Dickens on the Strand in Galveston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
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Disney Junior Play Zone at Katy Mills Mall. Photo courtesy of Simon Malls/Simon Property Group.
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Santa's Wonderland is a whole holiday lights extravaganza. Photo courtesy of Santa's Wonderland, A Texas Christmas Experience at College Station
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Beautiful neighborhood Christmas lights are all around Houston. Photo courtesy of the Franck's Christmas Light Show
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Bass Pro Shops Present Santa's Wonderland. Photo courtesy of the event.
27 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Houston for Kids
There are so many ways to see The Nutcracker in Houston this season. Photo courtesy of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
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It's time to get your annual picture with Santa, and we know just where to go. Photo courtesy of the Houston Galleria
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College Station is perhaps the closest Christmas town to Houston. Photo courtesy of Santa's Wonderland at College Station, Facebook
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Annual City of Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade! 2023 photo © Richard Carson
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See alligators in Beaumont, about 90 minutes from Houston. Photo courtesy of Gator Country Wildlife Adventure Park
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Christmas trains near Houston 2025. Photo courtesy of The Polar Express Train Ride at the Texas State Railroad
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With activities for all, Texas Ren Fest is the largest Renaissance-themed attraction in the county.
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Buffalo Bayou Park has trails, climbing structures, and skate park, slides, and more. Photo by Jessica Stautberg.
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Free alligator education at Brazos Bend State Park. Photo by Sarah Banks.
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Visit the Hall of Paleontology at the Museum of Natural Science. Photo courtesy of Visit Sugar Land.
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Help your Scout rack up the badges at these programs in Houston. Photo courtesy of Canva.
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Our favorite gymnastics gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Canva
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Palace Social has bowling and a restaurant in addition to arcade games. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
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The Mini classes at Goldfish Swim School are a great bonding experience for parent and child. Photo courtesy of the school
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Ready Go Amusement Arcade photo by author Elizabeth R.
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A crafting party at one of these venues or at home is the perfect celebration for a creative kid. Photo courtesy of Color Me Mine
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Our top picks for your Houston bar/bat mitzvah. Photo by Juliano ASTC, courtesy of Pexels.
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These Houston ice cream shops have the best treats for kids. Photo by Kelly Patino, courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
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Pick your own flowers at one of these Houston farms. Photo courtesy Summer Skye Gardens
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Go for a nature walk in on of Houston's huge parks. Photo by Anthony Rathbun, courtesy of the Houston Arboretum.
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Discovery Green hosts free events like Arte en el Parque, where kids learn Spanish while making art. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green
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Levy Park in Houston has one of our favorite playgrounds. Photo courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture
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NASA's Space Center is one of Houston's best science museums for kids. Photo by Pierce Ingram, courtesy of Travel Texas
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Firetruck Park in West University. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
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See animals up close at some of these farms near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
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Children's Museum Houston is free every Thursday evening. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum Houston
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Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
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City Park Skate Park near Houston. Photo courtesy of the Sugarland Texas Govt.
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Pleasure Pier in Galveston is a top attraction near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
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John P. McGovern's state-of-the art playground is perfect for both younger and older children. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green.
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Stop at Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo for some cool photos on your roadtrip to the Texas Panhandle.
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Baywatch Dolphin Tours are a fun, kid-friendly tour near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
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Make dining out with kids more fun at one of Houston's themed restaurants. Photo courtesy of Rock N Roll Sushi
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Houston's Walking Stick Brewing Company has plenty of outdoor space. Photo courtesy of the Walking Stick Brewing Company
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Urban Air has quite a few trampoline parks near Houston. Photo courtesy of Urban Air Adventure Park
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Batting cage photo courtesy of the Bellaire Bats
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Photo courtesy of Big Air in North Houston
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Houston has many kid-friendly museums, and not all are children's museums. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
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In winter, visit Luminations at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Photo by Ann Alva Weiding Photography, at bigredmuse.com.
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New to fishing? Try a Galveston fishing boat tour.
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The outdoor pool at the Moody Gardens Hotel, photo courtesy of Visit Galveston.
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One of our favorite petting zoos near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
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Make it an unforgettable family getaway from Houston by hiking Enchanted Rock. Photo courtesy Passport to Texas.
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Your little learner will love the variety of toddler classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
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Climb with your kids at one of these indoor rock climbing gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Texas Rock Gym
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Fishing at Sea Center in Freeport, TX. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
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20 Best Things To Do on Long Island with Kids November 2025, from Mommy Poppins Editors

