There’s so much to do in NYC this holiday week.

While there to check out the parade, don’t forget about a fun exhibit for all you Marvel Avenger fans:  Marvel’s AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N. The Exhibition (Scientific Training and Tactical Intelligence Operative Network) at Discovery Times Square.  I was recently invited to experience this exhibit, and I liked viewing the costumes and movie props as well participating in the interactive aspects of this attraction. To learn more about this, go to http://www.discoverytsx.com/exhibitions/avengers .

 

If you’re going to the Parade Balloon Blowup festivities the day before Thanksgiving ( I love this event!), think about warming up next door at the American Museum of Natural History’s new exhibit, Nature’s Fury: the Science of Natural Disasters.

 

Here’s a list of other things to do this week, as published by the New York Times:

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (Thursday) The parade this year is making a bit of balloon history. Two venerable storybook characters — Paddington Bear (who made his appearance in the late 1950s) and Thomas the Tank Engine (who appeared in the late 1940s) — will be among six new giant balloons at the 88th edition of this parade. It’s the largest number to be added to the procession in its history. The Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger and Eruptor from the Skylanders video games will also be making their debuts. The two other ones, the Pillsbury Doughboy and Pikachu, are replacing older versions of those characters.

Organizers look for “what’s hot in pop culture” when adding balloons, a Macy’s spokesman said. All will be part of the inanimate (16 balloons and numerous balloon-vehicle hybrids) and human participants (on foot and on 27 floats) making their way to Macy’s in Herald Square, starting at 9 a.m., from Central Park West and 77th Street. Columbus Circle and Avenue of the Americas are also on the route.

‘Bascove/Bridges: Transporting the Metropolis’ (through July 12) This exhibition features more than 30 paintings and drawings of city bridges by the artist Anne Bascove, including the Brooklyn Bridge, the Outerbridge Crossing and the George Washington Bridge. Thursdays through Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.; also by appointment; closed Thanksgiving Day; Noble Maritime Collection, Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Livingston, Staten Island, 718-447-6490,noblemaritime.org; donations suggested.

Brooklyn Crafts Shows (Saturday and Sunday) The handiwork of Brooklyn artisans will be featured along with pieces by other craftsmen at two Brooklyn shows. Ninety exhibitors will take part in the American Fine Craft Show Brooklyn, in the Beaux-Arts Court at the Brooklyn Museum. Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 200 Eastern Parkway, at Prospect Park, brooklyncraftshow.com; $12, $11 for 65+, $6 for students and museum members, free for children 10 and under, which includes museum admission. Two markets of American-made products — one solely devoted to items made in Brooklyn — will be held Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Industry City, 274 36th Street, near Second Avenue, Sunset Park, Brooklyn; industrycity.com/events/american-field.

Cranksgiving (Saturday) Those who like to combine sport with philanthropy can take part in this annual bicycling event to collect food for needy families. Lists of participating grocery stores will be handed out to bicyclists meeting at Solar One, 23rd Street and the East River; registration begins at 12:30 p.m., followed by the ride at 2 p.m. Food collected by the riders will be distributed by the Bowery Mission. Riders should take along $10 to $15 for the food purchases. More details are available atcranksgiving.org.

‘Evermore: The Persistence of Poe’ (Friday and Saturday) Along with manuscripts, letters and other literary artifacts associated with the writer, this exhibition, which closes on Saturday, also includes items that reveal more about the man, like an engagement ring that he gave to Sarah Elmira Royster in 1849. The marriage would never be: he died two months later. Drawn from a private collection, exhibition also features materials influenced by Poe stories, including toys, posters and recordings. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Grolier Club, 47 East 60th Street, Manhattan, 212-838-6690,grolierclub.org; free.

Goddard Riverside Community Center Book Fair (Saturday and Sunday) This annual fund-raiser for the center features an array of books and other items. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Goddard Riverside Community Center, 593 Columbus Avenue, at 88th Street, 212-873-4448, goddard.org; free.

Holiday Markets at Grand Central Terminal and in SoHo (through Dec. 24) These markets are in full swing around the city. In Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal, the shops will remain up through Christmas Eve. Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; grandcentralterminal.com. They will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, and open on Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In SoHo, a holiday pop-up boutique will be open through Christmas Eve at 150 Wooster Street, near Houston Street. Hours are Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving Day, with extended hours next Friday;sohocollectiveny.com.

Holiday Markets at Union Square and Bryant Park (through Jan. 5) These outdoor markets are in full swing around the city. Open through Christmas Eve, the market in Union Square Park, bordered by Park Avenue South and Broadway, from East 14th to 17th Streets, is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving Day. More information:urbanspacenyc.com. In Midtown, the Holiday Shops will be open through Jan. 5 in Bryant Park, at Avenue of the Americas and 40th Street. Hours: weekdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Individual shops have the option to close on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. More details:bryantpark.org.

Lifestyle Health & Wellness Expo (Saturday) This free event advocating healthy living will feature panel discussions with Dr. Oz, the author and television host; the chef Carla Hall of ABC’s “The Chew”; the radio personalities DJ Whutevva of 105.1 and Greg T of Z100; Ed Kranepool, a former New York Met; and others with food, science and sports backgrounds. It is presented by Z100 New York, and iHeartMedia New York radio personalities will be the hosts. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Skylight One Hanson, One Hanson Place, at Ashland Place, Fort Greene, Brooklyn,z100.com/common/health-expo; free.

‘Rock4 Fender Music Foundation Benefit’ (Sunday) Performances by several New York City bands, as well as a silent auction and raffle, will be part of this fund-raiser for the Fender Music Foundation, which provides instruments for school classrooms and after-school and music therapy programs. Those appearing include the Mark Kostabi Band; the Gotham Rock Choir; the country-music duo Joan Mercury & Bailey Poteat; and the hip-hop artist Path P. The headliner is the Pete Francis Band. At 7 p.m., the Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd Street, thecuttingroomnyc.com; $20 in advance, $25 at the door, with a $20 minimum.

Sam Green: ‘The Measure of All Things’ (Friday and Saturday) This filmmaker — noted for his live narration at screenings of his films, which also feature musical accompaniment — will present the New York premiere of his newest documentary, “The Measure of All Things.” Loosely inspired by Guinness World Records, the film was shown this year at the Sundance Film Festival. The classical chamber group yMusic will play at Friday’s screening, and the performers Brendan Canty, T. Griffin and Catherine McRae will be on hand on Saturday. At 7 and 9 p.m., the Kitchen, 512 West 19th Street, Chelsea, 212-255-5793, thekitchen.org; $25.

South Asian International Film Festival (through Sunday) Films by emerging South Asian filmmakers are included in this series, concluding this weekend, presented by HBO. Among the four features on Friday is “True Love Story,” a short animated film by Gitanjali Rao about the influence of Bollywood on everyday life in Mumbai, that will be screened at 10:30 p.m. On Saturday, four films will be shown, including “Dukhtar,” at 5 p.m., a feature by Afia Serena Nathaniel about a woman who kidnaps her own daughter to save her from becoming a child bride. Many of the films feature a Q. and A. with the directors. A schedule is at saiff.org. “True Love Story” and “Dukhtar” will be shown at SVA Theater, 333 West 23rd Street, Chelsea. Admission: $20 to all but the closing night film, which is $20 to $75.