9 Festive Towns That Take Thanksgiving to the Next Level With Over-the-top Parades, Lavish Feasts, and Theme Parks

Some towns, like Salem, Massachusetts, go all out for Halloween. Others, such as Leavenworth, Washington, are known for their twinkly lights and Christmas festivities. And then there are those towns and cities around the U.S. with special (and often unique) Thanksgiving celebrations—from world-renowned parades to football games and charming festivals. New York City, for example, has a deep connection to the federal holiday, thanks to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, now on its 99th celebration.

So if you’re looking for a different way to ring in the fourth Thursday in November this year—rather than gathering around the turkey-and-stuffing-topped table at home—you might consider booking a trip to one of the below destinations that go all out for Thanksgiving. We even included some tips and insights from local experts about what you can expect on the big day.

Plymouth, Massachusetts

A giant inflatable turkey, patriotically dressed as Uncle Sam in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

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“Plymouth is where Thanksgiving began. Not only did our nation start here, but Thanksgiving, our nation’s beloved holiday, was first celebrated in Plymouth in 1621,” Olly deMacedo, executive director of America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration, tells Travel + Leisure. To celebrate this heritage, the town puts on quite a show. “We produce the only parade that tells our nation’s history chronologically from the 1600s to the present. We highlight historic events in our nation’s history through our custom-made floats, re-enactors, and musical units. Marching bands and drum corps from across the U.S. perform in concert and march in the parade,” he says.

But don’t wait until the official day to make your way to Plymouth. “Come the weekend before—our events take place the weekend before Thanksgiving. We have family-friendly events, including the parade, concerts, the Holiday Village, and equestrian units,” he adds.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A Strawberry Shortcake balloon during Philadelphia’s Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade.

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Philadelphia is a passionate city. Its residents deeply care about food, sports, history, and a variety of traditions. One of those time-honored traditions is the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the country. Now known as Philadelphia’s 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade, the three-hour event brings floats, balloons, live music, and a festive spirit to Center City on Thanksgiving morning. The arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus signals the end of the parade and the official beginning of the holiday season.

New York, New York

Parade goers dressed as turkeys in New York City.

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According to Sumi Iqbal, a concierge at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park and a member of Les Clefs d’Or, U.S.A., there is “nothing more magical than spending Thanksgiving in New York City with your loved ones.” That, of course, has to do with the fact that the Big Apple hosts the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which starts on Central Park West and travels south to Macy’s Herald Square.

“Our guests can crawl out of bed… just minutes before the festivities begin, immersed in the spectacle of massive balloons, dazzling floats, Broadway performances, and lively marching bands with coffee or hot chocolate in hand,” she says. “As the parade concludes with Santa’s grand arrival, the holiday season officially begins….The city transforms into a winter wonderland, with sparkling lights, fabulous window displays, amazing shopping, and endless festive experiences waiting to be explored.”

Pro tip: “On the eve of the parade, head to the Upper West Side to witness the awe-inspiring inflation of the giant balloons, a beloved New York tradition that brings the city streets to life with excitement,” she adds.

Chicago, Illinois

A marching band in Chicago’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

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New York City isn’t the only major metropolitan area with Thanksgiving traditions. “During Thanksgiving, Chicago transforms into a citywide experience,” says Suraj Lama, the director of food & beverage at Pendry Chicago. “Some of the locals’ favorite activities will be the [Chicago] Thanksgiving Parade, Millennium Park Christmas Tree Lighting, and ice skating in Millennium Park.” The Thanksgiving Parade is a long-running tradition where helium balloons, floats, marching bands, dancers, and celebrities all come out to make their way through the downtown area.

You can also add Christkindlmarket to your Thanksgiving plans. Lama says it’s a “great place to try German delicacies and drinks,” and it typically opens in late November. “Christkindlmarket is definitely my favorite spot to try new food, drinks, and also celebrate local arts,” he says. Lama just has a couple of pieces of advice for travelers coming to Chicago for Thanksgiving: “Dress for the wind, and embrace the local spirit. Chicagoans are proud of their city and love sharing it.”

San Diego, California

An ice skating rink by the beach at Hotel Del Coronado.

