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11/21/23 - By Charlotte B

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.

Read on for more great things to do with kids in Orlando during Thanksgiving weekend. And don't miss our round-ups of Must-Do Christmas and Holiday Events for Kids and 
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows in Orlando.

More Things To Do in Orlando this Week with Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

The Venardos Circus wraps world-class, animal-free circus acts into a Broadway, musical-style format. Photo courtesy of the circus
The Venardos Circus wraps world-class, animal-free circus acts into a Broadway, musical-style format. Photo courtesy of the circus

Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend in Orlando with Kids

SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration

Orlando - Select dates through January 2, 2024
Enjoy more than 3 million lights on display, a Christmas parade, live shows, ice skating, and more at SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration. Families can also visit Santa near the Wild Arctic area. READ MORE

Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo

Sanford - Select days through January 14, 2024
Experience the Zoo like you’ve never seen it before! See dozens of all-new, hand-constructed lantern displays illuminated by thousands of LED lights around the Zoo on a 3/4 mile path. Celebrate the art, beauty and wonder of traditional Asian lantern festivals. READ MORE

Venardos Circus at Hamlin

Winter Garden - Select days, November 22 - December 17, 2023
Created by former Ringling Bros. ringmaster Kevin Venardos, the Venardos Circus wraps world-class animal-free circus acts into a Broadway, musical-style format dubbed “The American Circus with the heart of a Broadway Show.”   READ MORE

Avalon Park 5K Turkey Trot

Orlando - Thursday, November 23, 2023
Start your Thanksgiving with this 5K Turkey Trot in Avalon Town Park. Register online in advance and save. READ MORE

Florida Turkey Trot at Oviedo Mall

Oviedo - Thursday, November 23, 2023
Bring the family to the Oviedo Mall Thanksgiving morning for a fun family 5K. There will also be a Kiddie Run (100 meters) at 9:00am, along with vendors, music, live performances, and more.  A virtual option is available as well. READ MORE

Lake Nona Turkey Trot - Running with the Turkeys

Orlando - Thursday, November 23, 2023
This is an informal and free event for all family members (including pups too!). Kids can ride their bikes. Strollers are welcome. Donations of gift cards or cash are requested and will be distributed through Lake Nona Middle School to local families in need. READ MORE

Sanford Turkey Day 5K

Sanford - Thursday, November 23, 2023
This annual holiday fun run is for the entire family. Participants can run or walk, and strollers are welcome. There is a costume contest for the best Thanksgiving costume.  READ MORE

Track Shack Seniors First Turkey Trot 5K

Downtown - Thursday, November 23, 2023
Partake in the annual Thanksgiving 5K at Lake Eola. Runners, joggers, and walkers are all welcome. There will be a free Tot Trot. Participants are welcome to dress in full costume or Thanksgiving themed hats. READ MORE

Holidays at Leu Gardens

Orlando - November 23, 2023 - January 7, 2024
Enjoy holiday blooms and a gnome scavenger hunt throughout the gardens during the holiday season. The historic Leu House Museum is also decorated for the holidays, with guided tours available select days and times. READ MORE

Light Up Eustis

Eustis - Friday, November 24, 2023
The 35th annual Light Up Eustis event features a ceremonial tree lighting, snow slide, holiday lights, photos with Santa, food trucks, and more. READ MORE

Night of Destruction at Orlando Speed World

Orlando - Friday, November 24, 2023
Visit Orlando Speed World for a Night of Destruction, featuring a school bus figure 8 race, monster truck action, FWD demolition derby, and more racing fun. READ MORE

Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens

Orlando - Opening weekend! November 24, 2023 - January 6, 2024
Dazzling Nights is back with its winter wonderland of lights throughout Leu Gardens, featuring music and interactive elements. Walk through a 70-ft long light tunnel, see a laser light show, enjoy snowfall, and more. Kids will love exploring the play area as well. READ MORE

Holidays at Legoland Florida

Winter Haven - Opening weekend! Weekends, November 24 - December 31, 2023
Sleigh into the holly jolliest time of year at Holidays at Legoland Florida Resort. Surprise your family with tons of bricktastic holiday fun coming down the chimney, including an all-new ginormous Lego brick-built Christmas Tree, a festive Lego crew, new elf-tastic entertainment, and bunches of new holly jolly Lego décor. READ MORE

Morse Museum Thanksgiving Weekend Celebration

Winter Park - November 24-26, 2023
Enjoy free admission to the museum galleries throughout Thanksgiving weekend. There is also live music on Friday, November 24, from 5-8pm. READ MORE

Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker

Orlando - Saturday, November 25, 2023
In this imaginative retelling of the classic story, Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker takes place in modern-day, urban New York. This soulful adaptation includes ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, swing, and gospel, as well as a youth orchestra. READ MORE

Beach Nights at Aquatica

Orlando - Saturday, November 25, 2023
Visit Aquatica for unforgettable evenings with family-friendly movies and engaging beach games. Bring a blanket or settle into a beach chair while Aquatica treats you to a new movie experience each Saturday. READ MORE

Florida License-Free Saltwater Fishing Day

Statewide - Saturday, November 25, 2023
Florida's license-free fishing days provide residents and non-residents the opportunity to try out fishing without having to purchase a license. This is a great time to introduce kids to fishing! READ MORE

Light Up Mount Dora

Mount Dora - Saturday, November 25, 2023
Be a part of Mount Dora's holiday lights celebration. There will be food, music, activities, fireworks and Santa. READ MORE

Fusion Fest

Orlando - November 25 & 26, 2023
This free outdoor festival celebrates the diverse cultures that make Central Florida unique. Guests can enjoy cultural displays, arts and crafts, a kids village, field of flags, giant puppet friends, and more. READ MORE

Great Scott Farms Fall Festival

Mount Dora - Final Weekend! November 25-26, 2023
This seven-acre corn maze is complete with interactive stations and a climbing tower. Additional activities include a smaller kids corn maze, pumpkin patch, tree maze, rope maze, large wooden castle playground, jumping pillow, hayride, zip line, 60-foot super slide, and more. READ MORE

Celebration's Now Snowing

Celebration - Opening weekend! Daily November 25 - December 31, 2023
Celebration's annual Now Snowing event features snowfall nightly, as well as ice skating, strolling Carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, train rides, and photos with Santa. READ MORE

Dr. Phillips Center Presents Coco in Concert

Orlando - Sunday, November 26, 2023
Coco in Concert on Tour includes a screening of the complete Disney Pixar film with a musical score performed by a Latin ensemble. READ MORE

Peanut Butter Matinee Family Film

Maitland - Sunday, November 26, 2023
Bring the family to Enzian for its Peanut Butter Matinee Family Film series. A special kids' menu is available. READ MORE

The Wiz Jr. at Dr. Phillips Center

Orlando - Sunday, November 26, 2023
This junior performance of the popular musical features performers of all ages telling the story of Dorothy's adventure to the Land of Oz. READ MORE

The Escape Game Orlando

Orlando - Daily, Closed on Thanksgiving
In The Escape Game, players are immersed into interactive rooms where they have to follow clues, solve puzzles, and complete missions in under 60 minutes! Each escape game provides a unique hands-on experience, designed for families, friends, and anyone else looking for an elevated unplugged adventure! READ MORE

More Fun Things to Do in Orlando Right Now

Breakfast with Santa and Other Holiday Character Meals Near Orlando

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Places featured in this article:

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Statewide
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Celebration Town Center
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts