Thanksgiving Fun: 13 ideas to get you and the family out of the house this Thanksgiving break

Santa is ready for pictures. And, by Thanksgiving weekend, he'll be at all of the big malls across the region. Our list of Santa at the mall has the details.

The region's major light shows will all be open for the season by Thanksgiving weekend. That includes Lake Myra Christmas in downtown Wendell, Hill Ridge Farms' Festival of Lights in Youngsville and Lights on the Neuse in Clayton. The Chinese Lantern Festival at Cary's Booth Amphitheatre also opens for the season on Thanksgiving weekend. Our round up of 11 spectacular light shows across the region and the state has more information.

Marbles Kids Museum's IMAX theater in downtown Raleigh will offer daily screenings of "The Polar Express 3D" from Nov. 21 to Nov. 26 and Dec. 1 and Dec. 2. Tickets are $11 for adults and $9 for kids under age 12 and seniors 60 and up.

If you're up for the drive, head over to Spencer, N.C., about two hours from Raleigh, to actually "ride" the Polar Express at the N.C. Transportation Museum. Tickets are limited for Thanksgiving weekend, but, at last check, there were still some available. They cost between $32 and $38.

In downtown Raleigh, the N.C. Museum of History's World War I exhibit has broken several records. Check out this immersive and free exhibit that offers something for all ages. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving, but otherwise open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays and Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m., Sundays.

N.C. Symphony has some holiday favorites. On Nov. 21, the symphony's family-friendly Merry Elf concert features music from The Polar Express and Frozen, along with a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. A Holiday Pops concert is on Nov. 23. The concerts take place at the Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh.

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical" starts its month-long run at the Duke Energy Center in Raleigh on Nov. 23. This live show is becoming a tradition for many families and is fantastic for younger kids. It's very faithful to the TV classic. Tickets start at $15.

Take a road trip down to Fayetteville for its annual A Dickens Holiday, which runs from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Nov. 23. Think hot cider, warm gingerbread, visits with Father Christmas, carriage rides and a candlelight procession.

The Museum of Life and Science will host Catch Em All from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 25. Hang out at the Durham museum for a full day of Pokemon hunting. The museum will offer up some special Pokemon-themed programming throughout the day. It's free with admission, which is $20 for adults; $18 for seniors; $15 for kids ages 3 to 12.

If Black Friday isn't your thing, but you'd still like to check off some items on your shopping list, check out The Christmas Carousel, an annual Thanksgiving weekend holiday gift market, at the NC State Fairgrounds. Tickets are between $5 and $9. Kids 5 and under are free. The event runs Nov. 23 to Nov. 25 and includes visits with Santa. Or, check out some local shops, which are offering deals and more as part of Small Business Saturday, which is Nov. 25.

... inside a planetarium. Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill will host a full slate of star shows and free Science Live! sessions from Nov. 23 to Nov. 25. Planetarium shows are $8.25 for adults and $7.25 for kids.

If it's cold and rainy, head to one of the dozens of indoor playgrounds and fun centers across the region. Find them all on our indoor playground list.

And if it's beautiful outside, take a drive to a new park. We list 10 that are worth the drive. Or ... take a hike. Here are some family-friendly excursions in and around Raleigh and the Triangle.