24 Thanksgiving Weekend activities in the DMV including a Parade, Festivals, Story Times, Volunteering, Hiking, and of course LOTS of Turkey Trots!
Table of Contents:
- DC Events (6)
- Virginia Events (10)
- Maryland Events (3)
- Other Ideas for Thanksgiving Weekend (5)
- Holiday Light Displays(20)
DC Thanksgiving Family Events
- America's Trot for Hunger - Freedom Plaza - Thursday, November 24
- "20,000+ participants from 42 states and 6 countries. Benefiting SOME So Others May Eat. Great Youtube video on their website."
- Library Story Times
- Family Story Time - Saturday, November 26 at Southeast Neighborhood Library
- Preschool Story Time - Saturday, November 26 at Georgetown Neighborhood Library
- Family Story Time - Saturday, November 26 at Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library
- Family Story Time - Saturday, November 26 at Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) Neighborhood Library
- Bluey's Big Play - Kennedy Center - Nov 22 - 27
- "When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! This brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy Award-winning children’s television series features an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm and music by Bluey composer Joff Bush. This is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before—brought to real life!" Check website for YouTube video.
Virginia Thanksgiving Family Events
- Refugees' First Thanksgiving - Arlington - Sunday, Nov. 20
- "Refugees' First Thanksgiving gathers newcomers to share a traditional American meal with the community, potluck style. Join us at 3PM or 5PM. We encourage you to bring a favorite dish of your choosing to share - dessert, main course, or appetizer! Attendance is free to all, but due to limited space, registration is required. You can choose to join us at 3:00 PM or 5:00 PM. Friends, colleagues, and family are all welcome. Please RSVP by November 14th, 2022."
- Thanksgiving Barks & Brews Festival - McLean - Saturday, Nov 26
- "Featuring 50+ beers & wines from local breweries and wineries, Kid Friendly (Playground, face painting, crafts corner), Live Music, Local vendors, Dog Friendly (Check out our Dog menu, play in the dog park, or just bring your pup along)
- Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience - Leesburg - Until December 16
- Follow a trail through a mysterious and magical forest full of interactive moments, mesmerizing lights, and theatrical illusions. Come face-to-face with magical creatures from the Harry Potter™ and the Fantastic Beasts™ films, such as Hippogriffs, Centaurs, Unicorns, Nifflers, and more." Jade at ClockoutDC has a great reel and caption of her experience.
- Thanksgiving Family Storytime - Tysons Library - Saturday, November 19
- "Share the joy of playful learning together! Children and their caregivers participate in music, movement, and song in this program that promotes bonding and highlights the natural rhythms in language." Free and no registration necessary.
- Reston Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting - Reston - Friday, November 25
- "Reston Town Center launches the season with the annual Reston Holiday Parade celebrating its 31st year! At 11 AM, the one-of-a-kind, one-hour, half-mile parade along Market Street also welcomes the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in a horse-drawn carriage. Since 1991, rain or shine, the parade has been an annual tradition on the day after Thanksgiving. After the parade, the Clauses will return for the Fountain Square Tree Lighting at 6PM."
Virginia Turkey Trots
- Alexandria Turkey Trot - Thursday, November 24
- Arlington Turkey Trot - Thursday, November 24
- Vienna Turkey Trot hosted by James Madison High School Band - Sunday, November 20
- "The James Madison High School Band will be hosting the 20th Annual Vienna Turkey Trot 5K/10K and Fun Run. All proceeds benefit the JMHS "Pride of Vienna" Band and the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department. Join us for a great run, super music, fun prizes, refreshments after the race and the Finish Line Festival!"
- Prince William Turkey Trot and Mashed Potato Mile - Thursday, November 24
- TIME: 5k – 8:30 | 1 Mile – 9:30. LOCATION: Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center, 9100 Freedom Center Blvd, Manassas, VA. Fun Run Racing is partnering with Hero’s Bridge and the Sweet Julia Grace Foundation to bring you the 2022 Prince William Turkey Trot. A portion of race proceeds will benefit these two fantastic charitable organizations.
- Gobble Wobble 5K Fun Run - Woodbridge - Thursday, November 24
- "Run up your Thanksgiving appetite and join us for the Gobble Wobble 5K, benefiting Toys for Tots at Westridge Elementary School from 8 AM to 10 AM on Thanksgiving Day.
Maryland Thanksgiving Family Events
- Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade - Silver Spring - Saturday, November 19
- "Larger than life inflatable turkeys and penguins, glittering floats, marching bands, dancing groups, and Santa and his elves! The Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade is the only Thanksgiving Parade in the metro DC area."
- Gobble Wobble 5K and 1.5 mile fun Run/Walk - Greenbelt - Thursday, November 24
- "Spend Thanksgiving morning with Greenbelt Recreation as we host the annual Gobble Wobble. The Gobble Wobble is roughly a 5K race (2 laps) and a 1.5-mile fun run/walk (1 lap) around Buddy Attick Park lake path. All registrants will receive a Gobble Wobble shirt. $15/individual, $50/family 4-pack (before 11/22) $20/individual, $70/family 4-pack (on 11/22)"
- Turkey Chase Charity Race - Thursday, November 24
- YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Bethesda Chevy Chase Rotary are proud to bring back their popular 10k race to thousands of runners on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 24th! Historically the largest race in Montgomery County, the Turkey Chase Charity Race returns in all of its glory with its classic 10k race and a 2-mile fun run. To ensure everyone can participate, this year's chase also offers virtual walking, running, biking, and swimming events.
Other Ideas for Thanksgiving Weekend
- Visit a free museum in DC (20 Museums for Children - 17 Free!)
- Many Ice Skating Rinks will be open (Check ahead of time)
- 20 Kid-Friendly Walks and Hikes in Northern Virginia
- Indoor Play Areas (107 listed in the DMV Kids Database)
- Enjoy a local park (159 in the DMV Kids Database)
Holiday Light Displays in the DMV
Visiting Holiday Light Displays in the DC Area is our family's favorite tradition! I've updated the list here for 2022 in DC, Virginia, and Maryland. 8 are free this year and I added Parking & Metro information for each location.
