Dallas

Monthly roundup

Things to do in Dallas with kids in November 2026

Updated Nov 3, 2026

5 upcoming family events this month.

Start here

Top picks

  1. Photo: Bibiscal / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

    1. Holiday at the Arboretum: The 12 Days of Christmas

    When
    Wed, Nov 11 – Sun, Jan 3 · Nov 11, 2026–Jan 3, 2027. Daytime 9 AM–4 PM; Holiday at Night 5–10 PM; Night Owl 8:30–10 PM. Closed during the day on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, but open those nights.
    Where
    Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden · East Dallas / White Rock
    Price
    Daytime: adults $21.95–$25.95, children 3–12 $17.95–$21.95, under 3 free. Holiday at Night: $35–$40 (under 3 free; walk-up +$4). Night Owl (8:30–10 PM): $15. "Holiday Cheer" $12 pricing on Nov 26, Dec 24, Dec 25, Dec 31 and Jan 1. Parking $15.
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

    "The 12 Days of Christmas: One Final Chorus" is the last season of the Arboretum's 12 Days gazebos. There's also a Christmas Village and the decorated DeGolyer House. Visit during the day, or at night when the lights are on.

  2. 2. Dallas Zoo Lights

    When
    Fri, Nov 13 – Sun, Jan 3 · Select nights Nov 13, 2026–Jan 3, 2027, 5:30–9 PM. Check the calendar for open nights.
    Where
    Dallas Zoo · Oak Cliff / South Dallas
    Price
    General admission from $19 (varies by date). Combo ticket (daytime zoo from 2:30 PM + Zoo Lights) costs $10 more. Parking $15, not included. Private igloos from $200.
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

    More than 2 million lights at the Dallas Zoo on select nights. There's Santa, a Holiday Maze and Destination: Dinosaurs. Most animals will be asleep. It runs rain or shine.

  3. 3. Little Adventurers at the Children's Adventure Garden

    When
    Tue, Nov 3 – Tue, Nov 17 · Mondays and Tuesdays through Nov 17, 2026, 10 AM–2 PM.
    Where
    Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden · East Dallas / White Rock
    Price
    Program price not posted; Arboretum daytime admission applies (children 3–12 $17.95 Mon–Thu; under 3 free; adults $21.95 Mon–Thu). Parking $15. Check the Arboretum site.
    Ages
    Babies–5 yrs

    Mondays and Tuesdays for kids 5 and under in the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden: KinderLabs, Mini-Movement, a Monday puppet show and Tuesday storytime with Dallas Public Library.

  4. 4. The Trains at NorthPark

    When
    Sat, Nov 14 – Sun, Jan 3 · Nov 14, 2026–Jan 3, 2027. Mon–Sat 9 AM–8 PM; Sun 12–6 PM. Opens 10 AM on Nov 14. Closes early on Thanksgiving Eve (6 PM), Christmas Eve (4 PM) and New Year's Eve (4 PM). Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
    Where
    Ronald McDonald House Dallas · North Dallas
    Price
    Adults $13; children $11; seniors $8; under 2 free.
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

    A miniature train exhibit with hundreds of trains on 1,600 feet of track, rolling past tiny cityscapes and landmarks from across America. It benefits Ronald McDonald House Dallas.

  5. 5. Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot

    When
    Thu, Nov 26 · Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov 26, 2026. Timed start 8:30 AM; untimed starts 8:30 or 9 AM. Diaper Dash heats run 8:30–11 AM.
    Where
    YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas · Downtown
    Price
    Prices rise as race day nears; current youth (7–12) price on Race Roster through Nov 9: $37 timed / $30 untimed, plus fees. Tots/toddlers (newborn–6): $18 plus fees. Diaper Dash $15. Family Zone free. Check the registration page for adult and current prices.
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

    The 59th annual Thanksgiving morning run/walk starts at Dallas City Hall, with a 5K or an 8-mile course, timed or untimed. Strollers are welcome on both courses. There's a free Family Zone with games and a giant-turkey photo op, plus a Diaper Dash for crawling babies.

All events in November 2026

Tuesday, Nov 3

Little Adventurers at the Children's Adventure Garden

When
Tue, Nov 3 – Tue, Nov 17 · Mondays and Tuesdays through Nov 17, 2026, 10 AM–2 PM.
Where
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden · East Dallas / White Rock
Price
Program price not posted; Arboretum daytime admission applies (children 3–12 $17.95 Mon–Thu; under 3 free; adults $21.95 Mon–Thu). Parking $15. Check the Arboretum site.
Ages
Babies–5 yrs

Mondays and Tuesdays for kids 5 and under in the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden: KinderLabs, Mini-Movement, a Monday puppet show and Tuesday storytime with Dallas Public Library.

