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Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2024 in Los Angeles: Parades, Turkey Trots, and More Things To Do

Earn those Thanksgiving pies! Photo courtesy of Turkey Trot Los Angeles
Earn those Thanksgiving pies! Photo courtesy of Turkey Trot Los Angeles
11/26/24 - By Toby B

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 season's joy. Take part in a Turkey Trot and visit a flurry of holiday light displays such as Tanaka Farm's Hikari and Holiday Road at King Gillette Ranch. Don't be a Grinch this holiday — check out festive happenings of Grinchmas and Super Nintendo World with the Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood. 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! 

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Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood. Photo courtesy of the Park
Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood. Photo courtesy of the Park

Best Things To Do Thanksgiving Day Weekend in Los Angeles with Kids

Lektrik: A Festival of Lights

San Dimas
Starts Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Lektrik immerses guests in a world of light and color, as breathtaking and larger-than-life lanterns illuminate a lush park. The event features over a hundred artisan-crafted lanterns, including a colorful beach-themed entrance inspired by the spirit of Los Angeles. Other installations bring to life lush jungles and mesmerizing underwater worlds. READ MORE

Turkey Trot Los Angeles 2024 + Widdle Wobble

DTLA
Thursday, November 28, 2024
How about working off that turkey ... before you eat it! The Turkey Trot Los Angeles takes participants dressed as Thanksgiving turkeys, pilgrims and pies on a scenic course through Downtown LA (starting and ending near City Hall/ Grand Park). READ MORE

Rose Bowl Turkey Trot 2024

Pasadena
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Trot before you gobble and help to protect the Rose Bowl Stadium- all funds from this Turkey Trot go to the preservation of this LA landmark. This 3.1 mile trot is open to all ages (strollers are welcome). All participants recieve a race bib and a medal for participating. Even pups are welcome to trot along, as long as they are leashed.  READ MORE

Thanksgiving Lunch at the Aquarium

Long Beach
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Gobble, gobble, glub glub glub... The Aquarium of the Pacific gives thanks with a special Thanksgiving lunch on its Veranda. READ MORE

Ventura Botanical Gardens Free on Thanksgiving

Ventura - FREE
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Free admission to Ventura Botanical Gardens on Thanksgiving Day? That's something to be thankful for! Exploring these 100+ acres of gorgeous views and pretty blooms makes for something new and interesting to do while working up an appetite for dessert. READ MORE

31st Annual Thanksgiving Day Kids Mile and Food Drive

La Cañada Flintridge
Thursday, November 28, 2024
The Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge’s Thanksgiving Day 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ Mile Run has been a local tradition and a community favorite for three decades. It is also the Community Center's biggest fundraiser of the year. READ MORE

Holiday Train Ride at Griffith Park Southern Railroad

Griffith Park
Opens Friday, November 29, 2024
Hooray! Griffith Park and Southern Railroad brings back its popular Santa train ride this year. The evening ride is gentle, and just the right size for kids and their parents to take in the festively decorated mile of track with thousands of twinkling lights.  READ MORE

Christmas on the Farm

Moorpark
Starts Friday, November 29, 2024
Underwood Farms' Moorpark Farm Center is brimming with activity this holiday season. A wide range of activities are included with admission, such as visits to the Animal Center, holiday photo ops, tractor-drawn wagon rides, animal shows, a baby goat experience, and combine & harvester slides. And on two select weekends: Santa"s Reindeer!  READ MORE

Jingle Bell Jump

Thousand Oaks - FREE
Friday, November 29, 2024
This guy knows how to make an entrance:  at noon sharp, Santa Claus parachutes into the Janss Marketplace for some holiday fun. The jolly old elf lands near Sharky's, for those looking to spot him.  Other activities are spread out throughout the center, including face painters, kids crafts, and story-time and sing-a-longs with Mrs. Claus. READ MORE

Hikari - A Festival of Lights

Irvine
Opens Friday, November 29, 2024
Hikari means "shine" in Japanese, and this holiday season Tanaka Farms shines with over a mile of twinkling lights. The 30-acre farm dazzles with farm-themed lighting on trees, tractors, and sugarcane. Enjoy live music, food, photo ops, arts & crafts, barnyard animals, photos with Santa, and holiday lights! READ MORE

