Thanksgiving, one of our favorite festive happenings, is right around the corner! From North Miami’s exciting parade to feasting on the most delicious dishes (whether that be turkey, pork or literally anything else you prefer), there are so many ways to celebrate and give thanks in Miami.
If you’re not sure where to start, let us be your guide! From festive light shows and turkey trots to delicious holiday eats, we’ve got you covered with all the best things to do this Thanksgiving:
Watch North Miami’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade
The City of North Miami’s 50th annual WinterNational Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to march down NE 125 Street again this year with all sorts of live bands, dance groups and dazzling floats! Beginning at City Hall at 10 a.m., the route will run from NE 6th Avenue to NE 10th Avenue.
Everyone knows how much preparation goes into cooking a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, so we figured we’d help out the best way we can! We’ve gathered some of the best Miami restaurants open on the big day, serving incredible feasts and specials to feed the whole family. Check out our picks here.
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South Florida’s smash-hit holiday tradition is back to transform Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden with lighting effects, outdoor holograms, projections, music and more! Marvel at unique sculptures, interact with the talking tree and join a Fairy Quest among other activities at NightGarden.
Participate in the Life Time Turkey Trot Miami
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No matter your walking or running experience, the tradition of participating in a “turkey trot” on Thanksgiving morning is a fun one and the Life Time Turkey Trot Miami 5K/10K & Kids Race is the perfect plan! It will return to Tropical Park and there’s still time to register! It has to be one of the best things to do on the holiday if you want to get active.
All the city’s best light displays will be on during Thanksgiving weekend, illuminating popular attractions and neighborhoods for the season! From Christmas Wonderland’s twinkling trail to The Berry Farm’s Annual Winter Festival, check out some of the best holiday lights in Miami here.
From $17
If you’re looking for a memorable indoor activity this Thanksgiving weekend, be sure to add Superblue to your list! This must-visit art destination features extraordinary immersive experiences and world-class installations for visitors to engage with, such as a mirrored labyrinth and thousands of lightbulbs in sync with participants’ heartbeats. Grab tickets to Superblue Miami here.
From $20
This Thanksgiving, head to Wynwood’s Paradox Museum for mind-bending fun with the whole family! There are over 70 immersive paradoxes — all of which play tricks on your eyes and defy your perception of reality — from the Paradox Piano to the Zero-Gravity Room, which is exactly what it sounds like. Get tickets to Paradox Museum Miami now.
Volunteer at your local food pantry or soup kitchen
Thanksgiving is all about giving back and if you’re thinking of helping out the community, one way to do so is by volunteering at a community center! If you’re looking to help stock pantry shelves or help get food to those who need it most, you can find opportunities to help on FeedingAmerica.org.
Hit the rink at this Thanksgiving Roller Disco
Skate off the calories with Thanksgiving Roller Disco at the historic Miami Beach Bandshell. DJs Mutant Pete and Terence Tabeau will be playing your favorite disco jams and whether you’re a pro or a beginner, everyone is welcome! At least with an RSVP. You can either bring your own skates or rent them there (Miami Beach residents get free skate rentals).
Kickstart the celebrations with a Thanksgiving Eve gathering
Regatta Grove is ringing in the holiday weekend a little early! On Wednesday, November 26th, celebrate Thanksgiving Eve with tropical cocktails, delicious bites and groovy beats on the waterfront. Gather your crew to kick off the festivities before the big feast as the sun sets over beautiful Biscayne Bay.