When the weather turns a bit chilly, New York City turns up the heat with nonstop holidays festivals and parades.

Celebrate Chanukah/Hanukkah

This year Chanukah (or Hanukkah) comes much earlier than Christmas, so it's not too early to think about celebrations. Join the 92nd Street Y for their annual Hanukkah lighting in the main lobby. Be prepared to dance and sing and snack. The nightly lighting ceremonies will be accompanied by folk dancing and sufganiyot (holiday jelly doughnuts). For more information contact the Y at 92Y.org

On Sunday,December 9th the World Financial Center presents Strauss/Warschauer Duo -- Klezmer for Kids. Join them between 12:30 – 2pm at the Winter Garden for a fun, interactive performance of song and dance blending Eastern European Jewish music with heritage lessons drawn from Yiddish and Hasidic traditions to let your child explore Chanukkah.

It's a 19th Century Holiday Celebration

Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden suggest you escape from modern day New York City by transporting yourself back to the holiday season of 1827. For three evenings only, December 13th, 14th, and 15th, visitors are invited to tour the Museum’s eight historically decorated period rooms by candlelight. Enjoy live seasonal music in the Upper Hall played on traditional instruments such as the hammered dulcimer and the lute. Then partake of a steaming cup of hot cider or a glass of eggnog (with a healthy splash of holiday cheer) and other festive treats in the historic Tavern Room. And for a holiday combo, Saturday, December 15th at 7 PM will be a special concert. Reservations are strongly recommended as space is limited. For more information call 212 838-6878 or visit MVHM.org

St. Michael's Church Hall (at 225 W. 99th Street Phone: 212-666-2656) is the place for Sing We All Merrily: A Colonial Christmas Concert A musical celebration of an 18th century Christmas by Linda Russell and Companie. On December 17thThe ensemble will trace the history of the holiday in Early America through carols, hymns, dance tunes, rounds and drinking songs interwoven with Yuletide poems, folklore and recipes. Dulcimers, flute, bagpipes, harp, violin & cello! $15, $12 kids & seniors

Three Kings Day

A new modern version of the classic tale becomes a bilingual musical for the whole family on January 6th, followed by a visit from the Three Kings, a beloved Hispanic holiday tradition. It takes place at Thalia Spanish Theatre in Long Island City, Queens Phone: 718-729-3880

On December 29th it's time to Celebrate Kwanzaa at the American Museum of Natural History

Attend a colorful cultural festival of African and African-American music, dance, workshops, and crafts that commemorates the seven principles of Kwanzaa at the American Museum of Natural History. Saturday, December 29, 1:00–5:00 p.m. Free w/Museum admission

Macy's Herald Square

Enjoy their SantaLand between November 23rd and December 24th on the 8th floor of the Herald Square store and marvel at the 13,000 square foot Christmas Village. Up on the 9th floor, there's the puppet theatre showing Moose Crossing -- a three-act performance of song-filled tales set in the deep woods community of Moose Crossing, U.S.A. (Population 25). Narrated by Walter Cronkite, the scene takes place at the Mooseltoe Lodge, where the cast including Ewell Log, Mischief Makin' Miner Bob, both voiced by Tony(R) Award Winner John Tartaglia and other critters gather and sing about daily life at Moose Crossing.

Ice-skating in the City

The rink at Rockefeller Center is a holiday favorite, but The Pond is the centerpiece of Bryant Park's winter season. The 170' x 100' rink features free admission ice skating, in addition to high quality rental skates, skating shows, special events and activities. For more information visit BryantPark.org

For a sense of skating in the country, you can't beat the two rinks in Central Park. Surrounded by acres of trees and open landscape enjoy scenic Lasker Rink and Wollman Rink. That site will also give you up-to-the-minute information on ice conditions.

For those that prefer to stay indoors, try the Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers Admission to the General Skating Session is only $10 and skate rental is free! Valid Monday, December 17 - Monday, December 24.

Bright Lights, Big Fun in the Big City

Holiday lights shine in the City that Never Sleeps. The Empire State Building salutes the holidays with red and green lights for Christmas and blue and white for Chanukah. December 4th - December 11th it will be the Blue/White/Blue lights of Chanukah, and December 21 - January 06, 2008 the lights will be Red/Green//White for Christmas.

