Forget going on a shopping frenzy. Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to slow down, unwind, and cherish time with your loved ones. While Thursday is all about connection and bonding over great food, the long weekend is another opportunity to explore and connect. Here's a list of relaxing suggestions for maximizing your quality time together this Thanksgiving weekend in Orlando.

More ideas for Thanksgiving weekend fun:

Thanksgiving dinner in Orlando:

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Unwind

Yoga in the Garden

Every Saturday and Sunday in November,
Saturdays 9-10am, Sundays 4-5pm
Mead Botanical Garden
Press reset on body and mind with an outdoor yoga session at Mead Botanical Garden. Classes are held on Saturdays and Sundays on the Grove Stage. Bring your own water bottle and yoga mat.
$15

Image credit: Mead Botanical Garden

Tai Chi in the Garden

Every Saturday November, 10:30 – 11:30am
Mead Botanical Garden
Enjoy a unique experience to practice Tai Chi in the garden with certified Tai Chi Health Master Trainer, Tony Garcia. Classes are held on Saturdays on the Grove Stage.
$15

Other ways to relax:


Get Outdoors

Bok Tower Gardens

Thanksgiving weekend in Orlando usually marks the beginning of the Holidays in the Highlands at Bok Tower Gardens. Listen to concerts, see holiday foliage, and partake in special holiday events. Bok Tower Gardens is open daily from 8am-6pm with the last admission at 5pm. Tickets are $20 per adult.

Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Making
Saturday, November 23, 2024, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Alexander Discovery Center, Bok Tower Gardens
Create a charcuterie board for your Thanksgiving holiday festivities! Get ready to indulge in a hands-on experience where you’ll learn the art of creating beautiful and delicious charcuterie boards. Learn about pairing different flavors, textures, and colors to create an unforgettable culinary masterpiece. Your ticket includes all materials and food to build your charcuterie board and 2 different cheese tastings.
$65-80

Create Your Own Living Wreath for the Holidays
Friday, November 30, 2024, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Alexander Discovery Center, Bok Tower Gardens
Grow a new tradition this year with a gorgeous Living Succulent Wreath! This workshop includes everything you need to create a stunning piece of door decor, including instruction, basic framework materials and plants. Make it your own by selecting 15 succulents from an array of choices that will last year round.
$60-75

Horseback Trail Rides

At Hidden Palms Ranch in Sanford, enjoy a leisurely guided trail ride through the Lake Jesup Conservation Area. You'll be guided through tree-canopied trails and scenic floodplains dotted with palm trees.
The cost is $250/couple for a private tour, and $85/person for a group tour (max 5 guests). Private tours must be booked over the phone at 407-620-7880.

Take a Hike

Fall is the perfect time to get out and try a new hiking spot together! A few of our favorite spots include Lake Lotus Park, Lake Louisa State Park (try glamping!), Washington Oaks Garden State Park, Flat Island Preserve (Lake County), Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve, and these secluded hiking spots in Central Florida.

Hours and admission prices vary.

Boardwalk at Flat Island Preserve in Lake County, FL
Boardwalk at Flat Island Preserve

Escape to the Beach

Soak up those Florida holiday vibes with a mini beach getaway. Spend the afternoon unwinding, hiking, and exploring the coast with your love. A few of our favorite beach destinations are Anna Maria IslandNew Smyrna BeachCocoa Beach, and Indian Shores.

READ MORE: Best Beaches Near Orlando

Bikes & Brews

Spend an afternoon coasting along the West Orange Trail in search of your next favorite brew. Bring your own bicycle or rent one from West Orange Trail Bikes and Blades. Rentals are available starting at $7 per hour or $30 for the day. Check out our West Orange Trail itinerary for all the best stops along the 4.5-mile trek to Crooked Can Brewery in Winter Garden.


Continue the Feast

Blown Away Leftovers and Holiday Cooking Classes

Friday, November 29, 2024, 6:30 pm
Truffles & Trifles
Have fun and pick up a few new culinary tricks at a holiday-themed cooking class from Trifles & Truffles.
$85 per person

Related: Skip the Cooking! Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

Through December 30, 2024
EPCOT
Epcot's annual holiday festival kicks off on Thanksgiving weekend. Sample dishes and take part in holiday traditions from around the world on this cultural tour of World Showcase. Get the full scoop in our Complete Guide to the Holidays at Walt Disney World.
1-Day, 1-Park Ticket from $149

Southern Hill Farms Thanksgiving Drive-Thru

2024 TBA
Southern Hill Farms, Clermont
Place your order and head to the Thanksgiving drive-thru event to pick-up Southern Hill Farms treats and handcrafted market items! Your guests are sure to be impressed with these treats.

DIY Thanksgiving Leftovers Picnic

Head to a local park, garden, or even your own backyard with your leftovers for an intimate lunch with your love. A few favorite picnic spots:

Scope out some of our favorite picnic destinations and ideas.

