Just as you're cleaning up the pumpkin and candy-filled mess left behind by Halloween, the holiday season comes and sneaks up on you. November marks the opening of ice skating rinks, the launch of volunteer opportunities and the arrival of Thanksgiving. When a simple trip to the playground won't do, keep your tot occupied with these 23 things to do with kids in November.
Oct 30-Dec 11
Spider Pavilion; Natural History Museum
Face your fears and observe approximately eight local and exotic species of spiders in an open, landscaped area where arachnids can wander freely.
Nov 2
Self Help Graphics & Art Día de los Muertos Celebration; Self Help Graphics & Art
Celebrate the Day of the Dead at the four-decade-old Boyle Heights tradition.
Nov 2-6, 11-13
TORUK – The First Flight; Citizens Business Bank Arena, Staples Center
See the CGI spectacle of Avatar translated to the acrobatic stage at Cirque du Soleil's latest touring production.
Nov 3-Jan 16
ICE at Santa Monica; Santa Monica
Bundle up and glide around an ice rink just blocks from the beach as the Santa Monica rink celebrates its 10th season.
Nov 5, 6
Festival of Flight; Long Beach Airport
Get up close and personal with some aircraft at this annual LGB open house.
Nov 10-17
AFI Fest; Hollywood
See future box office hits, as well as a family-friendly slate of programming, at the 30th annual free film fest.
Nov 10-Dec 23
Snow Los Angeles; Elysian Park
Explore nine acres of magical winter wonderland just minutes from Downtown.
Nov 10-Jan 16
Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square; Pershing Square
Skate around a warm-weather winter wonderland with the Downtown L.A. skyline as your backdrop at this seasonal ice rink.
Nov 12, 13
Autry Explorers: The Art of Nature; Autry Museum of the American West
Discover how natural materials create beautiful works of art and architecture at this Autry exploration event.
Nov 18-27
L.A. Auto Show; Los Angeles Convention Center
Tokyo drift into the Convention Center for a 10-day expo with cars that would even make 007 drool.
Nov 18-Jan 8
L.A. Zoo Lights; Los Angeles Zoo
Stroll through the Griffith Park zoo grounds as the festive tradition returns with even more lights.
Nov 20
Mariachi Festival; Mariachi Plaza
Step into Mariachi Plaza to be dazzled by this local musical tradition.
Nov 20
Outer Space Odyssey; Kidspace Children's Museum
Blast off in a mini rocket launching area and imagine what it would be like to play on Mars at this day of space-science exploration and play.
Nov 23-Jan 8
Chill; Queen Mary
Cozy up to the Queen Mary for a waterfront winter wonderland featuring ice-skating, tubing, sculptures and all sorts of other holiday performances and surprises aboard the Art Deco ocean liner.
Nov 24
Turkey Trot Los Angeles; Grand Park
Celebrate Thanksgiving with this catchall family-friendly event along Downtown's Spring Street.
Nov 24
Westside Thanksgiving; Veteran’s Association of Greater Los Angeles
Volunteer your time on Thanksgiving Day at this heartwarming community feast.
Nov 25-Jan 8
Enchanted: Forest of Light; Descanso Gardens
Stroll through the La Cañada Flintridge botanical garden as a one-mile stretch of its hillside property is transformed into 10 distinctly themed sparkly displays.
Nov 27
Hollywood Christmas Parade; Hollywood
Watch floats and bands make their way through Hollywood during this 84-year-old tradition.
Ongoing
Go apple picking; Oak Glen
Pluck delicious apples straight from the tree at these orchards on the edge of the desert.
Ongoing
Free museum days; Various locations
Make the most of free days at LACMA, the Natural History Museum and more, plus always-free museums like the Hammer, Getty and Broad.
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