Grand Central Terminal -- November 30th through January 1st offers their Grand Central Kaleidoscope Light Show will grace the walls of the main concourse again this year. Come see what is quickly becoming the most popular holiday attraction in New York. Shows run every half hour on the half hour from 11 am - 9 pm, daily. Free to the public. For more information visit Grand Central Terminal

The Free Citigroup Model Train Exhibit is back. Citigroup Center at 153 East 53rd Street, NYC again is the site of the elaborate, multi-level model railroad set in 1950s New York with miniature scene stories depicting the times. Over 30 trains travel an intricate maze of railroad tracks over bridges and through tunnels on a fantasy journey. Come on board. For more information visit CitiTour

Now through January 13th there more train fun at NY Transit Museum at Grand Central Terminal. Experience the magic of model trains at the New York Transit Museum’s Sixth Annual Grand Central Holiday Train Show, on display at the museum’s gallery annex in the Shuttle Passage. The New York themed exhibit is scheduled to feature an “O” gauge train layout with model trains running on separate loop tracks through a wondrous holiday scene. Additionally, this year’s roster of operating trains present a wonderful compliment of authentic sights and sounds, with onboard and track-side animated elements.

And the train-fun continues... it's the Holiday Train Show now through January 13th at New York Botanical Garden. Visit NYBG.org

Tree Lighting

On December 11th the tree lighting at Peter Cooper Village and Stuyvesant Town from 7PM-9PM will feature the lighting of the 43-foot Colorado Spruce and will include live performances at the Stuyvesant Town Oval (Between 16th and 18th Sts and Avenue A & B). The tree is illuminated by thousands of green-friendly LED lights and topped by the historic star used on the tree at Rockefeller Center. The tree is illuminated from 7:00 AM – 11:30 PM daily. The tree will be on display until January 8, 2008.

November 23rd -- Tree Lighting and More at South Street Seaport The 25th Annual South Street Seaport Tree Lighting celebration will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, November 23. The event features a countdown to the illumination of thousands of twinkling white lights affixed to the 50-plus-foot Chorus Tree, caroling by The Big Apple Chorus, performances by the American Girl Singers and a small-town parade heralding the arrival of Santa Claus. The Big Apple Chorus, New York City's premier a cappella group, performs 45-minute shows on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 23rd through December 24thth For more information visit SouthStreetSeaport.com

It's the 75th Annual Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center November 28th with performances from 7:00-9:00PM. The program features various celebrity appearances and a star-studded musical lineup. The Tree is illuminated from 5:30am-11:30pm daily, all day on Christmas and 5:30am-9:00pm on New Year's Eve. The world's most famous Tree is on display until January 8th, 2008. And, for more details on this year and past year's Trees, visit thetreenyc.com. Come to Rockefeller Center to watch as the world’s most famous tree is lit for the 75th year. The Annual Tree Lighting will take place during a star studded event which will officially kick off the 2007 holiday season. For more information on this year's Tree and Trees from past years, visit www.thetreenyc.com. Rockefeller Center

Also illuminating the City are the Lights of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn. The exciting spectacle of lights and decorations dazzle visitors as the grand display attracts 100,000 people during the holiday season. Located between 83rd and 86th Streets from 11th to 13th Avenues, adjacent to Bay Ridge, the Lights of Dyker Heights are not to be missed. Visit DykerHeights.com

In Staten Island, Candelight Tours at Historic Richmond Town will take place on the evenings of Saturday, December 8th and Saturday December 15th. Over 300 years of holiday traditions come alive with music and more. Call 718) 351-1611, ext. 280 for reservations.

The City’s zoos are also getting in on the festivities. At the year-round family-favorite destination, the Bronx Zoo holiday lights are strung and decorations hung.

Shopping Wonderland

In addition to the stores throughout the city, shoppers can also find the perfect presents by artists, craftsmen and importers at holiday markets at Grand Central Terminal. November 20th through December 29th Grand Central Holiday Gift Fair in Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall. Now through Dec. 29th the Grand Central Holiday Gift Fair in Vanderbilt Hall features selections of merchandise from over 70 outstanding specialty vendors. These hand-picked vendors offer everything from jewelry to clothing and accessories to goodies for kids.

You can shop while you watch the skaters at Bryant Park also now through December 30th. Located throughout Bryant Park and around The Pond, The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park features a unique and diverse selection of gifts from around the world. Each space is individually crafted and decorated by over 100 artisans who showcase crafts, accessories, garments, art, and specialty foods.

