9 Things to Do on Thanksgiving Day and Weekend in Sarasota and Bradenton for 2026
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026, and two turkey trots start at 8 AM: the Bradenton Runners Club Turkey Trot at Robinson Preserve and the Florida Turkey Trot at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota. On Friday and Saturday, the Venice tree lighting, the Siesta Key Holiday Parade and the Florida Railroad Museum's North Pole Express open the season.
Each pick below was checked against the organizer's page. Confirm Thanksgiving Day hours directly with any restaurant or attraction not listed here.
1.Robinson Preserve
Bradenton Runners Club Turkey Trot 5K at Robinson Preserve on Thanksgiving morning.
The Bradenton Runners Club Turkey Trot is a 5K fun run and walk at the south entrance of Robinson Preserve. A BRC Kids' one third mile fun run for ages 5 to 10 starts first, and there is also a virtual 5K you can complete between November 1 and November 26.
- Know before you go
- South entrance of Robinson Preserve, 10299 99th St NW, Bradenton. Register through RunSignup.
- Best time
- Thursday, November 26, 2026. Kids' run 7:30 AM; 5K 8:00 AM.
- Local tip
- Start with the kids' run at 7:30 AM if you have young runners; the 5K follows at 8:00 AM.
2.Nathan Benderson Park
Florida Turkey Trot 5K and Kids' Dash at the Nathan Benderson Park finish tower.
The Florida Turkey Trot is a 5K run and walk (3.1 miles) at the Nathan Benderson Park finish tower in Sarasota. A Kids' Dash starts earlier in the morning.
- Know before you go
- Nathan Benderson Park Finish Tower, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Register through RunSignup.
- Best time
- Thursday, November 26, 2026. Kids' Dash 7:15 AM; 5K 8:00 AM.
- Local tip
- Aim to arrive before the 7:15 AM Kids' Dash if you are running with children.
3.Florida Railroad Museum
North Pole Express opens Thanksgiving weekend, with Santa, cocoa and a gift for every child.
The North Pole Express carries riders round trip to the North Pole, where each child gets a personal visit with Santa and a special gift. The ride includes unlimited cookies and hot chocolate, storytelling, model train displays, campfires, reindeer food and a toy tent.
- Know before you go
- Put everyone traveling together on one reservation. There is no waitlist for sold out departures. Strollers, car seats, large coolers and oversized bags are not allowed aboard. Children under one can ride on an adult's lap with a lap rider ticket.
- Best time
- Opens Friday, November 27, 2026, with evenings on November 27, 28 and 29. Most evenings have departures at 5:15 and 7:15 PM.
- Local tip
- Arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure; the train cannot be held for late guests and parking at the museum is free.
4.Centennial Park
The Mayor's Hometown Christmas tree lighting in Historic Downtown Venice.
The Mayor's Hometown Christmas kicks off the season in downtown Venice with a Christmas tree lighting, performances by local choirs including The Venice Chorale, and time with Santa. You can also shop and dine in the Historic Downtown Venice businesses.
- Know before you go
- At Centennial Park, 200 West Venice Avenue. The organizer page does not say whether the event is free.
- Best time
- Friday, November 27, 2026, 5 to 7 PM.
- Local tip
- Bring chairs or blankets, as the organizer advises.
5.Siesta Key Village
Siesta Key's Holiday Parade, with free Santa photos before it starts.
The Siesta Key Holiday Parade starts at 5:30 PM at Avenida del Mare and Beach Road, heads north on Beach Road and turns onto Ocean Boulevard, ending in Siesta Key Village. Before the parade, Santa is at the Village Gazebo from 3 to 5 PM, and the first 250 children get a holiday gift bag.
- Know before you go
- The organizer says photos with Santa are free. The Santa spot is the Village Gazebo, Ocean Boulevard at Avenida Messina and Canal Road.
- Best time
- Saturday, November 28, 2026. Santa photos 3 to 5 PM (line closes 4:30 PM); parade 5:30 PM.
