Thanksgiving Day Fun

The Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon and 5K attracts thousands of runners and walkers eager to share in the holiday spirit and give thanks for their health and fitness. Come celebrate this Thanksgiving Day with the Atlanta Track Club. Thursday, November 24^th at 7:30 a.m. at Turner Field, Atlanta.

Macy’s Great Tree Lighting takes place every Thanksgiving night at the Lenox Square Mall Macy’s. The official kickoff to the holiday season, help your family get in the holiday spirit with this iconic Atlanta event. Experience the magic of the holiday season with the lighting of the Macy’s Great Tree. The event will take place at Macy’s Lenox Square Mall at 7:00 p.m. A pre-show concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. The celebration will be capped off with a fireworks finale set to holiday music. The Macy’s Great Tree will be on display from Sunday, November 20 through January 1, 2017.

The 2016 Macy’s Pink Pig at Lenox Square is open now! It is Atlanta’s most unique and beloved holiday tradition. Priscilla the Pink Pig will once again carry children of all ages through a life-sized storybook filled with friends and fun beneath the signature 170-foot, 1950’s themed Pink Pig Tent. Join this treasured tradition which debuted in the 1950s as a holiday ride at Rich’s downtown store and later enjoyed a brief stint at the Egleston Children’s Hospital Festival of Trees. Now at Macy’s Lenox Square – with spectacular views of The Great Tree – Priscilla continues to hold a special place in the hearts of millions of Atlantans. The ride will remain open through Sunday, January 1, 2017. Each ride costs $3 and multi-ride tickets have a special discounted price (2 rides for $5.50, 3 rides for $7.50). True to tradition, a portion of the proceeds from each ride will benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Skate at Atlantic Station! Show off your ice skills this season at Skate Atlantic Station, Atlanta’s largest outdoor ice skating rink! The ice officially opened on Saturday, November 19 and remains through Valentine’s Day! Atlantic Station, 231 18th Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30363 Phone: 404-733-1221; Email: info@atlanticstation.com

Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta. Exhibition: “Turning Point: The American Civil War” – Phone: 404-814-4000.

Go Hiking

Sope Creek Trail – This trail in Marietta takes you to a babbling creek and historic mill ruins.

Sweetwater Creek State Park – Hop the rocks across the creek. You’ll also walk past mill ruins. Unfortunately, the Green certified visitor’s center is closed on Thanksgiving, but come back another day to check out the museum about Sweetwater Mill. Hear first person accounts of the day Union soldiers came to the Mill and destroyed it.

Amicalola State Park – In addition to hiking, you can enjoy living history demonstrations in the lodge lobby throughout the day. Contact the Lodge for specific times.

Go Biking

Silver Comet Trail – This trail is in Smyrna, and goes all the way to Alabama.

Atlanta Beltline – There are several different sections of the Atlanta Beltline. Along each route you’ll find local art as part of the Art on the Beltline project.

Hard Labor Creek State Park – This state park just east of Atlanta has miles of mountain bike trails for the beginner through advanced biker.

See Lights – Thanksgiving night is a perfect time to see Holiday Lights in Atlanta. This is one of the most popular evenings, so if you plan to go to any of the paid attractions, call ahead for tickets and no matter where you go, bring an extra dose of patience. You aren’t the only one with this great idea. A current favorite light display is the Atlanta Botanical Gardens – Garden Nights, Holiday Lights. Centennial Park usually has a great display too, and it’s free.

Play with LEGOS at LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Phipps Plaza – open on Thanksgiving Day from 10 – 7 pm.