14 Things to Do in Orlando on Thanksgiving Day and Weekend 2026
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov 26, 2026, is a morning for turkey trots in the Orlando area, and the holiday events begin the next day. Nov 27 brings the free Frontyard Holiday Festival downtown and the start of EPCOT's Festival of the Holidays, and Celebration lights its tree on Nov 28 and 29.
The picks below stretch beyond the theme parks, from races and light walks to theater and a Park Avenue stroll. Each date and time comes from the organizer's page, and details they have not posted are left out.
1.Lake Nona Performance Center
The Nona Fear Rise & Trot 5K starts at 9 AM on Thanksgiving morning in Lake Nona.
The Rise & Trot is a 5K run and walk hosted by Nona Fear on Thanksgiving Day at the Lake Nona Performance Center, 6775 Chopra Terrace in Orlando.
- Know before you go
- Race details such as bibs and parking were not listed on the page, so check with the organizer.
- Best time
- Thursday, Nov 26, 2026, 9 AM.
- Local tip
- Register ahead through the RunSignup page listed below.
2.Oviedo Mall
The 8th annual Oviedo Turkey Trot offers a 5K, a youth 5K and a kiddie run.
The Oviedo Turkey Trot is a chip timed 5K run and walk open to all ages, with a 5K for ages 18 and under, a 100 meter Kiddie Run for ages 1 to 9, and a virtual 5K option. The start is at 1700 Oviedo Mall Boulevard, at the food court.
- Know before you go
- The race is organized by Run 4 a Cause. Oviedo is just outside the Orlando city limits, in the Orlando metro area.
- Best time
- Thursday, Nov 26, 2026. The 5K starts at 8 AM and the Kiddie Run at 9 AM.
- Local tip
- Little runners can start at 9 AM after the 5K, so a family can do both.
3.Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
The free Frontyard Holiday Festival opens the day after Thanksgiving with snowfall and firepits.
The Frontyard Holiday Festival opens Nov 27 on the Frontyard and Seneff Arts Plaza with live entertainment, themed nights, firepits and nightly snowfall. Other features include holiday movie screenings, an illuminated Tree of Light, and weekend photos with Santa from 3 to 5 PM.
- Know before you go
- The festival is free, though indoor holiday shows are ticketed. Dates, times and programming are subject to change.
- Best time
- Opens Friday, Nov 27, 2026. Fridays 5 to 10 PM, Saturdays and Sundays 2 to 10 PM.
- Local tip
- Weekend Santa photos run 3 to 5 PM, and movie nights are on Sunday evenings.
4.Epcot
EPCOT's Festival of the Holidays and Candlelight Processional both begin Nov 27.
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays runs Nov 27 to Dec 30, 2026, with holiday storytellers, festival food booths and a gingerbread Spaceship Earth. The Candlelight Processional begins Nov 27 at the America Gardens Theatre.
- Know before you go
- Included with theme park admission. Dining packages for Candlelight are priced separately.
- Best time
- Opens Friday, Nov 27, 2026, during park hours.
- Local tip
- Candlelight showtimes were not posted on the festival blog, so check Disney's schedule for your day.
5.Magic Kingdom Park
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party has Thanksgiving weekend nights on Nov 27 and 29.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party runs on select nights through Dec 22, and Nov 27 and Nov 29 are both party nights. The party starts at 7 PM and ticket holders may enter from 4 PM.
- Know before you go
- A separate party ticket is required. The end time is not announced on the official blog.
- Best time
- Friday, Nov 27 and Sunday, Nov 29, 2026. Party at 7 PM.
- Local tip
- Ticket holders can enter from 4 PM.
6.Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney Jollywood Nights has a Saturday night of Thanksgiving weekend on Nov 28.
Jollywood Nights is a separately ticketed Christmas party at Disney's Hollywood Studios with entertainment, limited time experiences and character encounters. Nov 28 is one of the select nights.
- Know before you go
- A separate ticket is required, and ticket price varies by date.
- Best time
- Saturday, Nov 28, 2026. Entry from 5:30 PM, festivities 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM.
- Local tip
- Entry begins at 5:30 PM, before the festivities start at 7:30 PM.
7.SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration is on its schedule for the Thanksgiving holiday stretch.
SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration includes Sea of Trees, Winter Wonderland on Ice, Santa meet and greets and the Sesame Street Christmas Parade. Holiday Reflections fireworks are viewable around the lagoon at park close.
- Know before you go
- Included with park admission. The page does not list any Thanksgiving specific dates, so check the calendar.
- Best time
- Select dates from Nov 6, 2026. Nov 20 through 29 are listed event dates.
- Local tip
- Event days follow the park hours calendar, so confirm the hours for the day you pick.
8.Promenade at Sunset Walk
Holiday Nights with a 40 foot animated tree, snow and Santa run Nov 27 to 29.
Holiday Nights Celebration features a 40 foot animated Christmas tree lit nightly at 6:30 PM, nightly snow, and Santa Claus with his mischievous elves. The Thanksgiving weekend nights are Nov 27, 28 and 29, plus an earlier run on Nov 19 to 22.
