Posted by: If you're out and about, some parks, natural areas, restaurants, attractions, lights displays and shopping plazas are open for fun, entertainment and food on Thanksgiving Day in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County. Maybe you want to take your relatives on a day trip to the next county. You will find lots of sights to see and things to do that are free or relatively inexpensive.
Things To Do Thanksgiving Day 2025
Parade in Dade
For entertainment, attractions and holiday lights displays are poised to delight. Lots are free. Popular free events include WinterNational Thanksgiving Day Parade is 10 a.m. Thanksgiving Day with a route from Northeast 6th Avenue along 125th Street to Northeast 12th Avenue, North Miami 33161, with floats, dancers & music.
Lights & holiday displays
Fort Lauderdale Beach
Lights and holiday displays are featured at Fort Lauderdale Beach and Las Olas Oceanside Park, 3000 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale 33316. Entry is free. Parking fees at Fort Lauderdale beach are usually $4 an hour. A highlight of the displays is Olas, a snappy beach snowman.
Miami-Dade
There are holiday light displays at various attractions although those do have a fee, and for free at parks in Homestead and Downtown Miami, down an enchanted street in North Miami and in neighborhoods including Miami Lakes, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Miami Beach and Doral. Click here to find them all.
Olas the Beach Snowman at a previous event. Photo/Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation
Admire Outdoor Art
Delray Beach
Delray Art Trail offers a website that includes information about outdoor sculptures and other public art displays in the downtown area
Sunrise
Village Art Plaza is packed with sculptures and other vibrant outdoor art displays. Entry and free. Parking is free. Village Art Plaza is at 2260 NW 68th Ave., Sunrise 33313.
Downtown Hollywood
Downtown Hollywood Murals features about 45 murals on buildings and sidewalks in easy walkable route. Information about the artwork and artists is online
Miami-Dade
Public Art: Explore the hundreds of public art installations throughout the city including sculptures, a marble slide, a dome you can walk through and murals on various buildings.
Perez Art Museum Miami: PAMM in Downtown Miami is an ideal spot to enjoy the outdoors and it's absolutely free. Spend time on the terrace looking out at the cruise ships and walk through their outdoor sculpture garden.
Dania Beach
Wyland bronze turtle & reef sculpture on display in Dania Beach at Dania Beach Boulevard and Gulfstream Road, which is around 601 E. Dania Beach Boulevard, Dania Beach 33004
Delray Art Trail
Live entertainment
Hollywood Bandshell on Hollywood Beach Broadwalk features Retro Sky Band 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. November 27 performing 80s and 90s hits. Entry is free. Parking fees apply.
The Hollywood Beach Bandshell is at 320 Johnson St., Hollywood. Parking at the beach is $3 per hour Monday through Thursdays and $4 per hour Friday through Sundays. Residents of Hollywood may apply for a discounted rate. Parking information is available online.
Shopping
Shoppers are able to browse and buy from vendors at Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop flea market, 954-791-7927, is at 3291 W. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale 33311.
Hop on the Water Taxi
Water Taxi is offering excursions to 4 p.m. Thursday November 27 with a discounted rate for adults of $25 and $15 for ages 5 – 11. Entry is free for younger kids. Book tickets online.
Hop on a train
Tri-Rail offers $5 all-day rates holidays and weekends. The railroad runs from Miami-Dade to West Palm Beach with stations along the route, including several in Broward. Information about Tri-Rail, including routes and shuttles to and from stations, call 954-783-6030 or 800-874-7245
Photo/Tri-Rail
Savor the Outdoors
Riverbend Park. Photo/ Palm Beach County Parks
Lots of local and regional parks are open. Phone the park you're interested in to inquire if it's open. Entry is usually relatively inexpensive or free.
Palm Beach County Parks most are open Thanksgiving, with free entry. Some indoor facilities and amenities may not be open
Broward Parks Some natural areas and other venues are always free. For others, especially regional parks, weekend & holiday entry fees are $3 per vehicle with up to 8 people
Miami Dade Parks
Photo/Sunrise Parks & Recreation
Attractions with fees
Popular attractions include
- Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, 305-667-1651, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables 33156, fees are about $25 for adults, $18 for seniors, $16 for students, $12 for ages 3-11
- Frost Museum of Science, 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 33132, 305-434-9600, regular fees are about $30 for adults and $25 for youth, website
- Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St., Miami. It's usually open 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Thanksgiving, with entry by 2 p.m. required, 305-251-0400, regular entry is $25.95 for ages 13 and older and $21.95 for ages 3 to 12. Tax is extra. Discounts are offered for seniors, military and teachers with ID
- Fair at Margate 1000 N. State Road 7, includes rides and entertainment. Entry fees and ride fees apply
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Free and cheap things to do Thanksgiving weekend
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