Looking for things to do during Thanksgiving week? Not only can you spend the most American of holidays where it all began; from period celebrations at Plimoth Plantation to the Parade of the Big Balloons in Springfield, you can also get a sneak peak at the upcoming Christmas season. Below you will find events happening over the Thanksgiving holiday from the weekend before to the weekend following Thanksgiving.
GREATER BOSTON
Thanksgiving Dining in Boston
Thanksgiving Day feasts abound in Boston where you’ll find all the trimmings in addition to gourmet delights such as Harvest Pumpkin Bisque with Roasted Pecans, Pan Roasted Duck with Cranberry Molasses Sauce, Ricotta Gnocchi with Pumpkin Sauce and Sage, Apple Cranberry Tart with Pumpkin Gelato and Cinnamon Spiced Popcorn, Hot Mulled Apple Cider and more!
Throughout Boston
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Stay in Boston this Thanksgiving
Check out these Thanksgiving hotel packages
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Zoolights
November 22-December 31
5:00-9:00pm
A beloved holiday family tradition returns to Stone Zoo when ZooLights opens on Thanksgiving. This winter wonderland attracts thousands of visitors each year who get into the holiday spirit by strolling along tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights. Upon entering the Zoo, guests will visit Yukon Creek, which not only features dazzling holiday lights but is also home to bald eagles, porcupine, lynx, a gray fox and a pair of reindeer. Children will want to make sure they visit with Santa, who awaits their arrival in Santa's Castle.
Stone Zoo, Stoneham
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Half Price Admission
November 23
Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo will offer half-price admission the day after Thanksgiving _______________________________________________________
Thanksgiving with the Grafton Group
Enjoy Thanksgiving dinner at Russell House Tavern, PARK, Grafton Street Pub & Grill or Temple Bar.
NORTH OF BOSTON & GREATER MERRIMACK VALLEY
19th Annual Methuen Festival of Trees
Through December 1
Visitors are invited to attend the Festival and view the 200+ trees donated by individuals, businesses, organizations, and school groups from Methuen and several Merrimack Valley communities. The proceeds from the Festival of Trees provide funding to preserve our heritage and the monuments that make Methuen so unique.
Valley Office Park, Methuen
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Thanksgiving Grand Buffet
November 22
Spend Thanksgiving at the beautiful seaside Emerson Inn by the Sea in Rockport. From noon-5pm, enjoy a delicious 3-course meal with your family for only $45 per person, $22.50 per child (ages 3-10). Tax and gratuity not included.
Emerson Inn by the Sea, Rockport
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9th Annual Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run
November 22
Work up your appetite on Thanksgiving morning at the largest road race on the North Shore! All proceeds go to Boys & Girls Club and Salem Park & Recreation Youth programs.
Salem
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Lowell City of Lights Parade and Holiday Arts Stroll
November 24, 11 am - 8 pm
Celebrate the coming holiday season in Lowell with festivities including family activities, music and a hot chocolate competition as well as a holiday parade featuring local and regional floats and marching bands. 978-970-4257
Downtown Lowell
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More Thanksgiving Events in the Merrimack Valley.
SOUTH OF BOSTON
Thanksgiving at Plimoth Plantation
November 22
Celebrate the quintessential Thanksgiving experience at Plimoth Plantation. Be among the thousands who make the annual pilgrimage to the museum to share in the holiday spirit. Visitors will explore the Plantation's multiple sites, which include the Wampanoag Homesite, the 1627 English Village, the Crafts Center and Mayflower II.
Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth
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Thanksgiving Day in America's Hometown
Thursday, November 22
9am-5pm
North Street, Water Street Leyden Street, Town Square, Main Street, Plymouth
Visit Pilgrim Hall Museum and Plimoth Plantation, Mayflower II and Plymouth Rock, National Monument to the Forefathers, Jabez Howland House & more!
