
What distinguishes New York as well as New Yorkers is our passion for culture, across the widest range of artistic platforms. We are privileged to partner with the finest collection of cultural institutions. Each organization is driven by passionate leaders, inspired artists, dedicated staff and loyal supporters.
They are family for us, and we are pleased to share them with you.
The perfect holiday gift is one that gives back year round (a membership), brings joy to other New Yorkers (supporting a cultural initiative), enriches your life (a show, concert or performance) and doesn’t take up any space in a NY apartment!
Oh, how amazing it is that giving is the best form of getting!
Scroll below to learn more about our cultural partners and their membership options.
Bonus Gifts

Katchkie Farm
Katchkie Farm is Great Performances’ NOFA-certified organic farm in upstate New York. A source of inspiration and ingredients, it’s the product of close collaboration between Great Performances chefs and Katchkie Farm’s head farmer. Filled with delicious produce, the CSA is the perfect gift for a veggie lover and adventurous eater.

Museum of the City of New York
The Museum of the City of New York fosters understanding of the distinctive nature of urban life in the world’s most influential metropolis. It engages visitors by celebrating, documenting, and interpreting the city’s past, present, and future.

Park Avenue Armory
Part palace, part industrial shed, Park Avenue Armory fills a critical void in the cultural ecology of New York, supporting unconventional works in the performing and visual arts that cannot be fully realized in a traditional proscenium theater, concert hall, or white wall gallery

Wildlife Conservation Society
Founded in 1895 as the New York Zoological Society, the Wildlife Conservation Society was one of the first conservation organizations in the U.S. The Society began with a clear mandate: Advance wildlife conservation, promote the study of zoology, and create a first-class zoo. In fact we have five: the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium.
We support these fabulous non-profit organizations who strengthen our communities year round.

DREAM School
Originally founded as Harlem RBI, DREAM traces its beginnings to 1991, when a group of volunteers transformed an abandoned, garbage-strewn lot into two baseball diamonds for the youth of East Harlem. Over three decades later, we serve thousands of children across East Harlem and the Bronx through a network of free, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community-based youth programs.

GrowNYC
GrowNYC is a leading 501(3)(c) environmental nonprofit in NYC. We touch the lives of more than 3 million New Yorkers by providing essential sustainability services and opportunities to make NYC a greener city. One where every New Yorker can enjoy a healthier, more sustainable life. Our mission is to empower all New Yorkers with equitable access to fresh, locally grown food, neighborhood green spaces, and care for the environment.

Open House New York
Open House New York promotes broad, unparalleled access to the city—to the places, people, projects, systems, and ideas that define New York and its future. Through our year-round programming, including the annual OHNY Weekend festival, OHNY offers a citywide platform for education, exploration, and engagement about the connections between quality of place and quality of life for all New Yorkers.

Public Housing Community Fund
The Public Housing Community Fund enhances opportunities and quality of life for NYCHA residents while uplifting the importance of public housing in our city. Our mission is to engage people and partners to invest in transformative programs that enhance the lives of over 500,000 residents across NYCHA communities.

Powerhouse Arts
Powerhouse Arts (PHA) is a not-for-profit organization committed to creative expression. Our purpose-built facility hosts an extended network of art and fabrication professionals and educators who work together to co-create and share artistic practices vital to the wellbeing of artists and the communities to which they belong.

