Whether volunteering at food banks, embracing nature, or seeing dazzling light displays, New York families have lots of Thanksgiving weekend activity options.
Did you know the author of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” helped make Thanksgiving a national holiday? Sarah Josepha Hale wrote hundreds of letters to governors, ministers, newspaper editors, and other notable figures requesting that the final Thursday of November be set aside to showcase joy and gratitude for the year’s blessings.
Abraham Lincoln, who was navigating the country through the tumultuous Civil War, supported Hale’s idea. In 1863, he proclaimed the final Thursday of November National Thanksgiving Day and ordered offices in Washington, D.C. to close for the day. Aside from a brief detour under Franklin Roosevelt, the tradition has continued ever since.
New Yorkers are grateful for Hale’s efforts. That’s more time to spend with family, recharge after a busy month of work, and indulge in all kinds of tasty treats, from ham and turkey to yams and green bean casserole (or pumpkin goat cheese crostini, if you prefer more non-traditional sides).
Of course, eating all that food only takes up so much time. And New York has no shortage of unique events going on throughout the state. Here are 12 terrific ideas for free family activities during Thanksgiving weekend.
1. Volunteer at a food bank
Food banks need help at all times of year, and demand is especially high around the holidays. Donating food and money helps, but families can also volunteer to serve those in need, pack supply boxes, organize pantries, and much more. Quality food banks include City Harvest (New York City), Second Chance Foods (Hudson Valley), St. Peter’s Kitchen (Rochester), and FeedMore WNY (Buffalo). However, just about every city in the state offers opportunities to give back. Note that some food banks require applications or virtual training before they allow volunteering, so sign up early if you’re interested.
2. Take in some nature
Consuming an abundance of food on Thanksgiving can naturally make you feel pretty tired and sluggish. While a nap is never a bad idea, stepping out into the brisk fall weather for a nature stroll is also an excellent way to regain energy. I have fond Thanksgiving childhood memories of my family going to nearby parks and forest preserves and trying to catch leaves falling from trees before they hit the ground. And certain parts of New York already have snow during Thanksgiving weekend, offering opportunities to make snow angels or simply enjoy the crunch of snow underneath your boots. Even if you’d just prefer a more leisurely stroll, getting outside almost always creates special moments for the whole family. And if your walking game is ambitious, here are some of the best hikes in the state.
3. Play a game of touch football
One of the more memorable episodes of “Friends” is “The One with the Football,” which just so happens to take place on Thanksgiving. You don’t need as heated a rivalry as the Geller Bowl to have a good time (in fact, such on-field violence is not encouraged). Depending on how many people you’ve got gathered, you can get a full football game going. However, even just tossing the pigskin around in the backyard or at the park will get you some fresh air in between eating. Just make sure to wrap up by 8:20 p.m. to catch the Buffalo Bills, who host the Kansas City Chiefs for the last game of Thanksgiving Day (the franchise’s first-ever home Thanksgiving game). We’re sharing this in case you need a New York team to root for on Thanksgiving, though Jets fans, we understand if you’re pulling for the Chiefs in this one.
4. Stroll Small Business Saturday
This idea is free-adjacent, because you may discover something you just have to buy. Still, supporting small businesses and embracing your local community is always a worthwhile activity. Small Business Saturday is the Saturday after Thanksgiving; this year, it’s on Nov. 28. If you’ve got stronger willpower, you can stick to window shopping and people watching as you stroll through local businesses near your home. Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool, so if you see something cool in a shop, snap a photo, share it with a friend or on social media, and encourage people to #ShopSmall during Thanksgiving weekend.
5. Visit a free museum
Fall can be a lovely time in New York, but let’s face it: The weather is often unpredictable. You may get a beautiful, crisp weekend with lots of fresh air, or a dreary stretch of rain, sludge, and snow. In the case of the latter, seek refuge inside a museum. New York City offers a ton of free and pay-what-you-wish museums, such as the American Folk Art Museum, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) (free entry for New York State residents on Fridays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. with advance tickets).
