Things to do with kids in Cottonwood & the Verde Valley, AZ (November 2026)
Updated · Listings last checked · Covers next 30 days (from Nov 11) plus places open most days · Past events drop off automatically
Search all events & places in and around Cottonwood & the Verde Valley on the main search page →Every event and place we know of, matched to your kids' ages and this weekend's forecast.
Quick answer: Seasonal events in Cottonwood & the Verde Valley: Holiday Hoedown at Blazin' M Ranch (Nov 27 – Dec 30), Cottonwood Christmas Parade — Old Town (Sat, Dec 5, free) and Old Town Tree Lighting — Cottonwood (Sat, Dec 5). Also this weekend (Nov 13–15): Walkin' on Main — Old Town Cottonwood (Sat, free) and Living History Day at Fort Verde (Sat). We list 5 family events in the next 30 days, including 3 seasonal events, plus 8 kid-friendly places (0 free, 1 indoor).
The Verde Valley, between Prescott and Sedona, packs a lot of family history into a short drive: cliff dwellings at Montezuma Castle, the hilltop pueblo at Tuzigoot, the 1870s Army fort in Camp Verde and the old mining town of Jerome. Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Dead Horse Ranch State Park on the Verde River and the Verde Canyon Railroad's depot in Clarkdale round it out. We cover Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Jerome and Camp Verde on one page because each town alone has only a few listings.
Everything below is in Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Jerome or Camp Verde (by mailing address; Montezuma Castle is just north of Camp Verde) and was checked on the official website. Events in the next 30 days are listed first, then places that are open most days. For nearby towns too, use the search below, which starts at the 86326 zip code.
- Free: 2 free events in the next 30 days.
- Indoors: Cottonwood Public Library.
- Toddlers and babies: 5 places welcome kids under 2.
- Verified prices for 6 attractions, copied from official sites.
Bookmark this page — we update events in Cottonwood & the Verde Valley every week.
Seasonal events in Cottonwood & the Verde Valley
Holiday Hoedown at Blazin' M Ranch
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Wed, Dec 30
- Schedule
- Select nights; check dates on the ranch's site
- Hours
- Starts 5pm
- Cost
- Kids 3–12 $63.55, teens 13–19 $68.85, adults $84.75; VIP seats and family 4-packs also sold
- Age
- 3 and up
- Setting
- Indoor + outdoor
A Christmas train ride past holiday lights with a stop to hand-feed Highland cows and petting-zoo animals, a visit with Santa, a Western BBQ dinner and a holiday comedy-music show.
✓ Dates checked Nov 8, 2026
Cottonwood Christmas Parade — Old Town
- When
- Sat, Dec 5
- Hours
- 11am–2pm
- Cost
- Free
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
The 72nd annual parade (theme: Christmas Traditions; Grand Marshal Lori and Dan Mabery) leaves the Verde Valley Fairgrounds, goes east on Cherry Street and down Main Street into Old Town, ending at N Cactus Street.
✓ Dates checked Nov 5, 2026
Old Town Tree Lighting — Cottonwood
- When
- Sat, Dec 5
- Hours
- 5:30pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
The Old Town tree lighting and light show with Christmas music, on the evening of the Old Town Chocolate Walk (a separate ticketed event, 3–7pm) and the same day as the morning Christmas Parade.
✓ Dates checked Nov 8, 2026
Other upcoming events in Cottonwood & the Verde Valley
Living History Day at Fort Verde
- When
- Sat, Nov 14
- Hours
- 10am–3pm
- Cost
- Included with park admission (adults $10, youth 7–13 $5, 6 and under free)
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
Fort Verde Interpretive Association volunteers show what a soldier's life at the 1870s fort was like.
✓ Dates checked Nov 11, 2026
Walkin' on Main — Old Town Cottonwood
- When
- Sat, Nov 14
- Hours
- Live music 11am–5pm
- Cost
- Free
- Age
- All ages
- Setting
- Outdoor
The City of Cottonwood's 20th annual free, family-friendly street celebration: art exhibits and live sidewalk art, a classic car show, retail vendors and live music along Old Town's Main Street.
