The big one for little kids is 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade (Thu 8:30am pre-show). In all we found eight Thanksgiving-weekend outings in and around Philadelphia: one parade, two turkey trots with kids’ races and five Black Friday weekend picks, and four are free. We also list two places and whether they’re open on Thanksgiving Day.
Thursday to Sunday
Everything below, laid out by day. Tap any outing to jump to its details.
Monday to Wednesday, Nov. 23–25
Many schools are off all week. The full Monday-to-Wednesday list goes up with the weekly update on Monday, Nov. 23; what’s already posted is below.
It comes from the same weekly check as the Philadelphia this-week page.
Thursday morning
Start time, route and what to know with a stroller, from the organizer’s page.
20th St. and JFK Blvd. to the Philadelphia Museum of Art · Center City
With littles: The route runs east on JFK Blvd., north on 16th St., then up the Parkway. Eakins Oval and Logan Circle are good spots to watch. Metered parking is free on Thanksgiving.
Run it off
Kids’ races, family walks and stroller rules, from each race’s own page. Kids’ turkey trots in other cities.
Forbidden Drive at Thomas Road and W. Northwestern Ave., Lot 3 · 200 W. Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118
With littles: A 1-mile walk on Forbidden Drive. Packet pickup and free parking are at Chestnut Hill College; allow at Chestnut Hill College 10 minutes to walk to the start.
Nether Providence Elementary School · 410 Moore Road, Wallingford, PA 19086
With littles: A 1-mile kids’ run before the 5K. Strollers are welcome.
Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday
Holiday hours from each place’s own hours page. “Not posted” means the page doesn’t list Friday hours yet. Worth a quick check that morning.
Friday, Nov. 27
Tree lightings, parades, light-display openings and Santa arrivals on Black Friday.
Franklin Square · 200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
With littles: Santa visits opening this weekend. Santa photos on select evenings during Holidays in Franklin Square.
Linvilla Orchards · 137 West Knowlton Road, Media, PA 19063
With littles: Santa visits opening this weekend. There’s no photographer, so have your phone ready. Kids can decorate cookies for free during Santa’s break.
More to come.Tree lightings and holiday openings often post closer to the holiday. We add them every Thursday.Get the Thursday emailSaturday and Sunday
Parades, lightings, light displays and other easy outings Saturday and Sunday.
Blue Cross RiverRink · Penn’s Landing
Every year
Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Philadelphia
Keep planning
November: things to do in PhiladelphiaEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in PhiladelphiaEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in PhiladelphiaFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in PhiladelphiaFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in PhiladelphiaIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in PhiladelphiaBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in PhiladelphiaHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Noon Year’s Eve in PhiladelphiaKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in PhiladelphiaParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in PhiladelphiaPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in PhiladelphiaBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in PhiladelphiaChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in PhiladelphiaWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Birthday party places in PhiladelphiaStarting prices, ages and what’s includedThis week in PhiladelphiaDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade: Thu, Nov 26, 2026, 8:30am pre-show; parade until noon, Center City. Times come from each organizer’s own page.
Face to Face Turkey Trot 1 Mile Walk: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Delco Turkey Trot Little Drumstick Fun Run: Thu, Nov 26, 2026.
On Thanksgiving Day (Thu, Nov 26, 2026) our list has 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade, Face to Face Turkey Trot 1 Mile Walk and Delco Turkey Trot Little Drumstick Fun Run. Times, prices and the official links are on each card.
Open on Thanksgiving: Christmas Village in Philadelphia. Closed on Thanksgiving: Holidays in Franklin Square. Check the venue page the morning of, since holiday hours can change.
On Friday, Nov. 27: Jingle & Mingle with Santa in Franklin Square, Santa at Linvilla Orchards and Doylestown 112th Annual Tree Lighting. Times and prices are on each card.
Doylestown 112th Annual Tree Lighting: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, 5–8pm, Doylestown. New Hope Christmas Tree Lighting: Sun, Nov 29, 2026, 5pm, New Hope. Winterfest Tree Lighting at Blue Cross RiverRink: Sun, Nov 29, 2026, 6pm, Penn’s Landing. Times come from each organizer’s page.
Jingle & Mingle with Santa in Franklin Square, Santa at Linvilla Orchards, Doylestown 112th Annual Tree Lighting, New Hope Christmas Tree Lighting and Winterfest Tree Lighting at Blue Cross RiverRink. Dates and times are on each card.
6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade, Doylestown 112th Annual Tree Lighting, New Hope Christmas Tree Lighting and Winterfest Tree Lighting at Blue Cross RiverRink are free to watch or attend. More free ideas are on free things to do in Philadelphia.
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 26, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday through Thanksgiving week. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening: the best things to do with little kids in Philadelphia that weekend, Thanksgiving week included.
Delco Turkey Trot Little Drumstick Fun Run