Family-Friendly Thanksgiving Events in NYC for 2025
Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday to spend time with family and loved ones. Check out these events around New York to celebrate Thanksgiving that are perfect for the whole family!
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Psst…Check Out Free Kid and Family Activities in NYC: 10 Free Things to Do This Week
Manhattan
Manhattan Turkey Trot 5K
Randall’s Island Field #10, 130 Central Road, Randall’s Island
Sunday, Nov. 16, 8:30 am Kiddie Dash; 9 am General Start
Ages 5 and older
$38.98
Trot on down to Randall’s Island for the Manhattan Turkey Trot 5K! Run the scenic and unique path along the Island. Enjoy sweet & savory turkey-trot swag and treats from Waterloo Sparkling Water to commemorate your achievement! A portion of the event proceeds benefits the Never Stop Running Foundation.
Little New-Yorkers: Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade
New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side
Nov. 18-21, Tuesday and Friday, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Ages 3 – 6
$6-$24; free for children 4 and younger
Meet Tony Sarg, the expert puppeteer who invented the first balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, in Balloons Over Broadway, written and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. After the story, create your own paper balloon design!
Thank-FULL for You
Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St., Upper West Side
Nov. 25-30, Daily, 10 am – 5 pm; except Nov. 27
All ages
$18
Reflect, create, and give thanks with a variety of family-friendly art experiences.
Marching Bands at the Seaport Museum
The Seaport Pier 16 & 17, 89 South St., Downtown Manhattan
Wednesday, Nov. 26, 1 – 3:30 pm
All ages
Free
Get ready for a booming afternoon at the South Street Seaport Museum—a front-row preview of the iconic New York City Thanksgiving Day Parade, a day early in the Seaport! Catch the excitement as marching bands from Temple University and the Damien Spartan Regiment take over Pier 16 with stationary performances that are sure to get you in the parade spirit. Hundreds of students from these talented bands will fill the air with the sounds of classics like “Funkytown” and “Uptown Funk” plus medleys of popular hits, school songs, and catchy drum cadences. The band from Temple University will begin at 1 pm and the performance from the Damien Spartan Regiment will begin at 2:30 pm.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Parade Begins at Central Park West & 77th St., Upper West Side
Thursday, Nov. 27, 8:30 am – noon
All ages
Free
A Thanksgiving tradition since 1924, this iconic parade includes magnificent floats, marching bands from across the country, and enormous balloons featuring favorite characters, old and new. Plus, a special appearance by everyone’s favorite man in red!
Instant Yiddish: Thanksgiving Edition
The Workers Circle, 247 West 37th St., 5th Floor, Midtown South
Sunday, Nov. 30, 1 – 1:30 pm
Ages 13 and older
Free
What are you thankful for? Learn how to express being thankful with 30 minutes of holiday vocabulary with Kolya Borodulin, the Workers Circle’s Director of Yiddish Programming. Enjoy a lively community gathering filled with games, songs, prizes, and festive fun!
Bronx
Thanksgiving Story & Craft for Kids
Westchester Square Library, 2521 Glebe Ave., Westchester Square
Monday, Nov. 17, 4 – 4:45 pm
Ages 6 – 12
Free
Listen to a Thanksgiving story on BookFlix and then create a terrific Thanksgiving piece of art!
Kid’s Crafts: Handprint Turkey
Grand Concourse Library, 155 East 173rd St., Belmont
Sunday, Nov. 20, 3 – 4 pm
Ages 3 – 12
Free
Join the Library for an exciting, hands-on program dedicated to Arts & Crafts. Enjoy books about Thanksgiving and make a Handprint Turkey to take home. This program encourages children to connect stories with hands-on creativity, deepening their engagement with books and ideas while having fun together.
Gratitude Weekend
Wave Hill, 675 W 252nd St., Riverdale
Nov. 28 – 30, Friday – Sunday, 10 am – 5:30 pm
All ages
Free with admission to the grounds: $4 – $10
Escape to a weekend devoted to beauty, creativity, and gratitude! Spend time outdoors on a garden walk, participate in a healing sound bath, or honor trees at the Family Art Project. In a spirit of gratitude and generosity, help make a difference in the community this holiday season. Bring non-perishable food items for donation when you visit the garden! Items will be distributed by the Riverdale Neighborhood House.
Brooklyn
Book Adventures: Thanksgiving Craft
Adams Street Library, 9 Adams St., DUMBO
Friday, Nov. 21, 4 – 4:30 pm
Ages 2 – 7
Free
Join the Library for a Thanksgiving craft inspired by a special book.
