‘Tis the season, as they say. For those looking to feed their holiday spirit animal in advance of the impending big events, we’ve put together a list of great pregame happenings taking place around New York City this week. In the mix you’ll find laugh fests, dance parties, film screenings and more. Browse below, something is sure to tickle your merry bone.

Monday, December 19
COMEDY: Night Train with Wyatt Cenac Holiday Spectacular
Hang on to those handrails because Wyatt Cenac has a special Christmas edition of his long-running comedy series on tap. Among those joining him on the Night Train are SNL’s Michael Che, Nimesh Patel, Marcus Monroe, J.D. Amato of The Chris Gethard Show, Joyelle Johnson, Puppeteer James Godwin and more.
Littlefield, 622 Degraw Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217
$5-$8

FOOD: The 8th Annual Latke Festival
Before the Chanukah candle ceremonies commence, the expert party planners at Great Performances are holding their annual festival that glorifies the potato pancake and thanks it for its savory contributions to the holiday season. An all-the-latkes-you-can-eat-a-thon, the feast features chefs from Veselka, Bustan, The Bedford, Tessa and more competing for the title of Latke Master. Attendees help select the people’s choice, while an expert panel of judges will be on hand to pick their evening’s favorite. And despite the latke’s strong association with the festival of lights, this potato pancake feast is a non-denominational affair. Proceeds from the event benefit The Sylvia Center, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing childhood obesity and food-related diseases through hands-on programs in the kitchen and on the farm.
Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11238
6pm-9pm
$70

MUSIC: Rev. Vince’s Christmas Supertacular!
The Rev always puts on a spirited show, but tonight’s sermon will pack an extra punch given its proximity to Christmas. A member of the Revolution Church, the Rev has been spreading his dirty gospel in bars and taverns throughout New York for over 20 years. Those up for a musical evening involving hand clapping, foot stopping, consuming beer and singing hallelujah then we suggest making your way to Union Pool for this evening’s late night sets.
Union Pool, 484 Union Ave, Brooklyn, New York 11211
10pm (two sets)
Free, suggested donation

PARTY: GHE20G0TH1K Holiday Party
Get sweaty with the GHE20G0TH1K folks at their holiday party. The soiree will find DJ sets by LSDXOXO, Venus X, GNARIANNA, Christen Mooney, and special guests. Should be a tight squeeze at Elvis Guesthouse, so you may want to arrive early.
Elvis Guesthouse, 85 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
10pm
Free

PERFORMANCE: Justin Vivian Bond: The Bipolar Express
Justin Vivian Bond has another holiday extravaganza coming into the station. Going down at Joe’s Pub, Mx Bond and band are going off the rails with this year’s show, which is entitled The Bipolar Express. Expect songs, spirits, sass and surprises.
Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003
9:30pm
$35

PERFORMANCE: House of Yes Xmas Spectacular: Home For The Holidays
The high-flying performers at House of Yes are going cosmic with their 2016 holiday variety show. Promising to be what intergalactic fantasies are made of, the troupe head to space in search of the true meaning of Xmas. Expect appearances by Misfit Drag Queens, Reindeer and Pain-deer, Venus Fly Traps, Santercize Instructors, North Pole Dancers, an alien Father Christmas, Santa Klaus Nomi, Baby Jesus herself and more.
House of Yes, 2 Wyckoff Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Nightly through December 22, Doors 7pm, Show 8pm
$35-$50

Tuesday, December 20
COMEDY: Comedy Central Corporate Retreat
This month’s edition of Comedy Central’s Corporate Retreat is taking the form of a Christmas-themed musical. A gaggle of funny people led by host Carmen Christopher are behind the festive extravaganza which is being billed as better than Book of Mormon.
UCBT East Village, 153 East 3rd St, New York, NY 10009
8pm
$5

Wednesday, December 21
MUSIC: Make Music Winter
Make Music New York is back with their free outdoor winter solstice celebration turns onlookers into music makers. This year there will be 13 parades across the city, each with a different musical theme and leader. Highlights include smartphone app enabled The Gaits: A High Line Soundwalk, Tom Peyton’s symphony of bells which commences in the East Village, and a feast of Brazilian music with all-female drumline FogoAzul NYC in midtown.
Various locations and times
Free

