14 Things to Do in Tampa Bay on Thanksgiving Day and Weekend 2026
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026, and Tampa Bay has turkey trots from Tampa to Wesley Chapel that morning. Largo Central Park's holiday lights also open that evening.
The weekend adds a St. Petersburg Santa Parade, the Shopapalooza Festival and two tree lightings on Sunday. Each pick is confirmed on the organizer's page, and a few details are noted as still unclear.
1.Upper Tampa Bay Trail
Turkey Day 5K Tampa Bay starts at 9 AM on Thanksgiving morning.
The Turkey Day 5K Tampa Bay is held on the Upper Tampa Bay Trail at 7505 Gunn Hwy in Tampa. The race page lists a 9 AM 5K start.
- Know before you go
- Registration is required. This is a paid race, not a free event.
- Best time
- Thursday, November 26, 2026. 5K starts at 9 AM.
- Local tip
- Register ahead on the race page, which also lists early sign up savings.
2.North Shore Elementary School
The Coffee Pot Turkey Trot 5K starts and finishes behind North Shore Elementary in St. Pete.
The 2026 Coffee Pot Turkey Trot 5K is a timed 5K that starts and finishes behind North Shore Elementary School at 200 35th Avenue NE in St. Petersburg.
- Know before you go
- Registration is required through the race page.
- Best time
- Thursday, November 26, 2026. Start time is 7:45 AM.
- Local tip
- The race page lists a single timed 5K, so the morning is easy to plan around.
3.The Shops at Wiregrass
Wiregrass Turkey Trot: an 8 AM 5K and an earlier kids dash in Wesley Chapel.
The Wiregrass Turkey Trot is held on Thanksgiving Day at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28139 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel. The 5K starts at 8 AM and the Kids Dash starts at 7:15 AM.
- Know before you go
- Registration is required through the race page.
- Best time
- Thursday, November 26, 2026. Kids Dash 7:15 AM, 5K 8 AM.
- Local tip
- Plan for the earlier kids start if you are bringing children.
4.Tampa Premium Outlets
The BayCare Wobble Turkey Trot offers a 5K, a 1(Tur)K and a virtual option in Lutz.
The BayCare Wobble Turkey Trot is based at Tampa Premium Outlets, 2300 Grand Cypress Dr in Lutz. Options include a 5K, a 1(Tur)K, a combo of both and a virtual 5K, and volunteers can sign up too.
- Know before you go
- Registration is required. Lutz is just north of Tampa.
- Best time
- Thursday, November 26, 2026. The 5K window is 7 to 10 AM and the 1(Tur)K window is 8:15 to 10 AM.
- Local tip
- The page lists time windows for each event rather than a single start time, so confirm your start before race morning.
5.Largo Central Park
The city's holiday lights open Thanksgiving night, with free parking and walking.
Holiday Lights at Largo Central Park opens on Thanksgiving Day and runs nightly. Food, drink and market vendors are on site, and a carousel and Ferris wheel run until 10 PM.
- Know before you go
- Rides need a ticket. Leashed dogs are welcome and golf carts are not allowed.
- Best time
- Nightly from Thursday, November 26, 2026, 5 to 10 PM.
- Local tip
- Entry and parking are free. Parking is paid on December 5 only.
6.Williams Park
Winter Wonder's open air ice rink lists extended hours the week of Thanksgiving.
Winter Wonder in downtown St. Petersburg has an open air ice rink and a curated market of local small businesses. Extended hours with skating, the market, food and drinks are listed for November 23 to 27.
- Know before you go
- Confirm Thanksgiving Day hours with the organizer, since the page lists the date range but not a holiday note.
- Best time
- November 23 to 27, 2026 are listed as extended days, 2 to 10 PM.
- Local tip
- Reservations for skating must be made online or by scanning QR codes on site.
7.Florida Botanical Gardens
Holiday Lights in the Gardens begins the day after Thanksgiving.
Holiday Lights in the Gardens in Largo features more than a million lights, laser projections and lighted figures across the gardens. Food and non alcoholic drinks are sold at the Palm Pavilion.
- Know before you go
- No tickets. A donation is requested.
- Best time
- Nightly from Friday, November 27, 2026, 5:30 to 9:30 PM.
- Local tip
- Parking lots are on Ulmerton Road and Walsingham Road.
8.ZooTampa at Lowry Park
ZooTampa is closed Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas in the Wild begins that Friday.
ZooTampa's event calendar says it is closed on Thanksgiving. Christmas in the Wild starts with a Member Preview Night on Friday, November 27 from 4 to 10 PM, and a Saturday, November 28 listing runs 4 to 10 PM.
- Know before you go
- Zoo Fun passes are blocked out November 27 and 28, including Christmas in the Wild.
