It’s beginning to look a lot like winter, especially with this week’s snow! As we head into Thanksgiving week and a few days off, it’s a great time to take advantage of all the city has to offer and to get in the holiday spirit.  See some of our highlighted event suggestions below. Want to dine out on Thanksgiving? Here are some guides to a wide range of restaurants serving up Turkey and the trimmings.  And the Christmas trees are lighting up all over town. We’ve got the schedules. Theater is always a great choice, and Valerie Smaldone has the scoop on two new shows, “a contrast in musical theatre.” And this past week was a whirlwind of great events. We have a recap including the video highlights of the Galaxy of Stars benefit for our veterans, a fab event hosted for us at Bloomingdales, and a guest appearance on the AskBeatty show!

Nov. 21. Watch Snoopy Come to Life

If you have never done this, or haven’t been in years, watching the balloons being inflated for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is more fun than the party.  Seriously.

Enter at Columbus Avenue & W. 73rd Street. Do not bring umbrellas, backpacks, large bags, alcoholic beverages, drones, or e-cigarettes. Free. It’s from 1 to 8 PM.  Get more details.

Now – Nov. 21. International Tango Festival

“A three minute romance,” filled with passion and adventure, Tango is beloved around the world. The Shall We Tango NY festival was created in 2014 to promote Latin American culture through a series of world-class Tango events presented at some of New York City’s leading theaters and institutions. Get the calendar of events and get your dancing shoes out!

Now – Jan. 12. The Holiday Train Show for Grownups

Every year the New York Botanical Garden displays their fabulous train show that’s a miniature of NYC.  Fun place to bring the kiddies in the day time, but the most fun is the Bar Car Nights for grownups only.

Adults 21 and over, can enjoy the wintry landscape of NYBG with festive outdoor adventures, with an after-dark viewing of the Holiday Train Show® as the centerpiece. Purchase a drink from one of their seasonal bars and a bite to eat from the Bronx Night Market Holiday Pop-up, then set out to explore the night’s offerings. Relax and warm up around the fire pits in the Leon Levy Visitor Center, watch art emerge from giant blocks of ice during live ice-sculpting demonstrations, sing along to your favorite tunes with dueling pianos in the Pine Tree Café, and listen to roving a cappella groups as they guide you through the Garden.  Look for discount tickets on Groupon and Goldstar.

Guides to Dining Out on Thanksgiving Day

If you don’t feel like cooking, there is no shortage of restaurants with special menus for Thanksgiving dinner including family friendly with the kids to elegant and romantic.  Here are our few guides.  One of our top picks is the Boat House in Central Park.  Perfection.

• AM New York
• Mommy Poppins (for families)
• OpenTable
• Town & Country Magazine
• Eaters Guide to 20 Best Thanksgiving Restaurants

Nov. 28 – Dec. 9. Christmas Trees are Lighting Up

There are fabulous tree lighting ceremonies all around the town. So if you can’t get near the Rocefeller tree lighting, pick one of these others.  Our pick:  Bryant Park.

• 28 – Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting
• 29 – Central Park
• 29 – New York Stock Exchange
• 1 – Astoria Park
• 2 – Park Avenue
• 2 – Queens Botanical Garden
• 4 – Bryant Park
• 5 – Washington Square Park
• 6 – Madison Square Park
• 8 – W. Harlem Piers Park