The jolly old fellow in the bright red suit can be found at just about every street corner, but for a classic holiday experience, here are some of our favorite Santa sightings and meetings around the city--including the famous Santaland at Macy's, a breakfast with the big guy and even a multilingual man in red.  

Hanukkah is (almost) here! With a rollicking musical production, an afternoon of D.I.Y. dreidels and a Chanukah on Ice celebration--we've rounded up more than 20 events to enhance your family's festival of lights this year.

Along with jazz singer Kim Burrel, Wynton Marsalis will perform holiday tunes at  A New Holiday Revue: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Kids can satisfy their sweet tooth with cookie decorating before Saturday's show. (Friday-Sunday)

More than 30 puppets star in A Christmas Carol, Oy! Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa (Happy Ramadan), a show filled with Old World accents and New World inclusiveness, at ClockWorks Puppet Theatre in BK. (Friday-Sunday)

Time to get (nut)crackin', part two. There are six more versions of The Nutcracker to indulge in this weekend, from a contemporary interpretation that includes hip hop moves to an NYC-themed suite. (Friday-Sunday)

See an adrenaline-pumping performance with STREB Extreme Action's Kiss The Air Show at Park Avenue Armory in Brooklyn. Stunts performed with ziplines, bungee cords and a 21-foot turning ladder will suspend all belief of gravity. (Friday-Sunday)

Holly, schmolly. Visit Central Park's Arsenal Gallery for the first weekend of  Wreath Interpretations to see 30+ wreaths constructed from chopsticks, piano keys, money and more! (Friday-Sunday)  

Bring your breadcrumbs to the Metropolitan Opera's Hansel and Gretel. Richard Jones' English-language production features exquisite sets and costumes; with each act set in a different kitchen. (Friday)

Mr. Butch and his "Ho Ho" String Band will perform at Caribou Baby in Brooklyn during the Holiday Crafts and Concert event. Kids will be able to design their own snowball. (Friday)  

Craft some sweet Travelin' Treats at the New York Transit Museum. Ages 4 and up can use candies, cookies and cakes to make edible transit masterpieces. (Saturday-Sunday)

Enjoy a Beastly Breakfast with Santa at the Staten Island Zoo, where you can tour the exhibits and find out what the zoo animals do during the holidays. (Saturday)  

Croon Christmas carols on the steps of the Main Altar of St. Patrick's Cathedral during The Festival of Lessons and Carols. Songbooks will be provided. (Saturday)

Celebrate the EP release of Christmas in Concord with Dan Zanes and Friends at their special Christmas show at City Winery. (Saturday)

Learn about love in the Little Orchestra Society's heartwarming opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors, which takes place during the Three Kings Day celebration of Latin American cultures. (Saturday)

Spice up your holiday at El Museo's  Super Sabado: Super Holidays! event. Get festive by making a maraca, singing along to Latin American tunes and smiling in the Three Kings photo booth. (Saturday)

Kindie star and former preschool teacher Elizabeth Mitchell will perform at Symphony Space as part of the "Just Kidding" series. (Saturday)

The Hey-Ya Brothers Holiday Comedy Hour, at Dixon Place, combines circus tricks, magic and music for a hilarious slapstick show. (Saturday)

Bring a boombox to Washington Square Park, and you can take part in the 20th Annual Unsilent Night, an electronic caroling promenade organized by Phil Kline. (Saturday)        

Spend the day at the Museum of the City's 8th Annual Mexican Family Celebration, where you can see a posada, the customary singing procession, and a pastorela, the traditional shepherds' play. (Sunday)

Join the 101st Annual Holiday Reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas in Washington Heights, led by jazz musician Ron Carter and followed by a candlelight procession with Christmas carols. (Sunday)

For even more events and activities this weekend and beyond, check out our  Family Calendar.    

This treasure chest of a truck from B.toys, a do-good-minded company that donates 10 cents toward youth leadership with every toy sold, makes it easy to keep everything in one place for long-lasting fun (18 months to four-years-old). The Car Go Cargo is a big six-wheeler that houses four smaller cars inside, doing double duty as a storage container. And we're giving one Car Go Cargo away! To enter, post a message on our Facebook page telling us about your child's favorite toy car or truck. Then, send us an email with the subject line "Cargo" and be sure to include your contact information and address.  

DwellStudio brings the best of all worlds to the dinner table with Kidz Box placements. Perfect for the happy doodler, these non-porous and germ-free silicone placemats do double duty as a whiteboard for your little ones' best masterpieces. And we have five to give away! To enter, send us an email with the subject line "Kidz Box." Deadline to enter is Friday, December 23 at 12noon.  

It's always fun to see what the creative holiday window designers dream up...and the looks on your kids' faces while viewing the beautiful department store creations. This year's big list of wonderful displays includes a combination of classic scenes--like Macy's glittery magic and interactive ornament creator--and modern artistry--see Barney's collaboration with Lady Gaga or  Bergdorf's "Carnival of the Animals".  

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