(DOT)  December 11-13, 2015 — SantaCon [begins on] Saturday, Dec 12.2015, 11:00am-7:00pm. [It’s where all the thousands wearing Santa outfits drink their way across Manhattan and Brooklyn in a fraternity style joy. It’s a massive group and the outcome is not all cheerful good fun; some do not know when to quit.]

NYTimes & DNAinfo: “SantaCon Fights for the Right to Party, Responsibly”

“The Santas enlisted Norman Siegel, the civil rights lawyer, who outlined the group’s First Amendment right to party responsibly. They also arranged a meeting with officials from the Police Department and started a nonprofit organization that will collect donations for charities such as City Harvest and Materials for the Arts. This year, the Santas got started in October. They called Mr. Siegel again, met with the police officials, applied for a permit from the Department of Parks and Recreation, reserved the venues, recruited safety volunteers, bought extra insurance and signed up for a Snapchat account.

For the first time, the Santas are sharing their route in advance. They will meet at 10 a.m. at McCarren Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Beginning at 11, they will host parties at the nearby clubs Verboten and the Hall. Midday, they will go to the Delancey and the DL on the Lower East Side. In the late afternoon, they will travel to the East Village, where there will be events at Solas, Bar 13 and at 230 Fifth, near Madison Square Park. For a $10 donation, participants can get into all the SantaCon-sponsored parties, where they pay for their drinks.”

MidCIty News: Midtown Recess Adds Big Games and Curling

Christmas time is fun and exciting, but it can also be a bit stressful. For shoppers and office workers in the 34th Street District, we’re making Park East at One Penn Plaza a playground to blow off some steam during the holidays.

34th Street Partnership and Vornado Realty Trust will keep Midtown Recess going right through the holidays. We’ve added a giant chess board, oversized Connect 4 and, for the Canadian-at-heart, curling. Come on by and guide your rock across our curling sheet (made of artificial ice) right into the house. It’s fun and it’s free, just like all the games at Midtown Recess, which is open weekdays, 10am-5:30pm, through December.

 

Final Phase of Macy’s Renovation Adds to District Dining

Macy’s Herald Square recently completed the final phase of its $400 million renovation by bringing two dining destinations to its lower level in partnership with the Patina Restaurant Group. Occupying the former Macy’s Cellar space, the new eateries include a take on the popular food truck trend and an enticing new pub.

Chef Street includes four Airstream-style trailers showcasing the custom cuisines of three Macy’s Culinary Council Chefs. As Florence Fabricant of The New York Times explained, “There’s Taquitoria, serving Marc Forgione’s tacos; Crumb on Parchment, with salads, grain bowls and sandwiches from the Miami chef Michelle Bernstein; ramen, bao buns and dumplings by Takashi Yagihashi of Chicago; and Rollie’s, for sandwiches on rolls.” Chef Street includes seating for 246 diners.

Also set to open soon, right by Chef Street, is Rowland’s Bar & Grill, a new pub with bar, banquette, and table seating named for Macy’s founder, Rowland Hussey (R.H.) Macy. Rowland’s honors Mr. Macy’s Nantucket heritage by serving fresh seafood specialties and hearkens back to New York City in the 1850’s, with signature dishes like House Smoked Pastrami, Turkey Stack for Two, and Rollie’s Burger.

Chef Street offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner service seven days a week from 9am-10pm. Rowland’s will serve lunch, weekend brunch, and dinner service seven days a week from 11am-10pm.

 

Santa’s Corner Returns to Winter Village, Bryant Park

To make sure you get what you want for Christmas, you gotta tell Santa, and Bryant Park is making it easy by bringing Saint Nick to the Deck at Bank of America Winter Village for seven days before Christmas. 

Beginning on Friday, December 18, the man himself comes down from the North Pole to sit in his custom-painted chair at Santa’s Corner on the northwest corner of the Deck. He then returns each day right up to Christmas Eve, posing for photos with good boys and girls. He’s in the park from 1pm-3pm each day, and on December 18 and Christmas Eve, he’ll begin with a half-hour parade through the park accompanied by elves and carolers.

Even if you miss Santa himself, be sure to come to Santa’s Corner any other time of day. You can take a photo with our festive cut-out signs, and you can even sit in Santa’s chair for your photo. You can find more information on the Winter Village website.

 

DOT Gridlock Alert Days 2015

Each year during the holiday season, the Department of Transportation designates Gridlock Alert Days as some of the busiest traffic days of the year. Whether you are traveling to work, for shopping or recreation, please take public transportation whenever possible.

The Gridlock Alert Days for this holiday season are:

• Friday, December 11
• Wednesday, December 16
• Thursday, December 17
• Friday, December 18
• Wednesday, December 23

 

Manhattan

West 19th Street between 8th Avenue and 7th Avenue

This street will be closed Saturday and/or Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm to facilitate crane operation.

East 22nd Street between Park Avenue South and Lexington Avenue

This street will be closed Saturday and/or Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm to facilitate crane operation.

West 22nd Street between 9th Avenue and 8th Avenue

This street will be closed Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm to facilitate crane operation.

West 31st Street between 9th Avenue and Dyer Avenue

This street will be closed 2 am Saturday through 5 am Monday to facilitate crane operation.

West 58th Street between 11th Avenue and Joe DiMaggio Highway

This street will be closed Saturday and/or Sunday from 5 am to 10 pm to facilitate crane operation.

West 75th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue

This street will be closed Saturday and/or Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm to facilitate crane operation.

East 76th Street between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue

This street will be closed Saturday and/or Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm to facilitate crane operation.