Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Wilmington (2026)
Checked · Covers Nov 25 – Nov 29 · All times are local Eastern Time
We list 4 family events around Wilmington for Nov 25 – Nov 29. Each listing links to the organizer's own page.
Thanksgiving week events
Cape Fear Habitat Turkey Trot
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 1-mile 8am; 5K 8:30am
- Cost
- $45 (1-mile or 5K)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A family Thanksgiving morning along the Cape Fear River downtown: an untimed 1-mile run/walk at 8am and a 5K at 8:30am, plus a costume contest (7:30–8:30am). Street parking downtown is free on Thanksgiving.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Enchanted Airlie
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sat, Nov 28 (Nov 27–28 and Dec 1–21) · Entry windows 5:30–9:30pm
- Cost
- Carload ticket $35 per vehicle (car, truck, SUV or minivan; plus tax and fees); XL van $65
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Airlie Gardens’ holiday light show and biggest fundraiser, with reserved one-hour entry windows. Tickets are sold per vehicle and must be bought in advance; dates sell out quickly.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla
- When
- Sat, Nov 28 · Day in the Park 10am–4pm (kids' activities, vendors); lighted boat parade 6pm, fireworks after
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving Saturday at Wrightsville Beach: a Day in the Park with local craft and food vendors and activities for kids, then the lighted holiday boat parade at 6pm followed by fireworks.
✓ Checked Oct 28, 2026 on the organizer's official page
City of Wilmington Holiday Parade
- When
- Sun, Nov 29 · 6pm
- Cost
- Not stated
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The city’s 23rd annual holiday parade on Front Street downtown. Front Street between Walnut and Church closes to traffic at 5pm; metered parking is free on Sundays.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
What can families do around Wilmington over Thanksgiving weekend?
We list 4 family events for Nov 25 – Nov 29, including Cape Fear Habitat Turkey Trot (Wilmington, Thu, Nov 26), Enchanted Airlie (Wilmington, Nov 27 – Nov 28), North Carolina Holiday Flotilla (Wrightsville Beach, Sat, Nov 28) and City of Wilmington Holiday Parade (Wilmington, Sun, Nov 29).
Which Wilmington-area cities have Thanksgiving weekend events?
We list Thanksgiving weekend events in 2 cities, including Wilmington (3) and Wrightsville Beach (1).
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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