Are you searching for the best things to do in Florida for Thanksgiving Day?
Well, you’re in luck!
Why settle for just turkey when you can stuff your day with adventure and new experiences? Florida has all the Thanksgiving fun you need, and I have the perfect recipe for a holiday to remember.
So, if you’re craving something different keep reading because we’re serving up the best things to do in Florida on Thanksgiving Day.
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Best Things to Do in Florida for Thanksgiving Day at a Glance:
- Watch the legendary Macy’s Holiday Parade at Universal Studios Florida on Thanksgiving Day, admission to the parade is included with your theme park ticket
- Cruise along Florida’s Scenic Highways and have the beautiful backroads all to yourself
- Stuff yourself at one of Universal Orlando Resorts Thanksgiving dinners
- Get a head start on the holidays and visit Busch Gardens Tampa Christmas Town, it’s included in your theme park admission
- Add some excitement to your Florida Thanksgiving with out-of-this-world human performances at Garden Bros Nuclear Circus
Keep reading to get a full guide to all the best Thanksgiving events in Florida for 2025!
1. Stay in a Vacation Home Rental with TopVillas and Buy a Popeyes Turkey
What better way to spend the Thanksgiving holiday than treating yourself to a well-deserved luxurious vacation home rental in Florida?
TopVillas offers some of the most incredible vacation rentals with one to suit every type of Florida vacation.
With private pools, game rooms, and serious resort vibes they take your holiday to the next level.
Staying at a luxurious Florida vacation home rental means you shouldn’t have to lift a finger; you are on holiday, right?
So, skip the Thanksgiving kitchen chaos and treat yourself and your loved ones to a mouthwatering Popeyes Cajun Turkey.
Full of flavor without the fuss, it’s the perfect solution for a stress-free Florida Thanksgiving.
Get the cheapest Orlando vacation home rental deals with Top Villas TODAY!
2. Unwrap the Holidays at Universal Studios Florida Macy’s Holiday Parade
Is there anything more legendary than watching the Macy’s Holiday Parade at Universal Studios Florida on Thanksgiving Day?
The best part? Admission to the parade is included with your theme park ticket, so it’s an extra holiday bonus!
Your favorite Illumination and DreamWorks Animation characters come alive in this holiday extravaganza.
You will be wowed by the larger-than-life colorful Macy’s balloons soaring above, dazzling costumes, energetic dancers, and jaw-dropping festive floats.
ORDER NOW to secure your Universal Studios theme park ticket! GET MY TICKETS.
3. Light Up Your Holiday Spirit at St. Augustine’s Night of Lights
The award-winning Nights of Lights Festival in St. Augustine shines bright on November 15, 2025, and twinkles through to January 11, 2026.
Three million twinkling white lights illuminate the historic buildings and landmarks from the bayfront all the way to Cordova Street in this traditional holiday event.
I recommend buying tickets for the Nights of Lights Trolley Tour.
It’s an enchanted 30–45-minute ride and one of the best ways to get around and see all the holiday magic.
Book Your St. Augustine Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour TODAY!
4. Visit Santa’s Enchanted Forest in Miami, Florida
Thanksgiving is all about tradition, but let’s shake things up this year with carnival rides, fun games, and live entertainment.
Open during all the holidays during their event season, a visit to Santa’s Enchanted Forest in Miami is the perfect recipe for fun.
Kiddie, family and thrill rides, mechanical bull ride, extreme ejector seat, children’s maze, acrobats, magic, and more!
You’ll feel like you’ve been transported straight to the North Pole but Miami style.
This place is stuffed full of things to do for Thanksgiving in Florida for all ages. They also offer Military discounts for active service members and their immediate family.
5. Celebrate Thanksgiving at the Beach
There’s no rule book that says Thanksgiving has to be celebrated at home with a big turkey feast of mashed potatoes, gravy, and pumpkin pie.
If you have the holiday off, take advantage of the chance to be able to get away for the day and head over to one of Florida’s beautiful beaches.
This is a fun thing to do for Thanksgiving in Florida because it takes all the stress off of having to prepare a big meal with all the fixings.
Put together a Thanksgiving-themed charcuterie board of meats, cheeses, spreads, and bread, and pack a picnic or even a barbecue with beachside views.
