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Christmas in New York

North America / USA / New York

“The holiday season is a magical season. The cities are impregnated with the Christmas spirit illuminated with multicolored lights and Christmas decorations. In New York it may seem at times a modern version of a Dickens story. The city is dressed in this season; it is full of decorations, events and celebrations. Join with us to see the most striking traditions, majestic Christmas trees, shows and events that are to be done during these festivities in the big apple.”

Photo 1: Christmas in New York	Photo 2: Christmas in New York
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On your feet

The Story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan

You cannot miss this whole month of December ON YOUR FEET!, the Broadway musical about two people who believed in each other, their talent, their music and later became an international sensation.

ON YOUR FEET! Has some of the most iconic songs of the past quarter century, including Rhythm is Gonna Get You, Conga, Get On Your Feet, Do Not Want To Lose You Now, 1-2-3, and Coming Out of the Dark. The Broadway musical features a magnificent creative team: two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots), who directs a cast of twenty people with choreography of four-time Drama Desk nominee, Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys), And original libretto of the winner of the Academy Award, Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman).

Tickets: from $89. They will also have presentations on 24 at 14:00 and on December 30 at 20:00.

Andrea Bocelli

This formidable tenor will be performing with his great successes at the Mandison Square Garden this Thursday, December 15 from 19:30.

Tickets: from $124

Mega Bash 2016

The “Mega Bash” by Mega 97.9 FM and La Música will be a concert full of euphoria that will make the fans of Latin music vibrate along with the most important Hispanic artists. The concert brings a spectacular set of scenery, lights and sound that will allow these stars, as always, to make their masterful musical display.

Mega Bash

Tickets for this coveted show are on sale at ticketmaster and prices range from $184, $154, $124, $104, $84, $64, $44, including surcharges; And at the Prudential Center box office starting at 11:00 am (EST).

Other confirmed artists include: Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, Juanes, Silvestre Dangond and Jencarlos Canela.

The reggaetoners Wisin and Ozuna also were confirmed for the Mega Bash event to be held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey this Friday, December 14:00 at 20:00; MegaBash with Enrique Iglesias, Juanes, Ricky Martin, Silvestre Dangond, Wisin and others at Prudential Center, Newark, NJ.

Therefore, there are several things you can do to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. Each year there is a giant Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and the shop windows of Fifth Avenue stores are beautiful.

Warehouse Decorations

The department stores dedicate a whole plant to a magical Christmas town like the one called Macy’s Santaland. Everything is beautiful and even Santa Claus is present, with which you or your children can take a photo (paying). Keep in mind that the tail can be quite long.

Christmas decorations are usually unveiled in late November or early December, usually after Thanksgiving. After New Year’s Eve many shops remove the Christmas decorations.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

The lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lights is a major event in New York. During the ceremony the Rockefeller Center is bursting, everyone wants to see the tree up close. The event is televised live and is viewed by millions of Americans. There is also the possibility of seeing some famous singer live. The tree is at least 20 meters long and 7.5 meters wide, but is usually much larger (between 23 and 27 meters).

The VIP tickets for this show are

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

The VIP tickets for this show are sold out every year, so be quick if you want to get tickets. With these tickets you will have the best seats: from an elegant cafeteria you will have a great view of the Christmas tree, drinks and snacks in an unlimited way. There is also a DJ.

The Rockefeller Christmas tree is decorated with more than 30,000 LED lights and the cable measures more than 8 kilometers. The ignition is a sight worth seeing.

Without the VIP ticket you will have to wait hours to find a place. The apples that surround the area are full of people waiting in the open, which also means that walking around the area is crazy. Many New Yorkers who are not going to go to the show avoid it.

In fact, the offices surrounding Rockefeller Plaza close at noon for employees to arrive at healthy and safe homes. The Rockefeller tree disappears the first week of January and the lights are usually turned off at 21:00 that same day

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - 2 — The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – 2

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - 3 — The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – 3

Rockefeller Center VIP Pack

Ice Skating & Top of the Rock

In addition to the beautiful Christmas tree, Rockefeller Center is famous for its ice rink. Ice skating in New York at Rockefeller Center is a wonderful experience. The queues at the Rockefeller are usually long, so if you want to skate during Christmas you can opt for a VIP package.

You will have access to the chalet next to the track, where you can rest after skating and warm up with hot chocolate, cookies and coffee. All this is included in the pack. And there is more! This option gives you free access to the Top of the Rock. From the lookout on the 70th floor you will have wonderful views of New York.

The Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights

The holiday lights that decorate American homes are impressive. To see the best decorated houses (you’ve seen it in many series and movies) you have to leave Manhattan and go to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn. This area was selected as “the best decorated in the USA” in 2012. Take the Brooklyn Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights and discover these beautiful decorations during this 3 and a half hour visit.

The Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights - 2 — The Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights – 2

The Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights - 3 — The Christmas Lights Tour of Dyker Heights – 3

The tour starts in Lower Manhattan and from there the guided bus heads to Brooklyn. When you get to Dyker Heights you will not believe what’s in front of you! Some of the lush decorations cost more than $10,000. To soak up the Christmas spirit, on the bus they put carols and films about Christmas.

Radio City

Christmas Spectacular (The Rockettes)

Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring The Rockettes, is one of New York’s most iconic Christmas shows. In it appear Santa Claus, the Nutcracker and of course the Nativity. You have all of December to attend one of the many daily functions out there. If you have already seen it, do not hesitate to return, because it changes a little every year. It is performed at Radio City Music Hall and is the best way to soak up the true Christmas spirit.

New Year’s Celebration

To conclude, more than a million people are going to Times Square to celebrate the beginning of the New Year: at midnight the crystal ball descends 23 meters and, when it reaches the ground, the marker lights up with the four digits of the New Year. Many even come in the morning of December 31 to be able to get a good spot before the crowd arrives.

Security is very strict: you do not accept the backpacks or bags and everything you need to fit in your pockets. It is usually quite cold, so it is best to wear clothes in “layers” to be comfortable and not suffer from hypothermia. Everyone is interested in knowing all about toilet services.

The closest ones are at the Port Authority Bus Terminal between 8th Avenue and 42nd Street, but the queue is going to be so long that you risk losing the drop of the ball and the beginning of the New Year. Also, take into account that it is unlikely that you can return to your original location, so you will need to go through security control once again, and the crowd is so narrow that the chances of returning to the same place are minimal.

If you decide to go to Times Square to celebrate the New Year, put snacks in your pockets, drink less liquid, wear more clothes, and have a lot of fun. Do you want to make a wish? Write it down and leave it, the day before, in the Times Square tourist center, or leave it online. Millions of cards, with New Year’s wishes, will be released as confetti on New Year’s Eve in Times Square.

Puerto Rican bandleader and musician Diana Sosa talks about her many projects in Nashville, Tennessee

We had a wonderful and very nice conversation with Puerto Rican percussionist, timbalera, conga player, and cuatro player Diana Sosa, who kindly told us about all the projects she has in the pipeline. Her husband and bandmate, guitarist and vocalist Chuck Nelson, put us in touch with her so we could learn more about both the project they share and the one she has undertaken on her own.

Then these are the things the talented Puerto Rican shared with us on this warm Sunday before Easter.

Diana Sosa is playing — Diana Sosa is posing for the camera while playing the timbales

How Diana got into the world of music

Diana was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where she began to love music and play, but not professionally yet. She was just experimenting with some traditional instruments of her homeland, such as the Puerto Rican cuatro, which she even studied with a private teacher.

At the age of 39, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she finally got her first big opportunities in music, and the background she brought for years helped her a lot. It all started with a short rehearsal she was invited to, and from there, she has done nothing but prove what she is really made of.

Of course, she keeps studying and preparing to improve every day. When she is not learning to play with fellow musicians like John Santos, she is taking online courses to solve any doubts she may have.

Diana’s first opportunity with The Bicho Brothers

The first serious group that gave Diana the opportunity to develop professionally—and with which she keeps to playing to this day is The Bicho Brothers, a classic rock band whose members really appreciated the contribution provided by Diana. For this reason, it is she who brings that Latin flavor, the product of her heritage and years of training in these genres.

Something that really attracted the audience was that she was the only woman in the group and, incidentally, she played the timbales, which was uncommon back then. In addition, she added atypical sounds to certain well-known songs, which was also remarkable.

Diana Sosa and the rest of the Bicho Brothers — The Bicho Brothers from left to right: Jeff Krinks (guitar and vocals), Ron Krasinski (drums), Diana Sosa (timbales, congas, percussion, and Puerto Rican cuatro), Chuck Nelson (guitar and vocals), and Kenny Zarider (keyboards and vocals)

Another important personality who encouraged her to follow this route was the great producer Bill Cuomo, who told her she was very good at playing but needed to improve her technique. Twenty years later, it can be said that she took him at his Word seeing all she has achieved since then. From that point on, there have been many other projects and opportunities that make her very happy and keep her fulfilled.

Soul Sacrifice

Soul Sacrifice is a Santana tribute band founded in 1969 that has won a high reputation in Nashville by becoming one of the best tributes to Santana to date. The mix of familiar melodies and infectious rhythms they play at every show transports audiences to the biggest classics of the legendary Latin rock group created by Carlos Santana.

The band also includes some of the same members of The Bicho Brothers, such as the cases of Diana and Chuck due to all the years they have spent playing together, but including Cuban musician John Santos. He plays a fundamental role in making people feel they are listening to the original Santana rather than an imitation, which is why both he and Diana are key to the band’s performance.

