Black Friday is known as one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Retailers try to lure us in with deep discounts on everything from toys to electronics. Let's face it, though, dragging the kids to the mall isn't the most fun way to kick off the holiday season. This year, why not look for a family activity that will make everyone merry? From holiday shows to winter festivals, we've come up with a great list of things to do on Black Friday that are far away from the busy shopping centers. Be sure to check our Events Calendar regularly for even more great holiday activities throughout November and December.

Must be the Santa Anas, because I'm sensing change in the wind. Harvest gold has given way to red and green; there's a serious CHILL in the air, and our kids are starting to tally up their naughty and nice scores. (Here are a few ways to help tip the scales in their favor.)

We're one week shy of T-Day, and we all know that turkey won't even be cold before we enter a non-stop marathon of holiday frenzy. But luckily, we get to put our own SoCal spin on things. We may do a few turns on the ice, but we'll follow up with a day at the beach (and make sure to brag about it to our friends and family who are not so climatologically blessed).

If you're not feeling the Thankschrismakkuh spirit just yet, there's plenty of non-seasonal fun to keep you happy this weekend: think dinos and Doo Dah, stars and Cirque, mariachi and American Girl. Holiday, shmoliday, we're just here to watch the birds. Next week, however, it's game on.

Keep reading for our not-the-holidays-yet picks for this weekend....

It is evident from the autumnal activities on our Events Calendar that Thanksgiving is swiftly approaching! A variety of seasonal fun is featured this weekend. Philly families can watch a Thanksgiving movie, run (or walk) in a 5K turkey trot, view the fall foliage by train, or go on a nature walk to find wild turkeys.

However, if your family is looking to start the holiday season early, there are many theater productions to help get you in the spirit of the season. The Media Theatre's Jack Frost Saves Christmas and Upper Darby's Performing Arts Center's The Nutcracker are set to entertain audiences this weekend while Laurie Berkner's Holiday Show gets kids singing and dancing at her concert.

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Can it really be the last weekend before Thanksgiving? That means I'll definitely be hitting the grocery store! Besides a turkey, I'm excited to pick up some ingredients for some holiday recipes my family can make together. We might just need to go to a holiday event, too. Luckily for us, holiday lights start brightening up Faneuil Hall and Edaville USA (pictured) this weekend for a festive time. Other fun events to get families ready for the holidays include everything from an artisan fair to a favorite Christmas play to a menorah workshop.

If you're not ready to celebrate the holidays yet, stop by the Gardner for a special free day or check out the new marine life exhibit at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. 

Also on Mommy Poppins Boston this week:

• Besides all the holiday events, we've also got some ways for families to give back this holiday season.
• Our new contributor, Scott, shares the inside scoop on a secret gem for outdoor adventures in Newton. 
• Tree lighting festivities start this weekend and light up Boston through December.

Check out the full Event Calendar for more fun happenings around town. Have a great weekend! And don't forget the turkey!

Let's talk turkey! With Thanksgiving next week, there's plenty of crafting opportunities to enjoy. Participate in Turkey Talk at the Long Island Children's Museum, Turkey/Pumpkin Mommy & Me at As You Wish in Bellmore or drop your children off for a Kids Paint Night at Key to My Art in Amityville.

And with the winter weather still holding off a bit, enjoy a Family Autumn Night Hike at the Sherwood-Jayne Farm. The Holiday Lights Spectacular at Jones Beach also kicks off this weekend.

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Remember that 2015 Connecticut Hiking Challenge you promised the kids you'd complete? The deadline is less than a month away, and with mild weather still upon us, the outdoors are a beautiful place to be. If you'd rather win medals than a medallion, lace up your sneakers and head to the Hot Coco 5K and Kids Fun Run in Cheshire or Run for the Turkeys in New Fairfield. Or, if you'd rather win a turkey, sign up for a free and friendly basketball competition in Bristol.

It’s clear that Thanksgiving is right around the corner from the theme of this weekend’s events for Westchester and Hudson Valley families. Burn off those calories before the big feast at Turkey Run Peekskill, and who needs Macy’s when you can stay local for the Annual Valenti Thanksgiving Day Parade?

In addition to honoring American customs, there's also the chance to partake in international customs at the Diwali Celebration, or you can get a head start on the next holiday at Holiday Wreathmaking. And if entertainment is what your family craves, catch a dazzling performance by Mario the Magician.

These are just a few of our top picks for the weekend. Read on for the rest, and be sure to scan our Event Calendar for many more options to choose from—this weekend and beyond! The list grows daily, so check back often and sign up for our FREE weekly newsletters to stay in the know.

Thanksgiving should be more than just a kickoff to the holiday season. The fourth Thursday in November is a truly American celebration and perhaps the best time to introduce your kids to some of America’s history.

We've rounded up five weekend destinations to get the family into the Thanksgiving spirit by eating, playing or celebrating the way our forefathers did. From the shores of Massachusetts to a Colonial-era city in Virginia, here are some historic ways to experience a traditional Thanksgiving this holiday season.