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What: Taste of The Bronx Food Show and A Bronx Messiah, performed by the Bronx Opera Chorus

Where: Lehman Center for the Performing Arts

When: Sunday, December 13, at 3:00 p.m.

Why: The New York Philharmonic does a fine job with this masterpiece, but this is a cultur-ulinary opportunity that doesn’t come around that often. Flee Manhattan for a matinee of Handel’s holiday classic, sponsored by The Bronx Tourism Council, followed by a fantastic local feast.

Your bargain-priced ticket to A Bronx Messiah includes “A Taste of the Bronx Food Show.” More than half a dozen top Bronx eateries will be offering free tastes of their specialties, so if you’ve been craving a cannoli from Arthur Avenue or a knish from Liebman’s Deli, this is the place to be.

2009 has left us all feeling a little frayed at the ends, and yet, you’ve decided that this holiday season you’re going to dress to the nines for a night out somewhere other than a friend’s flat or the trendy new restaurant in town. But in a season reserved for indulging, can you enjoy the eggnog and do some good while drinking it? Yes, you can. This Saturday night, December 12, participate in a decades-long tradition of supporting the Brooklyn Kindergarten Society by attending the annual Yuletide Ball in Brooklyn Heights. This black-tie event is the year’s social highpoint for all of Brooklyn. Nearly a thousand people, including celebrities and political leaders, attended last year’s gala to dance, drink, and eat desserts at the Heights Casino on Montague Street.

What: Mariana Bekerman Dance Premiere

Where: LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, Long Island City, Queens 

When: Saturday, December 5th, 8:00p.m.

Why: With her new multi-cultural ten-member dance troupe, the Ukrainian-born Tisch graduate Mariana Bekerman is striving to “make performers and viewers aware that we are all connected, regardless if our world is comprised of chaos, complexity and disorder.” This Saturday, the company will perform “Black and White,” a dialogue on power, hate, death, and love—you’d do well to add a little substance to your lazy winter weekends. For the price of two Chipotle burritos, take in a moving performance that celebrates life, which is what this season’s all about.

Cost: $15 in advance; $20 at the door; $10 for students

You already have photos of your tots and tweens grinning under the twinkling LED lights in Rockefeller Center or in front of the Macy’s window displays. This year, rally the family troops for a different day (or weekend) outing. From historic candlelight tours near NYC to cupcake tea parties at the Ritz in Boston, these eight holiday activities for families will jump-start the joyous wintry season. (Of course, all destinations are accessible without a car as you are never too young to lighten your carbon footprint!)

What: Luscious Food community party

Where: 59 Fifth Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn

When: Saturday, Oct. 17th, 6-9 p.m.

Why: Gourmet eatery Luscious Food in Park Slope is throwing a house party and we’re all invited. The three-year-old neighborhood shop co-owned by three professional chefs will host a meet and greet that promises to introduce good food and neighbors (or newcomers) to each other.

“It’s really a thank you party for all of our customers. Especially since money is tight for everyone,” says owner Christine Zeni. “Growing up I knew everybody on my block in Queens. I knew my store owners. It’s kind of nice to walk down the street and be able to wave hello.”

What: El Tour de Taco Bike Ride

Where: Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn

When: Saturday, October 10th, 10:30 a.m.

Why: Peddling the boroughs for food was just a “this would be cool” thought for cyclist and bike blogger Anita Singh until her fellow friend and bike commuter Emily Demarest created El Tour de Taco. The Tour—an all day bike ride on the hunt for the best taco in three boroughs—will park and ride at a total of nine taco shops from start to finish.

Since both Singh and Demarest have a love for the fillings and trimmings that accompany Mexican provisions popularly consumed at carts, ballparks, and stands, El Tour was an ideal ride. “It’s an opportunity to explore other places, to ride where you’ve never been before,” said Demarest. “I don’t think I can eat nine tacos in a day but I’ll try.”

What: 1st Annual Fierce & Sweet Benefit Bake Off

When: Sunday, Oct 11th 1-4 p.m.

Where: East River Bar, Williamsburg

Why: Move over buffets. cook-off’s are the new cheap-eat spots in town. And for those craving sweets, the first annual Brooklyn bake off is coming to a New York River near you.

This Sunday, nearly 20 bakers will heat up their ovens for a contest with noble intent. On behalf of non-profit New York Cares, members Katie Hustead and Hayley Downs co-organized the bake-off as an alternative fundraiser to the organization’s bigger events. “We wanted something accessible, rowdy, fun, and eclectic,” said Hustead. “What started as a small event in our backyard has grown into a mix of our friends and professionals who love to bake.”

The pair has signed on celebrity judges from the local culinary scene in New York. Julia Jurgensen, executive pastry chef at Dressler in Williamsburg, said, “The perfect dessert is the simplest of pleasures. I’ll be looking for something to really surprise me. Plus, I love to support the effort to make desserts from scratch.”

What: 35th Annual Atlantic Antic

Where: From 4th Ave. & Atlantic in Boerum Hill to Hicks St. & Atlantic in Brooklyn Heights

When: Sunday, October 4th, 10:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m. Rain or shine.

Why: One of Brooklyn’s oldest outdoor institutions returns to downtown Brooklyn for the borough’s mile-long block party. Originally conceived to help revitalize Atlantic Avenue, the Antic is now a grand street affair featuring more than 600 indie artisans, small business owners, community organizers, and food vendors.

This year, the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation is presenting the first Festival Favorite Award as voted by attendees themselves—you can grab a ballet at any food vendor and vote for the grub you love most from the quick selling pretzel roll sandwiches from Building on Bond café to the grilled sardines from La Mancha (exclusively on Atlantic). The winner receives a two-night stay for two at Nu Hotel, a two-day car rental, and dinner for four at Deity Lounge & Supper Club.