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Family Events and Deadlines This Week

Researched with AI (Miles Rowan) · sources linked and dated · How we check

Holiday events, ticket lotteries and booking deadlines that matter to families, by city. Each item was read on the organizer's official page; the check date is on every card.

How we check: every date, price and booking rule below comes from the official page linked on its card, on the date shown. Family notes are our planning suggestions, not firsthand experience.

Items leave this page automatically after their last date. Times, prices and availability change: confirm on the official page before you go or book.

Coming up first:

By city: Chicago (1) San Antonio (1) San Diego (1) NYC (2) Orlando (3) Washington DC (2) Boston (3) London, UK (2)

A cast-iron bridge among trees in Central Park, New York City.
Central Park, New York City. Photo: Jet Lowe / National Park Service, public domain via Wikimedia Commons. Resized and cropped.

Chicago

Event

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo: four free Monday nights with a reservation

When
Friday, November 20, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027, 4:30 to 9 p.m.; last entry 8 p.m. No ZooLights on Thanksgiving (November 26), Tuesdays December 1, 8 and 15, or December 24 and 25.
Cost
Fixed-date tickets USD 7 to USD 12 per person bought in advance, by date; USD 20 bought on the day or for a flexible ticket. Free on Mondays November 23 and 30 and December 7 and 14 with a reservation.
Booking
Everyone needs a ticket, including children and infants. Free Monday tickets are released one week ahead at 11 a.m. CT.
Family note
Because infants need a ticket too, count every child when booking a free Monday.

Official page, checked October 28, 2026: Lincoln Park Zoo ZooLights page. Listed here until January 3, 2027.

Planning the trip itself? Chicago: things to do with kids

San Antonio

Event

Ford Holiday River Parade and river lighting, the day after Thanksgiving

When
Friday, November 27, 2026, 6 p.m., starting at the Tobin Center. Live broadcast at 7:05 p.m. from the Arneson River Theatre.
Cost
A free viewing area is available. Seat tickets are sold online; the event page does not show their price, and tickets are non-refundable.
Booking
Free viewing is first come, first served on the east side of the River Walk between Pecan Street and Richmond Avenue; bring your own chair.
Family note
Theme: "Holiday Wishes Come True". Bring chairs and arrive early for the free area.

Official page, checked October 28, 2026: San Antonio River Walk event page. Listed here until November 27, 2026.

Planning the trip itself? San Antonio: things to do with kids

San Diego

Event

Balboa Park December Nights: the city's free holiday festival

When
Friday, December 4, 2026, 4 to 10 p.m., and Saturday, December 5, 2026, noon to 10 p.m., Balboa Park.
Cost
Free.
Booking
No ticket. The city warns of a fake online account asking for payment; it never asks for payment by Zelle or other person-to-person apps.
Family note
The Saturday noon start is the easier day with young children.

Official page, checked October 28, 2026: City of San Diego December Nights page. Listed here until December 5, 2026.

Planning the trip itself? San Diego: things to do with kids

Las Vegas

No verified dated items for Las Vegas right now.

Planning the trip itself? Las Vegas: things to do with kids

New York City

Event

Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden: two sensory-friendly mornings

When
November 14, 2026 to January 10, 2027 in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, with more trains in an outdoor display, per NYBG's event page. On select evenings (Nov 27–29; Dec 5, 11, 12, 18–20, 26–30; Jan 2) the Conservatory stays open until 8 p.m., last entry 7:15 p.m.
Cost
Prices not shown on the event page; the page says the show is included in the All-Garden Pass. Check NYBG's tickets page for current prices.
Booking
The event page links to NYBG's tickets page; it does not say whether advance or timed tickets are required for non-members.
Family note
Sensory-friendly mornings on Saturday, November 21, 2026 and Saturday, January 9, 2027, 9 to 11 a.m., with a ticket (the page says the All-Garden Pass is included with it): trains and waterfalls stay on, videos and music are off, with a quiet space and an alternate exit. No age guidance or stroller rules are given.

