November Holidays for Kids 2026: A Fun Idea for Every Day!
Halloween candy is still rattling around in the pantry, and suddenly the calendar flips to November. Thanksgiving gets all the attention, but it is only one day. What about the other 29?
That is where this guide comes in. We put together a fun idea for every single day of November 2026, mixing quirky national days and real November holidays with easy activities at home and family outings around Los Angeles. Some ideas take five minutes. Others are worth putting on the family calendar right now.
Use it as a daily boredom buster, an after-school idea list, or a planning tool for long weekends. You do not have to do all 30. Just pick the days that make your crew smile.
November Holidays 2026 at a Glance
Here are the big November holidays and LA dates to know before you start planning. We double-checked every 2026 date below with official sources.
Sunday, Nov. 1: Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. (clocks fall back one hour), and Día de los Muertos begins
Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day in California
Sunday, Nov. 8: Diwali
Wednesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day (LAUSD schools are closed)
Friday, Nov. 13: Holidays at the Disneyland Resort begin
Friday, Nov. 20: L.A. Zoo Lights opens, and the LA Auto Show opens
Thursday, Nov. 26: Thanksgiving 🦃 🍭
Friday, Nov. 27: Native American Heritage Day (and Black Friday)
Sunday, Nov. 29: Hollywood Christmas Parade
School breaks vary across LA. LAUSD's instructional calendar marks Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26 and 27, as the Thanksgiving holiday, while many other LA-area districts are off the whole week of Nov. 23. Check our LAUSD 2026-2027 calendar guide and your own school's calendar before you book anything.
Week 1: November 1 to 7
November 1 (Sunday): Daylight Saving Time Ends + Pumpkin Smash Day
Clocks fall back one hour at 2 a.m., which means one glorious extra hour of sleep. In theory. Anyone with a toddler knows the body clock does not read the news, so plan an easy, low-key day.
It is also the day after Halloween, which makes it the perfect time to say goodbye to those slumping jack-o'-lanterns. Set up pumpkin bowling in the backyard with plastic bottles as pins, or let kids smash them (safely, with goggles) and toss the pieces in your green bin. Some LA groups, like the nonprofit LA Compost, have hosted community pumpkin smash events in past Novembers, so check their site for 2026 dates.
Parent tip: Shift bedtime by 10 to 15 minutes a night for a few days instead of all at once. Your future self will thank you.
November 2 (Monday): Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos is celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2, and it is one of the most beautiful traditions in Los Angeles. It is a joyful time to remember loved ones with ofrendas (home altars), marigolds, photos, and favorite foods.
At home, help kids build a small ofrenda with a photo of a grandparent or a beloved pet, then share one favorite story about them. Looking for a free family outing? See our guide to Forest Lawn Día de los Muertos 2026, with celebrations across Southern California. The L.A. Zoo's Beloved Pets Ofrenda is another sweet way to remember a family pet.
November 3 (Tuesday): Election Day + National Sandwich Day
California's general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. If you vote in person, bring the kids along so they can see how it works, or let them drop your mail ballot in the box. The California Secretary of State elections page has polling and ballot info.
Keep the democracy going at home with a family vote on dinner. Since it is also National Sandwich Day, let everyone campaign for their dream sandwich. Bonus points for the best speech.
November 4 (Wednesday): National Candy Day 🍭
Yes, there is a day for candy, and it lands right when the Halloween stash is overflowing. Turn it into a math lesson: sort candy by color, make a bar graph, or estimate how many pieces are in a jar before counting.
Then pick a few favorites to keep and set the rest aside. Many local dentists run candy buy-back programs in early November, so give yours a call. Also check out our Guide to LA's Must-Visit Candy Stores on this National Candy Day if you have a sweet tooth!
November 5 (Thursday): Start a Gratitude Jar
November is a month for giving thanks, so kick it off with a simple gratitude jar. Every night at dinner, each person writes one thing they are thankful for on a slip of paper and drops it in.
Read them all out loud on Thanksgiving. Fair warning: your 6-year-old's note that says "I am thankful for my mom's tacos" may make you cry into your pumpkin pie.
