Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 on Long Island: Turkey Trots, Light Shows, and Santa

Trek to The End for the Montauk Lighthouse tree lighting. Photo courtesy of the Montauk Lighthouse.jpg
Trek to The End for the Montauk Lighthouse tree lighting. Photo courtesy of the Montauk Lighthouse.jpg
11/24/23 - By Jaime Sumersille

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

Work up an appetite for your Thanksgiving feast by participating in a family-friendly turkey trot on Thursday morning. Or, get some activity in by driving through the Jones Beach Magic of Lights. Debuting this weekend is the Holiday Illuminations installation at the Smithtown Historical Society. For a throwback feel, check out how Christmas was celebrated in 1863 at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

If you're more interested in indoor activities this holiday weekend, you can view miles of tracks and trains at the West Island Model Railroad Club Open House in Hicksville. Or keep the feast going by booking reservations to grab breakfast with jolly old St. Nick himself.

Check out our picks for the Nutcracker ballet and other holiday shows, and find more seasonal fun in our Long Island Kids Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events.

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Places featured in this article:


Wantagh Preservation Society

Connetquot River State Park Preserve