Thanksgiving can be such a wonderful time of year for families! It’s a holiday full of delicious food, time with family, thankfulness, and anticipation of Christmas. While Thanksgiving can sometimes get overshadowed by red and green, there are still so many great Thanksgiving events to enjoy here in the Sioux Falls Area!
Check out what is happening in the Sioux Falls Area during Thanksgiving this year. We included events about Thanksgiving along with some cherished events near this time of year that kick-off the Christmas season. Make sure to check out our post about a Classic Sioux Falls Holiday Season to check off everything that makes the holidays in the Sioux Falls Area magical.
Looking to celebrate Thanksgiving more intentionally this year? Check out our posts about Thanksgiving Fun for Kids and our how-to for making your own Thanksgiving Thankfulness Banner.
Sioux Falls Area: Thanksgiving!
Start of Thanksgiving Week
Kick off Thanksgiving fun at the Autumn Festival: An Arts and Crafts Affair will be at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center November 21st-23rd. This event features 100’s of artists and crafters. Find some new Thanksgiving pieces for your table or discover Christmas gifts for your loved ones.
A local Sioux Falls Holiday Tradition for many is enjoying the spectacular lights at Falls Park! The Winter Wonderland lights display can be enjoyed for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year. The Grand Opening and Fireworks Display for Falls Park is on November 21st.
Get Moving
Thanksgiving and running have gone together for a while now! Join The 605 Running Company for their annual Gobble Wobble 10K at Sertoma Park on November 22nd.
Speaking of running, there is another race on November 22nd. The Sioux Falls Parks and Rec will be hosting the Turkey Trail Run 5k at Pasley Park. Walk or run through the woods while looking out for the hidden turkeys
Run to support The Banquet this year! Start off Thanksgiving morning, November 27th, with a run. This has been an enduring tradition for many people on Thanksgiving, and all proceeds directly support The Banquet. The event is all about fun, fitness, and community. There will be no registration, no timing or official results, no race bibs, and no competitive pressure.
Get festive and moving with the Jingle Bell Run on November 28th at Fawick Park. This run supports the Arthritis Foundation.
Creative Events
Mosaic Arts and Events (formerly the Museum of Visual Materials) will be holding two Thanksgiving-themed classes this year on Thanksgiving Eve. Their Preschool class will be reading a Thanksgiving Story and festive Craft Stations from 10am-11am. Check out Turkey Design and Chalk Pastel on Wednesday, November 26th, from 1-2:30.
Decorate some festive cookies for the holidays with Fig Tales! This event will be on November 29th and is at The Landscape Garden Centers. Take home wonderful cookies, plus get a coupon for 20% off a houseplant!
Lights and Parades
An after-Thanksgiving tradition for many in the Sioux Falls Area is taking in The Parade of Lights on Friday, November 28th. The parade starts at 7:30 pm.
Before the Parade, head over to the Washington Pavilion for their Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony!
Of course, enjoy the beautiful lights at Falls Park during their Winter Wonderland event.
The City of Tea will be hosting its 2nd Annual Parade of Lights this year! The parade starts at 6:15 with fun planned all afternoon.
Head to Brandon, SD for their Parade of Lights on Saturday, Nov 29th, starting at 6 pm.
If you want to head down south, you can also enjoy the lights parade in Downtown Sioux City on November 24th.
School’s Out
With students having parts of Thanksgiving week off from school, make sure to check out the hours and programs offered during this holiday week. Some local attractions might be closed, while others have extended holiday hours.
Make sure to check out our Winter Boredom Busters for fun ideas of what to do with your family during these colder months.
Our friends at Skate City have extended Holiday Hours for skating fun this year!
Food/Entertainment
On Thanksgiving Eve, Nov 26th, you can enjoy your evening at Remedy Brewing Co. for their Stuff the Food Pantry and Bingo for a Cause Night. Play games, win prizes, and donate to a good cause.
The Sioux Falls Stampede is supporting the Sioux Falls Humane Society this year on November 26th! Enjoy both the game and the FIRST-EVER Sioux Falls Corgi Races!
Enjoy Thanksgiving at Cascata this year. This meal is family-style at Cascata Italian, which is located at Canopy by Hilton in Downtown Sioux Falls.
For those who are not interested in cooking for Thanksgiving, there is a Thanksgiving Buffet option nearby! Head over to Grand Falls Casino for their Thanksgiving Buffet.
Enjoy a Thanksgiving Day Brunch on Thanksgiving Day, Nov 27th, at The Holiday Day Inn City Centre. They will be having a chef-curated buffet from 10am-2pm filled with all your holiday favorites.