Union Square has a holiday market starting Friday, November 23rd through Monday, December 24th at the wouth end of Union Square, at West 14th Street. For \ shopping a bit further uptown -- try Columbus Circle, December 1st through December 24th at the SW entrance to Central Park, overlooking Columbus Circle Call (212) 529-9262 for more information on these two shopping opportunities.

Window Wonderland

New York's legendary department stores offer a window wonderland at holiday time. Visitors and New Yorkers alike love to stroll along the Avenue and enjoy the famed storefront tableaux. From the red awnings and understated elegance of Saks Fifth Avenue at 611 Fifth Avenue to Lord & Taylor at 424 Fifth Avenue extravagant windows and magical animation. Displays at Tiffany & Co. at 727 Fifth Avenue have a holiday sparkle all their own. FAO Schwarz at 767 Fifth Avenue is always a fun visit. While Fifth Avenue definitely has WOW appeal, the windows at Bloomingdale's 1000 Third Avenue are a study in urban chic, and the lavish Yuletide glow of Macy's Herald Square 151 West 34th Street is another perennial favorite

These fantasies are usually unveiled in November and thousands line up to view the creative celebrations of New York's singular style. And with good reason. Animated figures carry out imaginative themes that range from best-loved ballets to Dickensian characters and modern-day Muppets.

New Year's Eve Around the City

Celebrate a totally different way. Join the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run on Monday, December 31st. DJ Music and Dancing at 10:00 p.m., Costume Parade and Contest at 11:00 p.m. And Fireworks and 4M Race at Midnight in Central Park, New York.For more information visit NYRR.org/races/2007

The National Comedy Theatre will present its NEW YEARS EVE COMEDY SPECTACULAR on Monday, December 31st, beginning at 9:30p.m. In addition to the regular performance, there will be catered food, and an after-show party with the cast, culminating in a Champagne countdown to the New Year. the National Comedy Theatre (NCT) is a high-octane improvisational comedy show based completely on audience suggestions. Tickets for the New Year’s show are $79. Reservations may be made online at ManhattanComedy.com, or by calling the business office at 212-629-5202.

In Brooklyn, check out the 26th Grand Army Plaza Fireworks display, which offers the excitement of the Midtown display in a mellower atmosphere. Celebrate New Year's Eve in Prospect Park at Brooklyn's biggest party! Say goodbye to 2007 at the 26th annual Fireworks show, midnight at Grand Army Plaza. The New Year gets off to a spirited start as fireworks over Prospect Park light up the night sky in hues of sparkling reds, ambers, white, gold and other iridescent colors. Each breathtaking pyrotechnic shape - chrysanthemums, peonies, weeping willows, salutes and whistles - brings exclamations of joy from the thousands of spectators who come out to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. This annual tradition gets underway at midnight on New Year’s Eve, Monday, December 31. The fireworks are shot off from the northern part of Prospect Park’s Long Meadow, so as to frame the glorious Memorial Arch at Grand Army Plaza. Each year’s fireworks feature new surprises, thanks to the magic of the Zambelli Fireworks Manufacturing Company. For more information visit Prospectpark.org Phone number: (718) 965-8999

Enjoy a candle light tour of Historic Richmond on Saturday December 15th when 300 years of holiday traditions come alive: experience the music, tastes and sounds of Historic Richmond Town at night, illuminated by candles, oil lamps and the hearth. Tours begin at 4:45 PM.

St. John the Divine is again hosting the Annual New Year's Eve Concert For Peace on Monday, December 31, 7 p.m. This is a free concert with doors open for public seating at 6:15 p.m. However, if you want to guarantee a seat, you can for $55 through www.ticketweb.com or by calling (866) 468-7619. Join host Harry Smith, conductor Glen Cortese, opera star Lauren Flanigan, and other guest artists for an evening of music, readings, and interfaith prayer as we look forward to a time of peace on Earth. The featured work will be Aaron Copeland's Lincoln Portrait. To which all we can say is Amen -- May It Be

Enjoy The Year in Review in Queens on Sunday, December 30, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. A special visual presentation of a year's worth of wild adventures in New York City's parks. Each picture is worth a thousand words. Cozy up with some hot cocoa and coffee. Location: Forest Park Visitor Center, Forest Park Phone number: (718) 846-2731