Where To Find Free Turkeys in Los Angeles for Thanksgiving 2023

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Many organizations throughout Los Angeles are offering free turkey giveaways this holiday season. Photo by Monstera courtesy of Canva

Looking for free turkeys in Los Angeles for Thanksgiving dinner? We found local organizations that are here to help.

While some are fortunate enough to fill their table with an indulgent dinner spread, many families in the Los Angeles area are struggling to make ends meet. With the ever-increasing cost of living in Los Angeles, families living paycheck-to-paycheck may not be able to afford the costs of an elaborate Thanksgiving dinner. With that in mind, we've compiled a list of organizations in Los Angeles that are easing the burden for families during the holidays by giving away FREE turkeys and Thanksgiving meals.

If you're fortunate enough to have a full pantry and pocketbook, consider donating to one of these exceptional organizations to help others across the city. Find more tips for your Thanksgiving celebrations in our Thanksgiving Guide and fun throughout the holiday season in our Family Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events in Los Angeles.

Breakfast with Santa and Pictures with Santa Claus in Connecticut

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Make lasting holiday memories through a visit with St. Nick! Photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards

The 2023 holiday season is upon us and Santa events for Connecticut families—like breakfasts with Santa and photos with Santa—are happening all over the state. The man in red is busy this time of year, but not too busy to make the rounds of breakfasts, festivals and nature spots. Maybe you can catch sight of him arriving on a tugboat or on a short train ride. Santa loves pancakes and sometimes he likes to indulge in a donut (or three). He also loves farm animals as much as your kids do!

Tip: Book seats for your little elves now, because some of these events with Santa fill up fast! Check to see if photo opportunities require pre-registration, as many of them do. For other Santa sightings around Connecticut, check  out our favorite New England holiday activities. And go for a holiday drive through one of the Best Holiday Light Drive-Thru Displays.

Breakfast with Santa in Boston: Christmas Breakfasts and Brunches with Santa

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Kids share their Christmas wishes, while parents grab more coffee, at breakfast with Santa in Boston! Breakfast with Santa at The VERVE Hotel, photo courtesy of the hotel

A breakfast with Santa in Boston is sure to make this Christmas special! One of kids's favorite holiday experiences is meeting Santa and telling him their Christmas wishes. Make the tradition even better with a breakfast or brunch with the big guy in red. At these events, you’ll get to enjoy a delicious holiday meal, spend some extra time with Mr. or Mrs. Claus, and participate in other seasonal activities. Bring your camera to capture all of the festive fun, and make your reservation early—spots at some of these events go quick!

For more special opportunities for kids to meet Santa, see our picks for Polar Express and Holiday Train Rides. 

Breakfast with Santa in Chicago

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Breakfast with Santa at Drury Lane

Santa breakfasts in Chicago offer more than just pancakes —you usually get a Santa picture and a visit as well. We have a list of breakfasts with Santa in Chicago, as well as brunches and other activities at a variety of venues, like Drury Lane Theater, Pinstripes Brunch with Santa, and even a Galactic Santa Breakfast at Camp Big Timber Ridge.

Most of these activities will offer photo ops, but you can also snag a picture with Santa at one of these events. We have ensured that as of publication time, all of these events have seats available, and we've tried to list events with more than just a handful of spots left. But register fast! These won't be around forever.

The Nutcracker and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

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Kick off the holiday season with the timeless Nutcracker, as performed by local Hudson River students at the stunning Culinary Institute of America. Photo courtesy of the Hudson River Performing Arts Center

Tchaikovsky’s timeless Nutcracker ballet is a beloved family holiday tradition, and multiple Westchester and Hudson Valley venues present stunning performances of this classic.

Performances of The Nutcracker this year range from a special show by the New York Theatre Ballet to others performed entirely by dancers from Westchester and the Hudson Valley, with some venues even offering a shortened version for young children. Other classic holiday shows on our list include a musical version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol and a dramatic, interactive screening of the children's favorite holiday movie Elf. 

We have so many ways to lift your family's spirits as the year draws to a close: From must-do holiday attractions to craft fairs and more, our Holiday Fun Guide includes festive destinations and at-home activities.

Breakfast with Santa in New Jersey

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Warm up with Alstede Farms delicious farm-to-table brunch with Santa. Photo courtesy of the farm

If your kids want to spend quality time with "the big guy," consider a breakfast with Santa on one of his visits to New Jersey. Kids enjoy delicious food and share holiday wish lists with St. Nick at these events.

And, of course, there will be time for some adorable photos. Read on for our roundup of where to have breakfast with Santa in New Jersey this holiday season. 

Want more time with Santa? Book your ticket on a Christmas train ride, and find more seasonal activities in our Holiday Fun Guide.

Breakfast with Santa in NYC

Drew Kristofik's picture Submitted by Drew Kristofik on

Share a special holiday experience with your child at American Girl New York's Santa brunch. Photo courtesy of American Girl

Breakfast with Santa–or a tasty Santa brunch–might be in order if your child wants a hearty visit with the big red guy. We've found the best spots for breakfast with Santa in New York City where families can enjoy a special holiday meal with Santa Claus, ranging from lavish breakfast with Santa at Macy's to sweet treats during Santa brunch at American Girl New York, and a reasonably priced Santa breakfast at Nordstrom. You can even hop on a cruise with Santa!

Keep in mind that all of these breakfasts with Santa in NYC require reservations and sell out quickly. No matter which one you choose, bring your camera—and your appetite. Be sure to bookmark this page, as we'll be adding more breakfast with Santa options as we find them. You'll find all our seasonal picks for family fun in our Holiday Guide for New York City Families.

What's Open on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles? Places Open for Family Fun

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Stroll through vibrant foliage and gardens. Photo courtesy of Descanso Gardens

Thanksgiving might be known as the holiday where you eat food and watch football all day, but there's much more to do on this holiday in Los Angeles than you might think. Sometimes, you need a change of scenery or a break from the relatives, so knowing what's open on Thanksgiving in LA for family fun is invaluable—for clearing the house to prepare the meal and for walking it off afterward.

Stuff your Thanksgiving with much more than just food. You could spend the whole holiday out and about in Los Angeles by going to one of the places below that you may not have realized welcome visitors, and by eating at one of the many restaurants in LA open on Thanksgiving. 

Gobble up more holiday goodness with Thanksgiving crafts, games, and activities for kids, and see where to kick off the Christmas festivities with the best neighborhood holiday lights in Los Angeles. For more holiday happenings, check out our Events Calendar and peruse our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families. 

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