Thanksgiving Day 2025 offers plenty of festive events, from community parades to family-friendly gatherings at parks and local centers. Families can enjoy crafts, holiday meals, and outdoor games that make the day feel lively and memorable. Simple tips—like planning early, keeping activities kid-friendly, and mixing indoor and outdoor fun—help the celebration run smoothly. It’s a perfect blend of tradition, relaxation, and joyful holiday moments.
Get Active Outdoors on Thanksgiving Day
Spending time outdoors on Thanksgiving Day 2025 is a great way to stay active and enjoy the crisp fall air. Whether you choose to take a brisk walk around your neighbourhood, join a local Turkey Trot or 5K run, or explore a nearby park, outdoor activities help you kickstart the day with energy and positivity.
Being active outdoors not only keeps you moving before the big meal but also provides a refreshing way to connect with nature and soak in the seasonal scenery. It’s a fun, healthy, and invigorating way to celebrate Thanksgiving while creating lasting memories with family and friends.
Ramapo Valley County Reservation
400 Berdan Avenue, Mahwah, NJ 07430
A large park with scenic trails, streams, and wooded areas — perfect for a morning walk or hike.
Campgaw Mountain Reservation
200 Campgaw Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430
Offers hiking trails and beautiful views, ideal for an energising Thanksgiving morning.
Darlington County Park
170 Darlington Avenue, Mahwah, NJ 07430
Features open fields and trails, suitable for jogging, walking, or a family-friendly Turkey Trot.
Rotary Park
400 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah, NJ 07430
A local park with paths and open spaces, great for stretching your legs and enjoying fall scenery.
Have Some Fun Indoors on Thanksgiving Day
Not every Thanksgiving activity has to take place outside. Spending time indoors can be just as enjoyable and memorable. You can gather with family and friends to play board games, card games, or even organise a friendly indoor sports match. Watching Thanksgiving-themed movies or cooking together in the kitchen can also bring laughter and warmth to the day.
Indoor activities provide a cosy, comfortable way to bond, relax, and celebrate the holiday, making your Thanksgiving both fun and memorable, no matter the weather outside.
Board Games – Classics like Monopoly, Scrabble, or Clue are great for group fun.
Card Games – Games like Uno, Go Fish, and Poker can entertain people of all ages.
Thanksgiving Crafts – Creating DIY decorations like paper turkeys, gratitude journals, or festive wreaths.
Cooking or Baking Together – Making pies, cookies, or side dishes as a family activity.
Get into the Holiday Spirit with a Light Display on Thanksgiving Day
One of the best ways to embrace the festive spirit on Thanksgiving Day Magic is to enjoy a light display. Many neighbourhoods and local attractions are adorned with sparkling lights, colourful displays, and seasonal decorations, creating a magical atmosphere. Taking a stroll or a short drive to see these illuminated scenes can bring joy to both children and adults, adding a sense of wonder to the holiday. Experiencing a light display is a fun and cheerful way to celebrate Thanksgiving while soaking in the warmth and beauty of the season.
Date & Time: November 27, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location / Address: 615 E. Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ 08205
Details: Over 100 Christmas trees “float” on Lake Meone and light up in sync with music, creating a magical visual and musical display.
Cost: Free to enjoy.
Outdoor Movie Night on Thanksgiving Day 2025
An outdoor movie night is a fun and unique way to celebrate Thanksgiving, especially if you want to combine fresh air with entertainment. Many communities and local parks set up large screens and show family-friendly or holiday-themed films in the evening. You can bring blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks to make it a cosy, festive experience under the stars.
Watching a movie outdoors allows families and friends to gather, enjoy the crisp fall air, and share laughter. It’s a memorable way to end Thanksgiving Day on a relaxed, joyful note while creating special moments with loved ones.
Visit – Lafayette Theatre, 97 Lafayette Ave, Suffern, NY 10901, United States
Visit Neighbourhoods for Fun on Thanksgiving Day 2025
Exploring local neighbourhoods on Thanksgiving Day 2025 is a great way to enjoy festive decorations, community spirit, and seasonal displays. Many areas feature homes and streets adorned with lights, autumn décor, and creative holiday themes, making a casual walk or drive through the neighbourhood both fun and visually delightful. This activity is perfect for families, friends, or couples looking to soak in the holiday atmosphere while getting some fresh air.
