Credit: Claudio Schwarz via Unsplash.
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Thanksgiving in Los Angeles offers more than just a traditional meal, it’s an opportunity to explore unique ways to celebrate this cherished holiday! It’s celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November every year, and this 2025 Thanksgiving falls on November 27th. While Thanksgiving’s roots trace back to the Pilgrims’ early harvest feast, today’s celebration is about gratitude, togetherness, and making the most of the season. Here are the best things to do during Thanksgiving in L.A. this 2025!
Enjoy a classic buffet-style feast on the Rooftop Veranda with stunning views of Rainbow Harbor. A full cash bar and seasonal cocktails will be available for purchase. Plus, get up close with over 12,000 animals from the world’s largest ocean!
📍 Location: 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
🗓️ Date: Thursday, November 27 2025 from 10:30 am–3:00 pm
🎫 Ticket prices: $95 per Adult (ages 12+) $72.50 per Child (ages 3-11). Make your reservation.
Image courtesy Hollywood Christmas Parade.
Just like a cheeseburger, a neon sign, or a traffic jam, the Hollywood Christmas Parade is a quintessential part of L.A. culture. Since its debut in 1928, the parade has been a staple of Thanksgiving weekend, taking place on the Sunday following the holiday.
The event showcases a vibrant array of floats, balloons, marching bands, equestrians, and semi-famous personalities as they journey along a U-shaped route from Hollywood and Orange to Sunset and Orange.
📍 Location: Starts at Hollywood Blvd
🗓️ Date: Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 at 6:00pm
3. Run in the Turkey Trot
Gym enthusiasts, you can burn off those extra calories this Thanksgiving! Celebrate L.A. Thanksgiving with this family-friendly event along Downtown’s Spring Street, packed with races, games, and activities.
You can work off those calories in either the 5K or 10K run/walk, or let the little ones enjoy the 1K “Widdle Wobble” for kids 10 and under. Costumes aren’t mandatory but are always encouraged. Each year, the race supports the Midnight Mission.
📍 Location: 200 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
🗓️ Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025 from 8:00 AM to noon. Packet pickup opens at 6:30 AM on race day.
Riverside’s breathtaking Mission Inn transforms into a sparkling wonderland with 4.5 million twinkling lights and hundreds of animated figures during the 33rd annual Festival of Lights. This free, seven-week holiday tradition kicks off on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
📍 Location: 3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501
🗓️ Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025 – December 31, 2025 (Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day)
5. Get moving with the Drumstick Dash in the Valley
If you’re looking to get a run in on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles without the downtown drive, join the Drumstick Dash in the Valley. The city’s largest Thanksgiving 5K/10K race kicks off at 9 am in the NoHo Arts District, with live DJs and cheering crowds. Kids can race in the Lil’ Gobblers Race, and there’s also a dance and costume contest! All proceeds go to Hope the Mission, supporting meals for the homeless.
🗓️ Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025 at 8:30 AM
🎫 Race info
6. Marvel at The L.A. Auto Show
Head to the Convention Center for the 10-day L.A. Auto Show, where you’ll find cars that would even make Dominic Toretto feel a bit insecure about his ride. If you’re a car enthusiast, you can take the wheel and test drive some of the latest models, including on an indoor EV track. With global and North American debuts from a variety of carmakers, get ready to experience the future of automotive technology, while also celebrity spotting during manufacturer exhibits.
📍 Location: 1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
🗓️ Date: November 21-30, 2025
7. Volunteer with Lost Angels Non Profit Organization at Thanksgiving in Venice 
Source: Shutterstock
Thanksgiving is all about sharing, and sometimes the most valuable thing you can give is your time. Come together to provide food, clothing, toiletries, and plenty of smiles to the less fortunate in Venice Beach with Lost Angels Non Profit Organization. It’s a wonderful way to give back and make a difference. Learn more here!
📍 Location: 219 E Rose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90291
🗓️ Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025 from 6:30 AM – 10 AM
8. Have a gentle Thanksgiving day by cuddling a turkey!
Although they are culturally considered a traditional dish, many people see animals as friends, not food. If you want to enjoy a gentle celebration with these animals, you can join The Gentle Barn’s Thanksgiving morning event, where you can cuddle turkeys, feed them treats, and appreciate them for the intelligent and majestic creatures they are. Reserve your spot here!