November 6 (Friday): National Nachos Day + a Drone Show
Celebrate National Nachos Day with a build-your-own nacho bar. Set out chips, beans, cheese, and toppings, and let kids design their own sheet-pan masterpiece.
Planning a big night out instead? The DroneArt Show: Space Chase lights up the sky at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia on Nov. 6 and 7. Read our DroneArt Show Space Chase family guide for times, tickets, and parking.
November 7 (Saturday): Bake Something With Leftover Pumpkin
Got leftover canned pumpkin or a pie pumpkin that never got carved? Spend Saturday morning making pumpkin muffins or pancakes together. Little kids can measure and stir, while big kids can handle the oven with you nearby.
Kitchen projects are sneaky learning time, too. Measuring cups teach fractions, and waiting for the timer teaches patience. (Mostly.)
Week 2: November 8 to 14
November 8 (Sunday): Diwali, the Festival of Lights
Diwali's main day falls on Sunday, Nov. 8, in 2026. Celebrated by Hindu, Sikh, and Jain families around the world, it marks the victory of light over darkness.
Make colorful rangoli designs on the driveway with sidewalk chalk, line the windowsill with battery-operated tea lights, and read a picture book about the holiday together. If your family celebrates, invite friends over to share sweets. If not, it is a wonderful way to learn about a tradition celebrated by many LA neighbors.
November 9 (Monday): Plan Your Holiday Lights Calendar
Holiday season sneaks up fast in LA, and popular light shows sell out on weekends. Spend 15 minutes tonight picking your must-dos and blocking dates on the calendar.
Start with our list of magical places to see holiday lights in Los Angeles. Then let the kids vote on which one goes first.
November 10 (Tuesday): Happy Birthday, Sesame Street
Sesame Street first aired on Nov. 10, 1969. Throw a mini birthday party for the neighborhood with a cookie for Cookie Monster (and you), an episode marathon, and a game of counting everything in sight, Count von Count style.
For older kids, talk about which characters they grew up with versus the ones you remember. You might be surprised how many are still around.
November 11 (Wednesday): Veterans Day + Origami Day
Veterans Day honors everyone who has served in the U.S. military. LAUSD schools are closed, so it is a good day to make thank-you cards for a veteran in your family or neighborhood, or to talk about what service means.
Nov. 11 is also Origami Day in Japan. Fold paper cranes, frogs, or fortune tellers together. Hang a string of cranes in the window as a little symbol of peace and thanks.
November 12 (Thursday): Get a Library Card
A library card is one of the best free things in LA. The Los Angeles Public Library offers cards to California residents, plus free e-books, audiobooks, storytimes, and museum passes at many branches.
Let kids pick a stack of books about November holidays, from Thanksgiving to Diwali. Then make a cozy reading fort at home.
November 13 (Friday): World Kindness Day + Disneyland Holidays Begin
World Kindness Day is all about small, good deeds. Challenge each family member to do three kind things today, like writing a note to a teacher, helping a sibling, or leaving a thank-you for your mail carrier.
It is also opening day for the holiday season at Disneyland. Here are the details:
Where: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, Anaheim
Dates: Nov. 13, 2026, through Jan. 6, 2027
Cost: Included with theme park admission (park reservations and tickets required)
Santa visits run Nov. 13 through Dec. 24, 2026. For planning tips, see our Christmas at Disneyland guide.
November 14 (Saturday): National Pickle Day
Pickle fans, this is your day. Make quick refrigerator pickles with cucumbers, vinegar, water, salt, and a little dill. They are ready in a few hours, which feels like forever to a 5-year-old but is lightning fast in pickle time.
Host a family taste test of dill, bread-and-butter, and spicy pickles. Rate them on a scale of one to five puckers.
Week 3: November 15 to 21
November 15 (Sunday): America Recycles Day
America Recycles Day is a good excuse to turn the recycling bin into a craft station. Cardboard tubes become binoculars, cereal boxes become puppet theaters, and egg cartons become caterpillars.
Then quiz the kids on what goes in which bin. LA Sanitation has a handy guide to blue, black, and green bins for City of LA residents. Spoiler: the greasy pizza box is a trick question.
