Happy everything!

Free or cheap

1 Macy’s Santaland
At the Herald Square flagship, Santa Claus meets and greets kids on the building’s eighth floor. Macy’s tells us it works with the one-and-only genuine Santa, who puts his magical powers to good use in dealing with the diverse crowds that converge on the store each holiday season. “Santa is who he needs to be for his audience,” a North Pole helper explained to Time Out Kids from her temporary office in Santaland. “He relates to each child on his or her terms, whether black or white or Spanish-speaking.” Expect to wait 90 minutes or more on a weekend afternoon, much less on weekday mornings.

While you’re there, visit the Puppet Theatre on the ninth floor; this year, a 30-minute version of Miracle on 34th Street—with seven original songs, vocal work by Broadway pros such as Brian Stokes Mitchell and Victoria Clark, and artistry by Puppetworks—runs continuously. 151 W 34th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves (212-494-4495). Subway: A, C, E, 1, 2, 3 to 34th St–Penn Station; B, D, F, V, N, Q, R, W to 34th St–Herald Sq. Santaland open daily Nov 26–Dec 24 9am–10pm; free (photos start at $25). Puppet Theatre open daily 9:30am–6:15pm; $5.

2 Rock Center Tree Lighting
Touted as the world’s most famous Christmas tree (and who could prove otherwise?), the giant spruce at Rockefeller Plaza will be illuminated by 30,000 multicolored bulbs in a gala ceremony on Dec 2: Celebrity performances begin around 6pm, followed by the lighting at 8:55pm. Tip: If your little one fits in a front carrier, leave the stroller at home. The crowds here are especially resistant to vehicular nudgings; better to slip between bodies like the Ghost of Christmas Past. 50th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-332-6868, rockefellercenter.com). Subway: B, D, F, V to 47–50th Sts–Rockefeller Ctr. On view daily Dec 2–Jan 7 5:30am–11:30pm; New Year’s Eve 5:30am–9pm. Free.

3 Madison Square Holiday
Time Out Kids has a soft spot for this postage-stamp green space with the heart of a mighty National Park. The well-organized cultural programs here are festive without becoming overwhelming to those with a low cheer threshold (we diagnosed ourselves on WebMD). At this annual all-ages celebration, you’ll find wintry treats, glittery decorations and live entertainment, set amid skyscraping tree branches and dramatic art installations. Madison Ave at 23rd St (212-538-1884, madisonsquarepark.org). Subway: R, W, 6 to 23rd St. Dec 8 at 4:30pm. Free.

4 El Museo del Barrio Holiday Party
This bash features piñatas, coquito (think coconut eggnog—yum!) and other Latin American holiday traditions. We confess that we’ll be making a beeline for the food: Not your ordinary museum cafeteria, El Café serves authentic Latino and Caribbean cuisine, including Argentine empanadas, Peruvian ceviche, plantain chips and gourmet coffee. (Psst—the party is free with a family membership to the newly reopened Museo.) 1230 Fifth Ave between 104th and 105th Sts (212-831-7272, elmuseo.org). Subway: 6 to 103rd St. Dec 11 at 7pm. Adults $6, students and seniors $4, children under 12 free.

5 SantaCon
Per its online mission statement, SantaCon is a “not-for-profit, non-political, non-religious and non-logical Santa Claus convention.” But really, it’s a raucous, R-rated pub crawl—which doesn’t stop some parents from participating with toddlers in tow. Holiday apparel is mandatory, whether you’re a fully suited Santa (no hats-only tagalongs), Santa-saurus, Candy Cane, Hanukkah Chicken or Latke. But your best bet is to gape at the passing spectacle from a safe distance. Although Santas are instructed to treat children nicely—with some kind and sober souls handing out candy and small toys—the guidelines also winkingly condone urinating on parents and tourists. You have been warned. Various locations and times (nycsantacon.com). Dec 12. Free.

