By: Heather Keys
Thanksgiving is a time for togetherness, gratitude, and, if you’re lucky, some delightful small-town traditions!
Across the U.S., charming little towns celebrate Thanksgiving with heartwarming festivities, fun parades, exciting pie-eating contests, and so much more. From turkey trots in California to Danish feasts in Iowa, these unique traditions bring nostalgia, laughter, and community spirit to the holiday season.
Whether you’re looking for a new Thanksgiving destination or just love a good small-town story, these 10 towns with epic Thanksgiving celebrations might inspire you to take a road trip to a storybook celebration!
Plymouth, Massachusetts: America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration
What better place to start than the birthplace of Thanksgiving? Plymouth hosts a full weekend celebration complete with a historical parade featuring Pilgrim and Native American reenactors, live music, and a harvest festival. They even have a Pilgrim Progress procession to honor the history of Thanksgiving. It’s educational, festive, and about as nostalgic as it gets!
Denton, Texas: Turkey Roll Bicycle Rally
In Denton, Thanksgiving gets a sporty twist! The Turkey Roll Bicycle Rally brings together hundreds of cyclists for a fun, scenic ride across the Texas countryside the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Participants can dress up in themed costumes and choose from a variety of routes, plus there’s a big post-rally celebration with Texas barbecue sides all along the route—perfect for those who want a little adventure with their holiday tradition.
Fountain Hills, Arizona: Thanksgiving Day Parade (The Only One in Arizona!)
Known as the Parada de Los Cerros, Fountain Hills hosts Arizona’s only Thanksgiving Day Parade, complete with themed floats, big balloons, and marching bands. It’s a colorful, lively event in a small desert town, so if you’re looking for Thanksgiving under the sun (with a lot of festive spirit!), this is the place.
Saxonburg, Pennsylvania: Saxonburg Holiday Parade
Thanksgiving season in Saxonburg kicks off with a small-town holiday parade with food and drink vendors along the route and amazing deals from local shops and restaurants—and even raffles! The whole town comes together to celebrate in classic small-town fashion, giving thanks, enjoying the parade, and enjoying the togetherness of the fall season.
Mendocino, California: Thanksgiving at the Botanical Gardens
Thanksgiving in Mendocino is a nature lover’s dream. The town’s botanical gardens put on a stunning fall display with seasonal blooms, and there’s even a Thanksgiving nature walk through the Mendocino Grove, where you can go to movie nights, pick up holiday crafts, go to storytelling events with your family, and even hear live music. It’s a peaceful way to celebrate—and don’t forget all the local eateries offer Thanksgiving meals with fresh, coastal ingredients!
Oyster Bay, New York: Turkey Trot & Community Feast
Oyster Bay is famous for its Turkey Trot, one of the oldest Thanksgiving races in the area! And the celebration doesn’t stop there: the whole community celebrates with fun drinks and all kinds of cozy eats with a New England twist. It’s a spirited event that brings everyone together, from runners to hungry holiday goers!
Cuero, Texas: Turkeyfest
Cuero is known as the “Turkey Capital of the World,” and they take their Thanksgiving celebrations seriously! Turkeyfest includes a turkey race (yes, with actual turkeys!), a Thanksgiving parade, live music, and of course barbeque. It’s a lively, fun-filled weekend of activities that showcases Cuero’s turkey pride. If you’re in Texas, this is a one-of-a-kind Thanksgiving event you won’t want to miss!
Nantucket, Massachusetts: Cold Turkey Plunge
For a bracing start to Thanksgiving, join Nantucket locals in their Cold Turkey Plunge—an invigorating dip in the Atlantic Ocean! Proceeds go to local charities, and if you’re not the type to jump into freezing water, you can cheer your friends on while wearing Thanksgiving- and fall-themed costumes and enjoying a nice warm drink. It’s a Thanksgiving tradition that’s both thrilling and heartwarming, embodying the spirit of giving in a very Nantucket way.
Elk Horn, Iowa: Danish Villages Julefest
This little town brings a Danish twist to the days after Thanksgiving! A very small town and enclave for Danish Americans, Elk Horn celebrates Julefest on the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving with Christmas decorations, free admission to the Danish Windmill, and delicious food and drink, gorgeous gifts, and so much more. What an amazing way to welcome the winter holidays!
Over to you! If you celebrate Thanksgiving, what are some of your favorite festivities? Share your stories and advice with the Frayed Passport community!
About the Author
Heather is a freelance writer who loves exploring the intersection of travel and history. Read her other articles on Frayed Passport here.
Featured image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
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