November 16 (Monday): National Button Day
Raid the button jar. Younger kids can sort buttons by size, color, or number of holes, which is basically a free preschool lesson.
Older kids can glue buttons onto cardstock to make a fall tree or a turkey with a rainbow tail. Keep tiny buttons away from babies and toddlers who still put everything in their mouths.
November 17 (Tuesday): National Take a Hike Day + Homemade Bread Day
Two holidays, one perfect plan: bake a simple loaf of bread in the morning, then pack sandwiches for an afternoon hike. Cooler November days are some of the best hiking weather in Southern California.
Need a trail? Our guide to easy LA hikes for kids with gorgeous views has great picks. Remember that the sun sets around 5 p.m. after daylight saving time ends, so start early.
November 18 (Wednesday): Mickey Mouse's Birthday
Disney celebrates Mickey Mouse's birthday on Nov. 18, the day "Steamboat Willie" premiered in 1928. Watch the short together (it is now in the public domain, so it is easy to find), bake mouse-ear cupcakes, and whistle along.
If you are lucky enough to have a Disneyland trip planned this month, the parks will already be decked out for the holidays. Talk about a birthday party.
November 19 (Thursday): Family Board Game Night
When it gets dark early, board games win. Pull out a classic or try something new, and let the youngest player pick first.
Gearing up for Thanksgiving? Practice with our list of fun Thanksgiving games to play with your family, so you are ready to crush your cousins at dessert.
November 20 (Friday): Universal Children's Day + Zoo Lights Opens
Universal Children's Day, recognized by the United Nations, celebrates kids everywhere. Make it a "Yes Day" with kid-picked dinner, kid-picked music, and a kid-planned outing (within reason).
Our vote for that outing? L.A. Zoo Lights, which opens tonight with all-new lantern displays of birds, butterflies, marine creatures, and Ice Age giants.
Event: L.A. Zoo Lights
Where: Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Dates: Nov. 20, 2026, through Jan. 10, 2027
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Cost: Tickets start at $19
The zoo says the walk takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Plan around Thanksgiving week: Zoo Lights is closed Nov. 26 through 30, so go before or after the holiday rush.
Car-loving kids may prefer the LA Auto Show, which also opens Nov. 20 and runs through Nov. 29 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Check the LA Auto Show visitor info for hours and tickets.
November 21 (Saturday): National Adoption Day + World Hello Day
National Adoption Day is traditionally held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and Los Angeles County has been part of it from the start. It is a lovely day to talk with kids about the many ways families are made. Learn more at National Adoption Day.
Ready for a furry family member? LA Animal Services has dogs, cats, and rabbits looking for homes. It is also World Hello Day, so challenge kids to say hello in as many languages as they can. LA makes that one easy.
Week 4: November 22 to 28
November 22 (Sunday): Kick Off Nutcracker Season
Nutcracker season starts earlier than you think, and some performances open the weekend before Thanksgiving. Pick a show now before the best seats disappear.
Our roundup of Nutcracker ballet performances in and near Los Angeles covers big productions, tea parties, and budget-friendly community shows. Tonight, play the music at home and let the kids choreograph the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
November 23 (Monday): Fibonacci Day
Nov. 23 is written 11/23, the start of the famous Fibonacci sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3. Each number is the sum of the two before it.
Go on a spiral hunt for pinecones, sunflowers, and seashells, which often show this pattern in nature. It is math hiding in plain sight, and kids love spotting it.
November 24 (Tuesday): Make Thanksgiving Decorations
Time to deck the table. Handprint turkeys, paper-plate wreaths, and leaf garlands are easy, cheap, and adorable.
For step-by-step ideas, try our fun Thanksgiving crafts to make with your kids and these free Thanksgiving printables for kids. Place cards made by kids are always the hit of the table.
November 25 (Wednesday): Thanksgiving Eve Kitchen Crew
Give everyone a real job. Kids can wash veggies, tear bread for stuffing, roll pie dough, or set the table. When kids help make the meal, they are more likely to eat it. (We said more likely.)
Not cooking this year? No judgment. See our picks for the best places for Thanksgiving take-out dinner in Los Angeles, or check out our guide to hosting a kid-friendly Thanksgiving at home.