- Best time
- Closed November 26. Member Preview Night November 27, 2026.
- Local tip
- The Saturday listing does not state a membership requirement but its web address says member only night, so confirm access.
9.North Straub Park
St. Pete's 98th Santa Parade and tree lighting kicks off the waterfront lights.
The 98th Annual Santa Parade and Tree Lighting begins at Albert Whitted Park, with the tree lighting at North Straub Park. The city's Holiday Lights and Displays begin the same day across the bayfront parks and Pier.
- Know before you go
- The city page does not state a cost for the parade.
- Best time
- Saturday, November 28, 2026, 6:30 PM. Lights run November 28 to January 1.
- Local tip
- Walk the bayfront after the parade to see the lights.
10.Vinoy Park
Shopapalooza brings more than 350 vendors to the St. Pete waterfront all weekend.
Shopapalooza Festival at Vinoy Park has local makers and small businesses, food zones, a beer and wine garden, live entertainment and a kids zone. It is family and pet friendly.
- Know before you go
- Free admission.
- Best time
- Saturday and Sunday, November 28 and 29, 2026, 10 AM to 5 PM.
- Local tip
- Combine it with the Santa Parade on Saturday evening nearby.
11.Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Winter Village's Shop Small weekend and open air rink downtown.
Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park lists a Shop Small Weekend with participating vendors to be announced. The village is free to attend and also has a rink and cafe.
- Know before you go
- Walk in is free. The ice rink requires paid admission and reservations.
- Best time
- Shop Small Weekend November 28 and 29, 2026, 1 to 4 PM. The season runs November 20 to January 3.
- Local tip
- The page lists the weekend as November 28 and 29, not including Friday.
12.Coachman Park
Clearwater's Bright and Beautiful Tree Lighting has Santa, a snow machine and food trucks.
The event at Coachman Park features Christmas carolers, dance groups, food trucks, a snow machine, inflatables and merchants. Mr. and Mrs. Claus are there for photos.
- Know before you go
- Free.
- Best time
- Sunday, November 29, 2026, 5 to 9 PM.
- Local tip
- The city lists the event window but no exact tree lighting time.
13.Tampa Convention Center
The Holiday Harbour Tree Lighting: a 35 foot floating tree lit by the mayor.
The Tampa Riverwalk's tree lighting has Mayor Jane Castor arrive by water taxi at the Convention Center docks and light a 35 foot floating Christmas tree, which starts the Holiday Spectacular.
- Know before you go
- The page does not say whether the event is free or ticketed.
- Best time
- Sunday, November 29, 2026, 4 to 7 PM.
- Local tip
- The venue is the Tampa Convention Center and The Sail Plaza at 333 S. Franklin Street.
14.Tropicana Field
Enchant St. Petersburg is open for the season, with a Friendsgiving theme night on its list.
Enchant Christmas St. Petersburg runs at Tropicana Field with a light maze, Santa visits, a village and live entertainment. The organizer lists Friendsgiving among its theme nights, with dates on its theme night calendar.
See Enchant dates, official tickets and resale options on Wayfind
- Know before you go
- Ice skating, parking and a Ferris wheel are add ons.
- Best time
- November 20 through December 27, 2026.
- Local tip
- Tickets have an arrival window. Check the theme night calendar for the Friendsgiving date.
Plan more of your holiday season on Wayfind at Christmas in Florida. Race start times and event hours can change, so check each page before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I run a Thanksgiving Day 5K in Tampa Bay in 2026?
Race pages list the Turkey Day 5K Tampa Bay (9 AM), the Coffee Pot Turkey Trot in St. Petersburg (7:45 AM), the Wiregrass Turkey Trot in Wesley Chapel (8 AM) and the BayCare Wobble Turkey Trot in Lutz. All are on Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Is ZooTampa open on Thanksgiving?
ZooTampa's events page says the zoo will be closed on Thanksgiving. Christmas in the Wild begins with a member preview night on November 27.
What Christmas events start Thanksgiving weekend in Tampa Bay?
Largo Central Park's lights begin on November 26, Florida Botanical Gardens' lights on November 27, and St. Pete's waterfront lights and Santa Parade on November 28.
What is free on the weekend after Thanksgiving?
Shopapalooza Festival in St. Petersburg (November 28 and 29) and Clearwater's tree lighting (November 29) both list free admission. Largo Central Park's walk through the lights is also free.
Where is the tree lighting on Sunday, November 29?
Clearwater's Bright and Beautiful Tree Lighting is at Coachman Park from 5 to 9 PM, and the Holiday Harbour Tree Lighting is at the Tampa Convention Center and The Sail Plaza from 4 to 7 PM.
