on 110th Street between 5th and Lenox.