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Thanksgiving weekend is a time to gather with loved ones and give thanks for all the blessings in life. For those looking to make the most of the long weekend, there are plenty of activities to enjoy. From traditional Thanksgiving feasts to outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone.
This post is all about: 50+ Things You Will Love To Do on Thanksgiving Weekend
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For those who love the outdoors, Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to explore nature. Hiking trails, national parks, and nature reserves offer breathtaking views and a chance to connect with nature. Families can also enjoy camping, fishing, and other outdoor activities together. For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, there are plenty of indoor activities such as museums, art galleries, and theaters to explore.
In addition to outdoor and indoor activities, Thanksgiving weekend is also a time for delicious food and drink. Many restaurants offer special Thanksgiving menus, and there are plenty of cooking classes and food festivals to enjoy. Families can also take part in traditional Thanksgiving activities such as baking pies, roasting turkeys, and making stuffing. Whatever your interests, there are plenty of things to do during Thanksgiving weekend.
Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful, but it can also be a time for fun and relaxation. Whether you want to spend time with family and friends or enjoy some alone time, there are plenty of things to do on Thanksgiving. Here are 50+ Ideas That You Will Love to Do on Thanksgiving Weekend.
Thanksgiving Activities for Adults
If you’re looking for something to do on Thanksgiving that’s just for adults, there are plenty of options. Here are a few ideas:
- Thanksgiving Dinner Party: Host a Thanksgiving dinner party with friends and family. Make it a potluck for everyone to contribute their favorite dishes.
- Wine or Whiskey Tasting: Organize a wine or whiskey-tasting evening with a selection of fine beverages.
- Thanksgiving Cooking Challenge: Challenge your friends to a cooking competition with a Thanksgiving-themed dish, and let a panel of judges decide the winner.
- Football Game: Organize or participate in a friendly game of touch football with friends.
- Thanksgiving Craft Night: Have a craft night where you create Thanksgiving-themed decorations or crafts for fall decor ideas.
- Friendsgiving: Host a Friendsgiving celebration for your close friends who can’t be with their families.
- Gratitude Circle: Sit in a circle and take turns sharing what you’re thankful for this year.
- Thanksgiving Movie Marathon: Watch classic Thanksgiving movies like “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” or “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.”
- Karaoke Night: Sing your heart out with a Thanksgiving-themed karaoke night.
- Thanksgiving Trivia: Test your knowledge with a Thanksgiving-themed trivia game.
- Outdoor Adventure: Go for a scenic hike, bike ride, or nature walk to enjoy the fall foliage.
- Cooking Class: Take a cooking class to learn how to prepare a special Thanksgiving dish.
- Potluck Game Night: Combine a potluck dinner with board games or card games for a fun evening.
- Volunteer Together: Spend time volunteering at a local shelter, food bank, or community event.
- Themed Cocktail Party: Create Thanksgiving-inspired cocktails and appetizers for a festive cocktail party.
- Share Family Stories: Encourage guests to share their favorite Thanksgiving memories or family stories.
- Pie Tasting: Have a pie-tasting contest with different types of homemade pies.
- Outdoor Bonfire: Gather around an outdoor bonfire and share stories and s’mores.
- Thanksgiving Puzzle Challenge: Work on a challenging Thanksgiving-themed jigsaw puzzle as a group.
- Board Game Night: Play board games or card games, and make it a tournament with prizes for the winners.
What to Do on Thanksgiving Without Family
If you’re spending Thanksgiving alone or away from family, there are still plenty of things to do. Here are a few ideas:
- Host Friendsgiving: Invite friends who are also not with their families to your home for a Thanksgiving meal or potluck.
- Volunteer: Give back to the community by volunteering at a local shelter, soup kitchen, or food bank.
- Attend a Community Dinner: Many communities host Thanksgiving dinners for those who are alone on the holiday. Check local listings.
- Explore a New Tradition: Try something new, like cooking a different cuisine or starting a unique Thanksgiving tradition.
- Travel: Use the opportunity to take a solo trip or visit a destination you’ve always wanted to explore.
- Cook a Special Meal for Yourself: Treat yourself to your favorite dishes, or try new recipes you’ve been wanting to experiment with.
- Relax and Self-Care: Have a self-care day with a spa treatment, meditation, or your favorite hobbies.
- Movie or TV Marathon: Binge-watch your favorite movies or TV series.
- Read a Book: Get lost in a good book that you’ve been wanting to read.
- Exercise: Go for a long hike, run, or practice yoga to stay active and clear your mind.
- Attend a Local Event: Check for local events, parades, or festivals happening in your area.
- Visit a Museum or Art Gallery: Spend the day exploring culture and art.
- Learn Something New: Enroll in an online course or workshop to acquire a new skill or hobby.
- Foster a Pet: Consider fostering a pet from a local animal shelter for some companionship.
- Connect Virtually: Video call or chat with family and friends who are far away.