Wednesday, Nov 11

Holiday at the Arboretum: The 12 Days of Christmas

When
Wed, Nov 11 – Sun, Jan 3 · Nov 11, 2026–Jan 3, 2027. Daytime 9 AM–4 PM; Holiday at Night 5–10 PM; Night Owl 8:30–10 PM. Closed during the day on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, but open those nights.
Where
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden · East Dallas / White Rock
Price
Daytime: adults $21.95–$25.95, children 3–12 $17.95–$21.95, under 3 free. Holiday at Night: $35–$40 (under 3 free; walk-up +$4). Night Owl (8:30–10 PM): $15. "Holiday Cheer" $12 pricing on Nov 26, Dec 24, Dec 25, Dec 31 and Jan 1. Parking $15.
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

"The 12 Days of Christmas: One Final Chorus" is the last season of the Arboretum's 12 Days gazebos. There's also a Christmas Village and the decorated DeGolyer House. Visit during the day, or at night when the lights are on.

Friday, Nov 13

Dallas Zoo Lights

When
Fri, Nov 13 – Sun, Jan 3 · Select nights Nov 13, 2026–Jan 3, 2027, 5:30–9 PM. Check the calendar for open nights.
Where
Dallas Zoo · Oak Cliff / South Dallas
Price
General admission from $19 (varies by date). Combo ticket (daytime zoo from 2:30 PM + Zoo Lights) costs $10 more. Parking $15, not included. Private igloos from $200.
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

More than 2 million lights at the Dallas Zoo on select nights. There's Santa, a Holiday Maze and Destination: Dinosaurs. Most animals will be asleep. It runs rain or shine.

Saturday, Nov 14

The Trains at NorthPark

When
Sat, Nov 14 – Sun, Jan 3 · Nov 14, 2026–Jan 3, 2027. Mon–Sat 9 AM–8 PM; Sun 12–6 PM. Opens 10 AM on Nov 14. Closes early on Thanksgiving Eve (6 PM), Christmas Eve (4 PM) and New Year's Eve (4 PM). Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Where
Ronald McDonald House Dallas · North Dallas
Price
Adults $13; children $11; seniors $8; under 2 free.
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

A miniature train exhibit with hundreds of trains on 1,600 feet of track, rolling past tiny cityscapes and landmarks from across America. It benefits Ronald McDonald House Dallas.

Thursday, Nov 26

Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot

When
Thu, Nov 26 · Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov 26, 2026. Timed start 8:30 AM; untimed starts 8:30 or 9 AM. Diaper Dash heats run 8:30–11 AM.
Where
YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas · Downtown
Price
Prices rise as race day nears; current youth (7–12) price on Race Roster through Nov 9: $37 timed / $30 untimed, plus fees. Tots/toddlers (newborn–6): $18 plus fees. Diaper Dash $15. Family Zone free. Check the registration page for adult and current prices.
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

The 59th annual Thanksgiving morning run/walk starts at Dallas City Hall, with a 5K or an 8-mile course, timed or untimed. Strollers are welcome on both courses. There's a free Family Zone with games and a giant-turkey photo op, plus a Diaper Dash for crawling babies.

FAQ

Questions parents ask

What are the best kids events in Dallas in November 2026?

Our top picks for November 2026: Holiday at the Arboretum: The 12 Days of Christmas, Dallas Zoo Lights, Little Adventurers at the Children's Adventure Garden, The Trains at NorthPark and Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot.

Which November 2026 events are free?

No free events are posted for November 2026 yet. See Free this weekend for free picks right now.

What's happening this weekend?

We list 4 family events for Nov 13–15, 2026. See them on This weekend.

Are there multi-week exhibits I can visit any day?

Yes. These run for more than a week: Little Adventurers at the Children's Adventure Garden (through Nov 17, 2026), Holiday at the Arboretum: The 12 Days of Christmas (through Jan 3, 2027), Dallas Zoo Lights (through Jan 3, 2027) and The Trains at NorthPark (through Jan 3, 2027). Check each listing for open days and hours.

How do I know event details are accurate?

Zippy Guide is the weekend list for Dallas parents: an independent, family-friendly guide to things to do in Dallas — story times, museums, parks, farmers markets, classes and open gym times. We gather details from organizers' public websites so you can plan your weekend in minutes. We're independent and not affiliated with the organizers listed. Times and prices change, so always verify before you go.