You may have heard of that other Thanksgiving Day Parade.  You know, the one that you have to get up at the crack of dawn, wait for hours in the street, and spend your Thanksgiving smooshed against strangers trying to catch a glimpse at floats as they work their way down Broadway.  Lucky for us Nutmeggers, we have the UBS Downtown Parade Spectacular that has all of the fun with none of the hassle.  For as long as I have lived in Fairfield County, the Parade Spectacular marks the beginning of the holiday season. Featuring 16 giant balloons, marching bands, fantastic floats, clowns, and a special visit from Santa, the Stamford parade is recognized as one of the best in the country. 

From where to park, to some insider tips, this guide provides you with all the information you need to make the Parade Spectacular a highlight of your family’s holiday season. For more seasonal activities, check out our November Go List. 

There's a chill in the air, and the trees are growing bare, which can only mean one thing--the holidays are right around the corner. I don't know about your kids, but mine aren't satisfied until they've held court with the man in the red suit each year. Luckily Santa books a full schedule of appearances all over Hartford County so you're sure to catch him before the season ends. Whether you want to skate with him, have your photo taken with him, or sit down to a pancake breakfast with him, we've got you covered. 

There's no doubt about it, the holiday season is one of the most beautiful times of the year. With lights and activities everywhere (and sometimes even snow!), this magical time of year just warms the heart. If you've never been, Bucks County is the perfect place to celebrate the holidays. There's something about this place that makes the season feel a little bit more special. Plus, the area offers so many wonderful activities that are perfect for families looking for some holiday spirit.

They may not understand just who Santa Claus is quite yet, but that doesn’t mean the littlest members of your family can’t enjoy the many fun events that the holiday season has to offer. We’ve rounded up several fun Christmas activities perfect for babies — and that we’re sure will appeal to parents, too.

Are the kids ready for an adventure? Or at least an interactive theater experience that doesn’t require sitting? Enter Pip's Island—a new live theater production for kids that just opened in NYC. You don’t even have to go to Midtown! It’s playing in Chelsea all holiday season long.

Although my NYC family has been to (and even acted in) plenty of children’s theater, I can easily say that this show was truly unlike any previous performance we’ve been to.

There is no stage; there are no seats. Instead, the production is crafted as more of a full-scale game of make-believe. Actors lead the kids on an hourlong quest, literally moving through rooms, and encourage them to help solve a mystery by locating and rescuing Amperes Wattson, leader of this magical, faraway world they are now inhabiting (Pip’s Island), from an ambitious villain, Joules Volter.

Read on for our full review.

When it comes to holiday traditions, many families make a viewing of "The Nutcracker Ballet" part of theirs (and there are lots of opportunities to see this classic around Houston this year). But if twirling ballerinas aren't really your family's sort of thing, we've rounded up some other holiday shows full of classic songs and fun dances for the whole family.

Winter with a baby can be difficult, especially because it's so easy to stay inside and hibernate. But getting out and about is healthy for moms and babies, whether it's to get a little exercise, take a class, enjoy an activity, or meet up with some other new moms. That's why we've compiled a great list of things you can do with a new baby in these cold winter months. 

'Tis the season to get the gang all dressed up to see some holiday shows. While there are plenty of spectacles to splurge on beyond the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and all those Nutcrackers, if you've got young children you may not want to blow all of your bucks on theater tickets. 

That's why our roundup includes a range of productions, from inexpensive, low-key offerings perfect for fidgety preschoolers, to extravaganzas that are worth the investment. Bonus: We've got the scoop on how to save money to a few of the higher-priced offerings.

From live stage adaptations of holiday classics such as A Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to tot-friendly puppet shows and jaw-dropping circus skills, here are our top 14 holiday shows for NYC families.