The holidays are about spending the day with those you love so bring some beach games and get out and celebrate Thanksgiving Florida-style, on its famous beaches!
Book your perfect Beach House in Florida with Vrbo TODAY!
6. Take a Drive on Florida’s Scenic Highways
Buckle up and hit the open road because taking a scenic drive in Florida is one of the best ways to celebrate a gorgeous day off in Florida.
Florida’s scenic routes are the perfect escape for Thanksgiving Day in Florida.
While everyone is inside gathering you can have the beautiful backroads all to yourself and can capture some amazing photos and sights.
Florida’s scenic drives don’t disappoint!
Head out onto Tallahassee’s canopy roads, the perfect coastal drives along the Florida Panhandle, or winding roads through fresh pine forests which is one of my favorites.
Want DAILY Florida Travel Photos? Follow Florida Hipster on Instagram TODAY!
7. Strut Your Stuff at the Clearwater Turkey Trot
Known in the past as the Tampa Bay Turkey Trot, this family-friendly Thanksgiving event in Florida has taken on a new name as the Achieva Clearwater Turkey Trot.
There are three signature race options to choose from, with the competitive Achieva 5K Competitive Timed Run at 7 a.m.
This Florida Thanksgiving event isn’t just for those looking for a bit of competition. It’s for anyone those who wants to get out and have some fun to too.
The FrankCrum Family Fun Run starts at 8 a.m. and Abe’s Place 1-Mile Drum Run at 9 a.m.
Strollers are allowed in these races and well-behaved dogs too just not on the high school track. Remember to register online early since spaces are limited.
If you want to get into the Thanksgiving spirit early the family friendly Achieva Pre-Trot Community Celebration kicks off on November 26, 2025, at BayCare Ballpark from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
All are welcome to come out to this community celebration where there will be live music, food and drinks, games, crafts, and fun for the kids.
If you do come out to this pre-Thanksgiving Day event all are welcome to bring a new pair of socks for donation which will go to those in need.
These will go towards the Homeless Empowerment Program (HEP) of Clearwater helping those who need it most in the community.
8. Enjoy One of the Thanksgiving Day Buffets at Universal Orlando Resort
This one is for all the foodies and Thanksgiving lovers!
Get ready to gobble up the goodness, because many of the Universal Orlando resorts will be serving up a Thanksgiving feast along with many other incredible dishes.
Universal Orlando Resort has made it easy for you to be able to feast on a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal in celebration of the holiday with so many dining spots serving up all your seasonal favorites.
Where to Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner at Universal Orlando Resort
- The Hard Rock Hotel: Thanksgiving Day Buffet at The Kitchen
- Loews Royal Pacific Resort: Thanksgiving Day Breakfast Buffet in Islands Dining Room
- Loews Sapphire Falls Resort: Thanksgiving Day Breakfast in Amatista Cookhouse
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel: Thanksgiving Day Buffet in Trattoria del Porto and Thanksgiving Menu in Mama Della’s Ristorante
- Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Thanksgiving Day Meal Special at Bayliner Diner
- Universal’s Aventura Hotel: Thanksgiving Day Meal Special in Urban Pantry
- Endless Summer Resort: Surfside Inn and Suites – Thanksgiving Day Meal at Beach Break Cafe
- Universal’s Endless Summer Resort: Dockside Inn and Suites – Thanksgiving Day Meal Special at Dockside’s Pier 8 Market
I do recommend though that you book your reservations before your trip on OpenTable or call 407-503-DINE (3463) so you can guarantee your spot.
Universal Studios Orlando Packages – Purchase lodging & Universal Orlando Discount Tickets together at Undercover Tourist. Book Now!
9. Kick Off the Holidays at Busch Gardens Tampa
Busch Gardens Tampa Christmas Town officially arrives on November 14 and runs until January 5, 2026.
The best thing about it is that it’s INCLUDED in your theme admission to Busch Gardens Tampa, so you can get a head start on the holidays.
Busch Gardens transforms into one of the world’s most breathtaking parks, lighting up the night with over 10 million twinkling lights.
Hop aboard the Holly Jolly Express holiday train, wander through the dazzling light tunnel, and catch some festive shows that’ll put you right in the holiday spirit.
And don’t forget to treat yourself to some scrumptious holiday-inspired treats that will be available for a limited time.
