Thanksgiving weekend in South Florida: More things to do!

If you’re out and about, some parks, restaurants and assorted attractions are open for fun, entertainment and food on Thanksgiving Day in South Florida. Some activities and sights are free or relatively inexpensive.

Of course, if you have Friday off as well, most of these options are also available – so take a look at our list below and plan your long holiday weekend!

Things To Do On Thanksgiving Day 2021

Sightseeing & entertainment

• Free Symphony of Lights display at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., shows on the hour
• Santa’s Enchanted Forest at Hialeah Park, 3100 E. Fourth Ave.
• Water Taxi in Fort Lauderdale is running about 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.,  with a discount rate of $18
• Live Latin music 7 p.m.- 9 p.m. Hollywood Bandshell, free outdoor event oceanside
• Downtown Hollywood Murals features about 25 murals on buildings in easy walkable route. Information about the artwork and artists is online.
• Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St., is open 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Thanksgiving, with entry by 2 p.m. required, 305-255-5551, website
• Frost Museum of Science, 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, 33132, 305-434-9600, is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thanksgiving, website
  
• Magic of Lights Homestead, Homestead Speedway, 1 Ralph Sanchez Speedway Blvd. Holiday drive-thru experience is 6-10 p.m. Standard vehicle pricing is $20 from Nov. 19 to Dec. 9, and from  Dec. 10 to Jan. 1, it’s $25, 866-409-7223

Picnics & nature walks & recreation

• Fort Lauderdale Turkey Trot, 7:30 a.m. Nov. 25 at Las Olas Oceanside Park, registration opens early
• Riverwalk is ideal for waterfront walks, live entertainment & festivals
• Hollywood Broadwalk offers oceanfront venue for walking, rollerskating & live entertainment
• Palm Beach County Parks, many open on Thanksgiving. Some indoor facilities and amenities may not be open, free entry
• Broward Parks, some natural areas and other venues are always free; for other parks, weekend & holiday entry fees are $1.50 for 6 and older. Parks include TY Park in Hollywood is lovely venue for outdoor exercise and relaxation, Fern Forest offers nature trails, free entry and ferns.
• Florida State Parks  in South Florida, entry fees vary, usually $5 to $8 per vehicle
• Miami-Dade Parks, many are open. Holiday parking rates apply where applicable.
• Free & inexpensive bike routes

Shopping & Dining

• Restaurants open in South Florida either for dine-in or takeout options
• Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop, 3291 W. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale 33311, 954-791-7927, website
  • iconic flea market
  • free Ferrari museum
  • on hold until further notice — drive-in movies, $7 per person

Free online entertainment from South Florida

• Download free digital movies, e-books and music, plus other online resources, from Broward County libraries, or other libraries you’re affiliated with.
• Museum of Discovery & Science in Fort Lauderdale offers videos on YouTube and other social media
• Live webcams at beaches in Broward
• Webcams at beaches in Palm Beach
• Manatee webcam from Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach

Read other features

• Winter Holidays events in Broward
• Things To Do This Weekend in South Florida
• Festivals & Fun events in South Florida

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