Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 in Boston: Santa's Wonderland, Rudolph, and More

Holiday lights are shining extra brightly this Thanksgiving Weekend 2023 in Boston. Photo courtesy of the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

Looking for the best things to do in Boston on Thanksgiving weekend 2022? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this Thanksgiving weekend.

It's Thanksgiving weekend 2023 in Boston, and the calendar is filling up with holiday magic and festive family activities. Our favorite reindeer Rudolph comes to Boston, bringing with him some familiar faces. Families can explore the outdoors for a Green Friday hike in Plymouth, decorate gingerbread houses in Beverly, or get outside for a free family scavenger hunt in Westwood. Cheer on runners at the Franklin Park Turkey Trot—the largest Thanksgiving Day race in the city of Boston. Witness the return of Bright Nights at Forest Park, hop aboard a Polar Express 4D Experience at the Museum of Science or listen to the Christmas tubas at Downtown Crossing

Looking for ways to spend time at home as a family this long weekend? Try one of these easy Thanksgiving crafts or games. You can also start planning a New England Christmas adventure and go see Boston's best neighborhood holiday lights. For more holiday and Christmas activities, explore our Holiday Fun Guide for Boston Kids.  

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 in Los Angeles: Parades, Turkey Trots, and More Things To Do

Ring in the holiday in Hollywood. Photo courtesy of the Hollywood Christmas Parade

Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles on Thanksgiving Day and all Thanksgiving Day weekend? Here are some events and activities to add to your list for this long holiday weekend!

Can we say it? We’re thankful. Our Thanksgiving Day Weekend calendar is stuffed with activities that reflect the joy of the season. Take part in a Turkey Trot, visit a flurry of holiday light displays such as Tanaka Farm's Hikari and Holiday Road at King Gillette Ranch, and play in snow and take part in winter fun at Costa Mesa's Winter Fest. Don't be a Grinch this holiday — check out the Dr. Seuss Experience. To top it off, on Sunday, claim a spot on Hollywood Boulevard to watch the Hollywood Christmas Parade

Plus, discover all the activities and events open on Thanksgiving Day, find out which restaurants are open on Thanksgiving, and check out our Thanksgiving Activities Guide for Families for Thanksgiving crafts,Thanksgiving movies, and even Thanksgiving jokes. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Mommy Poppins! 

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 in San Francisco: Turkey Trots, and More Things To Do

Seeing the Lion King will really top off a lovely Thanksgiving Day Weekend! Production photo by Matthew Murphy, courtesy of Disney.

Looking for the best things to do in San Francisco and the Bay Area this Thanksgiving Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this long weekend!

It's Thanksgiving Day weekend! Whether you are hosting, traveling, bringing your favorite sides, or dining out, it's a wonderful weekend to spend time with family and friends.

I personally am so thankful to live in the Bay Area, stuffed with diverse and plentiful things to do with kids. There are Thanksgiving-themed events like the jaw-dropping Helicopter Turkey Toss, Turkey Trots in San Francisco and Oakland, and holiday festivities like the uber-popular Union Square Holiday Ice Skating and a Winter Wonderland in Santa Cruz. So keep kids busy over Thanksgiving Day Weekend, make some memories, and most of all, enjoy some family time together. 

For more turkey day festivities, see the restaurants open on Thanksgiving in San Francisco and where to see holiday lights in San Francisco after the pies are all gone. Gobble up our Thanksgiving Activities Guide for Families for activities to keep the kids entertained before it's turkey time. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Mommy Poppins! 

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 in Orlando: Festivals, Turkey Trots, and More Things To Do

Central Florida Zoo's beautiful, walk-through experience, Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild, is open now until January 14. Photo by the author

Looking for the best things to do in Orlando this Thanksgiving weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Orlando is bursting with things to do with kids this Thanksgiving weekend, including "turkey trots" on Thursday and Christmas and holiday events all weekend long. Sanford's Turkey Day 5K features a Thanksgiving costume contest in addition to the race. Oviedo Mall's Turkey Trot has a free kiddie run in addition to the regular 5K. After Thanksgiving, celebrate the holiday season with Christmas lights in Eustis and Mount Dora, theme parks happenings (like Holidays at Legoland and SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration), and amazing light displays at Leu Gardens and Central Florida Zoo. Looking for something beyond the seasonal holidays? Celebrate Central Florida's diverse cultures at Fusion Fest, complete with a street party, parade, and more.

