For most months out of the year, the Paley Center is the home of an institution whose mission is to preserve media history and explore the media’s role in shaping society and culture. Founded in 1975, the center also hosts lectures, discussions, and an archive. Formerly founded as the Museum of televisions & Radio and the Museum of Broadcasting, it rebranded in 2007 to better include emerging technologies like podcasts, the internet, and mobile video. (It also has a branch in Los Angeles)
Come the holidays; however, the center transforms into a winter wonderland. Imagine four floors of holiday fun right in the heart of New York City, and you’ve got Paleyland. Housed at the Paley Center for Media, the holiday extravaganza has something for everyone.
To start off, kids can meet Santa. Check the website for his most up-to-date schedule. But lots of places offer meet0and-greets with Santa. At Paleyland, kids can also hang out with Blizz the Snowman, meet a Toy Soldier, and catch up with characters from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, including Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Hermey the Elf, and the famous red-nosed reindeer himself, Rudolph.
Not surprisingly, Paleyland also offers a robust selection of special screenings, geared to the holidays. Viewers can also enjoy showings of holiday classic for families, from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to Mr. Magoo’s Christmas, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and more. And inspired by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future in Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol, special screenings will reflect the past, present, and future of TV with specially chosen viewings.
Grownups haven’t left out of the equation with the screenings; they include showings of the holiday episodes of such sitcoms as Frasier, Friends, black-ish, and Ugly Betty.
In addition, visitors can marvel at a classic model railway display, sip free hot chocolate, test their skill at gaming stations, let their creativity loose with arts and crafts, and seek out plenty of places for fabulous photo ops.
Paleyland still has a bit of an under-the-radar appeal, and its midtown location means it will fit nicely into a day of ice skating, viewing the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and maybe some holiday shopping.
Mr. Magoo’s catchphrase may have been, “Oh, Magoo, you’ve done it again,” but this time, you may be happily saying, “Paleyland, you’ve done it again.”
You can enjoy Paleyland at the Paley Center through January 8th, 2023. Please visit the official Paley Center website for a full list of screenings and events!