http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2010/12/09/2010-12-09_check_out_these_neighborhood_holiday_festivities_that_give_new_meaning_to_the_te.html
Cold weather may be keeping everyone indoors, but parents needn't worry about little ones climbing the walls. It's the most wonderful time of the year for family events around town, indoors and out — from the Queens Farm Museum decking its halls to Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" presented in the Bronx. And the greatest gift of all? None of these costs a thing.
SKATING IN BRYANT PARK
The Citi Pond rink is free when guests bring their own skates. Skip the Rockefeller and Central Park crowds (and their tourist-driven steep sticker prices) and take a spin on the ice during the park's extended holiday hours. Daily, 8 a.m.-midnight, 40th St. between Fifth and Sixth Aves., thepondatbryantpark.com.
JACKSON HEIGHTS HOLIDAY LIGHTING
This small-town celebration takes place in one of Queens' most bustling neighborhoods. Catch the lighting ceremony at the post office, with caroling and free hot cocoa and sweet treats afterward. Dec. 15, 5 p.m., 78-02 37th Ave. at 78th St., Queens. (718) 565-5344.
PROSPECT PARK
The Brooklyn park boasts free arts and crafts in the Lefferts Historic House, an educational Science Power Hour in the Audubon Center, plus bird tours and 585 acres of open space for running around, not to mention free New Year's Eve fireworks. Audubon Center, Sat. & Sun., noon-4 p.m. Lefferts Historic House, Sat. & Sun., noon-5 p.m. 450 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn. Visit prospectpark.org.
STATEN ISLAND TREE LIGHTING
See the spruce spring to life today at Greenbelt Recreation Center. Carolers from the center's after-school program sing and serve light refreshments. 4 p.m., 501 Brielle Ave. at Rockland Ave., Staten Island, (718) 667-3545.
QUEENS ANNUAL HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park becomes a carnival next weekend with four hours of inflatable rides, games, live music, arts and crafts and refreshments at the year-old Al Oerter Recreation Center. Dec. 17, 4-8 p.m., 13140 Fowler Ave. at Van Wyck Expressway, Queens, (718) 353-7853.
UNSILENT NIGHT
Join Phil Kline's annual Unsilent Night parade from Washington Square to Tompkins Square Park on Dec. 18. A limited number of boom boxes will be handed out for marchers to hold overhead as they bop across town. Past parades saw iPods and even laptops hooked to portable speakers and mounted on wagons. Dec. 18, 6:45 p.m., the Arch at Waverly Place and Fifth Ave. Visit unsilentnight.com.
FREE CUPCAKES
Come to Crumbs Bake Shop's newest upper West Side location on Saturday, where they’ll be handing out 1,000 free cupcakes in a grand opening giveaway. Sat., 8 a.m., 775 Columbus Ave. at 97th St. Visit crumbs.com.
Watts/News
Santa gets in on the action with some afternoon skating at the Rockefeller Center rink.

Join the crowd of tuba players - either as observer or participant! - at the 37th Merry Tuba Christmas concert at Rockefeller Center.(Savulich/News)
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
The Traveling Lantern Theatre Company stages free performances of "A Christmas Carol" in New York Public Library branches across the boroughs all month, including a show tomorrow in the Bronx Westchester Square Library. Fri., 4 p.m., 2521 Glebe Ave., at St. Peter's Ave., the Bronx. Travelinglantern.com.
FORT GREENE WINTER PARK GAMES
Little ones can release their restless energy in three-legged races, an ice cube hunt, team flying-disk golf and sack hops during Fort Greene Park's Winter Games this weekend. Parents can play along to make up for all those holiday cookies. Meet at the Visitor Center. Sat., 1 p.m., Washington Park at Willoughby Ave., Brooklyn, (718) 722-3218.
HOLIDAY OPEN FARMHOUSE
The Queens County Farm Museum decks its 17th-century farmhouse with festive holiday wreaths, stockings and an old-fashioned tree, and it's all on display the three days afterChristmas. So families looking to make the holidays last a little longer can enjoy free tours, craft activities and mulled cider. Dec. 26-28, noon-4 p.m., 73-50 Little Neck Parkway at 74th Ave., Queens, (718) 347-3276.
CELEBRATE KWANZAA
Harlem's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture hosts a holiday open house featuring live Afro-Caribbean music, storytelling and craft-making workshops for kids, plus a screening of the Maya Angelou-narrated "The Black Candle," the first feature film aboutKwanzaa. Dec. 18, 515 Malcolm X Blvd., at 136th St., (212) 491-2229.
ROCKEFELLER CENTER TUBA CHRISTMAS
Holiday carols aren't just about jingling bells and little drummer boys. Rockefeller Center hosts its 37th Merry Tuba Christmas concert at the skating rink, conducted by Chris Wilhjelm, former conductor of the Goldman Memorial Band. Sun., 3:30 p.m., 30 Rockefeller Plaza, between 49th and 50th Sts., (212) 632-3975.
SOLSTICE PARTY
Enjoy a little night music. Candles light Van Cortlandt Lake for a winter solstice celebration, complete with dancing by Jody Kruskal's classical concertina, before rangers lead families on a moonlight walk of the old Putnam railroad tracks. Hot refreshments will be served to warm little bellies. Dec. 19, 5 p.m., Van Cortlandt Park, Bailey Ave. at Van Cortlandt Park South, the Bronx. (718) 430-1890.
EAST MEETS WEST CHRISTMAS PARADE
Chinatown and Little Italy unite in a colorful procession with floats, lion and dragon dancers, marching bands and an appearance by Santa Claus, from Canal St. to Chatham Square. Dec. 18, 2 p.m., Canal and Mulberry Sts., (212) 302-0551.
Additional reporting by Lindsey Thomas & Elyse Inamine