✓ Dates checked Nov 11, 2026
Cold & rainy days: indoor places
Cottonwood Public Library
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, Sat 9am–2pm, closed Sun
✓ Details checked Nov 2, 2026 on the official website
Parks and outdoor & indoor-outdoor places
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
- Price
- $10 per vehicle (1 person), $20 per vehicle (2–4 people), $5 per individual or bicycle
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
675 Dead Horse Ranch Rd. State park on the Verde River with fishing lagoons and trails; fall and winter day use 7am–6pm
✓ Price verified Nov 2, 2026 · source
Tuzigoot National Monument
- Price
- $10 per adult (16+), children 15 and under free (same 7-day pass as Montezuma Castle)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Hilltop pueblo above the Verde River with short trails and a marsh trail; very little shade, so bring water and hats
✓ Price verified Nov 2, 2026 · source
Out of Africa Wildlife Park
- Price
- Adult $42.95 · Child $27.95 (child 3–12)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
3505 W SR-260. Wildlife park with the African Bush Safari tour, Tiger Splash show and a tram shuttle (included); open daily 9:30am–5pm (admission closes 4pm), closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
✓ Price verified Nov 2, 2026 · source
Jerome State Historic Park
- Price
- Adults (14+) $10, youth (7–13) $5, children 6 and under free
- Best for
- Ages 4–17+ (our guidance)
100 Douglas Rd. The 1916 Douglas Mansion, now a mining-history museum with a 3-D model of the town and its mines; open daily 9am–4:30pm
✓ Price verified Nov 2, 2026 · source
Montezuma Castle National Monument
- Price
- $10 per adult (16+), children 15 and under free; the pass also covers Tuzigoot for 7 days
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
2800 Montezuma Castle Rd, just north of Camp Verde. Cliff dwelling seen from a short loop trail by Beaver Creek
✓ Price verified Nov 2, 2026 · source
Fort Verde State Historic Park
- Price
- Adults (14+) $10, youth (7–13) $5, children 6 and under free
- Best for
- Ages 4–17+ (our guidance)
125 E Hollamon St. 1870s Army fort with three furnished historic houses and a visitor center; open daily 9am–4:30pm
✓ Price verified Nov 2, 2026 · source
Verde Canyon Railroad
- Price
- $$$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
300 N Broadway. Scenic train rides through the Verde Canyon from the Clarkdale depot, plus the Magical Christmas Journey holiday train in season (tickets on the railroad's site)
✓ Details checked Nov 2, 2026 on the official website
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Cottonwood & the Verde Valley this weekend?
This weekend (Nov 13–15) we list 2 family events in Cottonwood & the Verde Valley, 1 free: Walkin' on Main — Old Town Cottonwood (Sat, free) and Living History Day at Fort Verde (Sat).
What are free things to do with kids in Cottonwood & the Verde Valley?
In Cottonwood & the Verde Valley we list 2 free events in the next 30 days, including Walkin' on Main — Old Town Cottonwood (Sat, Nov 14, free) and Cottonwood Christmas Parade — Old Town (Sat, Dec 5, free).
What can kids do indoors in Cottonwood & the Verde Valley when it's cold or raining?
Cottonwood Public Library is the indoor place we list in Cottonwood & the Verde Valley.
Where can kids see Santa in Cottonwood & the Verde Valley?
We list 1 event with Santa in Cottonwood & the Verde Valley in the next 30 days: Holiday Hoedown at Blazin' M Ranch (Nov 27 – Dec 30).
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Cottonwood & the Verde Valley?
We list 1 holiday light event in Cottonwood & the Verde Valley in the next 30 days: Old Town Tree Lighting — Cottonwood (Sat, Dec 5).
What is there to do with toddlers and babies in Cottonwood & the Verde Valley?
In Cottonwood & the Verde Valley we list 5 places that welcome kids under 2, including Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Tuzigoot National Monument and Out of Africa Wildlife Park. See all 5 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
How much do Cottonwood & the Verde Valley family attractions cost?
Verified prices for 6 attractions in Cottonwood & the Verde Valley: Dead Horse Ranch State Park ($10 per vehicle, 1 person, $20 per vehicle, 2–4 people, $5 per individual or bicycle). See all 6 above. Copied from official websites; confirm before you go.
Search all events & places in and around Cottonwood & the Verde Valley on the main search page →Every event and place we know of, matched to your kids' ages and this weekend's forecast.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website or calendar and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site. Price levels without a source are our estimates. Read how we verify listings.
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