Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around San Antonio (2026)
Checked · Covers Nov 25 – Nov 29 · All times are local Central Time
We list 4 family events around San Antonio for Nov 25 – Nov 29, 1 free. Each listing links to the organizer's own page.
Thanksgiving week events
Zoo Lights at San Antonio Zoo
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Nov 14 – Jan 3) · 2026 evening hours not posted yet; check the zoo calendar
- Cost
- Included with standard zoo admission; free for members
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The zoo turns into a winter wonderland after hours: miles of lights, glowing tunnels, holiday music and photo spots. Santa photos are by reservation on select dates.
✓ Checked Oct 28, 2026 on the organizer's official page
San Antonio Food Bank Turkey Trot 5K
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 8:30–11:30am
- Cost
- $40–$50 adults by registration date; kids 4–11 $10 with a registered adult; 3 and under free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving morning 5K run and walk through downtown San Antonio that benefits the San Antonio Food Bank. Families are welcome to walk.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Gruene Turkey Trot 5K & Kids' Turkey Chase
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 5K 8:30am; 1/4-mile Kids' Turkey Chase 9:30am (packet pickup from 7am)
- Cost
- $15 Kids' Turkey Chase; $30 5K (through Nov 21; then $20/$35)
- Ages
- All ages (Kids' Turkey Chase for 12 and under) · Outdoor
18th annual Thanksgiving-morning 5K run/walk and quarter-mile Kids' Turkey Chase starting and finishing in front of historic Gruene Hall, benefiting Comal Cops for Kids. Race-day prices are higher and online registration closes at 8am.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Ford Holiday River Parade
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 · Starts 6pm
- Cost
- Free viewing area on the parade route (first come, first served; bring a chair); reserved seating sold separately
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Illuminated floats on the River Walk and the lighting of the River Walk holiday lights. Starts at the Tobin Center.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
What can families do around San Antonio over Thanksgiving weekend?
We list 4 family events for Nov 25 – Nov 29, 1 free, including Zoo Lights at San Antonio Zoo (San Antonio, Nov 25 – Nov 29), San Antonio Food Bank Turkey Trot 5K (San Antonio, Thu, Nov 26) and Gruene Turkey Trot 5K & Kids' Turkey Chase (New Braunfels, Thu, Nov 26). See all 4 above.
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near San Antonio are free?
1 event on our list is free: Ford Holiday River Parade (San Antonio, Fri, Nov 27).
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near San Antonio need tickets or registration?
3 events on our list say on the official page that they need advance tickets, timed entry or registration: Zoo Lights at San Antonio Zoo (San Antonio), San Antonio Food Bank Turkey Trot 5K (San Antonio) and Gruene Turkey Trot 5K & Kids' Turkey Chase (New Braunfels). Book through each official page.
Which San Antonio-area cities have Thanksgiving weekend events?
We list Thanksgiving weekend events in 2 cities, including San Antonio (3) and New Braunfels (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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