Picnic at Bok Tower Gardens
Pack your own picnic to enjoy at Bok Tower Gardens, or ask for food and wine to go from the Blue Palmetto Cafe

Go to a Farmer’s Market

Windermere – Fridays 9am-1:30pm
Winter Park – Saturdays 8am-1pm
Winter Garden – Saturdays 8am-1pm
Clermont – Sundays 9am-2pm
Orlando Farmer’s Market – Sundays 10am-3pm

Related: A Guide to Orlando Farmers Markets

You can also prepare by taking a Cooking Class before the big Turkey Day

Gingerbread School

Gingerbread Decorating Corner
Daily starting November 15, 2024
Gaylord Palms Resort
Don't wait — make a date to decorate! Let your Christmas creativity run wild when you adorn tasty gingerbread houses or cookies. After you've reached confection perfection with your edible art, head over for a sweet meet-and-greet with Nutmeg, the gingerbread man.
Starting at $36.99

Gingerbread School
Select dates starting December 1, 2024
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
Join the pastry team at the Ritz-Carlton to build your very own gingerbread house! Customize your creation with dozens of candies and edible details, using the life-size gingerbread house in the lobby for inspiration. reservations can be made online.

Image credit: Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes

Listen to Live Music

Home for the Holidays

Saturday, November 30, 2024, 2:30pm and 7:30pm
Steinmetz Hall – Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts
A perfect way to ring in your holiday season with friends and family featuring the musical quartet Act of Congress, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and more!
$30 and up per adult, special pricing for teachers and first responders. Group packages are available.

Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker

Saturday, November 30, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
Walt Disney Theater – Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts
Celebrate diversity in Central Florida with this urban adaptation of the classic Nutcracker story. This exciting production mingles ballet, jazz, gospel, and hip-hop dance styles for a fresh take on a holiday classic.
$41.50 per person

Weekends at the Winery

November 30 – December 1, 12-4pm
Lakeridge Winery
Head to this Central Florida winery's expansive vineyard green each weekend for delicious food, live entertainment, complimentary wine tastings/tours, and Lakeridge wines by the glass at the outdoor bar.
FREE admission

Orlando events January 2019
Image credit: Lakeridge Winery

Dr. Phillips Center Presents The Bad Plus

Saturday and Sunday, November 30 & December 1, 2024
Judson's Live, Dr. Phillips Center
Judson’s Live is where atmosphere, acoustics and culinary excellence collide, bringing unheard-of listening experiences (with unrivaled cocktails and sharable plates to match.)
Tickets start at $35


Attend a Thanksgiving Weekend Event

Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens

November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Leu Gardens
1920 N Forest Ave, Orlando

  • Beautiful, Moroccan Lanterns hanging from the trees overhead
  • Fun, interactive lights that light up when you jump on them
  • A beautiful, bright, 70’ long light tunnel
  • A play area of giant, 8’ tall, rollable ornaments
  • A walk of thousands of laser lights
  • And snow all night long

$25 per person, plus $12 for parking

Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild

November 15 – January 19, 2025
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Celebrate the culture, art, and beauty of traditional lantern festivals at the Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo. This dazzling after-hours holiday spectacular features over 30 handmade illuminated sculptures along a 3/4 mile trail.

In addition to stunning LED lanterns depicting plants, animals, and traditional Chinese figures, enjoy live music, artisan crafts, and local food and beverage available for purchase.
$22 per person

Asian Lantern Festival at Central Florida Zoo
Image credit: Central Florida Zoo

READ MORE: Where to Find Orlando’s Best Holiday Lights

FUSIONFEST

Saturday and Sunday, November 30 – December 1, 2024
Seneff Arts Plaza (in front of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts)
Cultures from all across the world will fill the Seneff Arts Plaza in front of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and Orlando City Hall Commons Plaza for the free, two-day festival, which draws people from more than 110 different cultures to experience music, dance, food, visual arts, spoken word, games and interactive activities and features over 1,000 local artists, who will perform and showcase their work on the stages, gallery and interactive installations at FusionFest.
FREE Admission

Leading up to the festival, join monthly Divertastic Dining experiences at restaurants around Orlando, including dinners highlighting cuisine from Peru and Yemen.

FusionFest - Thanksgiving Weekend in orlando
Image credit: FusionFest; photo by LL Productions

Related: 50+ Festive and Free Holiday Events in Orlando

Small Business Saturday Sidewalk Sale

Saturday, November 30, ALL DAY
Downtown Winter Garden
The annual Downtown Winter Garden Small Business Saturday Sidewalk Sale is great for finding one-of-a-kind gifts, while enjoying special savings. Stroll and shop the outdoor sale racks in the festive-decorated historic district this Thanksgiving weekend in Orlando. Stick around for lunch or dinner with expanded outdoor patios for dining – many restaurants will also offer specials on this day — and for enjoying the fall weather.
FREE Admission

Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 30, 12-6pm
Thornton Park
Shop 70+ vendors, retail businesses, and restaurants lining 420 E. Church Street AND 431 E. Central Blvd!
FREE

Thanksgiving Silent Disco

Saturday, November 30, 7:30-11pm
Orlando Science Center
Silent Discos In Amazing Spaces brings its surreal dance party to Orlando Science Center for a special Thanksgiving Throwback Party. Dance, sing, and capture the perfect selfie with your besties under the illuminated skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex! The main exhibition space of this popular attraction will be converted into a giant dancefloor with a bar, nightclub-quality lights, visual effects, and, of course, three amazing DJs simultaneously playing three uniquely themed DJ sets. Already an international phenomenon, this will be the craziest party of the year you don’t want to miss!

Reggae Fest Orlando

Saturday, November 30, 9pm
The Vanguard
578 N. Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
Get ready to dance and vibe to our DJ's spinning the best tunes in Dancehall, Reggae, Afrobeats, Amapiano, Soca, Reggaeton & more.
Tickets start at $20

Bonus idea – Thanksgiving weekend in Orlando is a great time to give back and do some good. Check out our Volunteering Ideas.