Earlier this week, I was on NECN talking about free holiday fun, and I can't stop thinking about how lucky we are here in Boston to have our pick of so many free activities this time of year. A couple of great freebies coming up this weekend include the Mayor's Lights and a Polar Express celebration. The ever-popular Blink! light show in Faneuil Hall is a perfect way to combine some holiday cheer with last-minute shopping. Speaking of holiday shopping, the craft fairs might be winding down, but there's still one last opportunity to check out some handmade gifts and cultural performances at a bazaar (pictured) this weekend.

If you're looking for a way to give back to the community instead, the annual Candy Land tournament is a festive way to combine giving with fun for the kids. Finally, parents with younger tots who have been looking for a local show this season will be happy to hear that Peppa Pig is snorting her way into town this weekend. 

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• This park may be even more fun for kids in the winter than in the warmer seasons. 
• Elyse shares 25 Things to Do with Kids in Somerville, with plenty to keep the family busy over the holidays and throughout the year.
• How big is Peppa Pig's splash? Read our parent review of the live show to find out. 
• If you're planning holiday travel, download these shows first.

Enjoy your weekend and don't forget to check out the full Event Calendar!

With just a few weekends left in 2015, try to make them count. Pack the days with family friendly fun like checking out various ongoing light shows around Long Island, building a homemade snow globe at the Children's Museum of the East End or visit Santa and his Reindeer at Hicks Nurseries. If you need more to do, visit our Holiday Guide.

Don't see your event listed here? Add it to our events calendar. And if you don't receive this post in your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter.

It’s hard to believe that in less than two weeks we mark the end of 2015. While most people are still busy shopping for the latest gadgets or best toys, it’s important to remember that time is the most precious present we give our children. It can’t be wrapped in pretty paper, but it outlasts all other gifts, so before another year passes us by, take the time to make a few more memories.

This weekend, you can enjoy Breakfast with Frosty at Beardsley Zoo (and visit its newest resident, a red panda!), remind yourself why It’s A Wonderful Life, and end the day with the Fantasy of Lights display at Lighthouse Point Park. More light shows are brightening up Fairfield County and the Hartford area. 

The holidays are closing in, and Westchester and Hudson Valley families are scrambling to soak up all the fun! This weekend, the festivities are ratcheted up, so put on your jingle bells, light those lights and don’t miss these highlights!

Adding to the various iterations this month of the Tchaikovsky classic, this weekend showcases The Westchester Ballet Company Presents The Nutcracker and The Colonial Nutcracker. Additional options for holiday entertainment include Westchester Philharmonic's Winter Pops, featuring a Broadway star, and The Laurie Berkner Band's Holiday Celebration. Among the FREE holiday craft workshops is the distinctive Holiday Decorations from Nature.

Read on for just a few of the many happenings we’ve culled from our Event Calendar, and also view the many options in our Holiday Fun Guide we’ve worked hard to identify for you. Enjoy it all!

With just one final weekend until Christmas, it's time to tackle that holiday bucket list. We've rounded up lots of ways for NYC families to enjoy the spirit of this season this weekend.

Go caroling in Greenwich Village or Jackson Heights; celebrate the days of Christmas past with Young Charles Dickens or the reading of Clement Clarke Moore's classic 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Enjoy multicultural celebrations including El Museo del Barrio's Parranda and the East Meets West Christmas Parade in Chinatown; or catch the stage version of A Charlie Brown Christmas performed by the New York Pops.

It's also a great weekend to hit all the seasonal sights before the tourists take over next week, so make time to see Santa, gawk at awesome department store windows and experience over-the-top holiday homes. For a more rustic outing, head to a local farm to cut down your Christmas tree like my procrastinating family will be doing this weekend—or order one online from one of these five local companies.

All of our best bets for the weekend are below. You can find more options in our Event Calendar and our Holiday Fun Guide.

Manhattan's impressive Christmas trees and department store windows aren't the only things decked out at this time of year. All across New York City, corporate buildings, public parks and outdoor plazas display eye-catching holiday exhibits, offering a perfect family diversion during holiday shopping or even as a fun seasonal destination. 

We've rounded five of the city's best 2015 displays from glowing indoor lanterns in Battery Park to giant, flashing stars on the Upper West Side that you won't want to miss. Even better? These spectacular installations are put on in public spaces, meaning it is FREE holiday fun with the kids.

While the East End of Long Island is known for its summer fun, there's also plenty to do during the holidays. From live theater and crafting to welcoming in the winter solstice and ringing in the New Year, here is a sample of what's going on in this area of the island.

Keep checking out our Long Island Events Calendar, which is being updated daily. And for more seasonal fun, take a look at our Holiday Guide.

Winter break is around the corner and this last weekend before Christmas is the perfect time to get out and make some wonderful memories. There’s no shortage of holiday cheer in NJ whether you take in the impressive Cranbury Christmas Lights, drive through the Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights or enjoy Breakfast with Santa at the lovely Camden Children’s Garden. This is also a great time of year to treat the whole gang to a show – check out performances of NJ Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker, Paper Mill Playhouse’s Frosty the Snowman and Forces of Nature Dance Theatre’s Kwanzaa Celebration. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, we hope you enjoy it with family and friends. For additional activity options, check out our Event Calendar.