Official page, checked October 29, 2026: New York Botanical Garden event page. Listed here until January 10, 2027.

Event

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights: Children's Zoo Farmyard opens for the lights, new for 2026

When
Select dates from November 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Check the zoo's tickets page for available dates and times.
Cost
Admission price not shown on the event page; see the tickets page. The Holiday Train is USD 4 (USD 3 for members).
Booking
Tickets are required and must be reserved in advance.
Family note
New for 2026: the Children's Zoo Farmyard opens during Holiday Lights, and a 2-in-1 ticket lets you arrive at 1 p.m. to see animals before the lights.

Official page, checked October 28, 2026: Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights page. Listed here until January 3, 2027.

Planning the trip itself? NYC: things to do with kids

Orlando

Event

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party: 25 nights at Magic Kingdom

When
Select nights November 8 to December 22, 2026: November 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 24, 25, 27 and 29; December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20 and 22. The party runs 7 p.m. to midnight; ticket holders may enter Magic Kingdom from 4 p.m.
Cost
USD 189 to USD 229 per ticket plus tax, by date. Children ages 3 to 9 pay USD 10 less per ticket.
Booking
Separate event ticket. Disney says tickets are limited and may not be available on the day of the event or earlier.
Family note
A late night for young children: the party ends at midnight. Check remaining nights on Disney's ticket page.

Official page, checked October 28, 2026: Walt Disney World event page. Listed here until December 22, 2026.

Event

Holidays at Universal Orlando: included in theme park admission

When
November 14 to January 3 at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Epic Universe. Universal gives the dates without a year; we read them as November 14, 2026 to January 3, 2027.
Cost
Included in theme park admission, per Universal’s events guide; it names no separate holiday ticket. Check the current day-ticket price with Universal.
Booking
No separate event ticket. The holiday entry in Universal’s events guide lists no extras or prices, so any paid add-ons are not covered here.
Family note
It comes with a day ticket rather than a separate evening party ticket. Show times were not published on the guide; check the park schedule before planning around nap or bed times.

Official page, checked October 29, 2026: Universal Orlando events guide (Discover Universal, revised September 23, 2026). Listed here until January 3, 2027.

Event

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

When
November 27 to December 30, 2026 at EPCOT, per Disney's festival page. Disney's holidays page says the Candlelight Processional is performed at America Gardens Theatre during the festival; no show times are given yet.
Cost
Not stated on Disney's festival pages: they give no prices and do not say what park admission covers. Check Disney's EPCOT ticket and festival pages before you go.
Booking
Disney's festival pages mention no event ticket or reservation; the festival page says “Check back soon for more information!”
Family note
Disney's “Fun for All Ages” section lists Santa Claus photo visits, Goofy as Santa and Olaf's Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt; no age guidance is given.

Official page, checked October 29, 2026: Walt Disney World festival page. Listed here until December 30, 2026.

Planning the trip itself? Orlando: things to do with kids

Washington, DC

Event

National Christmas Tree Lighting: free ticket lottery closes November 4

When
Lottery open from October 28 at 10 a.m. ET until Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 3 p.m. ET. Winners are notified Thursday, November 12, 2026. The ceremony is December 3, 2026 on the Ellipse.
Cost
Free to enter and free tickets.
Booking
Enter online on the Recreation.gov ticket page for the ceremony. Each winner may receive up to five tickets; entering does not guarantee tickets.
Family note
Up to five tickets per winner covers many families. The release gives no start time and no age rules for children.

Official page, checked October 28, 2026: National Park Service release, October 19, 2026. Listed here until November 4, 2026.

