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Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2025 in Connecticut: Parades, Turkey Trots, and More Things To Do

Thanksgiving Weekend 2025 kicks off holiday magic and fun things to do all over Connecticut! Photo courtesy of the Mystic Chamber of Commerce
Thanksgiving Weekend 2025 kicks off holiday magic and fun things to do all over Connecticut! Photo courtesy of the Mystic Chamber of Commerce
11/25/25 - By Jennifer Coe

Looking for the best things to do in Connecticut on Thanksgiving Day weekend 2025? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list!

Enjoy the turkey, eat the desserts and then get out to enjoy all the seasonal events starting this weekend! Run off all those mashed potatoes at the Manchester Road Race or Pequot Runners Thanksgiving Day Road Race. After the dishes are done, go and see Santa and Elsa at the Carousel Museum or take a light hike at Turkey Daze & Trail Stroll in Canton. 

Opening this weekend, take a cozy, family hayride at Night of Lights: Hayrides with Santa at Fairview Tree Farm or see a great display of gingerbread houses at the Watershed History Collective's Annual Gingerbread House Festival (formerly the Wood Library & Museum). And you can still get tickets to Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the Oakdale.

Check out our picks for seasonal fun in the Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Connecticut Families, updated with all the latest Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's Eve events for the 2025 season. 

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Mommy Poppins!

More Things to do in Connecticut this Week with Kids 

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Connecticut is sparkling with festive fun this Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2025. Photo courtesy of the Shops at Yale
Connecticut is sparkling with festive fun this Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2025. Photo courtesy of the Shops at Yale

Thanksgiving Weekend 2025 in Connecticut - Things To Do with Kids

Pequot Runners Thanksgiving Day Road Race

Southport
Thursday, November 27, 2025
This scenic and fast course offers a 5-mile run or a 2.6 mile walk that goes through the Gold Coast and has some of the state's loveliest views, including Southport Harbor. READ MORE

Manchester Road Race

Manchester
Thursday, November 27, 2025
A CT Tradition, decades strong! The race is a 4.748 mile long hilly course through Manchester. Fans, bands, and merriment will greet you along the way. If you don't want to run, spectating is just as fun for all ages! READ MORE

School’s OUT! Legends and Lore at the Matt

Waterbury
Friday, November 28, 2025
Drop off your child  (ages 5+) daily for this day-long experience. Children will be immersed in the Museum’s galleries while learning about history and developing their art skills with unique materials and techniques. READ MORE

Turkey Daze & Trail Stroll in Canton

Canton
Friday & Saturday, November 28 & 29, 2025
How well do you really know Meleagris gallopavo, the wild turkey, a cousin of the domesticated turkey? What is a turkey’s snood? What is a Jake? Do turkeys have beards? Take a self-guided turkey scavenger hunt or register for a guided hike at 1:30 pm. Crafts, quiz and more.  Free with admission to the Nature Center. READ MORE

Santa and Elsa at the The Carousel Museum

Bristol
Friday, November 28, 2025
Get ready for a magical holiday celebration! Join us at The Carousel Museum for an enchanting afternoon with Santa Claus and his very special guest, Elsa! This festive event is packed with delightful activities that will make your holiday season sparkle. READ MORE

Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the Oakdale

Wallingford
Friday, November 28, 2025
Cirque Dreams Holidaze lights up the stage in this awe-inspiring and eye-popping family holiday spectacular. This annual tradition wraps a whimsical, Broadway-style musical infused with contemporary circus artistry into the ultimate holiday gift for the entire family. READ MORE

2025 Holiday Events at The Shops at Yale

New Haven
Friday, November 28. 2025
Join us this holiday season for fun & festive experiences that are free and open to the public, along with exciting shopping rewards.  READ MORE

Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights at the Connecticut Trolley Museum

East Windsor
Friday to Sunday, November 28 - 30, 2025
Halls are decked inside and outside at the Connecticut Trolley Museum with more than 15,000 lights for this annual event. Guests board enclosed trolley cars for a ride down a tunnel of lights as they sing traditional Christmas carols with their trolley car operators. READ MORE

Watershed History Collective's Annual Gingerbread House Festival

South Windsor
Friday to Sunday, November 28-30, 2025
One of the largest gingerbread house displays in New England features an incredible array of candy covered houses. The Festival will take place with the Watershed History Collective and will be held at NOMAD's this year.  READ MORE

