November in Colorado Springs: Family Events, Skate Night, and the Turkey Trot

After Halloween, November tends to feel like a gap month — the holidays aren't quite here yet, the weather is getting cold, and the calendar looks emptier than it actually is. In Colorado Springs, November is genuinely full for families who know where to look. Here's what's confirmed for the month, with dates and prices so you can actually plan around it.

Turkey Trails Community Race — November 8

Turkey Trails is a community running event on Saturday, November 8. The kids' dash starts at 8:00 AM. It's a family-friendly event and a good warm-up to the bigger Thanksgiving week races.

If you have kids who enjoy running events or are working up to the Turkey Trot later in the month, Turkey Trails is a lower-stakes entry point. Check the race website for current registration information and course details.

28th Annual Turkey Trot — November 26

The Turkey Trot 5K and Kids' Tiny Trot are on November 26, the day before Thanksgiving. This year marks the 28th annual event, making it one of the most established Thanksgiving week traditions in the Colorado Springs area.

The Kids' Tiny Trot runs alongside the 5K and is designed for younger participants who want to be part of the event without the full 5K distance. Both events are popular and tend to fill up, so registration early in November is a better bet than waiting until the week of.

Kids' Reading and Craft Time — November 7

Wild Birds Unlimited in Colorado Springs is hosting a Kids' Reading and Craft Time on Friday, November 7 at 2:00 PM. The event features the book "Those Darn Squirrels!" and includes a craft activity.

If you're planning to attend the Veterans Day Parade Saturday morning, the reading event on Friday afternoon makes for a natural two-day downtown weekend. It's free and appropriate for elementary-age children.

Pikes Peak Library District Programs

Pikes Peak Library District branches run Baby Time and Toddler Time throughout November at no cost. Programs vary by branch and day — check PPLD.org for the current schedule at your nearest location. These programs are one of the most consistently available free activities for families with children under 3 in the Colorado Springs area.

Library programming is offered at all major PPLD branches, including East Library, Penrose Library, Sand Creek, and Fountain. The November schedule is posted on PPLD.org, typically one to two weeks in advance.

Putting It Together

November 7 and 8 are a natural family weekend: the Kids' Reading event Friday afternoon, the Veterans Day Parade Saturday morning, and Turkey Trails Saturday morning for families who want a race. Skate in the Park opens the following Thursday. The Turkey Trot closes out the month at the end of Thanksgiving week.

The best reason to put these on the calendar now rather than later is the ones that require registration. Turkey Trot registration fills up ahead of Thanksgiving, and Turkey Trails usually has better availability early in the month than late. Everything else — the parade, Skate in the Park, and library programs — is open-access, but knowing the dates helps with November planning.

Quick Reference: November Family Events

What's Next

COS Parenting will post reminders for each of these events as the dates approach. The Veterans Day Parade and Turkey Trails are both this coming weekend — see our parade guide for the route, road closures, and parking details.