Visiting neighbourhoods lets you discover unique decorations, interact with neighbours, and embrace the cheerful, communal energy that makes Thanksgiving extra special.
Visit – Riverside Park, Reich Ave, Brakeshoe Pl, Mahwah, NJ 07430, United States
Turkey Trot Fun Run on Thanksgiving Day 2025
A Turkey Trot fun run is a popular Thanksgiving tradition that combines fitness, community, and holiday spirit. Many Turkey Trots are themed with festive costumes, such as pilgrims, turkeys, or fall colours, adding a playful touch to the event. Running or walking in a Turkey Trot is a great way to start Thanksgiving with energy, enjoy the crisp autumn air, and even burn a few calories before indulging in the holiday feast. It also fosters a sense of community as neighbours, families, and friends gather to celebrate the holiday together in a healthy, fun way.
Visit – Leonia, NJ, USA
Thanksgiving Day 2025 Storytime
Thanksgiving Storytime is a heartwarming activity, especially for families with young children. During this event, local libraries, community centres, or bookstores host sessions where storytellers read Thanksgiving-themed books and tales that celebrate gratitude, family, and togetherness. Storytime often includes interactive elements, such as songs, crafts, or discussions, making it engaging for kids.
It’s an excellent way to introduce children to the meaning of the holiday, spark their imagination, and create cosy, memorable moments. Attending a Thanksgiving Storytime brings the community together and adds a gentle, educational, and festive touch to the holiday celebrations.
Make a Thank You Tree
Creating a Thank You Tree is a meaningful and creative Thanksgiving activity that encourages gratitude and reflection. The activity involves using a small tree branch, a paper tree. Or even a board as the “tree,” and then writing things you are thankful for on paper leaves. Family members or friends can add their own leaves to the tree. Filling it with messages of appreciation for people, experiences, and moments that bring joy.
A Thank You Tree is a visual reminder of gratitude. Sparks conversation about what matters most, and adds a personal, heartfelt touch to Thanksgiving decorations. It’s an enjoyable activity for all ages and helps focus the holiday on thankfulness and togetherness.
Local Libraries – Mahwah Public Library often hosts family-friendly Thanksgiving crafts, including gratitude trees. Address: 100 Ridge Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430
Community Centres – Mahwah Community Recreation Centre sometimes organises holiday-themed craft events. Address: 50 Ridge Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430
Schools or Religious CentresCentres – Many local schools, churches, or synagogues host Thanksgiving craft activities for families, including creating Thank-You Trees.
Make Your Own Thanksgiving Day 2025 Colouring Pages
Creating your own Thanksgiving colouring pages is a fun and creative activity for children and adults alike. This activity involves drawing or printing outlines of Thanksgiving-themed images such as turkeys, pumpkins, autumn leaves, pilgrims, or festive meals. Which can then be colored in using crayons, markers, or colored pencils.
Making personalised colouring pages allows families to express their creativity. Keep kids entertained, and engage in a hands-on craft that celebrates the holiday. It’s also a great way to decorate your home with custom artwork while adding a playful and festive touch to Thanksgiving Day celebrations.
For Example, turkeys, pumpkins, autumn leaves, cornucopias, or pilgrim hats
Turkeys: The turkey is the iconic centrepiece of Thanksgiving, symbolising the traditional holiday feast and harvest celebrations.
Pumpkins: Pumpkins are a staple of fall décor and cuisine, often used in pies, soups, and festive decorations during Thanksgiving.
Autumn Leaves: Autumn leaves represent the fall season and the beauty of nature as trees change colour, adding a warm, seasonal touch to Thanksgiving.
Cornucopias: Also called the “horn of plenty,” cornucopias symbolise abundance and harvest and are typically filled with fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Pilgrim Hats: Pilgrim hats are associated with the early settlers of America and are commonly used in Thanksgiving decorations to honour the holiday’s historical roots.