- Host a Virtual Thanksgiving: Arrange a virtual Thanksgiving gathering with family and friends through video conferencing.
Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend Near Me
If you’re looking for things to do close to home, there are plenty of options. Here are a few ideas:
- Visit a museum: Spend the day learning something new at a local museum.
- Go ice skating: Many cities have outdoor ice skating rinks that open on Thanksgiving weekend.
- Attend a craft fair: Get a head start on your holiday shopping at a local craft fair.
- See a movie: Catch up on the latest blockbusters at a local movie theater.
- Take a day trip: Explore a nearby town or city for a change of scenery.
Things to Do on Thanksgiving Night
If you’re still looking for things to do after dinner, here are a few ideas:
- Watch a Thanksgiving Movie: Choose a classic Thanksgiving-themed movie or a new release and have a cozy movie night.
- Thanksgiving Dessert Buffet: Set up a dessert buffet with a variety of sweet treats for everyone to enjoy.
- Board Games: Play board games or card games with family and friends to keep the fun going.
- Thanksgiving Leftovers Party: Create new dishes using Thanksgiving leftovers and invite friends over for a leftovers party.
- Stargazing: If the weather is clear, go stargazing and enjoy the night sky.
- Bonfire: If you have a backyard or a safe outdoor space, have a bonfire and roast marshmallows for s’mores.
- Dance Party: Crank up the music and have a dance party in your living room.
- Light a Candle: Light a candle and take a moment to reflect on gratitude.
- DIY Crafts: Work on DIY Thanksgiving crafts or start a holiday-themed craft project.
- Write Thank-You Notes: Write thank-you notes to express your appreciation to those who have made your year special
Top 10 Things to Do on Thanksgiving
If you’re looking for the ultimate Thanksgiving experience, here are the top 10 things to do:
- Host a Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends.
- Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
- Play a game of touch football.
- Take a family photo.
- Make a Thanksgiving craft.
- Go for a walk after dinner.
- Watch a movie or binge-watch a TV show.
- Have a pie-eating contest.
- Volunteer at a local shelter or food bank.
- Take a nap after all the festivities.
What Do You Do with Family for Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together and celebrate. If you’re wondering what to do with your family for Thanksgiving, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Thanksgiving Table Settings
One of the most important parts of Thanksgiving is the meal. To make the meal even more special, consider creating a beautiful table setting. You can use fall-themed decorations, such as pumpkins, leaves, and candles, to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Adding a table runner or placemats can also help tie everything together.
Thanksgiving Appetizers
Before the main meal, it’s always nice to have some appetizers to snack on. There are plenty of Thanksgiving-themed appetizers you can make, such as deviled eggs with a sprinkle of paprika to look like a turkey or a cheese board with fall fruits and nuts. You can also make classic appetizers like spinach and artichoke dip or buffalo chicken dip.
Thanksgiving Crafts
If you have kids in your family, Thanksgiving is a great time to do some crafts together. You can make turkey handprints, leaf rubbings, or even create a thankful tree where everyone writes what they’re thankful for on paper leaves and adds them to the tree.
Thanksgiving Activities for Students
If you have college students in your family who are home for the holiday, there are plenty of activities you can do together. You can go for a hike, play board games, or even take a cooking class together. If the weather is nice, you can also have a game of touch football in the backyard.
Overall, there are plenty of things you can do with your family for Thanksgiving. Whether you’re creating a beautiful table setting, making Thanksgiving-themed appetizers, doing crafts with kids, or enjoying outdoor activities, the most important thing is to spend time together and celebrate the holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some fun Thanksgiving activities for college students?
College students can participate in fun Thanksgiving activities such as hosting a potluck dinner, organizing a Friendsgiving party, volunteering at a local soup kitchen, or participating in a Turkey Trot race.
What are some Thanksgiving activities for kids and preschoolers?
Kids and preschoolers can enjoy Thanksgiving activities such as making handprint turkeys, creating Thanksgiving-themed crafts, participating in a Thanksgiving parade, or playing Thanksgiving-themed games such as Pin the Feather on the Turkey.
What are some places to go for Thanksgiving?
Some popular places to go for Thanksgiving include New York City to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Washington D.C. to visit the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation or visit family and friends in different parts of the country.
How can you entertain adults on Thanksgiving?
Adults can be entertained on Thanksgiving by playing board games, watching football, hosting a wine-tasting party, or creating a DIY photo booth for guests to take pictures in.
What are some activities to do on Thanksgiving?
Some activities to do on Thanksgiving include cooking and enjoying a traditional Thanksgiving meal, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, playing games with family and friends, or going for a walk to enjoy the fall foliage.
What can you do for Thanksgiving if you don’t have friends or family?
If you don’t have friends or family to spend Thanksgiving with, you can volunteer at a local soup kitchen or food bank, participate in a Turkey Trot race, or attend a community Thanksgiving dinner.
This post was all about: 50+ Things You Will Love To Do on Thanksgiving Weekend