Jalopy Theatre Presents: Family Music for Food Bank NYC Concert
Jalopy Theatre, 315 Columbia St., Red Hook
Saturday, Nov. 22, 11 am – 1 pm
All ages
$15; $10 child
Join Suzi Shelton, Esther Crow, and other children’s musicians for their 2nd Annual FUNdraiser to help feed NYC families. Additional performers include Michael Napolitano (Michael and the Rockness Monsters), Little Miss Ann, Strawbitty Yops, Evan V, Sonia De Los Santos, Princess Backpack and Benjamin, Jesse Goldman (Moozika), Vered Ronen (Baby In Tune) and Hopalong Andrew!
Kids Create: Thanksgiving Craft
Rugby Library, 1000 Utica Ave., East Flatbush
Monday, Nov. 24, 4 – 5 pm
Ages 6 – 12
Free
Get crafty at the Library! They’ll supply the materials, you bring the creativity & imagination to create something special.
Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike: Salt Marsh Nature Trail
Salt Marsh Nature Center, 3301 Ave U, Marine Park
Friday, Nov. 28, noon – 2 pm
All ages
Free
On this Friday, walk off your Thanksgiving feast while enjoying the great outdoors. Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike along the scenic Salt Marsh Nature Trail.
Post Turkey Day Walking Tour
Green-Wood, 500 25th St., Greenwood Heights
Friday, Nov. 28, 1 – 3 pm
All ages
$30; $24 members
Bring the family to enjoy a walking tour of Green-Wood. Be sure to dress warmly to enjoy a late autumn stroll in one of New York’s most beautiful and historic greenspaces.
Queens
Family Paint and Play
My Gym Fresh Meadows, 187-08 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows
Sunday, Nov. 16, 3:30 – 4:45 pm
Ages 5 and younger
$25; $20 sibling
Advanced registration recommended
Get ready for an afternoon of creativity, laughter, and family fun! Each child will receive their very own canvas and can choose between creating a festive “Turkey Hand” painting or letting their imagination run wild with a masterpiece of their own! While the artwork dries, parents and kids will jump into the fun together with games, relays, gymnastic skills, and more in an amazing gym space!
CLDC: Origami Turkey
Central Library, Queens Public Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 4 – 5 pm
Ages 6 – 11
Free
Visit the library and learn how to make an origami turkey- perfect to decorate your Thanksgiving table with!
Thanksgiving Kids Night
Mud Genius, 212-91 26th Ave., Bayside
Friday, Nov. 21, 5 – 8:30 pm
Ages 5 and older
$45
Advanced registration required
Drop the kids off to learn about thankfulness through arts with painting, pizza, games, and juice.
Thanksgiving Craft
Mitchell-Linden Queens Public Library, 31-32 Union St., Flushing
Wednesday, Nov. 26, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Ages 6 – 11
Free
Kids and caregivers are invited to work on a simple Thanksgiving Craft together!
Shake It Off! Post Thanksgiving Celebration
Al Oerter Recreation Center, 131-40 Fowler Ave., Flushing
Friday, Nov. 28, noon – 3 pm
Ages 6 – 12
Free
Join NYC Parks for a Sports Gauntlet. Get ready for a fast-paced, multisport challenge! The day will feature hockey, basketball, soccer, and football while playing exciting mini-tournaments. Participants will have the opportunity to play all four sports and test their athletic skills by shooting, dribbling, and throwing their way through this high-energy event.
Staten Island
Tween Art Studio: Thanksgiving Perler Beads
Stapleton Library, 132 Canal St., Stapleton Village
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 4 – 6 pm
Ages 9 – 12
Free
Use Perler Beads to create festive Thanksgiving or Fall-themed designs!
Thanksgiving Gratitude Hour
Tottenville Library, 7430 Amboy Road, Tottenville
Friday, Nov. 21, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Ages 5 – 12
Free
Enjoy an hour of crafts and activities dedicated to the gratitude we feel all year round, and especially on Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Storytime + Craft
St. George Library Center, 5 Central Ave., St. George
Monday, Nov. 24, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Ages 3–12
Free
Join the library for a special program designed just for children! The fun will kick off with a cozy storytime featuring heartwarming Thanksgiving tales about family, friendship, and gratitude. After the stories, kids can get creative with a festive craft—making their very own handprint turkey to take home!
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