For millions of Americans, a turkey dinner with all the trimmings is the only part of what goes into a Thanksgiving weekend well spent. For those people, getting their holiday shopping season off to a good start on Black Friday is an absolute must. However, there are many events and activities to help you celebrate Thanksgiving … and VinnieVanGO wants to list a few for you.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
New York, City
The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the world’s largest parade. The tradition started in 1924 when Bamberger store employees marched to Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street dressed in vibrant costumes along with floats, professional bangs and animals from the Central Park Zoo.
Mile High United Way’s Annual Turkey Trot
Denver, CO
For the last 45 years the United Way has hosted the Mile High Turkey Trot which draws more than 20,000 people to Washington Park in Denver. Proceeds from this event go to supporting educational initiatives to ensure young people graduate from high school ready for a career or college.
Feasts and fireworks at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
Outside of Jacksonville, FL
The Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island produces a number of elaborate activities that will guarantee that any family will have an amazing Holiday. On Wednesday the world’s largest gingerbread pirate ship the SS Amelia adorned with colorful fondant pirates will kick off a culinary presentation that will also feature traditional Thanksgiving favorites. An early arrival of Santa will help end the Thanksgiving spirit by lighting the island Christmas tree before the firework show.
America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration
Plymouth, Massachusetts
The third weekend of November each and every year makes the celebration of the official birthplace of Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts – would have a special way of celebrating the holiday, you’d absolutely be right. America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration takes place on the third weekend of November each and every year.
Black Friday at Mall of America
Minneapolis, MN
Mall of America features over 500 different shops, as well as a massive selection of services and amenities. However, over 20,000 visitors start their Thanksgiving Day by participating in the center’s Walk to End Hunger. This is the 11th year which supports providing food for over 1 million residents in the Twin Cities. For those who stay for the Black Friday festivities they can expect, some of the best door buster deals, mystery scratch off’ and of course massive crowds and hundreds of overzealous shoppers.
Uncle Dan’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Chicago, IL
Macy’s may boast the best-known branded Thanksgiving parade out there, but it’s far from the only one. If you live anywhere near Chicago, you’ll definitely want to race to State Street to catch more than 100 spectacles with a mix of fire twirlers, soul steppers, and floats featuring some of your favorite characters.
Orlando, FL
Grab your Fastpass and Family and visit the magic land of Disney. Each theme park from Magic Kingdom to Epcot will be decorated by pumpkins, scarecrows and gourds. The Epcot center will present the American Adventure show which is packed with innovative visual efforts, patriotic songs and audio animatronics.
New Orleans, LA
Every Thanksgiving weekend, the Tigers of Grambling State meet the Jaguars of Southern University for the annual Bayou Classic. The city celebrates a four-day feast of events, starting with a massive Thanksgiving parade from the Superdome to the French Market, featuring some of the country’s absolute best marching bands. Friday morning offers a career and college fair, followed by the Bayou Classic Greek Show and the legendary Battle of the Bands at 6 p.m., which can get as competitively heated as the football game proper. After all that, one of America’s hottest college football rivalries, detonating at 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 24.
For airport transportation or around town rides, click here to check rates and availability.