Here’s a list of perennial Big Apple favorites in the holiday ritual department. Fire up your BlackBerry and start jotting down these dates of the rites of passage no wee New Yorker likes to miss.

Rockefeller Center Tree
Five miles of lights adorn the famous Norway Spruce, which is topped by a Swarovski star made of thousands of crystals. Tonight’s 76th annual tree lighting ceremony will include celebrity appearances by Beyonce, the Jonas Brothers and Faith Hill.
When: Opening ceremony 12/3, 7-9pm; Free. On view through 1/09/09.
Where: Rockefeller Center, bet. 5th & 6th Ave. and 48th & 51st St.; rockefellercenter.com.

Bronx Zoo Wild Winterland
The annual nighttime holiday event moved to daytime in order to lighten energy output. This year, the event includes more animals, holiday decor and festive special events.
When: 12/6-12/7, 12/13-12/14, 12/20-12/21, 12/22-1/4/09; 11:30am-3:30pm; $15/Adults, $11/Kids.
Where: Bronx River Parkway & Fordham Road, 718-367-1010, bronxzoo.com.

Grand Central Kaleidoscope Light Show
Using the famed Sky Ceiling of the main concourse as a canvas, lasers bring the constellations to life, transforming them into snowmen, skiers and famous NYC buildings.
When: Through 1/1/09, 11am-9pm (laser show every 30 minutes); Free.
Where: Grand Central Terminal, 42nd St. bet. Vanderbilt & Lexington, grandcentralterminal.com.

Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden
Set amid evergreens and lights, trains and trolleys zip along this magical scene that features replicas of local landmarks, from the Statue of Liberty to the Apollo Theater, made entirely from plant parts like berries, mushrooms, pinecones and twigs.
When: Through 1/11/09; Tues.-Sun., 10am-6pm; $20/Adults, $10/Kids.
Where: Bronx River Parkway & Fordham Road, 718-817-8700, nybg.org.

The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center
George Balanchine’s take on a seasonal classic, The Nutcracker, performed by the New York City Ballet.
When: Through 1/3/09; ticket prices vary.
Where: Lincoln Center, Columbus Ave. & 63rd. St.., 212-870-5570, nycballet.com.

Origami Holiday Tree at AMNH
Hundreds of origami creatures adorn the 13-foot tree for this year’s theme, “Folding the Museum.” Two holiday Barosaurs greet visitors on the front steps. Plus, visit the new Polar Rink for ice skating.
When: Through 1/1/09; 10am-5:45pm; $15/Adults, $8.50/Kids.
Where: American Museum of Natural History, 79th St. & Central Park West, 212-769-5100, amnh.org.

POSTED IN: Activities