Go Magazine - Family Events

Edaville will be having the Christmas Festival of Lights through Jan 3. For more information, check out the blurb below or click on the story to the right. (submitted photo).

Children's museums

Children's Museum in Easton, 9 Sullivan Ave., North Easton Village. 508-230-3789 or www.childrensmuseumineaston.org. Museum in Old Fire Station. Admission $6; members and children under 1 free. TRUCKS ON TUESDAY, every Tues., 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. weather permitting, through Nov. 17; WALK IN THE WILD PLACE, every Wed. 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.; ANIMAL HAPPENINGS, every Thurs., 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. FAMILY NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTIES, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4:30 to 7 p.m. Dancing, noisemakers, and mask making. $5 members, $10 non-members. Children under 1 free. Pizza and drinks available for purchase. 508-230-3789 or www.childrensmuseumineaston.org; KIDS' HOLIDAY SHOP, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 6, noon to 5 p.m., all gifts $2, can also make a gingerbread craft, museum admission is $3 this weekend, Museum is looking for gently used donations for this weekend.

Providence Children's Museum, 100 South St., Providence, 401-273-KIDS or www.childrenmuseum.org. Open through March, Tue. -Sun. and Mon. school holiday's, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., selected Fridays until 8 p.m. $7.50 general, free members. Free every Fri., 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Nov. 16. MECHANICAL MENAGERIE, through Jan.; POLAR EXPRESS, Nov. 20, 5 to 8 p.m., part of the Free at Five series, scenes from book will be performed at 6 p.m., for ages 3-11; SONGS AND STORIES WITH MOTHER NATURE, Nov. 28, 1 and 2 p.m., with Lindsay Adler, ages 3 to 11.

Holiday events

Santa photos at Emerald Square, through Dec. 24, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.-Sat., noon to 6 p.m. Sun., Macy's Home Court, Level 2, Emerald Square Mall, Route 1, North Attleboro.

Christmas Festival of Lights, through Jan. 3, 4 to 9 p.m. weekdays, 2 to 9 p.m. weekends, Edaville USA, off Rte. 58, Carver. Features 20-minute heated train ride through Cranberry Plantation, Santa Claus, Fireworks every Friday in Dec., amusement rides, apple cider and cocoa. Closed Christmas Day. Price includes unlimited amusement rides, train rides, and all attractions. $18 ages 2 and up. www.edaville.com or 508-866-8190.

Santa at Swansea Mall, Nov. 21, will arrive at Center Court as part of Mistletails holiday shows at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Photos beginning at noon, will continue through holiday season. www.visitswanseamall.com or 508-679-2543.

Polar Express, Nov. 22, departing from Ann & Hope Department stores, Cumberland, RI. Departure times are 10:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Includes a 90 minute train ride, hot chocolate and cookies, visit from Santa, holiday sing-a-long, reading of the polar express book, and special Christmas remembrance. $35, all seats, all ages. www.tourblackstone.com/polarexpress.htm.

5th Annual Tree Lighting, Dec. 1, 6 p.m., Seekonk Town Hall, 100 Peck St., Seekonk. Holiday music provided by Hurley Middle School Brass Ensemble. Santa and Mrs. Clause arrive by Fire Truck to meet all children. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Accepting donations for the Seekonk food pantry "Doorways." Needed: canned meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, pasta, sauce, rice, beans, soup peanut butter, cereal, mac and cheese. 508-336-9352.

12 Nights of Christmas, Dec. 3 through Dec. 20, Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge. Open daily from 9:30 to 5 p.m. $20 general, $18 seniors, $7 children 3-17, children under 3 free. osv.org or 800-733-1830.

Cookie Party Day, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mansfield True Value, 284 North Main St., Mansfield. Bring camera and take pictures of Santa with children. Bring your appetite and munch on all the cookies you want.

Breakfast with Santa, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to noon, Emerald Sq. Mall, Rte. 1, North Attleboro. Includes visit by Santa. Kids can write letter to Santa and make reindeer food. There will also be a special breakfast and story time with Snata, crafts, games, and prizes with Radio Disney. Kidgits members receive free cookie plate. Non Kidgits members can sign up to join event and receive a free T-shirt. www.simon.com/kidgits

Enchanted Village tour, Dec. 6, 9 to 11 a.m., Jordan's Furniture, Avon. To benefit the Jimmy Fund. $25 general, $15 children 11 and younger, includes food and appearances by holiday characters. www.jimmyfund.org.

