This year, March 21 is the second official day of spring, but also the holiday of Nowruz (new day), the Iranian, or Persian, New Year. For those unfamiliar with the tradition, this 3,000-year old holiday, celebrated at the time of the vernal equinox, is rooted in the pre-Islamic traditions of the Zoroastrian religion. Friends and family spend quality time together and enjoy delicious Persian food. Houses are deep-cleaned, gifts are exchanged, and symbolic traditions are brought to life.

In New York City, there are family-friendly Nowruz-themed events galore to ring in spring in a truly unique and memorable way. Here are seven great ways to celebrate Nowruz with your little globalists, exposing them to a beautiful and centuries-old culture.

Looking to learn more about Muslim culture? Take little ones to the America to Zanzibar interactive exhibit on Muslim cultures across the globe. It was recently extended for another year.

A trip to Broadway is always a treat, and one I can't wait to enjoy with my son—when he's a little older! Still, this is NYC, so of course there's a great show for everyone. The Broadway Playhouse, an NYC institution gently introduces kids ages 4-11 to the fun of Broadway by incorporating interactive elements into each performance, including sing-alongs, games, and even discussions with the actors.

It sounded just about right for my music-loving family, enough so that we made the trek from Brooklyn to the Upper West Side with a toddler in tow for a special kid-friendly tribute to the legendary Jazz Age songwriting duo, George and Ira Gershwin.

Winter in the Big Apple can seem daunting when you have a preschooler in tow. Luckily, the winter season is full of tot-friendly fun throughout the city, from kid-friendly MLK celebrations, to museum exhibits, live concerts designed for young ears, loads of theater, and so much more.

To help make your planning easier—and curb that urban cabin fever—we've rounded up more than two dozen top event picks for outings with kids under the age of 5. For more ideas, be sure to check out Winter Fun Guide, January GoList, and daily Event Calendar.