Winterfest at Powder Ridge Park

Middlefield
Friday to Sunday, November 28-30, 2025
Join us for the ultimate holiday celebration at Winterfest! From thrilling day and night tubing to a snow play area for kids, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. READ MORE

Santa Visits the Mystic Aquarium

Mystic
Friday to Sunday, November 28 - 30, 2025
Santa Claus is coming to town...and coming to Mystic Aquarium for photographs! Visit your favorite animals, explore our exhibits, and meet Jolly Old Saint Nick with a special photo opportunity for all ages. What a great way to celebrate the ho-ho-holidays! READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at Foxwoods

Mashantucket
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Santa is making his list and checking it twice. But first, breakfast at Foxwoods sounds extra nice! Breakfast with Santa is back at Foxwoods as part of A Season Like No Other! Families can enjoy a festive holiday breakfast at Cedars Steaks & Oysters with a special holiday menu, Santa meet-and-greet, and photo opportunities. READ MORE

Winterfest in North Haven

North Haven
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Winterfest is back at the North Haven Fairgrounds - our final event of the year! Over 30 local craft vendors, face painting, free kids crafts and games, story time, food trucks, hayrides, decorate trees, basket raffles, and touch a truck. READ MORE

Meriden Yulefest

Meriden
Saturday, November 29, 2025
The Meriden YuleFest once again brings the community together to kick off the holiday season with vendors for your holiday shopping, Santa comes for a visit, the elves will be around and a special visit from the Grinch himself. READ MORE

Mystic Tree Lighting & Lighted Boat Parade

Mystic
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Santa Claus is coming to Mystic with the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade in Historic Downtown Mystic. Thousands gather at the Mystic River Park to watch Santa arrive!  Santa Claus comes at 2pm. The tree lighting is scheduled for 6pm. READ MORE

Night of Lights: Hayrides with Santa at Fairview Tree Farm

Shelton
Saturday & Sunday, November 29 - 30, 2025
Join Fairview Tree Farm for a magical night of holiday lights at their annual Christmas nighttime hayride! A 30-minute tractor pulled wagon will take you through our decorated and lit tree fields and holiday scenes. Visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, and more! Holiday Spirit throughout our farm! Sit by a cozy bonfire while sipping on tasty treats. READ MORE

Sanctuary Holiday Kickoff Weekend in Newtown

Newtown
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Join CVHF for the Sanctuary Holiday Kickoff Weekend! Celebrate the magic of the season with gifts that give back! Explore the Sanctuary Holiday Shop for unique, handcrafted treasures perfect for holiday giving - and get your holiday cards ready early with photos alongside adorable goats or a vintage holiday truck. READ MORE

Small State Big Saturday on Pratt Street

Hartford
Saturday, November 29, 2025
It's the most wonderful time of the year to SUPPORT SMALL. Join Small Business Saturday as we kick off the holidays on Pratt Street. The Hartford Chamber, Pratt Street + Hartford Prints! are teaming up to put together a magical holiday market in downtown Hartford. READ MORE

Trees in the Rigging at CT River Museum

Essex
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Trees in the Rigging is back! Come to the Museum for a full day of holiday fun. Together with the Essex Historical Society, the Connecticut River Museum is pleased to present this classic event. READ MORE

What Would Mrs. Claus Do? at the Florence Griswold House

Old Lyme
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Join Pamela McColl for a festive presentation celebrating the fascinating Christmas character Mrs. Claus. McColl shares her knowledge of the art and literature that chronicle the character and draws from her new book What Would Mrs. Claus Do? in which Mrs. Claus offers tips for living according to her “Fa-La-La-La Philosophy” along with ideas for making the most of the holiday season. READ MORE

Santa Story 3 at the Downtown Cabaret Theater

Bridgeport
Saturday & Sunday, November 29 - 30, 2025
Last time we met the young Christopher Kringle, he and his wife Margaret were sent on a madcap mission through NYC to save Christmas! This year, Santa and his team welcome the reindeer to the North Pole in a brand-new adventure you won't want to miss. READ MORE

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About the Author

Jenny Coe
Jenny Coe is a longtime Mommy Poppins writer and contributor and full-time mom to three boys. Jenny has also been a contributor at Patch and The Reminder (Hartford Courant). Here at Mommy Poppins, Jenny writes about great things for kids to do in Connecticut and New England, affordable fun, and nature experiences (her favorite!).
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