# Thanksgiving weekend with kids in Phoenix, 2026

> There’s no Thanksgiving Day parade on our Phoenix list, but Fountain Hills Thanksgiving Day Parade is Thursday, Nov 26 at 9:30am. In all we found 14 Thanksgiving-weekend outings in and around Phoenix: two turkey trots with kids’ races and 12 Black Friday weekend picks, and nine are free. We also list one place and whether it’s open on Thanksgiving Day.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 14 listings with dates; 0 not posted or announced yet
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/thanksgiving/
- Free things to do (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/free/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/llms.txt

## Thanksgiving week, Monday to Wednesday

- **Desert Ridge Annual Holiday Tree Lighting** at The District at Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85050, Phoenix. When: Mon, Nov 23, 2026. Time: 6–9pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://shopdesertridge.com/events/ (checked 2026-10-26)

## Wednesday night, Thanksgiving Eve

- **ZooLights** at Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008. When: Nov 25, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027. Time: 5:30–10:30pm. Price: $35; members $30; Member Mondays $10; 2 and under free. Light display opening this weekend. Sensory Friendly ZooLights is Dec 8 (separate ticket). Official page: https://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/zoolights/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Free Santa photos at the Tempe Marketplace tree lighting** at The District at Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85281. When: Wed, Nov 25, 2026. Time: 6–8pm; tree lit at 7pm. Price: Free. Santa visits opening this weekend. Santa poses for free photos until 8pm after the tree lighting. Official page: https://tempemarketplace.com/event/holidaytreelighting/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Tempe Marketplace Holiday Tree Lighting** at The District at Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85281, Tempe. When: Wed, Nov 25, 2026. Time: 6–7:30pm; tree lit at 7pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://tempemarketplace.com/event/holidaytreelighting/ (checked 2026-10-26)

## Turkey trots with kids’ races

- **Phoenix Turkey Trot Tot Trot** at Wesley Bolin Plaza, Downtown. When: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Time: Tot Trot at 9:40am; Gobbler Dash 7:30am. A non-timed 50-yard dash for ages 6 and under, with a youth shirt and finisher medal. Official page: https://www.phoenixturkeytrot.com/reserve (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Fountain Hills Turkey Trot 5K Run & Fitness Walk** at Fountain Park, Fountain Hills. When: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Time: Thanksgiving morning; check the town page for the start time. The 35th year of this 5K run and walk, which loops the fountain at Fountain Park. The town's Thanksgiving Day Parade follows. Official page: https://fountainhillsaz.gov/580/Events (checked 2026-10-30)

## More on Thanksgiving Day

- **Fountain Hills Thanksgiving Day Parade** at Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268, Fountain Hills. When: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Time: 9:30am. Price: Free. The 42nd year of the parade, themed around America's 250th birthday, with marching bands and floats. Santa rides at the end. Official page: https://www.experiencefountainhills.org/events/2026/thanksgiving-day-parade-2026-happy-birthday-america (checked 2026-10-30)

## Friday, the day after Thanksgiving

- **Las Noches de las Luminarias** at Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008. When: Select nights Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: 5–9:30pm. Price: Adults $39.95–$44.95; kids 2–17 $18.95 (members $16.95). Light display opening this weekend. Nights: Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 16–23, 26–31; Jan 1–3. The garden closes at 4pm on luminaria days. Official page: https://dbg.org/events/las-noches-de-las-luminarias/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights** at Mesa Arizona Temple grounds, 101 S. LeSueur, Mesa, AZ 85204. When: Nightly Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026. Time: 5–10pm. Price: Free admission and parking. Light display opening this weekend. The Visitors' Center at 455 E. Main St. shows more than 200 nativities. Official page: https://mesatemple.org/christmas/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Glendale Glitters** at Murphy Park, Historic Downtown Glendale, 5850 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301. When: Nightly Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027. Time: 5–10pm. Price: Free. Light display opening this weekend. Opening weekend Nov 27–28 adds vendors, carolers and Santa. Official page: https://www.glendaleaz.gov/Play/Special-Events/Events (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park** at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250. When: Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026 (closed Dec 24–25). Time: 5:30–9:30pm. Price: $15 ages 3 and up; 2 and under free. Light display opening this weekend. Admission covers a train ride and the carousel. Tickets went on sale Oct 27 through ActiveNet, and it sells out every year. Official page: https://www.therailroadpark.com/event/holiday-lights/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Merry Main Street Kick-off and Tree Lighting** at Downtown Mesa, 1 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201. When: Fri, Nov 27, 2026. Time: 5–10pm. Price: Free. Santa visits opening this weekend. A holiday market around Mesa's Christmas tree, then a holiday program and the tree lighting. It opens the month-long Merry Main Street with its real ice rink. Official page: https://www.mesaaz.gov/Activities-Culture/City-Calendar/Merry-Main-Street-Kick-off (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Merry Main Street Kick-off and Christmas Tree Lighting** at Downtown Mesa, 1 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201, Mesa. When: Fri, Nov 27, 2026. Time: 5–10pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.mesaaz.gov/Activities-Culture/City-Calendar/Merry-Main-Street-Kick-off (checked 2026-10-26)