- Local tip
- Join the Santa line before 4:30 PM, when it closes. Santa also visits The Big Tiki Lounge after the parade.
6.Keating Theatre
Deck the Halls, a kids' holiday show at Florida Studio Theatre, opens November 28.
Deck the Halls is part of Florida Studio Theatre's children's theatre season, billed as a holiday celebration in true Florida fashion. It has original songs, sketches and interactive fun, runs 50 minutes with no intermission and blends Christmas and Hanukkah themes.
- Know before you go
- At Keating Theatre, 1241 North Palm Avenue. The page does not list an age recommendation.
- Best time
- November 28 to December 24, 2026. Individual showtimes are at ticketing.
- Local tip
- Book showtimes through Florida Studio Theatre's ticketing.
7.Florida Studio Theatre
It's a Blunderful Life, an upscripted holiday movie, opens Thanksgiving weekend.
It's a Blunderful Life is listed by Florida Studio Theatre as an upscripted holiday movie in its FST Improv lineup. It plays in Bowne's Lab.
- Know before you go
- The page lists no age notes or description beyond the title and "An Upscripted Holiday Movie."
- Best time
- November 28 to December 19, 2026. Showtimes are at ticketing.
- Local tip
- Check ticketing for showtimes.
8.The Mall at University Town Center
Holidays at UTC is already running with nightly light shows and Saturday fireworks.
Holidays at UTC runs November 14 to January 3 with a nightly light show from 6:30 to 9:30 PM and festive fireworks every Saturday night. The season page also lists Santa's Grand Arrival Parade, The Rink at UTC, Wonderland Circus by Nik Wallenda and Holiday Movies Under the Stars, which it describes as free.
- Know before you go
- Carriage rides, the rink and the circus are separate attractions; the season page does not state admission for them.
- Best time
- November 14 to January 3. Light shows nightly 6:30 to 9:30 PM; carriage rides Thursday to Sunday 6 to 10 PM; fireworks every Saturday night.
- Local tip
- Check the season page for the specific date and time of each add on event, since the page does not list dates for the parade, rink or circus.
9.Tamiami Tap
Miracle at The Tap, Sarasota's holiday pop up bar, starts the day after Thanksgiving.
Miracle at The Tap is Tamiami Tap's holiday pop up bar and is listed on Miracle's 2026 locations page for Sarasota. The bar's page says it runs from the day after Thanksgiving through December 30.
- Know before you go
- The bar's page states its kitchen is open till midnight. The page does not state an age rule or address; a map link on it points to South Osprey Avenue in Sarasota.
- Best time
- From the day after Thanksgiving (Friday, November 27, 2026) through December 30, per the bar's page. Miracle notes locations, dates and hours are subject to change.
- Local tip
- Check Tamiami Tap's social media for hours, since the bar's page does not list Miracle specific hours.
Confirm times with each organizer, then plan more of your holiday weekend on Wayfind at https://www.gowayfind.com/christmas-in-florida.
Frequently asked questions
Are there turkey trots in Sarasota and Bradenton on Thanksgiving 2026?
Yes. The Bradenton Runners Club Turkey Trot at Robinson Preserve and the Florida Turkey Trot at Nathan Benderson Park both list Thursday, November 26, 2026, with 5Ks starting at 8:00 AM.
What time do the kids' turkey trot runs start?
The BRC Kids' run at Robinson Preserve starts at 7:30 AM, and the Kids' Dash at Nathan Benderson Park starts at 7:15 AM.
Is The Ringling open on Thanksgiving 2026?
The Ringling's event listing says the museum is closed on Thursday, November 26, 2026.
When does the North Pole Express start?
The Florida Railroad Museum lists its first North Pole Express evenings on November 27, 28 and 29, 2026, with most departures at 5:15 and 7:15 PM.
What is happening in Venice on Thanksgiving weekend?
The Mayor's Hometown Christmas tree lighting is Friday, November 27, 2026, from 5 to 7 PM at Centennial Park.