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“Thanksgiving week is really the soft launch of all San Diego holiday celebrations, so it almost feels like two holidays in one,” says Katie Dillon, a San Diego-based travel advisor and founder of La Jolla Mom. “The centerpiece of it all is really Hotel del Coronado, with its long list of holiday offerings…Locals and visitors flock to the hotel for its beachfront ice skating rink, movies on the beach, igloos with s’more roasting, and a lavish Thanksgiving dinner buffet in the historic Crown Room and Ocean Ballroom.” She adds that there will be Thanksgiving brunches and dinners at other hotels, like the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, as well.

“You could also consider something a bit different, as Flagship Cruises and City Cruises both offer Thanksgiving [lunch and] dinner cruises on the San Diego Bay, which is an excellent way to combine sightseeing with a festive meal,” she says. Other Thanksgiving-adjacent activities you can experience in the San Diego area include theme parks, which she notes are all open that Thursday, and Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K in Balboa Park.

Fountain Hills, Arizona

A large fountain in Fountain Hills, Arizona.

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If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving parade on a smaller scale, you might want to spend the latter part of November in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Two classic events define the day in this small Maricopa County town: the Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run and Fitness Walk, now in its 35th year, and the Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade is billed as “the largest Thanksgiving Day Parade west of the Mississippi,” and it’s been a part of the November festivities for decades. It’s a bit more “hometown” than a major city production, and you can expect fun floats, classic cars, school groups, and a sense of gaiety radiating throughout the event.

Detroit, Michigan

Dancers performing in the America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit.

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“Thanksgiving in Detroit is so special because it is a tradition wrapped in pure energy. You’ve got the America’s Thanksgiving Parade filling Woodward [Avenue] with color and floats, the Lions game at Ford Field that some families plan their entire day around, and the sense that the whole city is out celebrating together,” says Erica Collica Swink, an associate broker with Max Broock Realtors, Detroit. “It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s very Detroit: a mix of grit, pride, and joy that makes the holiday feel totally electric.” The day starts on the earlier side, around 5 to 6 a.m., and Swink says it “feels like one big reunion.”

“You can walk down Woodward on parade morning and run into neighbors, colleagues, and old friends you haven’t seen in years. Everyone is bundled up and smiling, talking to one another. By the afternoon, the entire city shifts completely into football mode,” she says. “That combination of community, tradition, and a little friendly chaos is what makes the experience so unforgettable.”

While she describes the parade and the football game as “absolute musts,” she has a few additional recommendations, including grabbing a bite at The Hudson Café or Mudgie’s Deli & Wine Shop; spending time in Capitol Park, Little Village, and Eastern Market; and admiring the architecture around Indian Village, Brush Park, and Boston Edison.

Williamsburg, Virginia

A horse drawn carriage in Williamsburg, Virginia.

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The past meets the coziness of the fall in Williamsburg, Virginia. “Thanksgiving in Williamsburg has a way of making history come alive. Sitting down to a holiday meal in the same taverns where our founders once gathered gives the day a whole new meaning,” says Leah Luongo, a dining coordinator with Colonial Williamsburg Resorts.  But, she says, the appeal of this college town in November stems from the overall atmosphere. “You’ve got crackling fireplaces in the historic taverns, the smell of seasonal food as you walk the streets, and the sense that you’re celebrating where the story really began. Add in the unique festive decor, listening to the holiday carolers, and locals bumping into each other in Merchants Square—and it feels both new and homey at the same time at every visit,” she says.

Not to mention, Williamsburg is the perfect place to be for those who like to take advantage of the holiday weekend sales. “The season also kicks into gear with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday shopping right in Merchants Square or at the Williamsburg Outlets,” she adds.

St. Louis, Missouri

The St. Louis skyline during dusk.

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St. Louis’ version of the Thanksgiving parade is known as the Ameren’s Thanks-for-giving Parade. The family-friendly event marks its 41st year in 2025, and more than 100 parade units—marching bands, floats, drumlines, etc.—will make their way along Market Street the Saturday before Thanksgiving; in the past, it’s been on Thanksgiving Day.

Turkey Day runs are another staple event in the city, with several of them taking place on Thursday morning. If you’ll be in this part of the country over the holiday, sign up for either the St. Louis Turkey Trot or the Kirkwood Webster Turkey Day Run (self-described as the region’s “largest and oldest Thanksgiving Day run”).