## Saturday and Sunday

- **Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree Lighting** at Mill Avenue and CenterPoint Plaza, Mill Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281. When: Sat, Nov 28, 2026. Time: 4–8pm; parade at 6pm. Price: Free. Santa visits opening this weekend. The parade rolls down Mill Avenue at 6, then the 36-foot tree is lit at CenterPoint Plaza. Photos with Santa and a letters-to-Santa station follow. Viewing spots are first come, first served. Official page: https://www.downtowntempe.com/events/fol-street-parade-tree-lighting (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Scottsdale Quarter Tree Lighting: A Starlit Holiday** at The Quad at Scottsdale Quarter, 15279 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254, Scottsdale. When: Sat, Nov 28, 2026. Time: 5:30–7:30pm; tree lit at 7pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://scottsdalequarter.com/events/tree-lighting/ (checked 2026-10-26)

## Open or closed on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday

- **Children’s Museum of Phoenix**: Thursday: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Friday: not posted. Source: https://childrensmuseumofphoenix.org/event/trick-or-treat-at-the-museum/2026-10-30/ (checked 2026-10-26)

## Thanksgiving events that come back every year

- [Phoenix Turkey Trot Tot Trot](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/events/phoenix-turkey-trot-tot-trot-wesley-bolin-plaza/): next dates Nov 26, 2026

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

### Are there turkey trots with kids’ races in Phoenix?
Phoenix Turkey Trot Tot Trot: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Fountain Hills Turkey Trot 5K Run & Fitness Walk: Thu, Nov 26, 2026.

### What can we do with kids in Phoenix on Thanksgiving Day?
On Thanksgiving Day (Thu, Nov 26, 2026) our list has Phoenix Turkey Trot Tot Trot, Fountain Hills Turkey Trot 5K Run & Fitness Walk and Fountain Hills Thanksgiving Day Parade. Times, prices and the official links are on each card.

### What’s open on Thanksgiving Day in Phoenix with kids?
Closed on Thanksgiving: Children’s Museum of Phoenix. Check the venue page the morning of, since holiday hours can change.

### Is the Children’s Museum of Phoenix open on Thanksgiving?
No. Its hours page lists it as closed Thanksgiving Day. Holiday hours can change, so check [the hours page](https://childrensmuseumofphoenix.org/event/trick-or-treat-at-the-museum/2026-10-30/) that morning.

### What can we do with kids the day after Thanksgiving in Phoenix?
On Friday, Nov. 27: Las Noches de las Luminarias, Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights, Glendale Glitters and Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park and 2 more. Times and prices are on each card.

### When is the tree lighting in Phoenix Thanksgiving weekend?
Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree Lighting: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 4–8pm; parade at 6pm, Mill Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85281. Merry Main Street Kick-off and Tree Lighting: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, 5–10pm, 1 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201. Free Santa photos at the Tempe Marketplace tree lighting: Wed, Nov 25, 2026, 6–8pm; tree lit at 7pm, 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe, AZ 85281. Times come from each organizer’s page.

### What can we do with kids Thanksgiving week in Phoenix?
Monday to Wednesday (Nov. 23–25): Desert Ridge Annual Holiday Tree Lighting. The full list for that week goes up Monday, Nov. 23.

### What can we do with little kids on Black Friday weekend in Phoenix?
ZooLights, Las Noches de las Luminarias, Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights, Glendale Glitters and Holiday Lights at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park and 7 more. Dates and times are on each card.

### What’s free on Thanksgiving weekend in Phoenix?
Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas Lights, Glendale Glitters, Fantasy of Lights Street Parade and Tree Lighting, Merry Main Street Kick-off and Tree Lighting and Free Santa photos at the Tempe Marketplace tree lighting are free to watch or attend. More free ideas are on [free things to do in Phoenix](https://littlesweekly.com/phoenix/free/).

### 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 30, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday through Thanksgiving week. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).