Turkey might be the main course, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade the centerpiece, but the final weekend of November is when New York City families shift into holiday hyperdrive, thanks to all the kid-friendly seasonal events.

Macy's Santaland opens, and the Dyker Heights Christmas lights begin to twinkle. Catch the opening days of the annual holiday train show at the New York Botanical Garden. On Saturday, you can attend tree lightings in Park Slope, the Upper East Side, and Glendale, Queens, and, on Sunday, kids can meet Santa on a Flatbush Farm or take a ride on a throwback subway train.

For stuff to do on Thanksgiving Day itself, look no further than our guides to 10 things to do on Thanksgiving with NYC kids and 22 Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend to keep those visitors entertained. And of course, we also have the full 411 on Santa Claus brunches, teas, and cruises, plus neighborhood Christmas Tree lightings. This is also the weekend that cut your own Christmas tree farms traditionally open, and of course holiday shows are popping up all over, including George Balanchine's The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol.

For more Christmas-season fun in New York City, see our guides to holiday train shows, Nutcracker performances, and 21 holiday activities every NYC kid should experience once. And get a head start on your holiday planning with the Mommy Poppins event calendar, and our action-packed holiday fun guide.

From all of us at Mommy Poppins, have a happy Thanksgiving!