What To Do in Dallas Thanksgiving Weekend 2025: Your Ultimate Family Guide
- Meagan Boyd
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Thanksgiving Weekend in Dallas means food, family, and a whole lot of festive fun. Whether you’re a local trying to make the most of the long weekend or you’re hosting out-of-town guests, the Dallas-Fort Worth area transforms into a lively mix of holiday lights, big races, markets, and family-friendly events. If you’re wondering what to do from Thursday through Sunday, here’s the ultimate guide to everything happening around the city.
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Start Your Holiday with the Iconic Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot
Thanksgiving morning in Dallas always starts with one thing. The Turkey Trot. This decades-long tradition brings thousands of families, runners, walkers, and stroller crews downtown for the official kickoff to the holiday weekend.
You can choose between the 5K or the 8 mile, and both routes weave through downtown and Deep Ellum. It’s energetic, lively, and there’s nothing like that early morning holiday excitement. If you’ve never done it, put it on your bucket list. If your family visits for the holiday, this is the perfect way to create a new tradition.
Pro tip: plan parking ahead of time and arrive early. Downtown fills up fast.
Holiday Lights Begin Across DFW
By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, Dallas is already glowing. Holiday events switch on across the city, and this is one of the best weekends to get an early start on your festive outings.
Some local favorites include Holiday at the Arboretum, the Trains at NorthPark, and Dallas Zoo Lights. These are all family friendly, photo friendly, and ideal for an evening wind-down after a busy Thanksgiving Day.
If you’re planning on the Arboretum, tickets usually sell out for primetime hours, so it’s smart to book early.
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Fall Festivals and Markets All Weekend Long
Thanksgiving weekend is also filled with outdoor festivals, pop-up markets, and community gatherings. The Dallas Farmers Market hosts its Fall Festival with live music, local vendors, food, and plenty of kid-friendly activities. There are also weekend-long pop-up holiday markets scattered throughout the arts district and Deep Ellum.
If you’re looking for something low-key and family friendly, these markets are great daytime options before you head out to see lights in the evening.
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Big Sports Weekend in Dallas
Sports fans, this is your weekend. The Dallas Cowboys play at home on Thanksgiving Day in one of the biggest games of the season. Whether you’re going to AT&T Stadium or watching from home, the energy across the city is unreal.
The Dallas Stars also have games throughout the weekend, and for something a little different, Fort Worth hosts rodeo events that draw big crowds during the holiday season.
If you're entertaining guests, a live game or rodeo outing is a great way to show off the local culture.
10 More Fun Things To Do Thanksgiving Weekend 2025
Perfect for families, visitors, and anyone looking for something different.
This is one of the biggest light displays in North Texas and a must-see if you’re in the Grand Prairie area. A two mile drive-through route, animated light tunnels, a holiday village, and Santa photos make this a family favorite every year.
Arlington glows during Holiday in the Park. You get roller coasters, lights, holiday treats, and themed shows all in one spot. It’s perfect for older kids, teens, and families who love amusement parks.
The parade itself is the following weekend, but Thanksgiving weekend includes rehearsals, performances, and early events downtown. It’s a great place to wander, watch performers practice, and soak in some early holiday excitement.
One of the most popular attractions in the metroplex. Massive ice sculptures, themed rooms, ice slides, and winter fun all inside a 9 degree tent. Kids love it. Adults love it. And it’s a perfect escape if the weather is warm.
If you're nearby The Colony, this indoor winter experience is free and surprisingly impressive. Kids can play in artificial snow, take photos, and explore holiday displays.
Thanksgiving weekend usually marks the start of Nutcracker season at the Winspear Opera House and other theaters across DFW. It’s timeless, elegant, and a great option for families or date nights.
This outdoor German-style market features unique gifts, tasty pastries, hot drinks, crafts, and live music. If you’ve never been, it genuinely feels like a small European village in the middle of Texas.
The famous indoor rink is always buzzing during Thanksgiving weekend. It’s a great way to keep the kids moving, try something active, or grab those classic holiday photos.
Visit the Stockyards for tree lighting, photos with cowboy Santa, longhorns, reindeer, petting zoos, and live entertainment. It’s festive but still feels authentically Texan.
Yoga classes, food trucks, live music, crafts for kids, and outdoor movies make this one of the best all-day hangout spots across the entire weekend.
A Sample Weekend Itinerary
If you want to plan your weekend without overthinking it, here’s a simple structure that works for almost any family.
Thursday: Start with the Turkey Trot. Recover with brunch or lunch. Go see holiday lights in the evening.
Friday: Visit Dallas Farmers Market or a holiday market. Relax in the afternoon. Close the night with Prairie Lights or ICE.
Saturday: Take a day trip to the Stockyards or spend the afternoon at Six Flags. Choose an evening show like The Nutcracker or Zoo Lights.
Sunday: Brunch, shopping, ice skating at Galleria, or one last walk through Klyde Warren Park before the weekend wraps up.
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Thanksgiving Weekend in Dallas is more than just a holiday break. It’s the unofficial kickoff to the entire holiday season. Whether you’re looking for something active, festive, relaxing, or kid friendly, there’s a full lineup of things to do all across DFW.
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