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Weekly Wrap Up: All Holiday Edition: Light Displays, Shows, Offbeat Family Fun

12/8/11 - By Raven Snook

Who cares if it's a cliche to say that we love this time of year? New York City looks even more magical when it's decked out in holiday lights and extravagant displays.

With only a few weeks to go until Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza, we've been all about the holidays this week, from offbeat festivities to more vintage ways to celebrate. Our Holiday Guide is jam-packed with all of that and more, including caroling, Christmas trees and spots to see Santa. We've also been expanding our Local Holiday Shopping Guide with new posts about seasonal markets and craft fairs.

And that's just a bit of what's going on. Here's what we covered this week on Mommy Poppins in NYC, New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticut, as well as selected stories from our sites in Boston and Los Angeles.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

New York City

The week kicked off with our roundup of offbeat holiday celebrations, including this weekend's SantaCon, Tuba Christmas and Santa Rescue.

Next, we shared the most awesome holiday light displays in NYC.

Christmas caroling, Charles Dickens and high tea are just a few of the ways you can enjoy a Victorian Christmas in NYC.

We found a dozen inexpensive holiday shows this season, and they're not all The Nutcracker, either.

Even the animals are celebrating. We got the scoop on Winterfest at the Central Park Zoo.

Our biweekly roundup of notable news included info on two cool exhibits for families: The return of Calder's Circus at the Whitney, and the Jewish Museum's menorah display, all picked by children's author Maurice Sendak.

We updated our post on holiday markets for the season. There are two new ones this year: one at the South Street Seaport, the other in Harlem.

'Tis the season to take photos. We shared local photography studios where families can sit for professional portraits.

Best bets for the weekend include the 92nd Street Y's Hanukkah Festival and concerts by the Deedle Deedle Dees and David Weinstone and the Music for Aardvarks Band.


New Jersey

It's also all about the season in NJ. Families can enjoy a historic holiday at a variety of retro Christmas celebrations.

The site also has a roundup of professional child photographers.

Find unique gifts at NJ's many holiday craft fairs.

Marvel at incredible holiday light displays in the state.

Things to do this weekend include stage adaptations of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas in West Windsor and A Christmas Carol in Branchburg, and a Hello Kitty Tea Party in Maplewood.


Long Island

Smile for the camera! We found the best places to take photos with Santa on the isle.

LI is also home to some seriously spectacular holiday light displays.

Weekend events include the Jingle Bell Walk at the Long Island Maritime Museum, the Festival of Lights at the Long Island Children's Museum and the annual reenactment of the Flying Santa at the Fire Island Lighthouse.


Connecticut

Time to plan your CT holiday. We rounded up the best holiday happenings in Hartford County.

Don't want to cook on Christmas? We found restaurants that are open on December 25.

Weekend highlights include the Greenwich Reindeer Festival, the Tunnel of Lights Holiday Trolley Ride at the Connecticut Trolley Museum and Christmas By the Sea at Mystic Seaport.


Los Angeles & Boston

Even though it's the land of summer, L.A. still mounts fantastic seasonal displays.

Up in Boston, you can spot Santa almost everywhere.
 

Deals & Giveaways

If you're looking to make your holiday cards extra special, head to PortraitBug, where you can get a portrait sitting and 25 cards for just $35.

We also have great discounts on holiday gifts. Save 50% at our favorite fun bookmaking spot Scribble Press.

Get 25% off new Upper West Side children's boutique Polarn O. Pyret.

Save 35% on tickets to see Harry Connick Jr. in the Broadway revival of On a Clear Day.

Our NJ site is giving away a variety of children's book packages. Find out how to enter.