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 in Atlanta: Holiday Lights, Festivals, and More Things To Do

Gwinnett County Fairgrounds transforms into a dazzling world of light with over 1,000 Chinese lanterns at the Atlanta Winter Lantern Festival. Photo courtesy of Fever

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this Thanksgiving Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your weekend list! 

Atlanta families have lots to be thankful for this year, including so many fun events this Thanksgiving Day weekend. Check out Thanksgiving weekend events like the Lighting of the Great Tree in Lawrenceville and The Battery Atlanta Tree Lighting. Thanksgiving weekend kicks off many holiday events in Atlanta, including amazing holiday lights and Christmas light shows like Marietta's Lights of LIFE and Woodstock's Holiday Lights event. 

Now's the time that The Polar Express and Atlanta Christmas Trains chug along, including the Holiday Express Train on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway that opens Thanksgiving weekend. Speaking of classic holiday fun, Atlanta also has lots of options for The Nutcracker Ballet and Atlanta Holiday Shows this season. Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Mommy Poppins!

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 in Miami: Holiday Lights, Festivals, and More Things To Do

See animals glow under the twinkling holiday lights at Zoo Lights at Palm Beach Zoo! Photo courtesy of Palm Beach Zoo

Looking for the best things to do in Miami and South Florida this Thanksgiving weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

This Thanksgiving Day weekend, we have shopping, cooking, entertaining kids, and hosting on our minds. So take a respite from the holiday insanity by bringing the kiddos to fun events in Miami and South Florida this weekend! Greet Santa at Broward Mall; check out dazzling Christmas lights at Zoo Lights at Palm Beach Zoo, Zoo Lights Miami, and Christmas Lights in the Acres; and belt out your greatest tunes at Peppa Pig's Sing-Along Party! in Fort Lauderdale.

Want more ideas for the Thanksgiving holiday break? Check out our Christmas Events and Holiday Activities Guide for Miami and South Florida Families and get the juicy details about all the fun happenings in the area this holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Mommy Poppins!

Help Keep Your Family Healthy This Holiday Season With These Expert Tips

Pediatric health experts at Connecticut Children’s share information on the most common health challenges  around the holidays.

The holidays are the season of joy, but colder temps, travel, big gatherings, and seasonal bugs can make it tough to keep your family’s physical and mental health in check. That’s why the pediatric health experts at Connecticut Children’s reached out to us to share information on the most common winter health challenges among children, from understanding flu and RSV symptoms to tips on how seasonal blues can affect children.

Read on to see their insights on how to keep your family healthier through the holidays and cold winter months. And, for more straight-forward, age-appropriate, expert advice, you can visit Connecticut Childrens’ Growing Healthy Blog.

Macy's Santaland NYC: When and How to See Santa at Herald Square in 2024

Santa is a busy man, so reservations are required to visit Santland at Macy's Herald Square in New York City in 2023. Photo by Marisa Iallonardo

Editor's Note: This post is being updated for 2024. Please check back soon.
There are few places to take pictures with Santa in New York City that compare with Macy's Santaland. It's a magical experience for tourists and natives alike during the Christmas season.

Macy's opens its 13,000-square-foot winter wonderland on Friday, November 24, 2023. Overflowing with holiday cheer from its live elves to an enchanted forest, animatronic toys, and a train display, Macy's Santaland 2023 is open daily through Christmas Eve—Sunday, December 24.

As in previous years, visitors must book a FREE reservation to take pictures with Santa at Macy's Santaland, which requires some planning. Read on for everything you need to know about visiting Macy's Santaland 2023, and find more top picks for holiday fun in our Guide to Christmas and the Holidays in NYC, including the season's can't-miss Christmas activities for families.

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