We haven’t found a 2026 Thanksgiving parade in Virginia Beach–Norfolk, but Town Center Grand Illumination is Saturday, Nov 28. In all we found three Thanksgiving-weekend outings in and around Virginia Beach–Norfolk: one turkey trot with a kids’ race and two Black Friday weekend picks, and one is 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 Hampton Roads this-week page.
Thursday morning
Start time, route and what to know with a stroller, from the organizer’s page.
We check the organizers every week. The 3 outings below are confirmed on their official pages.
Run it off
Kids’ races, family walks and stroller rules, from each race’s own page. Kids’ turkey trots in other cities.
Mt. Trashmore YMCA · 4441 South Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452
With littles: The 49th running. The free 50-yard Toddler Turkey Trot goes off first, at 8am.
Thanksgiving Day
Other things to do with little kids on Thanksgiving Day itself.
Chesapeake City Hall · 306 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322
With littles: Light display opening this weekend. A drive-through light display of holiday scenes, seen from your car.
More to come.Tree lightings and holiday openings often post closer to the holiday. We add them every Thursday.Get the Thursday email
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.
Tree lightings and holiday openings often post closer to the holiday. We recheck every Thursday.
Saturday and Sunday
Parades, lightings, light displays and other easy outings Saturday and Sunday.
Town Center Fountain Plaza · Town Center, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
With littles: Light display opening this weekend. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive for the tree lighting, and elves hand out free hot chocolate while it lasts. From 6pm and through December, families can visit Santa in a life-size snow globe. Parking in Town Center is always free.
More to come.Tree lightings and holiday openings often post closer to the holiday. We add them every Thursday.Get the Thursday emailEvery 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 Hampton Roads
Keep planning
November: things to do in Hampton RoadsEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in Hampton RoadsEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in Hampton RoadsFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in Hampton RoadsIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in Hampton RoadsBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Noon Year’s Eve in Hampton RoadsKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in Hampton RoadsParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
The Nutcracker in Hampton RoadsBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in Hampton RoadsChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in Hampton RoadsWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1This week in Hampton RoadsDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
We haven’t found 2026 details for a Thanksgiving parade in Virginia Beach–Norfolk yet. We check again every Thursday and add it as soon as the organizer posts it.
Tidewater Striders Turkey Trot: Thu, Nov 26, 2026.
On Thanksgiving Day (Thu, Nov 26, 2026) our list has Tidewater Striders Turkey Trot. Times, prices and the official links are on each card.
Open on Thanksgiving: Dominion Energy Garden of Lights. Closed on Thanksgiving: Virginia Aquarium. Check the venue page the morning of, since holiday hours can change.
No. Its hours page lists it as closed on Thanksgiving. Holiday hours can change, so check the hours page that morning.
Yes. Its hours page lists it as open on Thanksgiving night. Holiday hours can change, so check the hours page that morning.
Town Center Grand Illumination: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 5–6pm, Town Center, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Times come from each organizer’s page.
Deck the Hall at Chesapeake City Hall and Town Center Grand Illumination. Dates and times are on each card.
Town Center Grand Illumination is free to watch or attend. More free ideas are on free things to do in Hampton Roads.
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 28, 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 Hampton Roads that weekend, Thanksgiving week included.
Tidewater Striders Turkey Trot