Holiday Road Walk-thru at King Gillette Ranch

Calabasas
Starts Friday, November 29, 2024
Holiday Road returns as a walk-thru immersive holiday lights experience. King Gillette Ranch transforms into a winter wonderland filled with larger-than-life holiday displays and millions of Christmas lights. Guests can enjoy countless photo ops, a festive souvenir shop, and all of the holiday cheer. Santa Claus is available for photos on select days. READ MORE

Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train

Orange
Opens Friday, November 29, 2024
Irvine Regional Park's annual Christmas Train offers both daytime and nighttime rides through the historic park to meet Santa at his Village. Grab your tickets fast- this event sells out every year!  READ MORE

Annual Lighting of the Bay

Newport Beach - FREE
Starts Friday, November 29, 2024
The 34th Annual Lighting of the Bay kicks off the holiday season at Newport Dunes,  illuminating the bay each evening at dusk with more than 50 electric Christmas trees and holiday decorations. Opening night festivities include holiday crafts, festive food and concessions, photos with Santa, a fire dance performance, and a holiday movie on the beach. Santa takes center stage at dusk as he flips the magic switch to illuminate the bay with more than fifty floating holiday decorations and Christmas trees.  Opening Night is also the launch of the  Fire... READ MORE

Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal City
Starts Friday, November 29, 2024
The magic of Christmas comes alive at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Hogsmeade transforms with enchanting spirit, festive décor, and holiday-themed food (cheers to a toasty mug of hot butterbeer!).  At night, Hogwarts Castle is illuminated in a dazzling display of festive lights and music. Is your heart two sizes too small? Perhaps you need a big dose of holiday cheer, courtesy of the Who-tacular festivities with The Grinch, Max, and Who-ville with the return of Grinchmas. And Christmastime is Mario time, when you celebrate the holidays at Super Nintendo World. READ MORE

Bob Baker’s Nutcracker

Sierra Madre
Starts Saturday, November 30, 2024
Bob Baker's Nutcracker is spinning a tale of Christmas lore at the Sierra Madre Playhouse this year! This beloved version of the story has been running since 1969, and every performance ends with ice cream. Don't miss this LA holiday tradition!  READ MORE

Holiday Carnival & Santa's Helicopter Arrival at Norwalk Town Square

Norwalk - FREE
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Santa Claus arrives at Norwalk Town Square by helicopter, transforming the place into a winter wonderland filled with festive fun for the whole family. READ MORE

Santa's Jolly Trolley + La Plaza Park Tree Lighting

Dana Point - FREE
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Santa Claus and his elves from the Recreation Division ride on the Jolly Trolley, making stops at various parks in Dana Point, where Santa hands out pre-packaged treats for kids up to 12 years of age.  READ MORE

Winter Village Festival

Sierra Madre - FREE
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Sierra Madre celebrates Small Business Saturday with the Winter Village Festival. The season gets off to a chilling start with real snow, along with music, shopping, a tree lighting, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, and the Sierra Madre rose float with its royal court. READ MORE

Hollywood Christmas Parade

Hollywood - FREE
Sunday, December 1, 2024
When  it comes to parades, New York may own Thanksgiving, but no one beats Hollywood for Christmas. The slightly kitschy, but very lovable Hollywood Christmas Parade airs across the country throughout December, but the live event takes place on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. The 2024 Grand Marshall is actor Jeremy Renner.  READ MORE

44th Annual San Pedro Spirit of the Holidays Parade

San Pedro - FREE
Sunday, December 1, 2024
The annual San Pedro Spirit of the Holiday Parade celebrates its 44th year. This festive tradition brings families, little leagues, scouts, students, high school bands, equestrian units, and volunteers to downtown San Pedro to celebrate the holiday season and the community. READ MORE

73rd Annual Downey Christmas Parade & Santa's Village

Downey - FREE
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Two special visitors are in Downey for the 73rd Annual Downey Christmas Parade:  Santa Claus and the Grinch! The parade procession goes through Downtown Downey, coming down Downey Ave from Florence and then turning on 3rd. READ MORE

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