14 Best Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend
Stuffed full of food but itching to still get out during Thanksgiving weekend? Thanksgiving weekend is the kickoff to the holidays.
Stuffed full of food but itching to still get out during Thanksgiving weekend? Thanksgiving weekend is the kickoff to the holidays.
No longer is there any shame for listening to holiday music too early or having your decorations up since November 1. It’s your time now. Celebrate and bask in it. Here are the 14 best things to do Thanksgiving weekend.
1. Participate in Memphis’ Original Turkey Trot
Before you get too full, get a burn in and eat all those calories guilt free. The Memphis Turkey Trot starts at 9 a.m. at Shelby Farms Park. Choose between a four-mile run or the two-mile relay.
2. Be the first to see Deck the Diamond at AutoZone Park
The Memphis Redbirds are transforming AutoZone Park into a massive holiday display featuring 190 structures, an ice skating rink, a huge Christmas tree, and more. Sip on some festive drinks or enjoy s’mores on a stick. Deck the Diamond opens on Friday, Nov. 24.
3. Go Out Thanksgiving Night
If the coach isn’t calling your name, your favorite bars are. For some, Thanksgiving night is an opportunity to get out whether it’s to see old friends in town or if you just have had too much family time (no judgment). Many local bars have made it a tradition to be open. Here’s what bars are open Thanksgiving night.
4. Drive through Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park
The perfect holiday tradition for those who are too full to even think about walking around. Load up in the car with some hot cocoa and hit Shelby Farms Park Starry Nights – the park’s largest fundraiser. Starry Nights brings the spirit of the season to life with dazzling displays featuring millions of lights.
5. Hit a Holiday Market
Shop and support local at a holiday market this season. Thanksgiving weekend has three markets happening for Small Business Saturday: Yule Holiday Market, Made in Memphis, and Marketplace in Motion. In addition to those one-day markets, there are many ongoing markets to check out. More info.
6. Give Back by Volunteering
Kick off the spirit of giving on Thanksgiving weekend. Volunteer Odyssey is always in need of volunteers and each month they give us ten ideas to love Memphis through volunteering. Volunteer at a holiday event like Holiday Wonders or Starry Nights Thanksgiving weekend. More volunteer opportunities here.
7. Hit an Adult-Only Holiday Show with Who’s Holiday at The Circuit Playhouse
Leave the kids at home for this holiday show. In Who’s Holiday! Cindy Lou Who is all grown up but she’s no longer an innocent little girl. She’s got a lot more tricks up her sleeves in this adult comedy guaranteed to have you laughing all night long.
8. Get Hallmark Vibes at Collierville’s Town Square
Why watch a Hallmark movie at home when you can live it? Experience the magic and beauty of Collierville Town Square during the holiday season with festive events and a quarter-million holiday lights in the historic district. Santa will be at Gazebo on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with music performances to get you into the holiday spirit.
9. Walk Off the Thanksgiving Feast at Holiday Wonders at Botanic Garden
The Memphis Botanic Garden is a beautiful sight during the annual Holiday Wonders. It opens for the holiday season on Friday, Nov. 24. Take in the towering Christmas tree during your journey through the garden and enjoy festive drinks. New this year is festive photo-ops, increased character engagements, and food trucks on-site on weekends.
10. See Broadway’s SIX at The Orpheum Theatre
Broadway productions hit different during the holidays in the beautiful Orpheum Theatre. This Thanksgiving, we’re lucky enough to have the hit Broadway musical SIX here. From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power.
11. Lace up Your Skates and Walking Shoes at Zoo Lights
Get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of the holiday season as Truist Zoo Lights returns to Memphis Zoo. With mesmerizing light displays, beloved classics, and exciting new additions, this is the place to be for a merry and bright holiday experience. Don’t forget to grab a photo in the iconic Light Tunnel before hitting the ice rink.
12. Spend an Evening in the Peabody Grand Lobby
The Historic Peabody Hotel is all elegance for the holidays. The Grand Lobby is decorated with the largest tree that can fit inside with 20,000 twinking lights. It feels magical to sit in the space with holiday music playing while enjoying one of their cocktails. Please note that the tree lighting ceremony Thanksgiving night is for hotel guests only.
13. Dine or Drink at a Holiday Pop-Up Bar
There are a few bars and restaurants transforming their spaces with festive decor. Miracle at The Liquor Store is always an annual favorite that serves holiday cocktails in a festive setting. The Lounge on Main, located above IBIS, is back with a holiday theme with cocktails to match. Magnolia & May is turning into Magnolia & Mistletoe. Enjoy a coffee at JoJo’s Espresso which is coming off their Harry Potter themed decor in the holiday spirit.
14. Be Awed at Cirque Dreams Holidaze at Landers Center
Be dazzled with a brilliant and whimsical family holiday spectacular. This annual tradition wraps a Broadway-style production around an infusion of contemporary circus arts. As lights dim and the music swells, audiences will have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads as a fantastical cast of holiday storybook characters come to life on stage.
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