Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Memphis (2026)
Checked · Covers Nov 25 – Nov 29 · All times are local Central Time
We list 5 family events around Memphis for Nov 25 – Nov 29. Each listing links to the organizer's own page.
Thanksgiving week events
The Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Tue–Sun Nov 21 – Dec 27 (closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day)) · 10:30am–5pm (box office closes 4:30pm); Christmas Eve until 3pm
- Cost
- Adults $7, seniors $6, children 3–12 $6
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
A Memphis tradition benefiting Le Bonheur Children's Hospital: a Festival of Trees, then a walk-through snowy forest of animated bears, elves, penguins and singing reindeer, model trains and a gingerbread village, ending with Santa for photos. Weekend time slots can sell out, so buy online ahead.
✓ Checked Oct 28, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Select nights Nov 13–Jan 3 (and weekends into February)) · 5–9:30pm (last entry 8:30pm)
- Cost
- $25 per person ($23 members); ages 2 and up need a ticket; under 2 free; parking included
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
More than 60 illuminated lantern displays, walk-through tunnels, snow at the front of the zoo and a new interactive Christmas maze. Tickets are sold online only for a set date; Dec 9 is a sensory night. It continues on select weekends through Feb 14.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park (World of Illumination)
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Select nights Nov 20–Jan 3) · Evenings, about 6–10pm (select nights)
- Cost
- From $39.99 per vehicle
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A drive-through holiday light show at Shelby Farms Park, set to music. Tickets are sold per vehicle; see the site for available nights and times.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Memphis Turkey Trot
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 9–11am
- Cost
- 4-mile $50.14; 2-mile relay $39.44 per person (incl. fees)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving-morning 4-mile run/walk and 2-mile relay at Shelby Farms Park, open to participants of all ages.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Holiday Wonders at the Garden
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sat, Nov 28 (Nov 27–28; Dec 4–6, 10–23 and 26–30) · 5–8:30pm (last entry 7:30pm); Dec 18–23 until 9:30pm
- Cost
- Ticketed; tickets on sale Nov 6 (prices on site)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Glowing trails through the garden, including Polar Passage in The Woodland and a new section in the Herb Garden, with fire tables, interactive play spots and food trucks nightly. Opening night (Nov 27) has Santa; later themed nights include Santa Sundays.
✓ Checked Oct 28, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
What can families do around Memphis over Thanksgiving weekend?
We list 5 family events for Nov 25 – Nov 29, including The Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees (Memphis, Nov 25 – Nov 29), Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival (Memphis, Nov 25 – Nov 29) and Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park (World of Illumination, Memphis, Nov 25 – Nov 29). See all 5 above.
How much do Thanksgiving weekend events around Memphis cost?
The Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees (Adults $7, seniors $6, children 3–12 $6), Memphis Zoo Lantern Festival ($25 per person), Starry Nights at Shelby Farms Park (World of Illumination) (From $39.99 per vehicle) and 2 more have a cost.
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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