The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board voted today to pass the proposed subway and bus service cuts that have been dubbed the "Doomsday budget cuts."

The approved 2010 budget calls for the elimination of free MetroCards for students and retiring the W and Z subway lines and 21 local bus routes.

Governor David Paterson has promised to find a way to preserve the free passes for NYC school students.  Otherwise,  500,000 students will be forced to pay full fares by 2011.

Meanwhile, today is a Gridlock Alert Day (as are tomorrow and Friday). The Department of Transportation is urging New Yorkers to leave their cars at home and take mass transit whenever possible. Ride that W train while you still can.

And don't think that the MTA is all grinch. The agency is sponsoring some nice discounts on holiday fun in New York City -- including savings on the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and the Big Apple Circus.

Looking for a unique way to celebrate Hanukkah? Check out a concert during the annual Sephardic Music Festival, which will feature shows in venues all around town through December 19, 2009.

On Monday night, you can hear the legendary Israeli musician Yair Dalal at Union Hall in Brooklyn or sample the Hasidic hip hop stylings of Matisyahu at Webster Hall.

See the Sephardic Music Festival line-up for the rest of the week.

This weekend, you can celebrate Hanukkah, make your own holiday gifts, or hang out with Santas, boom box blasters, and tuba players.

• Hanukkah Fun -- Celebrate Hanukkah in New York City this weekend. Featured events include concerts, lighting ceremonies, and  the Menorah Horah burlesque show.

• Holiday Hackshop '09 -- Craft your own holiday gifts at a day of artist-led workshops and DIY activities for people of all ages. Make snowglobes from recycled materials, learn how to bling out your bike, make your own snow globes,  create unique holiday ornaments, and more. Craft workshops are free, though there is a materials fee for some projects.

• Santacon 2009 -- Every December, Bad Santas take to the streets (and bars) of New York for Santacon, a day of naughty Noël mayhem. It all started in San Francisco in 1994 and now Santacons are a global phenomenon. It's a not-for-profit, non-political, non-religious & non-logical Santa Claus convention for grown-ups. Get your Santa gear ready and check the website on Saturday morning for the 10AM meet-up locations (don't forget to bring 1-2 canned food items for the food drive).

• Unsilent Night -- Nostalgic for the days of boom boxes in the streets? Ditch your iPod and join the 18th annual Unsilent Night holiday boom box parade on Saturday. Composer Phil Kline will lead a musical parade through the East Village and even supply CDs, tapes, and MP3s to those who RSVP in advance. Meet at the Arch in Washington Square Park at 6:45PM to participate.

• Tuba Christmas -- Hundreds of tuba players will be gathering in Rockefeller Center this Sunday at 3:30PM for the annual Tuba Christmas concert and sing-along. Hear tuba interpretations of your favorite Christmas carols under the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Actually, he's already here. Word on the street is that he found a great holiday sublet in Tribeca with rooftop reindeer parking and lots of walk-in closets.

If your little ones have been begging for an audience with the man from the North Pole, check out our list of  Santa's various office hours at department stores and other locations around town (Santa sure does get around).

This year, Santa is also hosting a cruise (just $1 and a toy donation gets you quality Santa lap time and a personal photo) and visiting Central Park and the World Financial Center.

Find out where to see Santa in New York City this year.

More Fun Family Holiday Activities

• Ice Skating in New York City -- Get out for some fresh air and a spin around the ice. While the Rockefeller Center skating rink may be New York's most famous, there are also several others that don't get quite so crowded during the holiday season.


• Radio City Christmas Show -- The Radio City Christmas Show has been a New York Christmas tradition for more than 75 years. This year, the show is new and improved with cool 3-D effects and light shows.


• See the Holiday Lights and Decorations -- Take a tour of New York's most dazzling holiday lights and decorations.


• Holiday Fun in Grand Central Terminal -- Kids and grownups alike will be wowed by the annual train exhibit and laser light show on the famous Grand Central Terminal ceiling.


• Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree -- The holiday season in New York isn't complete without a glimpse of the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.