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, known for an eclectic blend of acrobats, jugglers, and vaudeville acts, is coming to Stony Brook. Photo courtesy of the circus
Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, known for an eclectic blend of acrobats, jugglers, and vaudeville acts, is coming to Stony Brook. Photo courtesy of the circus
10/31/25 - By Jaime Sumersille

November brings plenty of wonderful things to do as Long Island gears up for holidays, from Veterans Day to Thanksgiving and full steam ahead to Christmas.

Holiday light shows illuminate Long Island this November. Cuddle up in the car and roll through the Jones Beach Magic of Lights Show in Wantagh. Or get out and wander Eisenhower Park in East Meadow on foot for the LuminoCity Festival.

Meanwhile, Disney fans can catch Disney on Ice Jump In at the UBS Arena in Elmont. And Sayville Falls is bringing back its walkthrough Holiday Light Show & Winter Garden this winter, where visitors can rent an igloo. And new at the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County's Holiday Light Show and Enchanted Forest, folks can upgrade to a Cozy Bungalow Package.

Read on for our expertly curated list of the best ways to pack your calendar this month on Long Island. 

More Great Things to Do with Kids in November on Long Island

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Mickey and friends skate into the UBS Arena for Disney on Ice. Photo courtesy of the event
Mickey and friends skate into the UBS Arena for Disney on Ice. Photo courtesy of the event

Top Things To Do on Long Island with Kids this November

Halloween Ghost Walk & Party at Raynham Hall Museum

Oyster Bay – FREE
Saturday, November 1, 2025
Raynham Hall hosts a Halloween Ghost Walk and Dance Party. This costumed parade through town welcomes everyone, including your costumed furry friends, to march. READ MORE

Spooky Science Weekend at the Cradle of Aviation Museum

Garden City
Saturday, November 1 - Sunday, November 2, 2025
Get ready for a weekend of spooky STEM fun at the Cradle of Aviation Museum! Families are invited to explore hands-on activities that mix science with just the right amount of Halloween magic. Kids are encouraged to come in costume and enjoy festive experiments, not-so-scary surprises, and plenty of educational excitement. READ MORE

The Great Pumpkin Smash at the Science Museum of Long Island

Plandome
Sunday, November 2, 2025
Why dispose of your pumpkins when you can smash them at the Science Museum of Long Island instead? From pumpkin slingshots and launchers to pumpkin bat smashing, cornhole bowling, and more, bring your own gourds for a grand old time.  READ MORE

STEM Fest at Bright Horizons

Various Locations
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Join Bright Horizons centers across the country for STEM Fest. This is your chance to see science, technology, engineering, and math in action with fun, hands-on activities for you and your child. READ MORE

LuminoCity Fantasy Winter Fairyland at Eisenhower Park

East Meadow
Opens Friday, November 7, 2025
Be amazed as towering sculptures illuminate the park, transforming it into an immersive, dazzling fairytale world and a starry holiday dream. READ MORE

Zoo Walkthrough in Patchogue

Patchogue – FREE
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Visit the Patchogue Parks and Recreation building for a fun day with the family at this walkthrough petting zoo. In addition to animals, visitors can peruse craft vendors and pick up a take-home craft to complete with kids at home.  READ MORE

Family Pickle Party at the Whaling Museum

Cold Spring Harbor
Sunday, November 9, 2025
Discover what's on the menu on a whaleship, including pickles! Taste pickle samples, decorate a jar, and make your own pickles to take home. Start your holidays early as you make Weihnachtsgurke, a traditional German pickle ornament. READ MORE

Fleece to Fiber at the Suffolk County Farm & Education Center

Yaphank
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Learn about the sheep and their wool at the Suffolk County Farm and then watch a representative from LI Yarn and Farm demonstrate the sheep shearing process. READ MORE