6 Unsilent Night
From the moment you invite your kids to stay up late and make a racket, they won’t believe their ears: This “sound sculpture” involves a roving mass of boom boxes whose joyful cacophony is perceived slightly differently by each listener. The annual event now runs in 25 cities on three continents; the local version begins at the arch in Washington Square Park and ends at Tompkins Square Park. “It’s like a Christmas caroling party,” says organizer Phil Kline, “except that we don’t sing but rather carry the music, each of us playing a separate track that is a ‘voice’ in the piece.” For full involvement, bring a boom box that plays cassettes, CDs or MP3s. Meet at Washington Square Memorial Arch, Waverly Pl at Fifth Ave (unsilentnight.com). Subway: A, C, E, D, F to W 4th St. Dec 12 at 7pm (arrive by 6:45pm). Free.

7 Fire Museum Annual Santa Rescue
Kris Kringle makes an early appearance—and gets stranded on the roof when his reindeer fly off without him. Happily, New York’s Bravest come to the rescue. Viewing the rooftop exploits is free to all. For the cost of museum admission, families can head inside to enjoy quality time and a photo op with Saint Nick, plus hot dogs, hot chocolate and hot live music. 278 Spring St between Hudson and Varick Sts (212-691-1303, nycfiremuseum.org). Subway: C, E to Spring St; 1 to Houston St. Dec 13 at noon. Adults $5, children under 12 $1. Ages 2 and up.

8 Reading of A Christmas Carol
For the sixth year running, the Strand Bookstore will host a reading of the Dickens tale—and now CG blockbuster—by local radio stars, including Annie Bergen, Clayelle Dalferes, Elliott Forrest, Kevin Gordon and Jeff Spurgeon. (Frankly, we’re grateful that Jim Carrey will presumably be far, far away.) 828 Broadway at 12th St (212-473-1452, strandbooks.com). Subway: L, N, Q, R, W, 4, 5, 6 to 14th St–Union Sq. Dec 17 6–8:30pm. Free. Ages 8 and up.

9 East Meets West Christmas Parade
Festively decorated for the holidays, Little Italy caps off the season with a multicultural parade blending Italian pageantry and customs from neighboring Chinatown: opera singers and dragon dancers, streaming lights and acrobats. Parade begins on Mulberry St at Canal St (littleitalynyconline.com). Subway: J, N, Q, R, 6 to Canal St. Dec 19 at 2pm. Free.

10 Christmas Bird Count in Prospect Park
We dig an offbeat family tradition. For this annual avian census, volunteers of all ages fan out with binoculars and guidebooks to help conservationists track the long-term health of populations. “Mommy, remember the year we spotted a chickadee?!?” is so much sweeter than recollections of gifts big or small, dontcha think? Prospect Park Audubon Center, enter park from Ocean Ave at Lincoln Rd, Brooklyn (718-287-3400, prospectpark.org). Subway: Q, Franklin Ave S to Prospect Park. Dec 19, 20 at 3pm. Free.

11 New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Prospect Park
Here’s a New York moment: While snatching a few nanoseconds of quiet time, you become aware of a strong, irregular thumping noise. After cursing your crazy neighbors/blasting car stereos/an approaching thunderstorm, you realize, Aww, it’s fireworks! Brooklynites and guests can celebrate the arrival of 2010 at an outdoor gathering with entertainment and hot refreshments. The best views of the skyrockets will be had near Grand Army Plaza, inside the park on the West Drive, and along Prospect Park West north of 9th Street. prospectpark.org. Subway: Q to Seventh Ave; 2, 3 to Grand Army Plaza. Dec 31 at 11pm. Free.

12 Central Park Emerald Nuts Midnight Run
We know what you’re thinking: Don’t you mean sapphire nuts? Emerald is the healthy-snack brand sponsoring the event, not the color of the runners’ frigid cojones. While joggers ring in the New Year on a four-mile loop, family members of all ages can view spectacular fireworks and join in the fun with music, dancing and a grand costume parade at the Bandshell, where the race begins and ends. Enter park from Fifth Ave at 72nd St (nyrr.org). Subway: 6 to 68th St–Hunter College. Dec 31. Festivities begin at 10pm; free. Midnight runners pay $30–$45 entry fee.

Free or cheap | Under $25 | Pricey but worth it

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