The moment we (and countless fans of Beetlejuice, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure and The Nightmare Before Christmas) have been waiting for is finally upon us. The retrospective on the career of macabre filmmaker Tim Burton is set to open at the Museum of Modern Art on Sunday. If you’re planning on braving the crowds, just remember to buy your tickets in advance online. And don’t forget report back here to let us know how you (and your kids!) enjoyed it.

So many shows to see, so little money to spend on them! It’s a holiday headache that’s hitting everyone hard this year. We share in your frustration, that’s why we’ve rounded up a bunch of discounts to family shows.

Love the New Victory? We sure do. The theater’s raucous holiday show, Chestnuts Roasting on the Flaming Idiots, is likely to be a smash. Snag tickets to the show, which opens December 4th, for 20% off by using code TOKids when purchasing.

Haven’t seen Wintuk or The Radio City Christmas Spectacular yet? Well, what are you waiting for? Use discount code EM1040 to receive a whopping 40% off select performances of Wintuk, and code TONYK for $50 orchestra and first mezzanine seats at select performances of The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Just be forewarned: Both offers expire November 29. 

Parents may know Mitchell from his stage performances in the original Ragtime and the most recent revival of Kiss Me, Kate (for which he snagged a Tony). If your kids haven’t yet been introduced to the Broadway star (and New York City dad), today’s the day to do it. Head over to Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Center, where Mitchell will read from Lights on Broadway: A Theatrical Tour from A to Z, a book about backstage for which he penned the foreword. After the reading, Mitchell will and kids from TADA! Youth Theater will treat the audience to a free mini concert.

Your family’s calendar is already filling up with holiday parties…time to start shopping for cute kiddie clothes. Starting this Sunday, both NYC Firefly boutiques are hosting sales, offering 20% off select holiday dresses and formal wear. Even if you’ve got clothes to last through Christmas 2010, we suggest popping in, as large toy sets will also be discounted. 224 Front St between Beekman St and Peck Slip, 646-416-6560; 240 Seventh Ave between 4th and 5th Sts, Park Slope, 718-965-3535, fireflychildrensboutique.com.

‘Tis the season for generosity, but who says you can’t get something in return? From Tuesday November 24 through Thursday December 17, bring a nonperishable food donation to a participating BumbleBee Tennis location—one’s at the U.N. Plaza’s Millennium Hotel, the other is in Soho—and your child (age 3 to 9) can score a free introductory lesson.  Sign up in advance on the company’s website. It’s a great way to spread the, er, love. You should also check out our roundup of tennis classes around the city.

It looks like the folks at Racked, one of our favorite shopping websites, had it right when they said “this year’s holiday season might go down in history as the December of the pop-up shop.” We recently learned Jade’s Toybox and Zaba, two children’s online retailers, have opened up a temporary brick-and-mortar store in Tribeca through Christmas Eve. In addition to selling unique clothing and eco-friendly toys from the two companies, the shop will host a slew of family activities. Kids can make holiday crafts out of recycled materials, write a letter to Santa and get their picture taken with a 20″ x 24″ Polaroid camera. Parents can also get in on the action: Esther K. Smith, author of How to Make Books and Magic Books and Paper Toys, will lead workshops on how to make pop-up holiday cards and ornaments. 25 North Moore St at Varick St (917-349-5107).

It’s no secret that we at Time Out Kids are big fans of Archie comics. Last spring, in conjunction with Kids Comic Con, we held a contest in which one lucky winner—a girl named Summer—got to appear as a character in an issue of the beloved, long-running series.

It’s not surprising that the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art shares our obsession. Its latest exhibit, “The Art of Archie Comics,” opens tonight and stays on view through February 28. Check out rare and unpublished Archie pages, vintage house ads, news clippings, toys and merchandise spanning 65 years. If your kids have yet to fall for Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and Reggie, this display is an ideal way to introduce them to the teenage crew. Tonight’s opening reception begins at 7pm. $5, kids under 13 free. MoCCA, 594 Broadway between Houston and Prince Sts, , Ste 401 (212-254-3511, moccany.org).