The Sylvia Center
The Sylvia Center (TSC) is creating healthy communities through the power of cooking. TSC was founded in 2007 to address the growing tide of childhood diet-related diseases in our communities. Our mission is to educate young people and families through culinary programming to promote health and well-being.
Content updated for the 2024 Holiday Season
As we look ahead to our Fall/Winter season, we’re already thinking holiday plans – and you should too! We’ve seen the merriment and joy that comes from a company’s workforce coming together to celebrate the successes of the past year and look forward to continued successes in the next. It’s a time for colleagues and their loved ones to mix, mingle, and reconnect – especially after the past years’ of socially distanced or video-conferenced celebrations.
Finding the right venue for your holiday party can help set the tone for your celebration. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite venues to help provide some inspiration. But, as always, feel free to reach out to us and tap the deep expertise of our event consultants to create the perfect part for you and your teams.
From a modern glass and steel pavilion to the grandeur of the Beaux-Arts Court, the Brooklyn Museum has a space to fit your event. Suitable for 100 to 1800 people.
Located in the Upper West Side on 59th Street and Columbus Circle, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center is the world’s first performing arts facility designed for jazz. With over 6 spaces within the venue and amazing views of Columbus Circle and Central Park South, it truly is the perfect space for an unforgettable holiday event.
Located on the corner of 5th Avenue and Central Park South, The Plaza has been the setting, backdrop, and star of New York’s most memorable moments — and could be the perfect location for your holiday party! Our team of event planning experts can help ensure that your holiday party at The Plaza is a joyful celebration that everyone will remember well into the new year.
Located in the high-energy southeast end of Central Park, this iconic venue offers a quintessential New York experience on a stunning backdrop, year-round, featuring skating in the winter, warm-weather recreation and continuous special events programming. The facility is available for private and semi-private parties, complete with food and beverage service, as well as exclusive venue buyouts for special events or media, film, and commercial shoots.
Civic Hall Event Center is a cutting-edge venue, designed to support your boldest ambitions. Conveniently located in Union Square, this venue is an ideal place to host a Holiday Party for your team.
Hall des Lumières is Manhattan’s largest permanent center for custom-curated immersive experiences, located in the landmarked former Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank. Transform the space into a winter wonderland using the 130 video projectors, 54 speakers, 22 subwoofers, and cutting-edge mapping technology.
Metropolitan Pavilion is a premier Manhattan special events facility offering versatile room configurations in a convenient and historic Chelsea location. A/V, wifi, private lobbies, an indoor loading dock, and a wide range of production services set it apart as an NYC event destination of distinction. Perfect for groups of up to 800 people seated or 1500 people standing.
The Museum of the City of New York’s beautifully renovated landmark building on Fifth Avenue’s iconic Museum Mile is the perfect place for special events–weddings, bar mitzvahs, corporate dinners, birthday and graduation parties, and more. Suitable for up to 350 people.
The New York Public Library is a magnificent space, catering to both intimate gatherings as well as lavish extravaganzas, that will lend a sense of grandeur and distinction to any occasion. This landmark building offers four classically elegant rooms for events. All event fees help to support the Library’s indispensable collections, services, and programs. Perfect for groups of up to 750 people.
Feasting at Home: A Culinary Journey with Our Chefs
By Great Performances
One of the hallmarks of great chefs is that they don’t leave their talent, skills, and passion in the office; but rather, it’s something that is an integral part of who they are and is carried into their daily lives and the meals they create for friends and family. We saw this over the winter holidays as they shared the meals they created for their families for Christmas.
Chris Harkness, COO at Great Performances, shares the meal he created for his family, multi-course affairs that allowed him to enjoy his family as they all enjoyed the food together.
Daniel Sokolov, R&D Chef at Great Performances, created a “clean your pantry” meal for he and his wife, taking pleasure in the precision of culinary techniques and crafting a variety of small plates they enjoyed together.
The holiday season holds a special place in my heart, particularly when it comes to cooking. Bringing my family together and sharing quality time is of utmost importance to me. My approach to holiday meals involves fish on Christmas Eve and meat on Christmas Day. I prefer a straightforward plan, focusing more on sourcing high-quality ingredients than on deciding what to make.
My children—Grace (27), Chris (24), and Nick (22)—have grown up savoring my meals and experiencing various meal structures. In the past, we used to go all out with a single elaborate meal, but this left me with little time to truly connect with my loved ones. Last year, I tried a different approach by inviting Olta and her mom over for Christmas Eve. To avoid overwhelming them, I opted for a coursed-out experience with small plates throughout the evening. I fell in love with this concept and decided to repeat it this year.
My trip to the market involved selecting the freshest ingredients across all categories. Once home, I meticulously logged every item, connecting them based on what made sense to me. This process led to the creation of a menu with each course prepared on the spot. The result was an evening filled with delightful conversations, excellent wine, and five courses of festive, quick, and easy-to-prepare dishes.
While I thoroughly enjoy the art of cooking, there’s something truly special about witnessing the pleasure people derive from eating my creations. The shift from an overwhelming feast to a more relaxed, thoughtful dining experience has allowed us to focus on what truly matters—meaningful connections and shared enjoyment of good food. I look forward to continuing this tradition in future holiday celebrations, creating lasting memories for my family and guests.

My approach for Christmas dinner was to explore what we had in the fridge and pantry and clean it out rather than going shopping for new ingredients. I really enjoy culinary precision and employing a variety of culinary techniques to transform and combine ingredients into something beautiful and delicious to my highest standards.
I drew from French culinary technique and Korean and Asian-inspired meals to create a an array of dishes that we enjoy along with some cocktails that my wife created.
Individual Plates:
- Sweet Potato Pave herbed crème fraiche, black caviar, tonburi (dried seeds of the summer cypress)
- Potato and Leek Bisque smoked trout roe, hemp seeds, and la tia to (Vietnamese Perilla)
Shared Plates:
- 48-hour Sous-Vide Short Rib black garlic and dark chocolate glaze, dashi blanched napa cabbage, kimchi, radish kimchi, pickled daikon
- Homemade Mandu (Korean Dumplings) shrimp paste, spicy dashi vinegar
- Spicy and Sweet Eggplant and Scallion passion fruit wine
CELEBRATING MOTHER'S DAY
By Great Performances
We set aside the second Sunday in May each year to celebrate the mothers in our lives (although really, we should celebrate them every day!) Mothers – biological mothers, chosen mothers, and mother figures – play such a significant role in our lives. From the moment we are connected, they give us unconditional love, unflagging support, and even the tough love we need to become the best version of ourselves.
As we reflect on the countless things mothers do for their children, it’s only right that we take a day to honor and celebrate them.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to celebrate the moms in our lives. From special meals that you can cook at home to fun experiences outside the home, we’ve got you covered.
Make Your Mom a Homemade Breakfast for Mother's Day
Prepare your mom’s favorite recipe for a special start to Mother’s Day! Or check out our library of breakfast and brunch recipes for inspiration. Pro tip: don’t forget to clean up afterwards!
Take Your Mom on a Special Outing for Mother's Day
From enjoying nature at Wave Hill and savoring a delicious picnic to exploring art at The Brooklyn Museum followed by a meal at The Norm, we’ve got some fun ideas for places to go and things to do with your mom.

Wave Hill

New York Botanical Garden

Crotona Park

Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center
Come Sunday: Duke Ellington’s Sacred Works
Featuring Joy Brown and Luther Allison


Poster House
Angel’s Share Pop-up
(Saturday, May 13)
For more events and ideas browse our list of partner events and Bronx events.
Give Your Mom a Card for Mother's Day
Check out our beautiful Mother’s Day card that you can print and fold, with plenty of space for your own special message. We even have cards that younger members of the family can personalize by coloring in.
Give the Gift of Culture
This holiday season, give the gift of culture to your loved ones by purchasing a membership for them to one of our cultural partners! Memberships provide a deeper connection to art, culture, and community. They also come with a ton of great perks including early access to tickets, ticket discounts, exclusive events, merchandise discounts, and more.
Scroll below to learn more about our cultural partners and their membership options.