There are a lot of ways to get into the festive spirit of the season this weekend. The Central Park Zoo is hosting its annual Winterfest celebration, the Holiday Train Show is still chugging along at the New York Botanical Gardens, amazing holiday displays are lighting up our neighborhoods and department store holiday windows are wowing residents and tourists alike.

Holiday performances also abound. The Guggenheim hosts its annual mounting of Peter and the Wolf narrated by Isaac Mizrahi, the beloved holiday TV-special Charlie Brown Christmas is reimagined for the stage, and there are several kid-friendly versions of The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol. Plus there will be a ton of Santa sightings due to the kooky SantaCon on Saturday. The big red guy will also be hanging out at the Winter Garden at the World Financial Center.

Those are just a few of the great things going on this weekend. Read on for all of our picks and remember, you can find additional options in our Events Calendar and our Holiday Guide.

Yes, we're sure you've got lots of shopping still to do for the holidays, but you still have to keep the kiddies entertained. We've got you covered: There are Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations and shows (including several Nutcracker performances) around the Island, as well as a couple of seal hikes out east and a great garden-themed dance performance at the Tilles Center for young children. And there's still plenty of time to head to a Cut-Your-Own-Tree farm for your Christmas tree and to get your child's picture taken with Santa.

I was lucky enough to attend the Book Preview “Simon and Schuster celebrates Moms & Blogs & Books!” (courtesy of the Buzzing Bloggers) It was, indeed, a celebration of all things Mom and all things Books and now our readers have cause to celebrate too--we are giving away four gift packs of Simon and Schuster Children’s books! To win these incredible books just in time for holiday gifts by such celebrated children’s/young adult authors as Matthew Van Fleet (“Moo”), Rachel Renee Russell (“Dork Diaries”) and James Howe (“Bunnicula”), read on!

Winterfest isn't happening in 2012.
It's the season of lights. For the past few weeks, we've been posting about all of the dazzling holiday spectacles that illuminate New York City at this time of year, like Christmas tree and menorah lightings, holiday light displays and department store windows. Even the animals are getting in the illumination action. The Central Park Zoo is decking its halls with thousands of lights, and also hosting holiday-themed activities as part of its annual Winterfest celebration.

The festivities kicked off last weekend and continue every Friday and Saturday through December 17. I took my son and a few of his animal-loving buddies last year and they were mesmerized by the strings of twinkling lights threaded throughout the zoo. They also had a great time meeting the animals, making crafts and enjoying other special holiday activities.

Although the Central Park Zoo is the only New York City zoo that decorates its landscaped grounds, the Bronx Zoo and Prospect Park Zoo also have special holiday happenings, like giving presents to their residents and other seasonal activities.

Read on to find out about all the things you can see and do at NYC zoos this holiday season.

Besides attending one of the following events, this weekend is a good time to cut down your own Christmas tree. We have some great family options for you in Hartford, Fairfield and Litchfield Counties. The Nutcracker is a classic that we try not to miss each year. We've rounded up shows for you all over the area. Bergdorf's holiday windows in NYC can't be beat, however you don't have to drive into the city to get a visual thrill. Check out these Holiday Window Strolls in Fairfield County. If you are in Hartford County we've listed some great events over the next couple of weeks. Our post this week on dining options on 12/25 in Fairfield County reminds me of the hilarious Chinese restaurant scene in one of my all time favorite holiday movies 'A Christmas Story'. All of that being said, enjoy the weekend with the following great list of events we've compiled. Make a paracord bracelet, go on a family art adventure or family hike, ride a vintage train or attend a reindeer festival. Have fun making happy memories with your kids!

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Life's feeling more like a circus than usual these days, thanks to the holiday rush. So we thought we'd give you a break by (for the most part) shying away from seasonal links in our latest biweekly news roundup.

Stories that piqued our interest this time around include a handy way to track your kids' school bus via iPad (yes, there really is an app for that), the return of a popular downtown indoor park and a kids' fave at the Whitney, the scoop on how to help your children's school find unclaimed funds and a funky display of menorahs curated by beloved children's author Maurice Sendak. His picks aren't as wild as you might think.

The malls are packed with holiday shoppers, decorations are up, and Santa is ringing his bell at every store entrance. With Christmas less than three weeks away the festivities are commencing and what better way to celebrate than to enjoy a holiday themed event with your family. With a variety of activities like classic theater shows to holiday lights it will surely feel more like Christmas with these great events!

[UPDATED: NOVEMBER 12, 2012]

I was born and bred across the pond, as you Americans say. I try to expose my child to bits of British culture year-round, but when the holidays roll around, I really find myself longing for good old-fashioned Victorian Christmas celebrations, like the ones I used to enjoy growing up.

The Victorian period covers the reign of England's Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901—and that’s where this history lesson ends. I'm more interested in sharing fun ways for families to enjoy vintage holiday fun that evokes this era. So don't be a Scrooge: From Christmas caroling to Charles Dickens to enjoying high tea, here are six ways to have yourself a merry Victorian Christmas in New York City.