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14 Fun Things to Do Around Harlem This Weekend


Photo: Harlem Night Market

The Harlem Night Market returns to East Harlem—and more fun things to see and do this weekend:


Friday, December 17 5pm-9pm; Saturday, December 18 4pm-9pm; Sunday, December 19 3pm-8pm

East Harlem La Marqueta, Park Ave and E 116th St

After a one-year pause, the trailblazing Harlem Night Market returns to East Harlem. Expect food, drinks, and artisanal goods from up to 75 vendors, including Harlem Biscuit Co, Sugar Hill Creamery and Harlem Seafood Soul. This year the market will be in three spots along Park Avenue: La Placita between 115th and 116th Streets, La Marqueta between 114th and 115th Streets, and the Urban Garden Center between 116th and 117th Streets, which will be hosting activities for kids like photos with Santa.


Friday, December 17 & Saturday, December 18 4pm-midnight

Hamilton Heights L' Artista, 142 Hamilton Pl between W 143rd and W 144th Sts

To celebrate its two-year anniversary, L' Artista is offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal on all pasta dishes for two nights only. Dishes include Tagliatelle ai Funghi, Ravioli di Zucca and Pappardelle alla Bolognese (free dish must be of equal or lesser value).


Various locations

Take a walk at dusk to see these holiday trees looking all merry and bright.


Saturday, December 18 noon-2pm

Central Harlem Harlem Hookah, 381 Lenox Avenue at W 129 St

For the third year in a row, this popular venue is giving back to the community with free turkeys and toys, plus children's activities like face painting.


Saturday, December 18 noon-8pm

Central Harlem Kente Royal Gallery, 2373 Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd between 138th and 139th Sts

Shop for accessories, candles, teas and more at this one-day event highlighting local makers.


Saturday, December 18 & Sunday, December 5 1pm-7pm

Central Harlem Calabar Gallery, 2504 Frederick Douglass Blvd at W 134th St

The second of this collective's two holiday pop-ups features fashion from Heike, ceramics from Jonathan Castro Designs, jewelry from Malikah Divine and lots more (there are different vendors each day).


 

In case you missed it:


Extended through December 19; Tue-Sun noon-8pm FREE

West Harlem 439 W 127th St between Convent and Amsterdam Aves, 4th floor

Multimedia artist Arthur Jafa's latest work is a mesmerizing film whose focus is a strange, lava-like sea. On view in the old Gavin Brown gallery space.


Fridays 6pm-9pm, Saturdays & Sundays 1pm-4pm, 6pm-9pm

West Harlem Riverbank State Park, entrance at Riverside Drive and 145th St

Ice skating season is back at Riverbank State Park—the rink there is the only one open in Harlem now that the old Lasker Rink and Pool in Central Park is being redeveloped.


Charles Biasiny-Rivera. "Benjamin Franklin High School, NYC, May 1974." Collection of El Museo del Barrio.

Through February 27, 2022; Fri-Sun 11am-5pm

East Harlem El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave at 104th St

Two new exhibits on view now: Bronx collective En Foco's photographs capturing the lives of Puerto Ricans in 1970s NYC plus the paintings of 35 artists working on the margins of the mainstream art world in the mid-20th century.


Through January 2, 2022 Fridays noon-7pm FREE

Central Harlem Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building, 163 W 125th St and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd, 2nd floor art gallery and community room

Harlem through the eyes of an impressive list of photographers, including James Van Der Zee, Roy DeCarava to Dawoud Bey.


Saturdays 10am-3pm

Sugar Hill 898 St. Nicholas Ave at W 155th St

This beloved children's museum has reopened with two new exhibits: "Other Nature – Cicadian Rhythm," a multimedia installation by artist Cecile Chong, and "Home," a group exhibition of sculptures and more by Max Colby, Suchitra Mattai, Dionis Ortiz, and Albert Peguero.


Weekends until 3:45am

Central Harlem Shrine, 2271 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between W 133rd and W 134th Sts

This gem of a live music venue kicks into high gear on the weekends with a mix of jazz, funk, blues, and even comedy—ending with DJ sets that run into the early morning.


Thomas J. Price's 9-foot sculpture "Witness" arrives in Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem.
Thomas J. Price's 9-foot sculpture "Witness" arrives in Marcus Garvey Park.

Through October 1, 2022

Central Harlem Marcus Garvey Park, enter at Fifth Ave and E 124th St

Artist Thomas J. Price's monumental bronze sculpture of a young Black man looking down at his phone—it's nine foot tall—is now on view in Harlem's Marcus Garvey Park.


Through April 2022

Central Harlem Morningside Park, Morningside Ave and 120th St

Take a selfie with artist Zaq Landsberg's 25-foot-long sculpture, "Reclining Liberty," right above the entrance to the park at 120th Street.


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