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Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2024 in Orlando: Holiday Events, Turkey Trots, and More Things To Do

Sleigh into the holly jolliest time of year at Holidays at Legoland Florida Resort. Photo courtesy Visit Orlando
Sleigh into the holly jolliest time of year at Holidays at Legoland Florida Resort. Photo courtesy Visit Orlando
11/26/24 - 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" and Christmas and holiday events all weekend. Sanford's Turkey Day 5K features a Thanksgiving costume contest in addition to the race; and Oviedo Mall's Turkey Trot has a free kiddie run with the regular 5K. After Thanksgiving, celebrate the holiday season with Orlando Christmas lights and fun in Eustis, Celebration, as well as theme parks events like Holidays at Legoland and Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. Looking for something beyond the seasonal holidays? Celebrate Central Florida's diverse cultures at Fusion Fest, complete with a street party, parade, and more!

More Things To Do in Orlando this Week with Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend in Orlando with Kids

A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage

Orlando
Select days through December 29, 2024
Be a part of something very special at Orlando Family Stage this holiday season as this beloved classic is live on stage. Adapted from Charles M. Schulz’s timeless Peanuts cartoons and featuring the music of Vince Guaraldi, A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage is a gift the whole family can enjoy. READ MORE

Venardos Circus at Hamlin

Winter Garden
November 27 - December 1, 2024
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 28, 2024
Start your Thanksgiving with a fun-filled morning of fitness and community spirit at the Annual Turkey Trot. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking for a fun way to kick off the holiday season, this event is perfect for all ages and fitness levels. READ MORE

Florida Turkey Trot at Oviedo Mall

Oviedo
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Kick off your Thanksgiving Day with a burst of energy at the 6th Annual Oviedo Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk. The race starts at 8:00 am sharp, giving you the perfect opportunity to burn some calories before indulging in the big feast later in the day. READ MORE

Lake Nona Turkey Trot - Running with the Turkeys

Orlando - FREE
Thursday, November 28, 2024
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 28, 2024
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 Orlando
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Visit Lake Eola bright and early Thanksgiving morning and burn some calories before you feast. Participate as over 4,000 runners, joggers and walkers (many dressed in full costumes or Thanksgiving themed hats) hit the course for a morning of fun in this Race to End Senior Hunger. READ MORE

Light Up Eustis

Eustis - FREE
Friday, November 29, 2024
The 37th annual Light Up Eustis event features a ceremonial tree lighting, food and craft vendors in the park, free pictures with Santa, and more. READ MORE

Night of Destruction at Orlando Speed World

Orlando
Friday, November 29, 2024
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

Roller Skate Night at Barber Park

Orlando - FREE
Friday, November 29, 2024
Visit Barber Park for the inaugural FREE Roller Skate Night for all ages. Enjoy roller-skating fun with music, DJ, skate games and select food trucks. READ MORE

Sugar Plum Fairy's Winter Tale

Orlando
Friday, November 29, 2024
Orlando Metropolitan Ballet Academy presents The Sugar Plum Fairy's Winter Tale, a two-act ballet set in the world of The Nutcracker. Follow Clara as she embarks on a journey in a snow-covered kingdom, where her Nutcracker doll turns into a prince. The Sugar Plum Fairy welcomes them to her realm, and the Land of Sweets comes alive with with colorful performances representing various confections. READ MORE

Beach Nights at Aquatica

Orlando
November 29-30, 2024
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 Friday and Saturday. READ MORE

Morse Museum Thanksgiving Weekend Celebration

Winter Park - FREE
November 29 - December 1, 2024
Admission to the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art is free Thanksgiving weekend. The Beautiful Music Jazz Quartet will play in the galleries from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday. The three-day celebration kicks off "Holidays at the Morse," which offers live music in the galleries from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays through December. READ MORE

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

Lake Buena Vista
Opening Weekend! November 29 - December 30, 2024
Discover holiday traditions at Epcot's 11 World Showcase nations with live holiday entertainment, seasonal foods and treats, festive decor, and the famous annual candlelight processional. READ MORE

Holidays at Legoland Florida

Winter Haven
Opening weekend! Select days, November 29 - December 31, 2024
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

Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens

Orlando
Opening weekend! November 29, 2024 - January 5, 2025
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 Leu Gardens

Orlando
Opening Weekend! November 29, 2024 - January 5, 2025
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

Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker

Orlando
Saturday, November 30, 2024
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

Florida License-Free Saltwater Fishing Day

Statewide - FREE
Saturday, November 30, 2024
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

Deck the Halls with Raptors at Audubon Center for Birds of Prey

Maitland
November 30 - December 1, 2024
Kick off the holiday season with crafts, a scavenger hunt, all-new Raptor Chats, and more. Plus, be on the lookout for surprise appearances by Santa. Enjoy the decorations in the historic Audubon House and spread holiday cheer throughout the Center as you visit the resident raptors. READ MORE

Fusion Fest

Orlando - FREE
November 30 - December 1, 2024
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

Celebration's Now Snowing

Celebration - FREE
Opening weekend! November 30 - December 31, 2024
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

Sensory Sensitive Sundays at Chuck E. Cheese

Multiple Locations
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Chuck E. Cheese has partnered with the Center for Autism and Related Disorders to provide a sensory-friendly event specifically for children with autism and other special needs. READ MORE

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Places featured in this article:

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Statewide
Audubon Center for Birds of Prey
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Celebration Town Center
Chuck E. Cheese - Altamonte
The Capital Grille - International Drive