It's holiday time in the city. Take a break from the hustle and bustle, and have some fun with the family. Here are a few suggestions:

SEVERAL SANTAS

First up, meet the Santas. Pointe-à-Callière presents its popular "Who is the Real Santa Claus?" Here, costumed actors portray a variety of Santas from around the world. Among them, you'll meet St. Nicholas, who hails from Turkey and is dressed all in red. He's known as the protector of children. His sidekick, Black Peter, will also be on hand -- but Black Peter rewards bad children with turnips and lumps of coal -- so better be good! Babushka from Russia will there, too -- she'll teach you how to say "Merry Christmas" in Russian. Finally, there's the one and only Santa Claus. Meet the Santas Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23, as well as Dec. 26 to 30. The activity runs afternoons from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 350 Place Royale in Old Montreal. Museum admission costs $13 for adults, $8.50 for seniors, $7 for students and $5 for children 6 to 12. Call (514) 872-9150 or www.pacmusee.qc.ca for more information.

Next, look up to the stars for some holiday inspiration. The Montreal Planetarium presents "Season of Light," a multimedia presentation that looks at worldwide celebrations and traditions that commemorate the return of light in wintertime. "The Quest for Galactium" is a new show for kids ages 7 and up. Both shows run until Jan. 6. Cost is $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, and $4 for youths 5 to 17. The planetarium is located at 1000 St. Jacques St. Call (514) 872-4530 or www.planetarium.montreal.qc.ca for more information.

URBAN ACROBATS

Circus fun can be had at Tohu: Circus Arts City with the presentation of "Traces" by the 7 Fingers, a circus troupe that features acrobats with an urban hip-hop flavor for those 7 years old and up. Show dates are Dec. 18 to 22 (some shows sold out). Adult tickets cost $22.50 to $35; children's tickets $11.25 to $17.50. Call (514) 376-8648 or www.tohu.ca for more information.

More circus fun is offered by the masters of the art. Cirque du Soleil presents an encore performance of "Saltimbanco" at the Bell Centre Dec. 19 to 30. Tickets range from $40 to $80. Visit www.admission.com for more information.

In this corner: Santa. In that corner: the snowman. "Santa vs. the Snowman 3-D," the first animated IMAX feature, returns to the Montreal Science Centre IMAX theatre until Jan. 7. "Sea Monsters 3-D: A Prehistoric Adventure" is another good bet for the entire family. Single admission costs $12 for adults, $11 for students and seniors, and $9 for children 4 to 12. Double bill IMAX packages are also available. Call (514) 496-4724 or visit www.montrealsciencecentre.com for more information.

Painting, drawing and collage are emphasized at Musee d'art Contemporain's new family workshop -- but there's only one color in these works of art. "White on White" lets you make a unique seasonal decoration Dec. 7 to Jan. 20, Sundays at 2 and 3 p.m. at 185 Ste. Catherine St. W. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $4 for students and free for children up to 12. Call (514) 847-6226 or www.macm.org for more information.

IN THE TROPICAL FOREST

The Montreal Biodome presents its seasonal show "Caillou and the Innu," which features storytelling, a replica of an Innu camp play area and photo opportunities with cartoon character Caillou. The show runs from Dec. 8 to Jan. 27. Storytelling is held in English on weekends and during the holiday school break week (Dec. 22 to Jan. 6) at 1:30 p.m., and on Thursdays at 11 a.m. The best part about the visit: Inside the tropical forest ecosystem there's no rain, and it's about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Cost is $13.50 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, $6.75 youths 5 to 17, and $2 for children 2 to 4. The biodome is located at 4777 Pierre-De Coubertin Ave. Call (514) 868-3000 or www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/biodome for more information.

VINTAGE TOYS, HOT COCOA

All aboard to a nostalgic trip back in time. Exporail, The Canadian Railway Museum presents its annual "A Railroad Christmas" from Dec. 8 to Jan. 6. On display will be vintage toys and the 1964 Eaton's department store train, open weekends during winter and daily during school break week. Cost is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $9 for students, and $7 for children 4 to 12. The museum is located at 110 St. Pierre St. in St. Constant on the South Shore. Call (450) 632-2410 or visit www.exporail.org for more information.

The McCord Museum offers two fun family workshops. Shining Spirits teaches you how to make your own metal ornaments weekend in December from 1 to 4 p.m. "Waiting for Christmas to Come" offers more creative activities aimed at children and their grandparents. The hot chocolate is on the house Dec. 18 to 21 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $12 for adults, $9 for seniors, $6 for students, and $4 for children 6 to 12. The museum is located at 690 Sherbrooke St. W. Call (514) 398-7100 or visit www.mccord-museum.qc.ca for more information.

FLYING BEAVERS, ECO-ELVES