📍 Location: 15825 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91390
🗓️ Date: Thursday, November 27th, 2025 from 10 AM – 1 PM
👐 Donations: $75, under 2yrs Free
9. Join the 32nd Annual Thanksgiving Day Run & Food Drive
The Thanksgiving Day Run & Food Drive is celebrating its 32nd year at Memorial Park in La Cañada Flintridge. This 5K Run/Walk welcomes participants of all ages and abilities, making it a heartwarming way to kick off Thanksgiving in Los Angeles. Beyond the fun, it serves as a major fundraiser to support local families in need. Don’t miss this meaningful community tradition that blends fitness, charity, and holiday spirit! Get all the details here!
📍 Location:Olberz Park, One Civic Center Drive, La Canada Flintridge
🗓️ Date: Thrusday, November 27, 2025. Race starts at 08:30 AM
🏃 Registration: $50 for the 5K and $25 for the Kid’s Mile
Winter Fest OC returns for its 11th anniversary with festive thrills for the whole family! Enjoy the largest outdoor ice skating rink in the region, an 8,000-square-foot snow play area, and a 150-foot ice tubing slide. Don’t miss the dazzling holiday light show with over 2 million synchronized lights and the expanded carnival, featuring a kids-only section. Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend, and keep the fun going through early January! Get tickets here!
📍 Location: 88 Fair Dr. Costa Mesa, CA 92626
🗓️ Date: November 28, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Credit: Canva.
Is there anything better than enjoying a delicious, huge turkey on Thanksgiving? Certainly, nothing compares to a classic family gathering to share this tasty feast. But if you’re not a fan of cooking or just don’t have the knack for it, you can leave the dinner to the professionals and visit one of the many restaurants that offer special Thanksgiving specials to celebrate the occasion.
Los Angeles isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think of snow, ice, and typical winter activities. But that doesn’t mean we’re missing out on the fun! Every year around November, an ice rink is set up in DTLA, allowing you to glide and pretend it’s winter in the City of Angels. It’s the perfect activity for getting into the holiday spirit on Thanksgiving Day in Los Angeles!
Image by Venti Views via Unsplash.
If you enjoy solo and outdoor activities, Thanksgiving in L.A. is the perfect time to tackle a hike on one of the city’s beautiful trails that are usually crowded. Although the Griffith Observatory is closed, the park remains accessible.
With many people spending time at home with their families, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy a trail that’s typically much more crowded. Take in the views, breathe in and out, break a sweat, and marvel at the stunning sunset over the city!
📍 Location: 2715 N Vermont Canyon Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Cereal via Instagram
Although malls are generally closed on Thanksgiving Day, some stores at The Grove may open either on Thanksgiving or for Black Friday, which follows. Depending on the store, promotions and discounts might start on Thursday night or Friday morning. Just be prepared to compete with other eager shoppers for the best deals. Grab a very special limited-edition Jellycat while you’re at it. And don’t forget to snap a family pic at their iconic Christmas tree.
📍 Location: 189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036
best drives
Yes, the image of the 405 freeway completely gridlocked on Thanksgiving is 100% real, as you know. However, once the hustle and bustle of travelers subsides, the city becomes a bit quieter and more peaceful over the weekend. This means traffic in Los Angeles decreases, making it an excellent opportunity to enjoy some of the most beautiful roads in the mountains or along the coast while taking in the fall colors.
Although many stores are closed, that doesn’t mean the city comes to a halt. As the entertainment capital that it is, Los Angeles offers plenty of options for movie lovers. Whether you prefer an IMAX screen, a vintage 35mm experience, or even a drive-in, there are plenty of iconic theaters to choose from.
Photo by Tommao Wang on Unsplash
There’s nothing better than having a weekday off, and what better way to enjoy it than with a thrilling ride! Roller coasters, haunted houses, live music, and fireworks, all with your favorite characters, await you at places like Disneyland or Universal Studios Hollywood.