Courtesy CC/Flickr/Susan Sermoneta
Courtesy CC/Flickr/Susan Sermoneta

Are people who FaceTime while walking down the street literally insane?

This is what’s driving us bonkers in NYC right now and making us (almost) want to move

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We live in a walk-and-talk kind of town—I get it. When I’m on my morning commute or running between meetings, you can bet your ass I’m using that precious time to “catch up on calls,” which is code for “calling my mother.” However, I see more and more people roaming the streets while FaceTiming. This behavior is unacceptable.

RECOMMENDED: See more New York rants

Listen, I can understand that the occasional tourist would want to share their trip to the Best City on Earth through the lens of their iPhone for someone back home. But this is not what’s happening here. These distracted lollygaggers are always discussing some meaningless nonsense (personally, my conversations are witty, informative and brief) with some groggy pal in a disheveled bed right here in the tristate area.

While I get the allure of a face-to-face convo, these FaceTimers are pinballing into pedestrians and completely ignoring the flow of traffic. Must I get bumped around so that you can whisper sweet nothings to your boyfriend in Yonkers?

Let’s bring back the days when New Yorkers just obnoxiously shouted into their phones with a robust disregard for others. At least then they would see where they were going.

Not all of NYC is annoying!

  • Things to do
  • Festivals

The fabulous holiday icon of NYC, The Rockefeller Christmas Tree is a must-see for both locals and visitors during the holiday season, whether you’re visiting before ice-skating on The Rink at Rockefeller Center or just passing through.

More than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights wrap around the branches. It’s topped with a three-dimensional Swarovski star that weighs 900 pounds and sparkles in 3 million crystals.

The tree is lit up daily through mid-January. On Christmas Eve, the tree is lit for 24 hours and on New Year’s Eve it is lit from 5am to 9pm. 

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Lorde at Barclay's Center

The Kiwi alt-pop icon brings her Ultrasound Tour to Brooklyn's Barclays Center for two nights this week, taking the stage on Tuesday, December 16 and Wednesday, December 17 in support of her fourth studio album, Virgin. LA-based rapper-singer 2hollis will serve as opening act for both NYC shows. More info and tickets here

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The New York Transit Museum is giving the time-honored subway swipe a proper sendoff with a new exhibit called "FAREwell, MetroCard" (see what they did there?), opening on December 17 in Brooklyn.

The exhibit covers the full journey of the little yellow card that changed how the city moved. When the item launched in 1994, the goal was simple: retire the cumbersome token for something more fitting for the modern era. The show explores how that idea grew from clunky magnetic stripe prototypes into the systemwide rollout that reshaped the daily commute. Through early pilot brochures, SubTalk ads and photos of the first activated turnstiles, you'll realize how much work went into convincing riders to trust the new system.

  • Dance
  • Burlesque
  • Upper West Side
  • Recommended

For just one night, burlesque star Pearls Daily’s decidedly grown-up twist on the holiday classic shimmies its way into Lincoln Center's David Rubinstein Atrium. The show reimagines Clara’s journey as a downtown-meets-uptown fever dream set on Christmas Eve in a Harlem apartment. Cabaret, burlesque, comedy, dance and original shadow puppetry all come out to play in a free 90-minute spectacular that’s guided—sometimes gently, sometimes not—by Tchaikovsky’s score.

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  • Music

New York is burnin' up for the JoBros. The Jonas Brothers are bringing Jonas20: Greetings From Your Hometown Tour with Jesse McCartney, Franklin Jonas & Deleasa to UBS Arena on December 21 and Barclays Center on December 22, 2025.

Tickets are now on sale, and it's highly recommended that you buy them in advance, since the band is celebrating the milestone with large crowds and iconic special guests, including Jordin Sparks, JoJo, 5 Seconds of Summer, Jason Mraz and more.

Sid Gold’s Request Room is the premier live piano karaoke bar in the country, with iconic locations in New York, Detroit, Nashville and Washington D.C. Known for its magical, one-of-a-kind experience, the audience becomes just as much a part of the show as the singer on stage. With a songbook of over 1,000 titles, Sid Gold’s pianists don’t just play—they coach, harmonize and cheer you on, giving even the shyest voices the confidence to shine.

Every other Tuesday (including this Tuesday, December 16), Sid Gold’s very own John Khoury will be hosting a special karaoke night at Time Out Market New York, Brooklyn. Bringing his extensive repertoire, Khoury is well versed in the music of Frank Sinatra, Chappell Roan and everything in between. Performing now in the shadow of his beloved Brooklyn Bridge, John is ready to make Time Out Market the city’s newest stage for unforgettable sing-alongs.

The event starts at 7pm and is free to attend.

Get your tickets here

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  • Theater & Performance

Cirque du Soleil, famous for defying reality (and gravity), is returning to New York City this holiday season. Due to overwhelming success, their special first and only holiday show, "Twas the Night Before..." will return to The Theater at Madison Square Garden December 4-28.

Inspired by the classic poem "A Visit from Saint Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore, Cirque's story follows a jaded young girl who rediscovers the magic of the holidays. Directed by James Hadley, a 25-year veteran of circus productions and live theater, "Twas the Night Before..." combines classic Christmas spirit with jaw-dropping acrobatic stunts. 

  • Things to do

This Christmas, you can visit Japan without having to leave New York. On Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, 21, niji will be hosting a Japanese Holiday Market at Japan Village in Brooklyn. Discover over 15 talented Japanese artists and makers who will be showcasing their homemade crafts, jewelry, accessories, home goods and more.

It's the perfect opportunity to support independent artists as well as find unique, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts for all your loved ones. Peruse through booths selling necklaces, earrings, pottery, handwoven dolls, Japanese calligraphy designs, floral arrangements, wreaths, skincare, stationery and anime/K-pop inspired stickers. Enjoy the festive atmosphere inside the village, connect with artists and experience the culture and charm of Japanese craftsmanship

The market will be on the second floor of Sunset Park's Japan Village (934 3rd Ave) and will be open from 12pm to 6pm. 

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Nothing pleases a house party like when the pizza shows up. But one that you personally made? You may just be the host of the year. But for those of us who missed the lesson on how to make a dough that doesn't stick to the counter, worry not, this master pizzaiolo is here to make you a pizza pro. 

On Thursday, December 18, join Fornino at Time Out Market New York, Union Square, for an adults-only, pizza-making class. Chef and owner Michael Ayoub will be on-site, teaching you tips and tricks on how to stretch, toss and roll out the dough like the pros. Once you've created your own signature pie, participants can pass the the time schmoozing with fellow pizza finatics over plenty of wine before the big feast. On top of expert knowledge and hands-on class time, each guest will also receive recipes to recreate the experience at home.

Tickets are $60 per person. Participants must be 21 or over. Buy your tickets here.

  • Things to do

Light up the story of Hanukkah through music, puppetry and creative play at The Children's Museum of Manhattan December 19 through 21. Spin, Sing & Shine for Hanukkah is a three-day event that will celebrate the holiday with events like "Dancing Dreidel Design" where you can decorate and play your own dreidel game; Candle Crafting & Hanukkah Puppet Play, where you can create your own candle crafts and join a lively puppet play; and performances with musicians from Tkiya Music on Sunday. 

The festivities willl all take place on the first floor of The Children's Museum of Manhattan. You can view the full schedule and times here

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