Diana’s Mambo Maniacs

Diana also has her own project, which she decided to call Diana’s Mambo Manics. This Latin music group was founded in the early summer of 2025 as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. In that time of year, there are always many festivals dedicated to Hispanic and Latin music in the United States and around the world, so Diana and a group of musicians she had been in contact with for some time took the opportunity to play wherever they were able to make themselves known.

Among some of the musicians in the band we can mention John Santos as singer and timbalero, whose presence is essential at every show. The group also includes conga player Josvany Cordero, bassist Isoel Villareal, pianist Kenny Zarider, trumpeter Joe Mercado, and trombonist Huge Lindsay.

The main difference between this band, The Bicho Brothers and Soul Sacrifice is that it plays exclusively Latin music, but of the great artists in the 1950s and 1960s who performed at the Palladium Ballroom, the Copacabana, El Corso, Chez José & 3 and 1, among many others. Diana feels that, to a certain extent, she pays tribute to her parents, who used to go dancing and enjoying these rhythms to some of these places in their youth.

However, not all are covers. She is about to release an original song featuring Puerto Rican cuatro player Prodigio Claudio, but she did not have the details to share with us yet.

Diana and Tito Puente Jr. — Diana Sosa Playing with Tito Puente Jr.

Paoli Mejías A Talent Forged in the Streets and Discipline with a New Sound in Latin Jazz

From legendary sideman to the leader of a limitless musical vanguard.

Paoli Mejías is a pivotal figure in the evolution of contemporary percussion, renowned for his seamless fusion of Latin jazz with masterful conga technique.

Paoli Mejias: From accompanying legends to leading a musical vanguard without borders

While he is an exceptional multi-percussionist, his command of the congas has established him as one of the most in-demand soloists in the world.

He is distinguished by a melodic style; he doesn’t just keep time he makes the drums “sing,” utilizing precise tuning and astonishing speed.

After touring the globe alongside icons such as Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Seis del Solar, Chick Corea, and Marc Anthony, Mejías has solidified his status as an international benchmark. His vast musical, folkloric, and cultural knowledge positions him today not only as a percussion virtuoso but as a visionary leading his own quintet.

With a career marked by success, Mejías has produced three high-caliber independent albums: Mi Tambor (2004), which received a Latin Grammy nomination, Transcend (2006), and Jazzambia (2008).

Paoli Mejías, a talent forged in the streets and through discipline

These works have placed the Puerto Rican percussionist at the forefront of the genre, earning glowing reviews in the world’s most influential publications, including JazzTimes, DownBeat, Jazziz, and Modern Drummer.

A Talent Forged in the Streets and Discipline

Born in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, on March 7, 1970, Paoli discovered his calling at the age of twelve. Inspired by the records of Carlos “Patato” Valdés and Ray Barretto, and the innovation of groups like Batacumbele and Irakere, he bought his first conga and began a self-taught journey.

Without formal teachers, he learned the language of percussion by mimicking the sounds emanating from his favorite vinyl records.

Paoli Mejía with Nuevo Sonido en el Jazz Latino

His true training took place in the effervescent musical atmosphere of San Juan, absorbing the styles of his mentors in street rumbas.

His professional debut came via Rafú Wagner (former vocalist for Bobby Valentín), and while still a teenager, he was already collaborating with renowned local artists such as José Nogueras, Glenn Monroig, and Charlie Sepúlveda.

The Leap to the Global Stage

His impeccable technique and melodic sensitivity quickly made him the preferred sideman for the greats. For over eight years, he was a key member of maestro Eddie Palmieri’s orchestra, recording on historic projects like Masterpiece/Obra Maestra (with Tito Puente), which won a Grammy Award.

Paoli Mejías is a fundamental figure when discussing the evolution of contemporary percussion

His discography now exceeds 20 commercial productions, including the nominated Acuarela de Tambores.

This exposure to world music enriched his creative fire. As Elmer González noted in Latin Beat: “Through Mi Tambor, Paoli achieves a watercolor of rhythms and textures that make this album one of the best Afro-Latin jazz productions released as a leader, and he aspires to continue a career forged on the stages of the world’s most important festivals.”

Beyond the Traditional Genre

Today, Paoli Mejías’ group offers a style that transcends labels. His proposal fuses the “Salsa Gorda” of the big orchestras with Puerto Rican bomba and plena, incorporating nuances of Greek, Flamenco, Indian, and African music. The result is a vibrant experience where the audience ceases to be spectators and becomes participants.

His versatility was cemented at the Heineken Jazz Festival, where critics highlighted his absolute mastery of minor percussion, timbales, bongos, and ethnic instruments like the Nigerian Udu, hailing him as one of the most complete percussionists of our time.

