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America's Thanksgiving Celebration and More Fun Things To Do in Boston This Weekend

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2024 in Boston: Turkey Trots, Holiday Lights, and More

The holidays are arriving in style with the top things to do in Boston for Thanksgiving Weekend 2024! Boston Tuba Christmas Concert photo by Mike Ball via Flickr 2.0
The holidays are arriving in style with the top things to do in Boston for Thanksgiving Weekend 2024! Boston Tuba Christmas Concert photo by Mike Ball via Flickr 2.0
11/26/24 - By N Ferreira

Looking for the best things to do in Boston on Thanksgiving weekend 2024? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this Thanksgiving weekend.

It's Thanksgiving weekend 2024 in Boston, and the calendar is filling up with holiday magic and festive family activities. Our favorite little girl, Clara, returns in the Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker, bringing with her some familiar faces. Families can explore the outdoors and Celebrate Green Friday at Fruitlands in Harvard or pop over to Gore Place in Waltham for some Christmas Crafting. Start your holiday shopping at the SoWa Winter Festival and end the weekend at Matt Heaton's Holiday Hootenanny!

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.  

More Things To Do in Boston this Week with Kids:

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Holiday lights are shining in Boston this Thanksgiving Weekend. Lighting of the Ship in Martin’s Park. Photo courtesy of the event.
Holiday lights are shining in Boston this Thanksgiving Weekend. Lighting of the Ship in Martin’s Park. Photo courtesy of the event.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2024 in Boston - Things To Do with Kids

Feaster Five Thanksgiving Day Road Race

Andover
Thursday, November 28, 2024
The Feaster Five Thanksgiving Day Road Race is a Merrimack Valley tradition. At 10,000 participants, it's billed as the largest race in Massachusetts and one of the largest Thanksgiving day races in New England. READ MORE

Franklin Park Turkey Trot

Boston
Thursday, November 28, 2024
The Franklin Park Turkey Trot -- the largest Thanksgiving Day race in the City of Boston - is back for its 12th year on Thanksgiving morning. All ages are welcome, along with strollers, wheelchairs, and race-ready leashed dogs.  READ MORE

Gift of Lights at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Loudon, NH
Thursday, November 28 - Sunday, January 5, 2025
New Hampshire Motor Speedway is trading in the checkered flags for more than 3.5 million twinkly LED lights for their 11th annual Gift of Lights. Passengers will cruise through 2.5 miles of lights at this drive-thru experience, including the Tunnel of Lights. READ MORE

Jam Time Black Friday Character Visit

Various Locations
Friday, November 29, 2024
Enjoy a morning full of playtime, hugs, high-fives, and pictures with some favorite characters! READ MORE

A Colorful Christmas at Castle Hill

Ipswich
Friday, November 29 - December 1, 2024
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s festival of color. Each room in our 1920s mansion is decorated with a different vibrant color scheme. READ MORE

16th Annual Festival of Trees at Elm Bank

Wellesley
Opens Friday, November 29, 2024
Families are invited to the Garden at Elm Bank this holiday season to experience a festive wonderland! The illuminated walking path leads through lighted gardens, a captivating train display, and enchanting historic trees. READ MORE

Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker

Boston
Opens Friday, November 29, 2024
Slip away into the warm drawing room of the Silberhaus family and watch as Clara’s surroundings transform before your eyes. From the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy to the iconic snow scene, this classical ballet—set to the beloved music of Tchaikovsky—continues to enthrall audiences of all ages. READ MORE

SoWa Winter Festival

Boston—
Opens Friday, November 29, 2024
At this winter shopping village and holiday festival, visitors can browse handmade gifts, sip on winter cocktails, and discover the best of the SoWa Art + Design District. READ MORE

Celebrate Green Friday at Fruitlands

Harvard — FREE
Friday, November 29, 2024
Celebrate Green Friday this Black Friday by stepping away from the bustle of shopping and immersing in the tranquility of nature. Fruitlands Museum invites visitors to enjoy its scenic grounds, open from dawn to dusk and free for exploration. READ MORE

Castleberry Faire: Wilmington

Wilmington
Friday, November 29 - December 1, 2024
Celebrate American handiwork by choosing from plenty of gifts, accessories, decorative items, arts and crafts from local and regional artisans. READ MORE

2024 Lighting of the Ship in Martin’s Park

Boston — FREE
Saturday, November 30, 2024
A special children’s celebration will be held at the Smith Family Waterfront, and the ship will be lit for the third annual holiday in Martin’s Park. Martin’s Park will be transformed into a magical holiday display when the ship, surrounding beach fencing, and pedestrian bridge are illuminated with over 1,500 feet of blue and white tube lights. READ MORE

Discovery Station: Create Air-Dry Clay Wampanoag Tools

Taunton
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Go back in time with the Old Colony History Museum’s Discovery Station! Each month, families are invited to take part in a day of drop-in play at the museum. Included with admission, the Discovery Station provides new opportunities for the whole family to engage in exciting hands-on learning through interactive play! Families can expect the Discovery Station to be set up anywhere inside or outside the museum (weather permitting) one Saturday a month between 10am-4pm. No registration required – drop in for some unplugged fun! READ MORE

Boston Tuba Christmas Concert

Boston — FREE
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Get in the holiday spirit with more than 100 local tuba players playing your favorite holiday tunes. The warm and enchanting sound of this tuba-euphonium choir has won the hearts of audiences throughout the world, so do not miss your chance to be part of this holiday tradition. READ MORE

Beyond the Spectrum Kids at the MFA

Boston—Sunday, December 1, 2024
In this art class, kids will explore world-renowned gallery walls in the museum. They'll study artistic techniques, and cultural context. Through close examination and analysis, they'll gain a deeper understanding of the masterpieces displayed in these galleries. READ MORE

Matt Heaton's Holiday Hootenanny — Somerville

Somerville
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Matt Heaton's Holiday Hootenanny is a lively, family-friendly show that brings the spirit of the season to life with a mix of Christmas classics, original tunes, and kid-friendly rock 'n' roll. READ MORE

Christmas Crafting

Waltham
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Skip the Black Friday crowds and create handmade gifts instead! Visit Gore Place’s Carriage House between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. for festive Christmas crafting. READ MORE
Work off the extra helpings by cutting your own tree this year! Photo courtesy of Smolak Farms
Work off the extra helpings by cutting your own tree this year! Photo courtesy of Smolak Farms

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Cut your own at Christmas tree farms near Boston in 2024! READ MORE

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Boston is merry and bright with these top holiday and Christmas activities for 2024! READ MORE

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Find the best spots for pictures with Santa in Boston in 2024! READ MORE

Boston Ballet Nutcracker and More Top Holiday Shows for Kids in Boston 2024

From Holiday Pops to the Boston Ballet's classic, explore shows for 2024! READ MORE

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