Here are a few ideas for Thanksgiving week in Texas with family.
Texas Travel Talk writers have ideas for Thanksgiving week in Texas since we are all from Texas, and some of us are true native Texans. Thanksgiving is an annual national holiday in the United States that celebrates the past year’s harvest feast and other blessings. Thanksgiving Day is usually spent with family and friends, which means many of us will be on the road to another town in Texas or another state.
It’s the perfect time to eat great food and reminisce about what you accomplished earlier in the year.
The Thanksgiving holiday season beats out all other holidays on road trips. Years past, we would go north to Oklahoma for the holiday, but now our Thanksgiving meal will be at home in North Texas. We get to do fun fall activities while my son is on Thanksgiving break, plus it’s his birthday week!
Things To Do Thanksgiving Week In Texas 2024
Thanksgiving is the time of the year when I start my holiday shopping. I know it’s a little late, but I can’t get in the mood until then. After stuffing our faces on Thanksgiving day, we are ready to leave the house on Friday (Black Friday at that!). Many will be going on a holiday shopping spree, like us. How about you?
I still can’t get my son to understand that Thanksgiving is the last Thursday of November – every year and all the years after that! Does this happen to you? His birthday is Nov. 29th, so we celebrate both simultaneously. One year, we made turkey trot holders from egg cartons for his birthday party at school. They were so cute, and I would get them out every year and put a couple of nuts in them. I think I only have one left now.
So, whether you stay in Texas for your Thanksgiving feast or travel to Texas, you may want to get out and do something after all that pumpkin pie and pecan pie you ate. We have some fun ideas for families to do the week of Thanksgiving while the kids are out of school and on Thanksgiving weekend.
13 Family Fun Ideas For Thanksgiving Week In Texas
Before I get to the things to do in Texas Thanksgiving week, I’m sure some of you will watch football games all day long if you’re a Dallas Cowboys fan. But many of us don’t, so let’s go!
Texas Hill Country Thanksgiving
• Fredericksburg Trade Days Thanksgiving Show
Thanksgiving in Texas Hill Country – November
This is where I would be if I lived in the Texas Hill Country. I’ve been here twice and left with a vehicle full of treasures each time. Check out FBG Trade Days.
• Dickens On Main 2023 – Boerne, TX
Thanksgiving Weekend – Nov. 29 & 30, 2024
Dickens on Main is a premier event on Main Street in Boerne.
Look for market vendors, food trucks, live music, local businesses, Santa Claus, holiday lights, live entertainment, and more!
• Christmas Wine Affair – The Texas Hill Country
November – December (ends before Christmas)
The Texas Hill Country Wine Tour starts Thanksgiving weekend and lasts until two days before Christmas. Going wine tasting would make an excellent day trip for the whole family. Most wineries in the hill country are family-friendly.
South Texas Thanksgiving Ideas
• 2024 Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony
November 29, 2024
Head to San Antonio’s Riverwalk Parade on Friday from 6:00-9:00 p.m. on the River Walk in San Antonio. Check it all out at the Ford Holiday River Parade. The parade starts right at 6 p.
• Santa’s Ranch – San Antonio/New Braunfels
First of November – December 31st
A Texas Christmas display light and a 50-foot Christmas tree are waiting to be adorned by family and friends at Santa’s Ranch.
Gulf Coast Thanksgiving Ideas
• Moody Gardens – Holiday In The Gardens
Middle of November through early January 2025
A lot is going on in Galveston at Moody Gardens during the holidays, and it all starts before Thanksgiving and runs through the New Year!
North Texas Thanksgiving Ideas
• Lightscape at Fort Worth Botanic Garden
End of November through January 5, 2025
Treat yourself and your family to the gardens with over 1 million holiday lights flickering. Also, Santa Claus will appear in his old red jolly suit. Also, the Christmas Village comes with s’more-roasting options over fire pits. How fun! We are going in December. Get all the scoop, the December dates, and buy tickets at the Fort Worth Bontic Garden.
Tickets: Adults $18-$35. Children 3-12 $12-$25. Parking is an extra fee.
Order Your Thanksgiving Meal At H-E-B
Starts Mid-November
If you’re lucky to live close to an H-E-B, consider letting them do all the cooking. Treat yourself and your family to a traditional Thanksgiving feast with all the yummy sides. We finally got a store near us!!
Sign Up For A Texas Turkey Trot
Thanksgiving Day
Check out all the Turkey Trots in Texas. Below are Texas’s cities that are having turkey trots on Thanksgiving.
North Texas Turkey Trot (Frisco)
Visit A State Park During Thanksgiving Week
Texas has many state parks (86 in all), and though offices are closed on Thanksgiving Day and the day after, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors with the family any time during the holiday. See all Thanksgiving events at Texas State Parks.
Book A Thanksgiving Getaway
The kids are out of school all week, so do something different this year and get away for the week or weekend to somewhere near a lake, winery, in the country, hill country, somewhere warm—you get it. Heck, anywhere!
Go to a place where there is lots of fall foliage in Texas!
What ideas for Thanksgiving week in Texas would you like us to know?
Do you have any family Thanksgiving traditions you do with your family every year? We would love to know them. Please let us know in the comment section. Thank you.