What to Do in Dallas Thanksgiving Weekend 2025

Thanksgiving weekend in Dallas mixes big-game excitement, holiday cheer, family-friendly events, lights, food, outdoors time, and seasonal decor. Here are top picks and things to plan for in that stretch:

Major Events & Highlights

1. Chiefs vs. Cowboys at AT&T Stadium (Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, at ~3:30 pm)

   • The Kansas City Chiefs will visit the Dallas Cowboys for the traditional Thanksgiving game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. AT&T Stadium

   • There are travel / hotel + game packages (hotel + game ticket + tailgate VIP options) available to make this more of an experience. Sports Traveler

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2. Holiday at the Arboretum (Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden)

   • This annual seasonal event begins in mid‐November (in previous years around Nov 10) and runs through early January. It features over a million lights, floral displays, Christmas villages & vendors, photo ops, evening shows, etc.

   • Perfect for families or couples wanting a festive outing, especially as it often opens before Thanksgiving so many displays are already going by Thanksgiving weekend.

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3. Thanksgiving Run / Turkey Trot

   

   Photo courtesy: Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot

   • The Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is a long-standing tradition. It usually happens Thanksgiving morning and attracts thousands. Great way to burn calories before the feast.

   Thanksgiving Tutu/ Outfit for Turkey Trot

   
   

4. All-Inclusive Tailgate / Fan Zone for the Cowboys vs Chiefs Game

5. Before the big game there are organized tailgate events / fan zones. These provide food, entertainment, drinks, communal atmosphere. If you’re going to the game or nearby, this adds value.

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6. Cultural / Museum / Art Options

   • For colder parts of the day or for quieter moments, museums like the Dallas Holocaust & Human Rights Museum, the African American Museum of Dallas, and others are good options.

   • Also seasonal craft or volunteer-based events (Thanksgiving community meals or art fairs) often happen. Check Eventbrite or local listings for specific years.

Practical Tips & Timing

• Book early: hotels around Arlington and near downtown fill quickly for big games. Travel-packages sell fast.

• Plan for traffic / arrival times: Game day especially will have heavy traffic near AT&T Stadium. Allow extra time.

• Weather: Late November in Dallas tends to be mild but can be chilly in morning/evening. Dress in layers, especially for outdoor light displays.

• Parking / Seating Policies: For the stadium game, note things like clear bag policy, seat access, tailgate rules. Also for Arboretum, ticket times (day vs night), parking passes.

• Evening hours: Many holiday light displays are best at dusk through evening; check event calendars for opening hours.

Other Recommendations & Hidden Gems

• Catch up on local theater productions or holiday shows (plays, concerts) that often begin the weekend after Thanksgiving.

• Local farmers markets or craft fairs can have special holiday-editions.

• Dining-out options: some restaurants offer special Thanksgiving menus, or brunches on the weekend.

• Outdoor options: hikes or walks in parks (for example White Rock Lake) before nights get colder.

Areas Serviced / Neighborhoods & Suburbs Where This Applies

Here are the areas in and around Dallas where most of these events, services, or effects (traffic, hotel demand, etc.) will be relevant. If you live or plan to stay in any of these, the event options / impacts will be most applicable.

• Arlington: especially around AT&T Stadium; big concentrations of game-day traffic, hotel packages.

• Downtown Dallas / Uptown / Oak Lawn: museums, restaurants, light displays, hotels for visitors.

• East Dallas / White Rock Lake: for outdoor walks, smaller local events, less crowd.

• North Dallas / Plano / Frisco: affluent suburbs, possible dining / lodging overflow; more quiet options.

• Fort Worth area: depending on how far willing to drive, more options spill over.

• Garland / Mesquite / suburban ring: likely to see overflow lodging or local events.

What to Watch for / What Might be New in 2025

• The Chiefs vs Cowboys game will be a big draw; if past is any guide, ticket packages, tailgate events, and fan experiences will be more premium.

• Arboretum’s displays or light show may have new or upgraded installations (vendors, interactive areas) - check their official site.

• More curated fan experiences / VIP events around the game (premium seats, club access, etc) may be offered.

What To Bring

Item	Why You Need It
Portable Stadium Seat Cushion (something weather resistant)	Useful for attending the Cowboys vs Chiefs game at AT&T Stadium; keeps you comfortable.
LED Clip-On Lights / Battery String Lights	Great for evening holiday light displays, Arboretum visits so you can add portable lighting for safety or photos.
Travel Backpack / Weekender Bag	For those booking travel packages / weekend stays; small trips between hotels, tailgate gear.
Insulated Thermos or Travel Mug	When walking between outdoor events, or for early morning-Turkey Trot or evening light shows; keeps you warm.
Weatherproof Jacket / Layered Windbreaker	Dallas evenings late November can be chilly; good to mention packing one.

Thanksgiving weekend in Dallas is more than just turkey and football. From the Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium to dazzling light displays at the Arboretum and family-friendly community events, the city transforms into a hub of entertainment, tradition, and holiday cheer. Whether you are a local looking to make the most of the long weekend or a visitor planning a festive getaway, Dallas offers something for everyone. Plan ahead, bundle up for those cool evenings, and get ready to experience one of the most exciting weekends of the year in North Texas.

Need Help Planning?

If you’re planning your own Thanksgiving or holiday event and want it to run smoothly, let AFTS Event Planning handle the details. From corporate wellness activations to family-friendly community gatherings, our expert event planning team will take care of everything so you can focus on enjoying the celebration. Book with AFTS today and make your next event unforgettable.