FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26 Celebration: The Birthday in Chinese Art's Works in various media explore themes of celebration and longevity in the art of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, at 82nd Street, 212-879-5500, www.metmuseum.org/special; Nov. 26 & Nov. 27, 9:30 a.m.â?"8:45 p.m., Nov. 28, 9:30 a.m.â?"5:15 p.m. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27 Thanksgiving Tour's Bring the family to Chelsea for a tour of the week"s top seven gallery exhibits. Nov. 27, 526 W. 26th St., 212-946-1548; 1 p.m., $15+. Lit Harbor's Travel down to Chelsea Piers and watch the boats begin to muster for the New York Harbor Lighted Boat Parade. The vessels taking part in the activity will be covered in twinkling lights and holiday dÃ&Copy;cor and will travel along the island to celebrate the kick-off to the holiday season. Chelsea Piers, West 23rd Street and 11th Avenue, www.sail-nyc.com; 6 p.m. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29 Howard Gilman Performance Space's The St. Lawrence String Quartet performs Haydn"s Quartet Op. 20, No. 4 & Britten"s Quartet No. 2, Op. 36. Baryshnikov Arts Center, 450 W. 37th St., 212-868-4444; 7 p.m., Free. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30 Alice Tully Hall's Tenor Paul Appleby, accompanied by pianist Brian Zeger, performs a solo recital as the winner of Juilliard"s 14th annual Alice Tully Vocal Arts Recital Award. Broadway at West 65th Street, 212-721-6500; 8 p.m., $30. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's A Chanticleer Christmas features traditional carols, medieval and Renaissance sacred works, and new holiday gems. 1000 Fifth Ave., 212-535-7710; $70. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1 Degas: Drawings and Sketchbooks's Depictions of contemporary life and portraits of the artist himself, his family members and his friends. Includes Degas" studies of performers, including â??Three Studies of a Dancer. The Morgan Library and Museum, 29 E. 36th St., www.themorgan.org/exhibitions; 10:30 a.m.â?"5 p.m. Ballet Hispanico's Ballet Hispanico celebrates its 40th anniversary with three world premieres, one revival and three repertory favorites. Nov. 30â?"Dec. 12, The Joyce Theater, 175 8th Ave., 212-242-0800; $10+.