Disney on Ice Let's Dance at UBS Arena

Elmont
Wednesday, November 12-Sunday, November 16, 2025
Disney On Ice skates back into UBS Arena with a new show, Let's Dance! Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy have become DJ’s, remixing Disney tunes into colorful stories at this state-of-the-art ice show.   READ MORE

Christmas Animated Story at Hicks Nurseries

Westbury – FREE
Opens Sunday, November 16, 2025
Visiting the Christmas Children’s Story at Hicks Nurseries has been a family tradition on Long Island for generations. The walk-through Christmas story features Santa, his elves, and friends preparing for the holiday. READ MORE

Sweetheart Princess Tea Party at the Long Island Aquarium

Riverhead
Sunday, November 16, 2025
Bring your little prince or princess to the Long Island Aquarium for a royal tea party. Enjoy formal white glove tea service in the elegant Sea Star Ballroom, with finger sandwiches and sweets, then dance and sing with princesses and pose for pics. READ MORE

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus at the Staller Center for the Arts

Stony Brook
Sunday, November 16, 2025
Bindlestiff's unique approach to circus celebrates risk, creativity, and the joy of discovery. The mix of world-class skill and odd novelty acts will remind you what the circus is all about. READ MORE

BubbleMania at the Landmark on Main

Port Washington
Sunday, November 16, 2025
Get ready for an unforgettable experience with BubbleMania, a unique program that blends high-energy entertainment with stunning bubble artistry. Join Casey the BubbleMan for a mesmerizing performance full of visual comedy, quick wit, big band swing music, and the magical unpredictability of bubbles. READ MORE

Jones Beach Magic of Lights Drive-Thru Show

Jones Beach
Opens Friday, November 21, 2025
The Magic of Lights drive-thru spectacular returns to Jones Beach and Nassau County's South Shore this holiday season. The display is stacked with themed LED lighting displays and digital animations, plus plenty of returning favorites. READ MORE

Sayville Falls Holiday Light Show & Winter Garden

Sayville
Opens Friday, November 21, 2025
Sayville Falls uses thousands of lights to transform its mini-golf course into a holiday light show. Once you've enjoyed the walk-thru light show, visit the on-site Winter Garden or enjoy the comfort of a heated igloo. READ MORE

Patchogue Village Christmas Holiday Boat Parade

Patchogue – FREE
Sunday, November 23, 2025
Watch the decorated boats sail along the Patchogue River as they are decked out for this year's theme of Rock Star Christmas. There are many viewing spots along the riverfront. READ MORE

Polar Express Trolley Ride in Calverton

Calverton
Opens Friday, November 28, 2025
NOTE: Only single tickets remain on select dates/times. All aboard the North Shore trolley for a true seasonal treat: a one-hour trip to meet Santa on the North Fork of Long Island. Hot chocolate and delicious cookies are served at the North Pole, and passengers read along with the classic children’s book, The Polar Express. READ MORE

Girl Scouts of Suffolk County's Holiday Light Show and Enchanted Forest

Bayport
Opens Friday, November 28, 2025
See the sparkling lights up close as you walk through this trail in the woods filled with larger than life displays, some that were even designed by Girl Scouts. Take pictures at special photo spots, like the giant Christmas tree. Hang out in the Chill Zone and enjoy giant lawn games. Don't forget to visit Santa at his winter cabin for a group photo. READ MORE

Winter Wonderland in Wantagh

Wantagh – FREE
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Enjoy raffles, music, Irish step dancing, the Wantagh American Legion Pipe Band, a holiday lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa Claus. READ MORE

TMB Model Train Club Open House

Deer Park – FREE
Saturday, November 29-Sunday, November 30, 2025
Escape into a realm where imagination takes center stage at the TMB Model Train Club. Nestled in the heart of Dix Hills, visitors can embark on a captivating journey through its newly expanded 6,000-square-foot train room. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Jaime Sumersille
Jaime Sumersille, a mom of two boys in Bellmore, has been writing for Mommy Poppins for over a decade. She’s always exploring Long Island’s beaches, parks, and new attractions, and loves sharing those experiences on the site. Jaime enjoys adding her family’s perspective to Mommy Poppins’ mission.
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