Paoli was there: Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Seis del Solar, Chick Corea and Marc Anthony

Beyond his role as a performer, the “Maestro” shares his knowledge by conducting clinics at prestigious institutions such as the University of Washington, the University of New Mexico, and the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music.

Sponsored by leading brands like Latin Percussion and Sabian, Paoli Mejías continues to elevate the legacy of Latin jazz into exciting new dimensions.

Member of Santana

Paoli Mejías is a world-renowned percussionist who was a member of the band Santana, led by Carlos Santana.

Joining Santana: Paoli joined the group in 2013, taking over the conga chair. His arrival brought an impressive technical energy and rhythmic depth, establishing him as a fundamental piece of the band’s world tours for several years.

Source: Paoli Mejías

Also Read: Carlos “Patato” Valdés: One of the Greatest Percussionists in Latin Jazz History

Australia and New Zealand / April 2026

Karina Bernales present

April 2026

FESTIVALES

UNIDOS Presents:
Albir & Natalia!

Apr 10 / 12, 2026

Robles Dance Studio
277 , Queensbury St
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

$ 200

Directory of Australian and New Zealand nightclubs
AUSTRALIA
Azuquita Entertainment & Productions Sydney NSW, Australia 2000	Bachata ConeXión 497-499 Queensberry St North Melbourne VIC 3051, Carlton, Australia 3053	Club Uruguayo de Sydney 56 – 62 Whithford Rd Hinchinbrook NSW, Australia 2168
El Giza Lounge & Bar 152 Lygon Street Carlton VIC 3053, Australia	La Bodega 12 Fitzroy street St Kilda VIC, Australia 3182	Noun Green Square 355 Botany Road Zetland NSW, Australia 2017
Pachanga 380 Russell St Melbourne VIC, Australia 3000	The Collaroy 1064 Pittwater Road Collaroy Beach NSW, Australia 2097	The Mustang Bar 46 Lake Street Northbridge Western Australia, WA, Australia 6003
The Night Cat 137-141 Johnston St, Fitzroy Melbourne VIC, Australia 3065	Urban Salsa Level 1, Suite 1, 136 Victoria Rd North Parramatta NSW, Australia 2151	Vodka Temple 162 Lygon Street Carlton VIC, Australia 3053
NEW ZEALAND
	El Barrio Latino Bar 35 Dixon Street Wellington, New Zealand +64 4-333 0261

Asia / April 2026

Karina Bernales present

April 2026

FESTIVALS

Cebu SBKZ International Festival

Apr 10 / 12, 2026

Waterfront Cebu City
Hotel and Casino
Salinas Drive, Lahug
Cebu City, Philippines 6000

USD $ 199

LATIN NOTION THAILAND

Apr 14 / 20, 2026

Eastern Grand Palace
99/1 Moo 11 Soi Khaotalo
Pattaya, Thailand, 20150

THB 6,000

Directory of Asian nightclubs
HONG KONG
Graffiti LKF G/F, 17-18 Lan Kwai Fong Central, Hong Kong	SOLAR LKF Ho Lee Commercial Building, 38-44 D’Aguilqr St, Lang Kwai Fong Central, HKI Hong Kong	Sole Mio Upper Ground Floor, 51 Elgin Street, Soho, Central Hong Kong, Hong Kong
ISRAEL
	Havana Music Club Yigal Alon St 126 Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel +972 3-562-3456
JAPAN
Egoland Bar Akihabara Chiyoda City, Kanda Sakumacho, 4 7－3 2F Tokyo, Japan	Bar Mirage 5F VORT Roppongi Briller, 3-14-14 Roppongi, Minato-ku Tokyo 106-0032, Japan +03-5860-6946	Fiesta Latin Spot Bar 3F, 1 Chome-14-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City Tokyo 160-0021, Japan +81 90-1086-2878
El Cafe Latino 3 Chome-15-24 Roppongi, Minato City Tokyo 106-0032, Japan +81 3-3402-8989	Latin Club Leon 5-17-6 B1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 160-0022, Japan	La Tropi Azabu 3F Roppongi Azelea Bldf. 1-3-6 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku Tokyo1060031, Japan
THAILAND
Bafros Sugar Club Complex Sukhumvit Soi 11 Bangkok 10110, Thailand +66 63 039 8700	Havana Social 1/1 Sukhumvit Rd. Soi 11 Bangkok, Thailand +66 2 821 6111
VIETNAM
Apocalypse Now Sai Gon 2F Thi Sach Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 70000 +84 799 741 261	La Habanera Basement 81 xuân diệu Tay Ho Hanoi 100000, Vietnam +84 35 320 7220	La Pachanga Club Saigon 3rd Floor, 39A Co Bac Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam +84 93 855 79 21