MUSIC: Colleen Green & Cassie Ramone Xmas / Solstice Spectacular
Celebrate the season with two fine female musicians, Los Angeles indie pop goddess Colleen Green and ex-Vivian Girls, New Jersey rocker Cassie Ramone. Ramone will likely be play a few tunes off her LP Christmas in Reno, which came out last year. Willy Muse opens.
Alphaville, 140 Wilson Ave, Brooklyn, NY
8pm
$10

Thursday, December 22
COMEDY: An Even More Special Haunting Renditions Holiday Show
Allow Eliot Glazer into your heart this holiday by attending this extra special edition of Haunting Renditions, a show that features bad music made good. Glazer will be joined by special guests Gilbert Gottfried, Phoebe Robinson, and The Hold Steady’s Tad Kubler.
The Bell House, 149 7th Street, Brooklyn, New York, 11215
8pm
$15

FOOD: Beer & Latkes
This 92nd Street Y offsite event is a blend of suds and spuds. Head to Gabriela’s where their chefs will be cooking up chipotle latkes, guacamole latkes, spicy habanero latkes, subline latke con mole and traditional latkes. Wash it down with a cold one. Ticket price includes unlimited latkes and one beer.
Gabriela’s 680 Columbus Ave, New York, NY
7:30pm
$40

Friday, December 23
FILM: It’s a Wonderful Life
Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, Frank Capra’s holiday classic is back at IFC Center for its annual holiday run. It’s a Wonderful Life is a tale of redemption and second chances which stars James Stewart as a small-town man who has come to the end of his rope one Christmas Eve. Donna Reed co-stars as Stewart’s wife. Reed’s daughter Mary Owen will be around to introduce several screenings during the run, which goes through December 27.
IFC Center, 323 6th avenue, New York, NY 10014
7pm
$15

PARTY: Pinc Louds Christmas Spectacular!
Perhaps you’ve seen the self-proclaimed imaginary band Pinc Louds entertaining crowds at New York City subway stations. Fronted by Claudi, the fun group will be spreading holiday cheer this Christmas eve eve at BIZARRE Bushwick. At this festive celebration expect to find a toy store, puppet makers, a bizarre nativity reenactment, Christmas songs and more.
BIZARRE Bushwick, 12 Jefferson St, Brooklyn, New York 11206
9pm
Suggested donation: $10

Saturday, December 24
FILM: Holiday Time in PaleyLand
Catch classic holiday TV programs like A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town on the Paley Center’s big screen from now until New Year’s Eve. Santa will also be in the building through December 24 for a photo op ($10 for digital frame & file of photo with Santa). Free hot cocoa too.
The Paley Center, 25 West 52 Street, New York, NY 10019
12pm-5pm (closes early on Xmas Eve)
Free

FILM: White Christmas
Screening in the Museum of the Moving Image’s See it Big series, White Christmas is a comedy-musical classic that stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as a couple of WWII army veterans turned Broadway stars who follow a pair of nightclub performer sisters to snowbound Vermont.
Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35 Ave, Astoria, NY 11106
12pm
$12

PARTY: House of Yes Misfit Christmas!
Get festive Christmas Eve at this party which gives those left behind this holiday a home to go to. Among the things you might find at this soiree are milk and cookies, spiked hot cocoa, fake snow, real snow, yellow snow, mistletoe makeout booths, drunk santas, and more. Holiday-themed costumes encouraged.
House of Yes, 2 Wyckoff Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237
10pm
Free – RSVP

Sunday, December 25
FILM: Singin’ in the Rain
Film Forum screens a dazzlingly 4K color restoration of the 1952 musical comedy on Christmas Day. Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor star in the classic, which finds a silent-screen swashbuckler falling in love while trying to adjust to the coming of sound. This will be the last public screening of the film until 2018.
Film Forum, 209 West Houston St, New York, NY
11am
$14

PARTY: Bollywood Disco Xmas Edition w/DJ Rekha & DJ Sumie
After a long day spent with family and friends, a Bollywood disco may be just what the doctor ordered. Under the direction of the queen of Basement Bhangra, DJ Rekha, (le) Poisson Rouge is transformed into a scene out of a Hindi-language musical, complete with infectious bass drum beats and visuals. You’ll be sure to dance off that extra slice of fruitcake at this fun and colorful dance party.
(le) Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, New York, NY
10pm
Tickets: $12 advance, $15 day of