Sometimes it’s difficult to find new and exciting things to add to your Thanksgiving Day repertoire. Thankfully (no pun intended), no matter what kind of mood you’re in, there’s something new and engaging to do on Turkey Day. Whether you’re hankering for a hot beverage or searching for a city outing, we have holiday insights that will make your Thanksgiving oh so festive and fun.
Feel Like Giving Back
If you’re in the giving mood this Thanksgiving and would like to volunteer, check out Westside Thanksgiving. Starting at 11am, volunteers will serve a traditional turkey meal to the homeless, students, seniors, and low-income families. In addition to a free feast, Westside Thanksgiving provides children’s immunizations, haircuts, and medical consultations. By attending and giving back to those in need, you’ll get in touch with the community, meet some amazing individuals, and witness a truly heartwarming event.
Photo by Westside Thanksgiving
There are a variety of ways you can provide a helping hand at Westside Thanksgiving. You can help serve the Thanksgiving meal, hand out blankets, or donate food and money. Plus, there’s fun and entertainment for all ages. A carnival with festive games and arts and crafts will start at 8am. So don’t miss out on this uplifting and unifying event at the West L.A. Civic Center.
Feel Like Getting Active
A great way to get active and give back before feasting is to participate in a Turkey Trot. Throughout the greater Los Angeles area, there are many wonderful charity runs to partake in this Thanksgiving. One of the biggest and one of the best is the Turkey Trot Los Angeles. At this Turkey Trot, you can run or walk in a 5K or 10K race, while the kiddos run or walk a 1K “Widdle Wobble.” All proceeds go to the Midnight Mission, which helps homeless individuals navigate towards self-sufficient and productive lives.
Photo by Turkey Trot Los Angeles
On top of the trot itself, Turkey Trot L.A. is chock full of entertaining activities. People of all ages will have a blast participating in the run/walk, costume contest, turkey calling contest, potato sack race, face painting, and arts and crafts. Be sure to lace up your running shoes, practice your turkey calls, and set your alarm for this memorable event.
Feel Like Going Out For Lunch
Want to go out for lunch and experience a Thanksgiving meal like no other? On Thanksgiving Day, visit the Aquarium of the Pacific to gobble a turkey meal with sea otters, fish, and other aquatic creatures. At 11am, a traditional Thanksgiving buffet will be served in the Aquarium’s Café Scuba. The Aquarium is open from 9am to 6pm, so you’ll also have plenty of time to explore the aquatic wonders and meet over 11,000 animals from the world’s biggest ocean.
Photo by Aquarium of the Pacific
Tickets are $60 for adults and $32.50 for children and include access to the aquarium and the buffet lunch. Take the whole fam to the Aquarium of the Pacific for a Thanksgiving Day that makes a big splash.
Feel Like Hanging at Home
If you’re in the mood to hang out with loved ones around the house, there’s so much to do. Put on a classic Thanksgiving movie, like Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Home for the Holidays, or A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Watching a festive flick will give you time to relax after the turkey feast, eat some pie, and sip on a hot beverage (visit our Fall Beverages Blog for delicious recipes!). If you’d like to do something a little more active, play a boardgame that gets the whole family involved. Taboo, Scattergories, and Codenames are great in large groups and will inevitably result in hearty laughs all night long.
Feel Like Getting into the Christmas Spirit
One of our favorite things about Thanksgiving is that it marks the arrival of Christmas Cheer. During Thanksgiving, start finalizing your Christmas plans, make DIY ornaments, and design your lighting and décor. If you need help inserting Christmas spirit into your home, our professional designers are here to help. And for tips and information on holiday activities around Los Angeles, be sure to read our 2018 Guide to Los Angeles Holiday Events and Attractions.