In between chowing down on pie and shopping through the wee hours of the morning, you'll need ideas for entertaining your kiddos and visiting family members this holiday weekend.

If the weather cooperates, Wild Winter Country will be a hot spot for cool fun, and many local Christmas tree farms will welcome families beginning this weekend. You can also pay a visit to Old Saint Nick, and gaze at the millions of holiday lights at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs.

Or, check out one of the following events around central Arkansas, including The Promenade at Chenal's Celebration of Lights and the opening weekend of "The Engine That Thought It Could" at the Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre.

Thanksgiving Day! Thursday, Nov. 28

Go!bbler Turkey Trot at Go! Running -- Before you feast on Thanksgiving lunch or dinner, tie up the laces on your running shoes and hit the pavement. A fun course through Hillcrest and the Heights covers road, track, trails and includes other surprises along the way. Santa will be on hand to help gather canned food donations for the Arkansas Foodbank. Last year’s event gathered over 1,000 pounds of food to feed hungry Arkansans. And there’s one more payoff for waking up early on the holiday -- pies will be rewarded to winners of surprise categories. Canned food donations requested. 8 a.m. For info: GoRunning.com. FREE!

Friday, Nov. 29

16th Annual Mountain Rendezvous at Petit Jean State Park -- Experience a primitive camp and learn some of the survival skills used by Arkansas pioneers. Watch a variety of demonstrations including muzzleloading rifles, tomahawk throwing, and more. Co-sponsored by the Early Arkansaw Reenactor Association. Contact the park for a schedule as the event draws near. For info: PetitJeanStatePark.com. FREE!

A Fertle Holiday at The Joint -- A Fertle Holiday is an original two-act comedy chronicling the Fertle Family's trouble-ridden reunion in the tiny town of Dumpster, Arkansas, as they attempt to entertain their rich relatives from San Diego. The Main Thing comedy trio brings the quirky family to life by portraying all the relatives and townspeople needed to create the illusion of a big, bustling Christmas get-together. Suitable for all ages. 8 p.m. Nov. 28 & 29. $20. For info: TheJointArgenta.com.

Green Friday at Mount Magazine State Park -- Spend the day after Thanksgiving at Mount Magazine State Park hiking, attending programs, or just relaxing. We’ll have green-themed programs about recycling and gardening, including "A Very Merry 'Green' Holiday" from 10-11 a.m. for info: MountMagazineStatePark.com. FREE!

Santa's Workshop at Firefly Studio -- Drop off your little elves (ages 7-12) at this pottery studio, so they may create two secret hand-painted gifts that will be wrapped and ready to pick up in 10 days. Little elves will be supervised and guided through an evening of creative holiday fun by Santa's best helpers. Cost includes dinner of pizza, veggies with ranch dip, cookies and beverages. Limited space available, and payment is required at the time of reservation. 5:30-8 p.m. $45, $35 for each additional sibling. For info: FireflyCreativeStudio.com.

"The Engine That Thought It Could" Opening Night at Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre -- It's up to Little Engine to save the day, and he'll take you on an exciting journey in this classic tale of determination. The Little Engine learns that hard work pays off, even when faced with adversity. "The Engine That Thought It Could" is written by Alan Keith Smith and is based on the 1906 story by Reverend Charles S. Wing. 7 p.m. Nov. 29, 2 p.m. Nov. 30 & Dec. 1. $12.50, members $10. For info: ArkansasArtsCenter.org.

Saturday, Nov. 30

A Fertle Holiday at The Joint -- See description on Nov. 29.

Caroling in the Caverns at Blanchard Springs Caverns -- Take a trip to Fifty Six, a quaint town in northwest Arkansas outside of Mountain View. Marvel at the beauty of astonishing formations coupled with the sounds of caroling resounding through the caverns as musicians perform your favorite old-time Christmas songs. Reservations required. Showtimes are 2:30 & 4:30 p.m., Sat. & Sun. Nov. 30-Dec. 22. $20, $27 with cave tour. For info, click here.

Celebration of Lights at The Promenade at Chenal -- The 6th Annual Celebration of Lights begins at noon with the Santa and Mrs. Claus parade led by Central High School Band members. Free visits and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be from noon-4:30 p.m. Bring your own camera to snap a free picture! Be sure to catch "A Seussified Christmas Carol" performed by Plays with a Purpose at 1:30 & 3:30 p.m. The lighting of the spectacular 26' tree is at 5 p.m.; the animated tree has even more lights added for for this year's holiday season. Tree lighting and display will continue through Dec. 31 each night at 6 p.m. Additionally, The Promenade Management Office will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for customer sign-up in the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways and to accept donations in support of Make-A-Wish MidSouth. For info: ChenalShopping.com. FREE!

Crafty Kids at CALS Main Library -- Craft activities for children the first, second, fourth and fifth Saturdays of November. 3 p.m. For info: CALS.org. FREE!

Fall Hayride & Campfire at Pinnacle Mountain State Park -- Jostle, bounce, and laugh your way across the fields and through the woods on a guided hayride with a warm campfire, stories, hot chocolate, and marshmallows. Advance payment is required. 3 p.m. $12, children ages 6-12 $6. For info: ArkansasStateParks.com/PinnacleMountain.

16th Annual Mountain Rendezvous at Petit Jean State Park -- See description on Nov. 29.

Storytime: The Elf on the Shelf at Barnes & Noble in West Little Rock -- Kick off your own Elf tradition by participating in themed activities and listening to the now-classic "The Elf on the Shelf" tale. 11 a.m. For info: BarnesAndNoble.com. FREE!

"The Engine That Thought It Could" at Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre -- See description on Nov. 29.

Sunday, Dec. 1

16th Annual Mountain Rendezvous at Petit Jean State Park -- See description on Nov. 29.

Caroling in the Caverns at Blanchard Springs Caverns -- See description on Nov. 30.

Fall Hayride & Campfire at Pinnacle Mountain State Park -- See description on Nov. 30.

Holiday Open House and Sweet Potato Pie Contest at Mosaic Templars Cultural Center -- This year's Holiday Open House will include holiday music, cookies, decorations, festive craft stations, and the Second Annual "Say it isn't Say's" sweet potato pie contest. 2-5 p.m. For info: MosaicTemplarsCenter.com. FREE!

North Little Rock Sertoma Club Christmas Parade in Downtown North Little Rock -- Grab your coat and get some holiday cheer. The parade will include bands, floats and an appearance from Santa. Parade will begin at Pershing and Main Streets, head south on Main and end in front of the City Services building. 2 p.m. For info: NorthLittleRock.org. FREE!

Storytime: Grinch Day at Barnes & Noble in West Little Rock and North Little Rock -- Since its debut in 1957, Dr. Seuss' book, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!," has been a perennial favorite. We'll celebrate all things Grinch with a special event that features a storytime and a plethora of activities to please even the Grinchiest. West Little Rock: 2-3 p.m. North Little Rock: 1:30-2:30 p.m. For info: BarnesAndNoble.com. FREE!

"The Engine That Thought It Could" Opening Night at Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre -- See description on Nov. 29.