Zoos

Capron Park Zoo, 201 County St., Attleboro, 774-203-1840, www.capronparkzoo.com. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (final ticket, 4 p.m.), Attleboro residents $2.75/adult, $2.75/child (age 3-12), $2.75/senior; non-residents, $5.50/adult, $3.75/child (age 3-12), $3.75/senior; under 3 free. SPLASHPAD PLAYSPACE, now open.

Winslow Farms Animal Sanctuary, 37 Eddy St., Norton. 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, closed Tuesdays. Petting farm for abused and abandoned animals. 508-285-6451 or www.winslowfarm.com.

World War I Memorial Park and Zoo, 401 Elmwood St., North Attleboro.

Roger Williams Park Zoo, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. $12/adults, $8/seniors, $6/children 3-12, Free/children under 3, members. 401-785-3510 or rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org. CHARITY COAT DRIVE, Nov. 21, 22, collecting new or gently used coats to donate to those in need; SANTA'S ARRIVAL AND HOLIDAY PARADE, Nov. 28, 9:15 a.m., animals receive gifts from 10 a.m. to noon; VISIT WITH SANTA, Nov. 28, 29, Dev. 5, 6, 12, 13, can take part in breakfast with Santa or cookies with Santa, both have fee;

Buttonwood Park Zoo, 425 Hawthorn St., New Bedford. $6/adults, $4.50/seniors and teens, $3/children 3-12. 508-991-6178 or www.bpzoo.org. Toe Jam Puppet Band every Mon. 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., $5 above zoo admission.

Davis Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill Rd., Sterling. Best for families with children up to age 8. www.davisfarmland.com or 978-422-6666.

Franklin Park Zoo, weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends and holidays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston. Times through March 31. Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. 617-541-LION or www.zoonewengland.com. $14 adults, $11 seniors, $8 children 2-12; Children under 2, free.

Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through March 31. 617-989-3760 or stonezoo.org. $11 adults, $9 seniors 62 +, $7 children 2-12, children under 2 free. ZOO LIGHTS, Nov. 26-Dec. 30, closed Dec. 25, photos with Santa available through Dec. 23.

Special events

Harry Potter: The Exhibition, through Feb. 21, Museum of Science, Boston. Experience displays inspired by Hogwarts and see craftsmanship behind the costumes and props. Only New England venue to host exhibit. $26 adults, $24 seniors 60 and over, $23 children ages 3-11, $5 members. mos.org or 617-723-2500.

Thanksgiving at Sturbridge, Nov. 26-29, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge. Features Native American foods, traditions, hearth cooking, a musket shooting match, and more. Free admission for children through Nov. 30. osv.org or 800-733-1830.

Stephanie Duckworth Elliott Book Signing, Nov. 27, 1 to 3 p.m., Mashantucket Pequot Museum, Foxwoods Casino, Conn. Elliottt so sign copies of her book "Poneasequa, Goddess of the Waters," for grades 4-7. About fifth grader McKenzie Jobes and her journey of self-discovery. During first hour Thawn and Eleanor Harris entertain families with music and storytelling. Free.

Disney on Ice Finding Nemo, Dec. 26 to Dec. 30, Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence. There will be 10 performances. $15 to $60. ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

Kids Day, every Wednesday, 11 a.m., The Hall at Patriot Place, Foxboro. The Hall's staff will engage preschool-aged children in age-appropriate activities. Stories, projects, singing, and dancing.

Kids Club Storytime, every Tuesday, CBS Scene, Patriot Place, Foxboro. Special guest reader tells at story at 11 a.m. on first floor of restaurant with appearances by favorite characters. Short movie will follow, geared for children ages 2 to 6, but everyone welcome. Free. www.patriot-place.com.

Plimoth Plantation, 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth. Open through November, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week. Some parts open later, closer earlier. $28 adults, $18 children 6-12, $26 seniors 62 and over with ID, $110 Plimoth Pass, good for 2 adults and up to 4 children. plimoth.org.