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Among the best things to do in Boston with kids—enjoy Free Entrance Days in the National Parks this November! Photo by Philippe Put via Flicker (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Among the best things to do in Boston with kids—enjoy Free Entrance Days in the National Parks this November! Photo by Philippe Put via Flicker (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
10/29/23 - By N Ferreira

The best of November 2023 is here, as fall beauty transitions into holiday excitement. Thankfully, there are tons of terrific things to do in Boston with kids. Families can line up for the 2023 Boston Veterans Parade to honor those who have served. Kids can experience America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration in Plymouth or chow down at the New England Harvest Feast. The weather is ideal to enjoy free admission to National Parks or get outside for a Full Beaver Moon Hike in Dover. November brings Santa visits, with The Polar Express in Woonsocket, RI and The Train to Christmas Town on Cape Cod. And the city lights up for the holidays in Christopher Columbus Park and with the annual tree lighting in the Boston Commons.

Find more top things to do with our list of best fall activities and our Day Trip and Weekend Getaways Guide, and get a jump on tickets for some amazing Polar Express and Christmas Trains.

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar every day, so make sure to check it frequently. 

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Christmas trains and more holiday fun roll into Boston for November 2023! Photo courtesy of the Cape Cod Central Railroad
Christmas trains and more holiday fun roll into Boston for November 2023! Photo courtesy of the Cape Cod Central Railroad

Best of November: Top Things To Do in Boston with Kids

Snowbound Festival 2023

Boston—Friday, November 3-5, 2023
Free
The Snowbound Festival is a premium, multi-sensory, immersive experiences that serves as the official kick off for winter and is the ultimate destination for the latest products, legendary athletes, top resorts, film premiers, shopping, music, art, food, and the biggest brands. READ MORE

2023 Boston Veterans Parade

Boston—Saturday, November 4, 2023
Free
Honor the service and sacrifices of all who have served and those who continue to serve. Assemble at the corner of Charles Street and Boylston Street (Boston Common) and march to Government Center.  READ MORE

Scout Day

Charlestown—Sunday, November 5, 2023
Calling all Scouts! Head to the Charlestown Navy Yard for Scout Day–a special day of activities just for BSA Scouts and Girl Scouts. READ MORE

The Polar Express Train Ride - Blackstone Valley

Woonsocket, RI—Friday, November 10 - Monday, December 18, 2023
The Magic Returns this holiday season for a three-hour experience at the Blackstone Valley Polar Express. Hop on a 90-minute train ride to view the North Pole that’s filled with singing, games, a reading of the classic children’s story “The Polar Express”, and a visit from Santa. The Conductor will be there to punch your special golden ticket, and you’ll all enjoy hot chocolate and a cookie during your trip. Plus, every child will receive a silver bell – the first gift of Christmas. READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

National Public Lands—Saturday, November 11, 2023
Free
On select days throughout the year, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee. READ MORE

Kids Con New England

Concord, NH—Saturday, November 11, 2023
Kids Con New England is the largest comic con for kids. Inspiring art education, literacy, and creativity through family-friendly comics, children’s books, art, creative workshops, gaming, and fun activities! READ MORE

New England Harvest Feast

Plymouth—Saturdays in November, 2023
Take a savory journey into the past. An evening of entertainment and hospitality awaits guests to sit down to a 17th-century meal filled with the finest food that the season of plenty has to offer.  READ MORE

Tots in the Kitchen: Weekend Special

Dover—Sunday, November 12, 2023
Cooking is one of the most beneficial tasks a child can learn. At each session, children and parents will meet in the beautiful farm teaching kitchen to make simple recipes like muffins, scones, fresh farm snacks or cookies to take home. READ MORE

America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration

Plymouth—Friday, November 17 - 19, 2023
Free
For over 25 years, hundreds of thousands of people have traveled to the historic Plymouth Harbor and Waterfront to experience a celebration of Thanksgiving history with pilgrims, Native Americans, soldiers, and pioneers climbing out of the history books and onto the streets of Plymouth. READ MORE

Thanksgiving Model Train Show

Roslindale—Saturday, November 18-19, 2023
The Bay State Model Railroad Museum is hosting a holiday model train show. See operating model trains and trolleys in scales O, HO and N. READ MORE

Tally Ho! Amelia Peabody Memorial Hunt

Dover—Saturday, November 18, 2023
Free
Enjoy the pageantry of the centuries-old tradition of the sport of fox hunting, by watching the Norfolk Hunt as it rides through Powisset Farm and Noanet Woodlands. The foxhounds follow a drag scent (no live foxes participate) through woods and fields, followed by beautiful horses with riders dressed in traditional foxhunting attire.  READ MORE

2023 Trellis Lighting at Christopher Columbus Park

Boston—Monday, November 20, 2023
Free
Witness the wonder of the 21st annual holiday lighting of the signature trellis at Christopher Columbus Park in the North End. The historic waterfront will be transformed into a stunning holiday display when the park’s 260 feet of trellis are illuminated with 50,000 blue lights. READ MORE

2023 Boston's Official Holiday Tree Arrival

Boston—Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Free
The annual gift of an evergreen Christmas tree from Nova Scotia is arriving by police escort at Boston Common on Tuesday, November 21. READ MORE

Night Lights: Starry Skies at New England Botanic Garden

Boylston—Friday, November 24 - Sunday, December 31, 2023
Night Lights: Starry Skies will take visitors on a journey through the cosmos and back. Thousands of individual lights transform many of the botanic garden’s formal garden spaces and conservatories into starry spectacle.  READ MORE

The Train to Christmas Town on Cape Cod Central Railroad

Buzzards Bay, MA—Friday, November 24 - Thursday, December 21, 2023
Adventure comes to life when the train departs for a round-trip journey to the North Pole led by our merry-making cast.  Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a 1 to 1 ½ hour trip to meet Santa. READ MORE

2023 Lighting of the Ship in Martin’s Park

Boston—Saturday, November 25, 2023
Free
A special children’s celebration will be held at the Smith Family Waterfront with the third annual holiday lighting of the ship in Martin’s Park. Martin’s Park will be transformed into a magical holiday display when the ship, surrounding beach fencing, and pedestrian bridge are illuminated with over 1,500 feet of blue and white tube lights. READ MORE

Full Beaver Moon Hike at Powisset Farm

Dover—Saturday, November 26, 2023
Head to Powisset Farm for a special evening hike, illuminated by the Beaver Full Moon! During this unique hiking experience, guests will enjoy a tranquil evening walk under a full moon, or near-full moon as it waxes or wanes. A guide will lead the group along the farm trails taking in views of the night sky and share an informal discussion about the traditional significance of November’s Beaver Full Moon. READ MORE

2023 Lighting of Commonwealth Ave

Boston—Thursday, November 30, 2023
Free
Following the Boston Annual Tree Lighting, the city of Boston will light up the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Refreshments will be provided by The Newbury and include cookies and hot chocolate. READ MORE

Boston Common Tree Lighting 2023

Boston—Thursday, November 30, 2023
Free
It's the 82nd Annual Boston Common Tree Lighting! Hosted by Mayor Michelle Wu and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, marking the 52nd year that Nova Scotia has given a tree to the people of Boston as thanks for relief efforts following the explosion of a munitions ship on December 6, 1917. READ MORE

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