November 26 (Thursday): Thanksgiving 🦃
Happy Thanksgiving. Start the morning with a turkey trot or the parade on TV, open the gratitude jar at dinner, and leave room for pie.
Want to get out of the house? Our list of what is open on Thanksgiving Day in Los Angeles covers turkey trots and places open for family fun. The LA Auto Show is open on Thanksgiving Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Keep the giggles going with our Thanksgiving jokes for kids.
November 27 (Friday): Native American Heritage Day
November is Native American Heritage Month, and the Friday after Thanksgiving is Native American Heritage Day. Learn about the Tongva people, the original inhabitants of the Los Angeles Basin, and read books by Native authors together.
The Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park is a great place to explore Native history and art. It is also a calm alternative to Black Friday crowds. Skip the mall, take a family walk, and save your energy for leftovers.
November 28 (Saturday): Small Business Saturday
Shop local today. Visit a neighborhood toy store, an independent bookstore, or a farmers market, and let kids pick out a small gift for someone else.
It is a great way to talk about how money supports the businesses that make your community special. Grab a hot chocolate from a local cafe while you are at it.
Week 5: November 29 and 30
November 29 (Sunday): Hollywood Christmas Parade
Santa makes his big entrance on Hollywood Boulevard. The Hollywood Christmas Parade features floats, marching bands, giant balloons, and celebrity guests.
Event: Hollywood Christmas Parade
Where: Hollywood Boulevard, starting at Orange Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Date: Sunday, Nov. 29, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. (per the official Ticketmaster listing)
Cost: Grandstand seats sold through Ticketmaster; check the official site for viewing options
Expect road closures and big crowds. Arrive early, bring layers, and consider taking the Metro B Line to Hollywood/Highland or Hollywood/Vine instead of hunting for parking. Check the official site for the route map and road closures before you go.
November 30 (Monday): Get Ready for December
You made it. Spend the last day of November getting ready for the month ahead. Pull out the holiday decorations, write letters to Santa, or plan your Elf on the Shelf arrival.
Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, Dec. 4, so it is a good time to check out our list of Hanukkah celebrations and menorah lightings for LA families. And tomorrow, Dec. 1, is Giving Tuesday, a perfect chance to let kids pick a cause to support.
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Takeaway
November holidays give families a reason to celebrate almost every day, whether that means smashing pumpkins, lighting Diwali lamps, folding origami cranes, or cheering for Santa on Hollywood Boulevard. Mix simple at-home ideas with a few special LA outings, and the month feels full without feeling frantic.
Bookmark this page, pick your favorites, and save the rest for next year. And if you try any of these ideas, we would love to hear which ones your kids loved most.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the main November holidays in 2026?
The big ones are Día de los Muertos (Nov. 1 and 2), Election Day (Nov. 3), Diwali (Nov. 8), Veterans Day (Nov. 11), Thanksgiving (Nov. 26), and Native American Heritage Day (Nov. 27). Daylight saving time also ends on Sunday, Nov. 1.
2. When is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026. LAUSD's calendar marks Nov. 26 and 27 as the Thanksgiving holiday, and many other LA-area districts take the whole week of Nov. 23 off, so check your school's calendar.
3. What fun national days in November are good for kids?
Kid-favorite national days in November include National Sandwich Day (Nov. 3), National Candy Day (Nov. 4), National Nachos Day (Nov. 6), National Pickle Day (Nov. 14), National Button Day (Nov. 16), and National Take a Hike Day (Nov. 17). Mickey Mouse's birthday (Nov. 18) is a hit, too.
4. When does L.A. Zoo Lights open in 2026?
L.A. Zoo Lights runs Nov. 20, 2026, through Jan. 10, 2027, from 6 to 10 p.m., with tickets starting at $19. The event is closed Nov. 26 through 30, plus select dates in December and January, so check the zoo's website before you go.
5. When is the Hollywood Christmas Parade in 2026?
The Hollywood Christmas Parade is on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2026, the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The official Ticketmaster listing shows a 5:30 p.m. start. Grandstand seats are sold through Ticketmaster, and the official parade website has the route map, road closures, and viewing details.
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