There's no denying it any longer. The holiday season has been starting up a little earlier each year, and this coming week boasts several events to get the whole family in the spirit already—yes, already! From a fun holiday musical to a ride on the Polar Express (pictured) to finding holiday craft fairs, you're covered. Even visits with Santa are ramping up, with Santa opening up shop at local malls this week. Keep your eye on the full Event Calendar for other exciting happenings as we march forward into the most festive weeks of the year.

For more options check out our jam-packed Event Calendar and our November Go List. Have a great week!

Mad Libs Live!, a zany family musical inspired by the popular fill-in-the-blank word game, opened in early November at Manhattan’s New World Stages.

When expecting my first child, I was told, "The days are long but the years are short." As my oldest son nears double digits, I realize how true that quote is. Thankfully, our Events Calendar can help make the days go quickly while savoring special moments with your kiddos.

This week offers many opportunities to create those memories. Visit a museum to foster a love for the arts. Munch on popcorn and watch a movie. Take a nature walk to discover the beauty of birds and trees. Or, cuddle up to read your favorite book from a local bookstore.

Keep reading for our top picks and be sure to sign up for our newsletters delivered straight to your inbox. Whether your days feel long or pass quickly, make them great ones!

Holiday festivities, academic enrichment and hands-on fun are all in store for Westchester families this week.

Stimulate your gray matter while fostering a love of reading at the Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School – Release Party or learn to optimize your college-admissions strategy at Amazing Extracurriculars. With Thanksgiving around the corner, it might seem a bit early for celebrations of the December holidays, but the Annual Tree Lighting Celebration—the first of the season—is packed with fun attractions (so just pretend it’s December).

Not ready to think Christmas? Not a problem: Our Event Calendar has plenty of alternatives to choose from and is loaded with options for every day of the week! Read on for our top weekday picks!

It's one of the most iconic symbols of our city, but have you ever hiked to the Hollywood sign? Sure, you can't get close enough to touch it, but you can hike to the top of Mt. Lee, reaching a vantage point above and behind it, and enjoy one of the most amazing views of the Griffith Observatory, Downtown LA, and Hollywood. The most kid-friendly route follows the wide, graded Hollyridge Trail to a paved road (closed to cars) up Mt. Lee. Roughly 3.5 miles round trip, it is not too much for most kids; there are generally plenty of preschoolers out on the trail. The entire hike follows fire roads and paved road, so even a stroller can make this trip—if you don't mind pushing it up about 800 feet of elevation gain, and controlling it on the way back down.

Hand-print turkeys, corn husk dolls, leaf collages and Thanksgiving Day parade floats—now is the time of year when kids begin making those adorable seasonal and decorative crafts.

Most young kids love making crafts, and it’s a great way to engage their imaginations, enhance their motor skills and get into the holiday spirit.

While you can make crafts at home and older children often create them at school, it’s fun to take your toddler or preschooler somewhere new for crafting projects. We’ve rounded up several craft destinations where toddlers can make Thanksgiving-related decorations. Read on for our favorites, and make sure to find lots of room in your home to showcase your tot’s handiwork.

This time of year can be wonderful and magical for kids and adults alike, but I often worry about my kids turning into little “gimme” trolls when the holidays come around. To help the whole family focus a little less on getting and a little more on giving this holiday season, take a look at these local opportunities. They are easy to incorporate into hectic schedules and perfect for teaching kids the joy of giving in a meaningful way. If you’d rather donate your time as a family, check out my post about volunteering with kids during the holidays.