Event

Smithsonian ZooLights: USD 10 tickets, free for kids 2 and under

When
Select evenings from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027: Nov 20-22, Nov 27-29, Dec 4-6, Dec 11-13, Dec 18-23, Dec 26-30 and Jan 2-3 (December 16 is adults-only). Monday to Saturday 5-9 p.m. (last entry 8:30 p.m.), Sunday 5-8 p.m. (last entry 7:30 p.m.), rain or shine.
Cost
USD 10 per person; everyone age 3 and older needs a ticket and children 2 and younger are free. Event parking is USD 30 per vehicle in advance or USD 40 on the day, subject to availability.
Booking
Tickets can be bought online in advance, and the zoo encourages buying early because capacity is limited. December 8 and 9 are Member Nights, with free entry tickets reserved in advance by zoo members.
Family note
Indoor animal exhibits are closed on ZooLights nights, and the zoo closes to everyone at 4 p.m. and reopens at 5 p.m. for ticket holders. Woodley Park-Zoo and Cleveland Park Metro stations are within walking distance.

Official page, checked October 28, 2026: Smithsonian National Zoo ZooLights news release (October 8, 2026). Listed here until January 3, 2027.

Planning the trip itself? Washington DC: family hotels

Boston

Event

Boston's holiday tree arrives from Nova Scotia on Boston Common

When
Tuesday, November 24, 2026, 11 a.m. to noon, Boston Common (139 Tremont Street). The tree arrives by police escort at about 11 a.m.
Cost
Free.
Booking
The city's listing names no tickets or registration.
Family note
Listed as family friendly. A short daytime event that suits children too young for the evening lighting.

Official page, checked October 28, 2026: City of Boston event listing. Listed here until November 24, 2026.

Event

Copley Square tree lighting with Santa, Rudolph and crafts

When
Monday, November 30, 2026, 5 to 6 p.m., Copley Square (560 Boylston Street), with the grand reopening of the renovated square.
Cost
Free.
Booking
The city's listing names no tickets or registration.
Family note
Arts and crafts, Santa and Rudolph, and the Boston Children's Chorus. Afterward, cookies and photos with Santa at the Fairmont Copley Plaza at 6 p.m.

Official page, checked October 28, 2026: City of Boston event listing. Listed here until November 30, 2026.

Event

Boston Common Tree Lighting, then the Commonwealth Avenue Mall lights

When
Thursday, December 3, 2026, 6 to 8 p.m., Boston Common by the Visitor Information Center (139 Tremont Street). The Commonwealth Avenue Mall lights are scheduled to go on at about 8:15 p.m.
Cost
Free.
Booking
The city's listing names no tickets or registration.
Family note
Listed as family friendly. The page does not describe children's activities.

Official page, checked October 28, 2026: City of Boston event listing. Listed here until December 3, 2026.

Planning the trip itself? Boston: family hotels

London

Event

Hogwarts in the Snow, Warner Bros. Studio Tour: new festive Foley session

When
November 14, 2026 to January 17, 2027, at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.
Cost
Ticket prices are not shown on the event page; all Hogwarts in the Snow extras are included in the Studio Tour ticket price.
Booking
Tickets must be booked in advance.
Family note
Original Harry Potter film sets are dressed for the season, and new for 2026 a Backlot Stage session shows how festive sound effects were made with Foley. Check child ticket rules and transport on the Studio Tour site before booking.

Official page, checked October 28, 2026: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London Hogwarts in the Snow page. Listed here until January 17, 2027.

Event

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland: every visitor needs a booked entry slot

When
Every day from Thursday, November 19, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027, except Christmas Day. Most days 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., some days open at 11 a.m., noon or 2 p.m.; last entry 9:30 p.m.
Cost
Off-Peak entry slots are free but must still be booked. Standard and Peak slots are paid; check the current price on the official ticket site.
Booking
Pre-book a date and an hourly arrival slot for everyone, including children ("whether you're 2 or 92"). Advance prices apply until 23:59 the day before.
Family note
The final day, January 3, 2027, is billed as a Family Fun Day; details were not yet published.

Official page, checked October 28, 2026: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland tickets guide. Listed here until January 3, 2027.

Planning the trip itself? London, UK: family hotels and apartments

Cancun

No verified dated items for Cancun right now.

Planning the trip itself? Cancun: family resorts

Puerto Vallarta

No verified dated items for Puerto Vallarta right now.

Planning the trip itself? Puerto Vallarta: family resorts