Thanksgiving is here! And just because for the most part this holiday involves getting all dressed up in your best clothes just to eat dinner and sit around in the living room with the family, it doesn’t mean there aren’t a ton of of activities going on around you through out the day, or even week!
That’s why, we’ve put together these guide, to help you give this day of gratitude a little more meaning!
Put the GIVING in THANKSGIVING
Here are a few local charities you can help out at during this joyful time. Anything helps! Donate time, funds, or food and items. If you’re wanting to volunteer, some of these do require you to sing up and attend orientations, so plan accordingly.
Dinner in the Park
November 22 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Central Park, Pasadena
For 46 years, Union Station Homeless Services has hosted Dinner in the Park on Thanksgiving Day. This uplifting community event provides thousands of holiday meals and hope for all who attend, including homeless men, women, children, seniors, very low-income families, and those with no place to go during the holidays. The impact of the event in the community is large because of your help!
Big Sunday’s 7th Annual Thanksgiving Stuffing Event
Wednesday, November 21 9am – 12pm
6111 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Big Sunday wants to make sure everyone gets to celebrate Thanksgiving. So, each year, nice people, of all ages, from all over town join a huge celebration to fill bags with delicious holiday food for thousands of hungry and grateful people. Some of the people helping out are folks who are getting bags because they want to give as well as receive. There will also be arts & crafts, great bluegrass music, and, as always, a fun and friendly community breakfast for everyone.
The Midnight Mission
601 South San Pedro Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
The Midnight Mission needs help serving the men, women, and children who will come by for a Thanksgiving. You can help by making a monetary donation and donating your time.
Los Angeles Mission
303 East 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA
Donate time or money to the Los Angeles Mission to help those in need this Thanksgiving. You can register online to attend a volunteer orientation at the Los Angeles Mission.
Fun activities for the whole family
Hollywood Christmas Parade
November 25th at 5:00 PM
Parade starts on Hollywood and Highland.
Hosted by Erik Estrada, Montel Williams, and many more, this parade has been a tradition for 90 years and it’s fun for the whole family. Grandstand tickets are available for purchase, and curbside seating is free. All proceeds go to Toys for Tots.
Thanksgiving Lunch at the Aquarium of the Pacific
November 22 at 11:00 AM
100 Aquarium Way at Shoreline Dr, Long Beach, CA
Come gobble gobble with the sea otters and the entire Aquarium family! You and your family can meet over 11,000 animals from the world’s largest ocean, and savor a traditional Thanksgiving buffet in the Aquarium’s Café Scuba. Tickets are adults $60, children 3–11 $32.50.
Burbank Community YMCA Turkey Trot
November 22nd, 7:30 am
Burbank Community YMCA
321 E. Magnolia Blvd (corner of Magnolia Blvd & Third Street), Burbank, CA 91502
Grab your sneakers and get ready for the annual Burbank Community YMCA Turkey Trot Race through beautiful downtown Burbank. Tickets are $40 pre-registration, $50 day of race, and $20 ages 9 and under. All the proceeds from the Turkey Trot directly fund the YMCA financial assistance program, which enables the Burbank Y to provide services to members in our community on a sliding scale. The event includes 5K/10K Run, 5k Walk/Fun & Kids Run, FREE Parking, TechT-Shirt + Medal FREE with Registration, Kids Fun Zone, and Pre-Race Expo.
Turkey Trot Los Angeles
Start Thanksgiving Day by burning some calories at Downtown’s Spring Street! This event will include a 1K, 5K or the 10K run/walk as well as races, games and activities, like dressing up as a turkey for the costume contest or potato-sack races and turkey-calling contest. The kid zone will have face painting, arts, and crafts. Tickets range from $20- $65. The race benefits the Midnight Mission.
LA Zoo Lights
November 16 – January 6 (Closed Nov 22, Dec 24, and Dec 25)
6 – 10 p.m.
LA Zoo: 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles
A Wild Wonderland of Light
Glowing animals welcome you on an unforgettable nighttime journey that includes giant illuminated snowflakes, a disco ball forest, a whimsical herd of animated elephants, and a twinkling tunnel filled with dynamic swirls of color. L.A. Zoo Lights is a not-to-be-missed nighttime holiday light experience and has glowed brighter each year since its debut in 2014. This year’s event features a dazzling new area to explore, luminous new displays, and reimagined favorites. Tickets range from $12-$16.95.
Enchanted: Forest of Light
November 18- January 6
5:30- 10:00 PM
1418 Descanso Dr, Los Angeles, CA 91011
Enchanted: Forest of Light is an interactive, nighttime experience unlike anything else in Los Angeles, featuring a one-mile walk through unique lighting experiences in some of the most beloved areas of Descanso Gardens. Enchanted is a rain or shine event. Tickets are non-refundable, have timed entry and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are $28.
And of course, last but not least, Black Friday Shopping!
Get the best deals on items on your Christmas list! And even though, this has recently became a very dreaded tradition, the internet is changing this. Stores are not as packed as they used to be because now people can do the shopping from the palm of their hand! Not to mention that now, certain deals go on a different times, so, your waiting time in those ridiculous lines is a lot less because not everyone is in there at the same time!