- Know before you go
- Free admission and parking. Train and trampoline rides cost extra.
- Best time
- Nov 27 to 29, 2026, 6 to 10 PM.
- Local tip
- The tree lights at 6:30 PM each night.
9.Celebration Town Center
Tree Lighting Ceremony weekend and the start of Now Snowing Nightly are Nov 28.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony is held Nov 28 and 29 in Celebration Town Center. Now Snowing Nightly also begins Nov 28 and runs through Jan 1, 2027.
- Know before you go
- Pricing was not listed on the events page.
- Best time
- Tree Lighting Nov 28 and 29, 2026, 5 to 9:30 PM. Snow starts at 5:30 PM nightly.
- Local tip
- The town center address is 701 Front Street, per the events page.
10.Downtown Winter Park
Holidays on Park returns to Park Avenue starting Nov 27.
Park Avenue's Holidays on Park begins Nov 27, 2026. Visitors can wander beneath the Cathedral of Lights and ride the Holiday Carousel.
- Know before you go
- The page does not list hours or admission details.
- Best time
- Begins Friday, Nov 27, 2026. Hours and end date are not stated.
- Local tip
- Schedules and updates are posted on the district's Instagram and Facebook pages.
11.Steinmetz Hall
Michael James Scott's A Fierce Holiday brings sing alongs and a Santa visit on Nov 28.
The Orlando Philharmonic's Home for the Holidays features Michael James Scott in A Fierce Holiday at Steinmetz Hall, Dr. Phillips Center. The program includes holiday sing alongs and a visit from Santa.
- Know before you go
- Tickets are required. Age guidance was not announced.
- Best time
- Saturday, Nov 28, 2026, 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM.
- Local tip
- There are two shows, so the 2:30 PM performance is a good fit for families.
12.Orlando Family Stage
A Charlie Brown Christmas is on stage, with a Step Into The Story workshop on Nov 28.
Orlando Family Stage presents A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage, recommended for all ages, with a runtime of 90 minutes including one 15 minute intermission. A family workshop called Step Into The Story is offered on Saturday, Nov 28 at 3:15 PM.
- Know before you go
- Showtimes load through the ticket page. A relaxed performance is offered Sunday, Dec 13 at 2 PM.
- Best time
- Nov 23 to Dec 27, 2026. Workshop Sat, Nov 28 at 3:15 PM.
- Local tip
- The theater is in Loch Haven Park at 1001 E. Princeton Street.
13.Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
The Coca-Cola Christmas Caravan is at Gaylord Palms Nov 23 to 26, ahead of ICE!.
Christmas at Gaylord Palms runs Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027 with ICE! featuring The Polar Express, Snow Flow Mountain, a holiday Cirque show, more than 3 million lights and photos with Santa. The Coca-Cola Christmas Caravan appears Nov 23 to 26 only, which includes Thanksgiving Day.
- Know before you go
- Attractions are ticketed, and bundles are sold through the resort ticket site.
- Best time
- Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. Coca-Cola Christmas Caravan Nov 23 to 26.
- Local tip
- Hours and closed days are not listed on the main page, so confirm with the resort ticket site.
14.Harry P Leu Gardens
Dazzling Nights is a ticketed evening light walk running select nights from Nov 20.
Dazzling Nights fills Harry P. Leu Gardens with twinkling lights and festive displays, with gently falling snow, holiday music and seasonal treats each evening.
- Know before you go
- A separate ticket is required, and the event page does not say whether specific holiday nights are closed.
- Best time
- Select nights Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. Entry times start at 5:30 PM.
- Local tip
- Check the ticket calendar for the exact Thanksgiving week nights, since only select nights are open.
Find more Florida events for the long weekend on Wayfind: https://www.gowayfind.com. Check each organizer's page before heading out, since schedules can change.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a turkey trot in Orlando on Thanksgiving 2026?
Yes. The Nona Fear Rise & Trot 5K at the Lake Nona Performance Center starts at 9 AM on Thursday, Nov 26, and the Oviedo Turkey Trot starts at 8 AM at Oviedo Mall.
What Orlando holiday events open Thanksgiving weekend?
Nov 27 is the start date for the Frontyard Holiday Festival at Dr. Phillips Center, EPCOT's Festival of the Holidays and Holidays on Park in Winter Park. Celebration's tree lighting is Nov 28 and 29.
Are theme park Christmas parties running Thanksgiving weekend?
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party has nights on Nov 27 and 29 at Magic Kingdom, and Disney Jollywood Nights has a night on Nov 28. Both need a separate ticket.
What can kids do in Orlando Thanksgiving weekend?
The Oviedo Turkey Trot has a Kiddie Run, Celebration has snow starting Nov 28, and Orlando Family Stage is presenting A Charlie Brown Christmas with a family workshop on Nov 28.
Is there anything free to do Thanksgiving weekend in Orlando?
The Frontyard Holiday Festival at Dr. Phillips Center is free, and Sunset Walk lists free admission and parking for Holiday Nights on Nov 27, 28 and 29.
