November brings loads of things to do in the Garden State as New Jersey gears up for holidays that include Veterans Day and Thanksgiving—and then it's full steam ahead to the holiday season!

If you're hoping for a mellow month following Halloween's sugar high, that's just not going to happen! Holiday performances take the stage this busy month, like Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical and A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage. Plus, holiday lights illuminate the season at favorite holiday light shows like the PNC Arts Center Magic of Lights, Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms, and the new 2024 LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival: Wonder Journey

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.  

November brings plenty of things to do in NYC as we gear up for holidays from Veterans Day to Thanksgiving and full steam ahead to Christmas. Don’t miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in NYC this month.

November ushers in the holiday season in NYC and now's the time to book tickets to our most anticipated holiday events. We're counting down the days to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Balloon Inflation and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade at the month's end. But, there's plenty of fun for city kids before those giant balloons take flight.

Families can check out the annual Canstruction exhibition at Brookfield Place or run away to the Big Apple Circus. Sparkling holiday light shows brighten the evening sky, including the brand-new Tianyu Lights Festival at Citi Field.

These are just a few of our favorite things to do in New York City this November—we're adding more events to the New York City Family Event Calendar every day.

November brings plenty of things to do in Los Angeles as we gear up for holidays from Veterans Day to Thanksgiving and full steam ahead to Christmas. Don’t miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Los Angeles this month. 

It's a good thing that November starts with an extra hour of sleep. With our LA calendar jam-packed with fun things to do, that extra hour will be much very much needed. Step into a favorite childhood toy at the immersive Lite-Brite Worlds of Wonder in Santa Monica. The Natural History Museum's new wing opens with a day-long celebration. You'll find NHM Commons at the intersection of science, nature, and culture, with new outside and inside spaces, free experiences, and a green-boned dinosaur named Gnatalie. And the countdown to the holidays begins with tree lightings, holiday trains, and twinkling lights! 

For more fun things to do in Los Angeles this November, see what's open in LA on Thanksgiving, start planning those holiday outings with the best holiday activities and Christmas events for kids, and prepare for more than just a turkey with our Thanksgiving Activities Guide for Families. 

'Tis the season for Polar Express train rides in San Francisco! Here in Northern California, it's not a secret that we have an impressive amount of kid-friendly train rides. Whether you're looking for steam trains with history or smaller trains for tiny tots with their eyes all aglow, the Bay Area has Polar Express train rides aplenty. 

Festive train rides bring the Polar Express story to life, little ones can give their Christmas lists to Santa, and the holiday decor and train cars dressed up in lights will help enhance the magic of the holiday season. Some Polar Express train rides on this list go beyond the Bay Area and extend to the northeast (we're looking at you, Sacramento). Keep reading below for the best Polar Express train rides near San Francisco, and book them early, as they sell out quickly! 

Have a holly jolly holiday with the top holiday and Christmas activities in San Francisco, find more festive fun on the best day trips from San Francisco, and celebrate the most magical time of the year with the help of our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for San Francisco Bay Area Kids. 

These Polar Express train rides near NYC bring the magic of Chris Van Allsburg’s popular Christmas picture book, The Polar Express, to life each winter. We've found festive Polar Express train rides, Christmas trains, and holiday trolleys all within a whistle's blow of the New York City metro area.

A huge hit with kids and parents alike, these Christmas trains near New York City spark the imagination and holiday spirit with seasonal snacks, stories, and even gifts—not to mention a visit from Santa himself. You can even find a North Pole Express bus right in the heart of Manhattan.

No matter which Polar Express train ride you choose, your family can combine your outing with an annual Santa Claus photo-op and bring home the lasting memories of a holiday adventure.

These Christmas train rides sell out quickly, often months in advance, so book now if you want to go. Find more regional Polar Express and Christmas train rides in our roundup of New Jersey Christmas trains and Philadelphia Polar Express rides, plus plenty more local seasonal offerings in our Christmas Guide.