Free museum days are available throughout the state. For example, the Blue Door Art Center in Yonkers has no admission cost and free children’s art workshops on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon for ages 5 to 12 (registration is required). Other museums also offer free days on certain days of the week or later in the day. Though many are closed on Thanksgiving Day itself, the rest of the weekend is a great opportunity to check out a new place.
6. Start celebrating Christmas
If you’re like Mariah Carey and begin defrosting the second November hits, you might already be in full Christmas mode. However, many of us like to wait until after Thanksgiving, and that’s true of celebrations around New York, too. Wylder Windham’s holiday party in the Catskills has free entry on Nov. 28; Buffalo Holiday Market begins the day after Thanksgiving and has free admission all throughout its month-long run. Free Christmas tree lightings abound throughout the state, from the Clinton Square Tree Lighting in Syracuse to Lite Up the Village at Lake George to the Amsterdam Tree Lighting Festival. At Highland’s Walkway Over the Hudson event on Nov. 29, you can meet Santa while indulging in free cookies and hot cocoa (dipping is highly encouraged).
7. Watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade
Feeling like you’re twiddling your thumbs while the turkey is cooking and the pies are baking? Turn on your TV to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, or, if you’re near Manhattan, you can experience the route in person. The best public viewing is on the west side of Central Park West between West 75th and West 61st streets, and along Sixth Avenue from West 59th to West 38th streets. The parade steps off at 8:30 a.m., and you’ll want to arrive early. Not near NYC? Some other areas host their own Thanksgiving Day parades, such as New Rochelle (held the Saturday before Thanksgiving), and while turkey trots around the state have entry fees, there’s zero cost to attend and support runners.
8. Head to Hudson Valley Free Day at Dia Beacon
The last Sunday of each month at Dia Beacon includes free entry for all Hudson Valley residents. The museum is located in a former Nabisco plant and features both permanent and rotating exhibits, including a mix of traditional paintings and more abstract installations. Dia admission is free for those under 5 on all days (and it’s stroller-friendly) should you want to explore at a different time. The monthly free day does require applying ahead of time, but the process is smooth.
9. Light the Lighthouse at Montauk Historical Society
On Nov. 28 at 4 p.m., the Montauk Historical Society hosts one of Long Island’s most anticipated events of the year. Lighting the Lighthouse brings members of the community together to turn the Montauk Point Lighthouse into a dazzling display of festive lights. The official lighting occurs around dusk (roughly 5:15 p.m.). In the meantime, enjoy sing-alongs with Sarah Conway and the Playful Souls, and stay warm with tasty hot chocolate. This event has no formal charge, though donations are appreciated.
10. Stroll the Hudson Valley Art Market
We love a market with a scenic backdrop. The Hudson Valley Art Market gives you double the value in that regard, with a lovely setting and beautiful works of art. Hudson Valley has plenty of gorgeous places, and Poughkeepsie’s Locust Grove Estate is no exception. From Nov. 27–29, the area transforms into a community of artists, artisans, and small-batch makers, where creativity and craftsmanship are on full display. Admission is free, and on-site parking is available. Extend your visit with a mansion tour of the home of Samuel F. B. Morse (the co-creator of Morse Code), though that requires purchasing tickets.
11. Hike the trails at Teatown
Teatown’s Visitor Center is currently closed for renovations, but it typically includes exhibits on the area’s wildlife. The good news: Everything else is still open. That includes 15 miles of trails and Cindy’s Garden, which includes sensory experiences like smelling leaves, eavesdropping on insect conversations, and watching the magic of nature all around you. Admission to Teatown is free, though there’s a $7 parking fee for non-members (members park free).
12. Create some art at the Jewish Museum of Buffalo
Ruby Merritt is the Jewish Museum of Buffalo’s professional teaching artist, and she’s leading a series of workshops designed to empower creativity, exploration, and self-expression through art and history. On Sunday afternoon during Thanksgiving weekend, bring the family to make some art that you can proudly display on the wall or fridge. That’s true even if you’re like me and can only draw about four things, including a stylish sun with sunglasses. The museum provides all art materials, and guests get to take home everything they make. If you’re too tired from your other Thanksgiving activities, don’t worry. The museum is hosting additional Make & Take Art Days the two Sundays following Thanksgiving weekend.
