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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.
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11/21/23 - By Sandra Lee

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! 

Are you on social media? We are constantly posting local events and funny mommy moments on our Facebook and Instagram.

More Things To Do in San Francisco Bay Area This Week with Kids:

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Step into the Santa Cruz Winter Wonderland. Photo courtesy of the event.
Step into the Santa Cruz Winter Wonderland. Photo courtesy of the event.

Best Things To Do Thanksgiving Day Weekend in San Francisco

Helicopter Turkey Toss & Turkey Hunt at Hiller Aviation Museum

San Carlos
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
The Hiller Aviation Museum is known for using a helicopter to celebrate events and holidays, and this Thanksgiving is no different. The museum is dropping soft, squeezable turkeys that kids can take home with them from a helicopter. Other activities include a Turkey Hunt, where kids win a prize if they can find all the hidden turkeys hidden around the museum.  READ MORE

Hamilton in San Francisco

San Francisco
Opens Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Hamilton is the epic saga that follows the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love, and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation. In addition to its 11 Tony Awards, it has won Grammy®, Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors. READ MORE

SF Turkey Trot

San Francisco
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Kick off Thanksgiving with a family-friendly race before all of the celebrations begin. Attendees can participate in a 5-mile Turkey Trail Trot, a 3-mile Pilgrim Promenade, or a 100-meter Kids Gobbler Chase.  READ MORE

Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Santa Cruz - FREE
Opens Thursday, November 28, 2024
Celebrate the holiday season at the beach in Santa Cruz with rides, games, arcades, decorations, a 3-story tall Christmas tree, photos with Santa, pedal carts, and more. The Beach Boardwalk activities include holiday movies, fire pit rentals with holiday s'mores, and tons of holiday shopping. READ MORE

Oakland Turkey Trot

Oakland
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Oakland's annual Turkey Trot is back with a 5K and Festival of Thanks. There are finishing medals for adults and kids, custom art installs by local favorites including a fun photo backdrop, and more.  Run for Wildlife Run is for kids 2-8 years old presented by the Oakland Zoo.  READ MORE

WinterFest at Great America

Santa Clara
Opens Friday, November 29, 2024
Festive food, shopping, special rides, holiday activities, lights, and live entertainment, the park is transformed into a holiday festival. Ice skate in front of the Carousel Columbia, sip on hot chocolate, send letters to the North Pole, and bake cookies in Mrs. Claus' kitchen.  READ MORE

Niles Festival of Lights Parade

Fremont - FREE
Friday, November 29, 2024
The Friday after Thanksgiving kicks off the holidays in Fremont with the annual Festival of Lights Parade. See over 60 unique floats, marching bands, costumed characters, and of course, an appearance from Santa.  READ MORE

Macy's Holiday Celebrations

San Francisco - FREE
Opens Friday, November 29, 2024
Santa is coming to San Francisco! This free event is held at Union Square's Macy's, giving families a chance to meet the big man and snap a picture. READ MORE

Holiday Lights 2024

Santa Cruz
Opens Friday, November 29, 2024
See dazzling lights from the comfort and warmth of your car at the Holiday Lights Drive-Through experience in Watsonville. Families can see giant Christmas trees, Santa, reindeer, snowmen, and lighted tunnels all set to music on the radio.  READ MORE

Christmas in the Park at Plaza de Cesar Chavez

San Jose - FREE
Opens Friday, November 29, 2024
Christmas in the Park is a popular holiday event in downtown San Jose. Held for over 40 years, the park turns into a holiday extravaganza with musical and animated exhibits, colorful lights, and a 50 ft. Christmas tree. The forest of trees are decorated by San Jose schools, community groups, and businesses to highlight all that the city has to offer.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights Train at Roaring Camp

Felton
Opens Friday, November 29, 2024
A family favorite is back at Roaring Camp for the holidays. The Holiday Lights Train takes guests on vintage cars decked out in colorful lights. Additional activities include a holiday sing-along, live music, hot-spiced cider, and a Santa visit. READ MORE

Winter Lights Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa
Opens Friday, November 29, 2024
A month-long holiday fest with ice skating, tree lighting, holiday shopping, and entertainment all the way until the end of 2024.  The tree lighting ceremony is the day after Thanksgiving with free fun for the whole family including holiday drinks and treats, photos with Santa, and more.  READ MORE

North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens

Gilroy
Opens Friday, November 29, 2024
Gilroy Gardens transforms into a sparkling winter wonderland for the holidays. Fake snow, holiday lights, activities for kids, ice skating, visits with Santa Claus, plus some new experiences like the Reindeer Roundup Trail where kids can fill up their "stocking" with fun toys and tasty treats from Santa's nine reindeer. READ MORE

Holiday Bricktacular at Legoland Discovery Center

Milpitas
Opens Friday, November 29, 2024
The holidays are in full swing at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Milpitas. Holiday Bricktacular has a ton of activities for kids of all ages including Holiday builds, creative workshops, and even a meet and greet with a LEGO gingerbread man.  Families can create joy in the biggest-ever donation of LEGO® sets to children in need by building a LEGO heart at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area, new for 2024. READ MORE

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Holiday in the Park

Vallejo
Opens Friday, November 29, 2024
Hang out for the holidays at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo. The park is filled with tons of holiday decor (including a larger-than-life Christmas tree), special shows, rides, and festive treats like gingerbread churros and hot chocolate.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights 2024

Santa Cruz
Opens Friday, November 29, 2024
See dazzling lights from the comfort and warmth of your car at the Holiday Lights Drive-Through experience in Watsonville. Families can see giant Christmas trees, Santa, reindeer, snowmen, and lighted tunnels all set to music on the radio.  READ MORE

Family Fun Weekend at the Charles M. Schulz Museum

Santa Rosa
Friday & Saturday, November 29 & 30, 2024
Join cartoonist and storyteller Joe Wos for a family fun weekend at the Peanuts Museum. Live performances and cartoon workshops are available throughout the day. Guests can also explore the galleries, watch animated specials, and get that popular Peanuts-inspired photo op! READ MORE

Thrive City Winter Wonderland

San Francisco - FREE
Opens Saturday, November 30, 2024
Thrive City is a winter wonderland with a ton of festive experiences for all ages. Start with the annual tree lighting ceremony with live music, a Hannukah celebration with the menorah lighting, and end with Kwanzaa and Noon Year's Eve. Ice skating, live entertainment, multicultural experiences, photo opportunities, seasonal treats, and more are in store. READ MORE

The Velveteen Rabbit at ODC

San Francisco
Opens Saturday, November 30, 2024
A beloved holiday tradition, ODC/Dance presents The Velveteen Rabbit performance for 2 weekends. Written by Margery Williams, this classic tale is performed live with the world-class dancers of ODC/Dance with a great musical score.  READ MORE

A Merry-achi Christmas

San Francisco
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Mariachi Sol de Mexico is at the Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco for a festive holiday celebration of Mexican traditions. Led by Jose Hernandez, families enjoy musical performances and holiday favorites from both Mexico and America.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Lake Merritt's Eastshore Park
Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA