# Thanksgiving weekend with kids in Grand Rapids, 2026

> We haven’t found a 2026 Thanksgiving parade in Grand Rapids with posted details yet. In all we found two Thanksgiving-weekend outings in and around Grand Rapids: one turkey trot with a kids’ race and one Black Friday weekend pick. We also list three places and whether they’re open on Thanksgiving Day.

- Last checked: 2026-10-18
- 2 listings with dates; 0 not posted or announced yet
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/thanksgiving/
- Free things to do (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/free/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/grand-rapids/llms.txt

## Turkey trots with kids’ races

- **Grand Rapids Turkey Trot and LMCU Mini Trot** at Van Andel Arena, Downtown. When: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Time: Mini Trot 8:10 a.m.; 5K and 1-mile Family Walk 8:30 a.m. Price: Mini Trot free (ages 1–12); 1-mile walk and 5K $35 (prices rise after Nov. 19). For kids: LMCU Mini Trot for ages 1–12, free; the 1-mile Family Walk is open to 12 and under too. The 34th year, starting and finishing in front of Van Andel Arena, benefiting GRPS student-athletes. Official page: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/GrandRapids/GRPSThanksgivingDayTurkeyTrot (checked 2026-10-18)

## Black Friday weekend with little kids

- **Santa's Magical Reindeer Meet and Greet** at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Michigan's Farm Garden, Grand Rapids, MI. When: Saturdays Nov 28; Dec 5, 12, 19, 2026. Time: 1–4 p.m. Price: Included with general admission (adults $25, kids 3–13 $14, 2 and under free); members free. Santa visits opening this weekend. Outdoor; meet Santa and see/feed his reindeer; photo ops. Official page: https://www.meijergardens.org/events/santas-magical-reindeer-meet-and-greet/ (checked 2026-10-18)

## Open or closed on Thanksgiving Day

- **Grand Rapids Children's Museum**: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Source: https://www.grcm.org/visit (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Frederik Meijer Gardens**: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Source: https://www.meijergardens.org/plan (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Grand Rapids Public Museum**: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Source: https://www.grpm.org/hours (checked 2026-10-18)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Is there a Thanksgiving parade in Grand Rapids?
We haven’t found 2026 details for a Thanksgiving parade in Grand Rapids yet. We check again every Thursday and add it as soon as the organizer posts it.

### Are there turkey trots with kids’ races in Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids Turkey Trot and LMCU Mini Trot: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. LMCU Mini Trot for ages 1–12, free; the 1-mile Family Walk is open to 12 and under too.

### What’s open on Thanksgiving Day in Grand Rapids with kids?
Closed on Thanksgiving: Grand Rapids Children's Museum, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Grand Rapids Public Museum. Check the venue page the morning of, since holiday hours can change.

### What can we do with little kids on Black Friday weekend in Grand Rapids?
Santa's Magical Reindeer Meet and Greet. Dates and times are on each card.

### How do you check these Thanksgiving listings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 18, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday through Thanksgiving week. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).