10am - “The Pilgrim Progress” Procession
A reenactment of the Pilgrims’ march to their original church site followed by a short worship service. This annual Thanksgiving Procession begins at the Mayflower Society House at the foot of North Street. Costumed participants, representing the 51 Pilgrim survivors of the first, harsh winter of 1620/1621 assemble to the beat of a drum, march down North Street, past Plymouth Rock, up Leyden Street and to the top of Burial Hill, the site of the first fort where Pilgrims met for worship. Psalms sung are taken from "The Book of Psalms" by Henry Ainsworth, which was actually used by the Pilgrims in Holland and in Plymouth. Passages read by Elder Brewster are selected from Gov. William Bradford’s "Of Plymouth Plantation." After the brief service, the participants descend the hill and travel north along Main Street through the downtown back to the Mayflower Society House.
12 Noon - National Day of (American Indian) Mourning Ceremonies
Participants honor Native ancestors and their struggles. Held at the Massasoit Statue on Cole’s Hill (Water Street.
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Thanksgiving Day Dinner Train
November 22 - 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Looking to try something new this Thanksgiving? Start a tradition this year on the Cape Cod Central Railroad! Enjoy a leisurely five-course gourmet meal, beautiful scenery, and all the elegance of a bygone era -- without any of the work! Reservations are required.
Cape Cod Central Railroad
252 Main Street, Hyannis
508-771-3800
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Harvest Dinner with the Pilgrims
November 21, 23 & 24
5:30pm
Your Pilgrim hosts, residents of 1627 Plimoth, will spice up your dinner conversation with tales of England, old and new. Discover the table manners and recipes that traveled across the Atlantic with the Pilgrims, and find out about what happened at the famous harvest celebration of 1621. For reservations call 800-262-9356 ext. 8353, 8364, or 8365. Call early as these popular dinners sell out quickly.
Plimoth Plantation
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CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS
16th Annual Vineyard Artisans Festival
November 23-24
The largest Holiday Art Show on the Vineyard with over 85 Island Artisans. Balsam wreaths and ceramic ornaments to start off the holiday season and gifts galore from the Islands finest artists and craftsmen. Fine jewelry, glass, ceramics, fine art, clothing, book arts and much more.
Agricultural Hall, West Tisbury
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Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument
November 21
Watch as one of the most recognizable landmarks on Cape Cod is illuminated with 5000 lights. The lights go on at 6:00pm followed by entertainment and refreshments.
Provincetown
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Lambert's Cove Inn
Serving both a traditional Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner and several additional entree options including braised lamb shanks, local bay scallops and a magnificent salmon dish. Come enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner in this quaint country setting on Martha’s Vineyard. Lodging options available for those who wish to make a weekend of it on the island!
Reservations required by calling 508-693-2298
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A Seaside Christmas in Orleans
November 24
8 to 10 am - Pancake breakfast at the Orleans Yacht Club with Mrs. Claus. ($5 adults, $3 children)
10 am - Santa arrives by boat at the Orleans Yacht Club
10:30 am - Children meet Santa at Snow's Home & Garden
12:30 to 3:30 pm - Old fashioned hay rides from Orleans Auto Center on West Rd. ($2 per person. Children in lap no charge)
4 pm - Gather at Snow's Home & Garden for the traditional candlelight stroll. Candles for the adults, glow sticks for the kids (while they last)
5 pm - Stroll proceeds to the Village Green with caroling and the annual tree lighting
6 pm - Warm up with complimentary clam chowder at the United Methodist Church just across the street.
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Festival of Wreaths
November 21, 23-25 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Take a chance and bid on one of the many stunning wreaths made by Nantucket artists, designers, and merchants for this annual silent auction. Free admission.
Peter Foulger Gallery, 15 Broad Street, Nantucket
CENTRAL MASS
Thanksgiving 1830's-style at Old Sturbridge Village
November 22-25
This Thanksgiving, costumed historians at Old Sturbridge Village demonstrate hearthside cooking in early New England - roasting turkeys in a tin kitchen and also before the fire suspended on skewers and string to evenly rotate the meat. Old Sturbridge Village re-creates various activities from an early New England Thanksgiving Day, including cooking at the hearth, demonstrations of 19th-century table manners, a Thanksgiving sermon, and after-dinner entertainment. The Thanksgiving Day menu includes turnip sauce, stuffing, pies and Marlboro Pudding. Proper 19th century table manners required eating from one's knife. After dinner, the men will demonstrate a target shoot, the 1830s entertainment equivalent of today's Thanksgiving Day football games.
Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge
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Fireplace Feasts
Check website for dates
Relax by the fire or lend a hand as dinner is prepared for you 18th century style. Stir the chowder as it bubbles in the cast iron cauldron. Watch your prime rib turning as the only known Roasting Jack still operating in America rotates slowly over a crackling fire of cherry logs.
Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield
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Chocksett Inn Thanksgiving Buffet
November 22
Menu available online
11:30am-3:30pm
59 Laurelwood Rd, Sterling
978-422-3355
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Publick House Thanksgiving Day Feast
Menu available online
On the Common, Route 131, Sturbridge
508-347-3313
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Wachusett Village Inn Thanksgiving Buffet
November 22
Menu available online
9 Village Inn Road, Westminster
978-874-2000
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Vienna Historic Inn Thanksgiving Buffet
November 22
Menu available online
14 South Street, Southbridge
508-764-0700
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Holiday Inn Fitchburg & CoCo Key Water Resort
Thanksgiving Buffet in Applewoods Restaurant. Call (978) 602-1915 for information and reservations.
WESTERN MASS
A Season of Thanks
November 23
Members of the Society of the 17th Century offer a taste of what English life was like at the time of the first Thanksgiving. Meet re-enactors dressed in period clothes as they demonstrate a range of traditional crafts. See the fruits of the fall harvest prepared in open hearth cooking demonstrations. Included with general admission.
Historic Deerfield, Deerfield
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Parade of the Big Balloons
November 23
A Springfield tradition for the whole family. This wonderful parade features giant helium balloons led by the 75ft “Cat in the hat” along with marching bands, a visit from Santa, and plenty of fun for all ages.
Downtown Springfield
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After-Thanksgiving Weekend Sale featuring Midnight Madness
November 23-25
Lee Premium Outlets will open at midnight the day after Thanksgiving for the Annual Thanksgiving Sale featuring Midnight Madness! Visit our website for weekend hours and to download weekend offers and specials.
Lee Premium Outlets, Lee
413.243.8196
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Traditional Shaker Supper
November 24
A guided tour begins at 4:00pm with interpreters in period attire present an introduction to Shaker life as you view the Village's premier collection of Shaker furniture and artifacts in selected buildings. After a cider and cheese reception in the spacious kitchen of the historic Brick Dwelling dinner is served by candle light in the Believers' Dining Room. The menu varies, and includes soup, entrees, accompaniments, and desserts selected from The Best of Shaker Cooking by Amy Bess Miller. The main course is served buffet style so you may savor an assortment of Shaker flavors.
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
413.443.0188
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3rd Annual HomeMADE for the Holidays
Pittsfield
Featuring RCS Crafts, TuChi Handbags, Image by PEP, ALJ Designs, Fern Fronds Designs, Wake Robin Botanicals and more! Join us from 11am – 4pm at Spice Dragon, 297 North St., 2nd Floor, Pittsfield.
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Colonial Thanksgiving Party
Monterey
A Benefit for the museum from 4-7pm with live music, refreshments, and silent auction. For reservations and more information, please contact the museum.
Map of the Regions in Massachusetts
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- Where to Go
- Things to Do
For New England's largest theme park, head to Six Flags New England in Agawam. Experience the "Glow in the Park Parade", an all new nighttime spectacular with dramatic state-of-the-art floats, cirque-style music and thousands of sparkling lights! The Dept. of Conservation and Recreation presents Park Passport, a program where families are encouraged to continue to visit parks statewide in an effort to fill their passport with stamps from all the parks.
- Plan Your Trip
- 50 Under $50
- Getting Around
State and regional resources, including air, land, and water transportation; Boston public transit info; detailed info on travel to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island
