NYC Events Picks: Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting, Don Carlo, NY Philharmonic

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree after the lighting ceremony at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center on December 2, 2009 in New York City. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

Don Carlo at the Metropolitan Opera

Verdi’s Don Carlo is back at the Metropolitan Opera at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 26 for seven shows until Dec. 18. Don Carlo, heir to the throne of Spain, is heartbroken when his fiancée, Elizabeth of Valois is betrothed to his father, King Filippo II. Carlo and his best friend, Rodrigo, risk charges of treason to support the cause for Flemish independence.

Ticket price ranges from $25 to $420. For more information, visit www.metoperafamily.org.

NY Philharmonic: Mozart, Haydn, and Tchaikovsky

The New York Philharmonic has put together three master composers for one Saturday matinee at Avery Fisher Hall. Under conductor Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, three violinists, two viola players, and one cellist will play Mozart’s String Quintet in G minor, Haydn’s Symphony No. 100, and Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto.

The performance starts at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27. The ticket price ranges from $37 to $82.

Pianist Benjamin Bradham at NY Public Library

Pianist Benjamin Bradham will perform works by Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Schumann, and William Grant Still at the Performing Arts Library on Sunday, Nov. 28 at 2:30 p.m. A graduate of Juilliard School, Bradham has made solo appearances in Alice Tully Hall, the Donnell Library Center Concert Series, and broadcast performances on WBAI-Radio.

The free concert will take place in Bruno Walter Auditorium in Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center. Use the library’s Amsterdam Avenue entrance at Amsterdam Avenue and 65th Street as the plaza entrance is closed on Sundays.

Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square

It’s the most festive season of the year again. Celebrate winter early at the Winter’s Eve on Monday, Nov. 29 with free entertainment, food tasting, in-store activities, shopping, and a neighborhood tree lighting ceremony.

The celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. at Dante Park at Broadway and 63rd Street. Festivities continue along Broadway from Time Warner Center to 68th Street.

Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting

Rockefeller Center will light its Christmas tree on Tuesday, Nov. 30 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Rockefeller Plaza near the ice-skating rink. The Christmas tree is illuminated by 30,000 lights on five miles of wire, and topped by a Swarovski crystal star.

Rockefeller Plaza is located between West 48th and 51st streets and Fifth and Sixth avenues. After Nov. 30, the tree will be lit from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily through the holiday season.