The holiday season is fast upon us, and while it's good to remember to slow down and savor the season at your own pace, one bit of advance planning we recommend is to purchase tickets for holiday performances. Not only do they often sell out in advance, but claiming choice seats can avoid the familiar whines of “I can’t see!”

Fortunately for Westchester and Hudson Valley residents, there are various holiday performances to choose from. We’ve rounded up the best kid-friendly productions—from assorted interpretations of The Nutcracker to productions of A Christmas Carol—to help you ring in the holiday season. While some of these are traditional interpretations, others put on a creative spin.

If you're looking for the West Point Band's annual holiday show, it's on hiatus this year due to facility construction, and the Greenwich Ballet Academy will present its Nutcracker in Connecticut.

Read on and click through for details. Also be sure to visit our Event Calendar, where you’ll find an ever-growing number of other holiday events we’re curating for your family to enjoy! Looking for even more holiday options? Check out our Holiday Fun Guide.