Save up to 29% off of Your Busch Gardens Tampa Tickets on Groupon TODAY!
10. Thanksgiving Under the Big Top at Garden Bros Nuclear Circus
After your bellies are good and full, it’s time for a feast for the eyes of jaw-dropping stunts, gravity-defying acrobats and lots of over-the-top hilarious antics.
Garden Bros Nuclear Circus is 1.5 hours of Humans Gone Wild and will be set up in Boca Raton, Florida on Thanksgiving Day.
Get ready to add some excitement to your Florida Thanksgiving Day plans with the Garden Bros Nuclear Circus!
This one-of-a-kind circus extravaganza will have just one thrilling show at Sunset Cove in Boca Raton on Thanksgiving, with a showtime of 7:30 pm.
Expect out-of-this-world performances that will leave you totally speechless!
Plus, the best part? Children ages 13 and under can snag a Free Kid Ticket when accompanied by an adult ticket.
Now that’s a holiday deal worth cheering for!
11. Explore Florida’s State Parks
While everyone else is diving into their mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie why not take the leap and try something different?
Swap out the hot dining room and kitchen for some fresh air and wide-open trails of Florida’s State Parks.
Florida’s State Parks are open 365 days a year!
It is a wonderful thing to do on Thanksgiving in Florida whether you are a solo traveler, wanting to spend time with the family, or just get together with some friends.
Reconnect with nature and give thanks for all the natural beauty in the Sunshine State.
Hike, kayak, go biking and just get out and have some fun in the great outdoors.
12. Discover the Underwater World of SeaLife Orlando Aquarium
This captivating aquarium is home to Orlando’s only 360-degree walkthrough ocean tunnel that will leave you in awe.
There is a virtual reality theater, thousands of sea creatures, and I love the resident sea turtles.
Then there are endless displays of some of the world’s most spectacular sea life that you have the chance to see up close.
My favorite part is that you can make a full day out of this Thanksgiving Day activity in Florida by adding on a few other fun experiences.
You can make it a combo ticket by adding on either The Orlando Eye and Madame Tussauds or both, saving you money.
On top of that Florida residents also get a discount including purchases of combo tickets.
This Thanksgiving Day activity in Florida is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with last admission at 5 p.m.
Save over 45% on admission with the ICON Combo Pass TODAY!
13. Hunt for Holiday Cheer at Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail
If you’ve never celebrated Thanksgiving at Disney World, you’re truly missing out on one of the most magical ways to kick off the holiday season.
One of the best free things to do at Disney World for Thanksgiving is the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail.
Not only is there no admission fee to jingle all the way around the Christmas Tree Trail at Disney World, you also don’t even have to pay for parking at Disney Springs.
Plus, it is your chance to witness a magical wonderland transformed into a dazzling sea of twinkling lights and to hear the merry melodies of holiday tunes echoing all around.
It is a super fun holiday activity to do with your partner, friends, family, or even as a solo traveler and a new holiday tradition you can do each year at Walt Disney World.
Pick up your Christmas Tree Stroll map from select locations and then let the Christmas tree scavenger hunt begin.
There are also discounts on the back of your Christmas Tree Stroll maps don’t forget to check out the incredible food, shopping, and entertainment at Disney Springs while you’re there.
I recommend making it a holiday event to remember with everyone decking the halls in their fun and festive holiday-themed attire to get the most picture-perfect Disney holiday photos.
ORDER NOW to secure your Walt Disney World theme park ticket! GET MY TICKETS.
Wrapping Things Up
As you can see Thanksgiving in Florida offers a cornucopia of experiences!
We have so much to offer in this state and here at Florida Hipster, we love sharing everything that we love about our amazing home.
Any of these things to do for Thanksgiving Day in Florida will have you feeling full of holiday spirit and grateful to spend it in the Sunshine State.
Happy Florida Travels Hipster!
About the Author
Sarah Jordan is a solo traveler enthusiast, professional travel writer, and proud mama to her rescue dog Coconut.
With a love for destinations across the globe, she made Epcot her first theme park and still treasures her EPCOT World Showcase passport to this day.
After finally following her inner wanderlust, she discovered the freedom and empowerment that solo travel brings.
(Original Article Date: October 24, 2024/Updated by Editor on October 31, 2025)