Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 in Orlando: Festivals, Turkey Trots, and More Things To Do

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Central Florida Zoo's beautiful, walk-through experience, Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild, is open now until January 14. Photo by the author

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.

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 in Atlanta: Holiday Lights, Festivals, and More Things To Do

Elsa Simcik's picture Submitted by Elsa Simcik on

Gwinnett County Fairgrounds transforms into a dazzling world of light with over 1,000 Chinese lanterns at the Atlanta Winter Lantern Festival. Photo courtesy of Fever

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this Thanksgiving Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your weekend list! 

Atlanta families have lots to be thankful for this year, including so many fun events this Thanksgiving Day weekend. Check out Thanksgiving weekend events like the Lighting of the Great Tree in Lawrenceville and The Battery Atlanta Tree Lighting. Thanksgiving weekend kicks off many holiday events in Atlanta, including amazing holiday lights and Christmas light shows like Marietta's Lights of LIFE and Woodstock's Holiday Lights event. 

Now's the time that The Polar Express and Atlanta Christmas Trains chug along, including the Holiday Express Train on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway that opens Thanksgiving weekend. Speaking of classic holiday fun, Atlanta also has lots of options for The Nutcracker Ballet and Atlanta Holiday Shows this season. Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Mommy Poppins!

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 in Miami: Holiday Lights, Festivals, and More Things To Do

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See animals glow under the twinkling holiday lights at Zoo Lights at Palm Beach Zoo! Photo courtesy of Palm Beach Zoo

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

This Thanksgiving Day weekend, we have shopping, cooking, entertaining kids, and hosting on our minds. So take a respite from the holiday insanity by bringing the kiddos to fun events in Miami and South Florida this weekend! Greet Santa at Broward Mall; check out dazzling Christmas lights at Zoo Lights at Palm Beach Zoo, Zoo Lights Miami, and Christmas Lights in the Acres; and belt out your greatest tunes at Peppa Pig's Sing-Along Party! in Fort Lauderdale.

Want more ideas for the Thanksgiving holiday break? Check out our Christmas Events and Holiday Activities Guide for Miami and South Florida Families and get the juicy details about all the fun happenings in the area this holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Mommy Poppins!

Help Keep Your Family Healthy This Holiday Season With These Expert Tips

Jessica Laird's picture Submitted by Jessica Laird on

Pediatric health experts at Connecticut Children’s share information on the most common health challenges around the holidays.

The holidays are the season of joy, but colder temps, travel, big gatherings, and seasonal bugs can make it tough to keep your family’s physical and mental health in check. That’s why the pediatric health experts at Connecticut Children’s reached out to us to share information on the most common winter health challenges among children, from understanding flu and RSV symptoms to tips on how seasonal blues can affect children.

Read on to see their insights on how to keep your family healthier through the holidays and cold winter months. And, for more straight-forward, age-appropriate, expert advice, you can visit Connecticut Childrens’ Growing Healthy Blog.

Macy's Santaland NYC: When and How to See Santa at Herald Square in 2024

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Santa is a busy man, so reservations are required to visit Santland at Macy's Herald Square in New York City in 2023. Photo by Marisa Iallonardo

Editor's Note: This post is being updated for 2024. Please check back soon.
There are few places to take pictures with Santa in New York City that compare with Macy's Santaland. It's a magical experience for tourists and natives alike during the Christmas season.

Macy's opens its 13,000-square-foot winter wonderland on Friday, November 24, 2023. Overflowing with holiday cheer from its live elves to an enchanted forest, animatronic toys, and a train display, Macy's Santaland 2023 is open daily through Christmas Eve—Sunday, December 24.

As in previous years, visitors must book a FREE reservation to take pictures with Santa at Macy's Santaland, which requires some planning. Read on for everything you need to know about visiting Macy's Santaland 2023, and find more top picks for holiday fun in our Guide to Christmas and the Holidays in NYC, including the season's can't-miss Christmas activities for families.

Long Island Children's Museum Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Jaime Sumersille's picture Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on

Hear the sound in music and the music in sound in Sound Showers.

For 30 years, the Long Island Children's Museum has been educating and entertaining Long Island children. And now, the museum is ready to kick off a celebration commemorating its three decades as one of Nassau County's most beloved places for kids.

The best part? Everyone is invited to this celebration, which opened with last weekend's Three Cheers for 30 Years party, and includes throwback admission prices on the museum's actual birthday, Tuesday, November 21.

Christmas Tree Farms on Long Island

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Dart's Christmas Tree Farm in Southold has a Magic Color Forest to frolic through.

Finding the perfect Long Island Christmas tree is the next logical holiday ritual after you've finished Thanksgiving turkey and completed your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping.

From Huntington to Riverhead and points farther east, Long Island has many great tree farms where enthusiastic families can cut a gorgeous tree for a modest cost. These farms range from simple roadside acreage to full-fledged holiday destinations. 

These farms are all located in Suffolk County, where farmland is more abundant, and are listed by town. If you want to get away, consider a day trip to a Christmas tree farm in New Jersey or the Hudson Valley. And, as always, find more ways to celebrate in our Holiday Fun Guide.

Holiday Train Shows on Long Island for Families

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The Railroad Museum of Long Island has special open houses for the holidays. Photo courtesy of the museum

Holiday train shows are a festive way to kick off the Christmas season with the kids. Long Island offers several interactive spots to see model train magic in action. 

Train-loving kids and adults alike will be mesmerized and delighted by the sights and sounds of these model train shows and the charming mini villages they navigate. Many holiday open houses even host the man of the season–Santa for a jolly visit with the whole family. 

If all this train watching makes your family eager to climb aboard a railroad car, read our roundup of Polar Express and other Santa trains near Long Island and NYC. For even more ways to enjoy the season check out our Guide to Holiday Fun on Long Island.

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