EXPLORE · THANKSGIVING
Last updated: October 30, 2026
Thanksgiving in Brooklyn is quieter than you'd think, and a lot more is open than people expect. NYC public schools are off Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27, 2026, so here's what my family does with the long weekend: what's open on the holiday itself, turkey trots, ice skating, and how to start feeling festive.
Quick overview
What's open on Thanksgiving Day in Brooklyn? Every city park and playground. The Prospect Park Zoo and the New York Aquarium were both open last Thanksgiving, and their 2026 hours list no holiday closure. The Prospect Park Turkey Trot runs Thanksgiving morning, and Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden opens the week before, on November 20.
What can you do with kids in Brooklyn on Thanksgiving Day?
Head outside in the morning: a turkey trot, the zoo or a new playground. All of these were open on Thanksgiving last year.
Prospect Park Zoo
Prospect Park · Winter hours 10am to 4:30pm · Adults $10.95, kids 3 to 12 $7.95
Open 365 days a year in the past, including Thanksgiving and Christmas. Check the site for 2026 holiday hours before you go.
New York Aquarium
Coney Island · November hours 10am to 3:30pm · Adults from $29.95, kids from $25.95
Open last Thanksgiving. Confirm holiday hours before you make the trip.
Visit a new park or playground
Brooklyn-wide · Every day · Free
Our city's best resource is open 365 days a year. Try somewhere new from my guides to Brooklyn's best playgrounds and Brooklyn's best parks.
Space Club
Dumbo, Fort Greene and Greenpoint · Listed as open 365 days, 8am to 7pm
Visit the newer Dumbo location or the original spots in Fort Greene and Greenpoint. Call ahead on the holiday itself. This is our plan — we went last year on Thanksgiving with cousins and had a blast with what felt like the place to ourselves.
Where can you run a turkey trot in 2026?
The Prospect Park Track Club Turkey Trot is the Brooklyn one, on Thanksgiving morning. If your kids want their own race, the NYC Turkey Trot in Queens on Saturday has kids' races.
Prospect Park Track Club Turkey Trot
Prospect Park · Thu Nov 26, waves at 8:15am and 9am · 5 miles, $47
A Thanksgiving tradition in the park every year.
NYC Turkey Trot
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens · Sat Nov 28 · Kids 5K $14.99, kids 100m dash free
Races of every distance, including kids' races.
Riverside Church Turkey Trot
Randall's Island · Sat Nov 7, 9am · 5K $43.40, Youth Turkey Dash $38.10
An earlier option if you want to warm up before the holiday.
Where can families volunteer on Thanksgiving in Brooklyn?
Heights & Hills needs help delivering Thanksgiving meals on November 26. All three of these organizations need help the most during the rest of the year, too.
Heights & Hills
Brooklyn-wide · Meal deliveries Thu Nov 26, pie drop-off Wed Nov 25, noon to 4pm
They specifically need drivers to deliver turkey dinners to older neighbors.
North Brooklyn Angels
Williamsburg and Greenpoint · 2026 details not posted yet
CHiPS
Park Slope · 2026 details not posted yet
What else is there to do over the long weekend?
See a movie
Alamo Drafthouse Brooklyn and Nitehawk Cinema
Downtown Brooklyn, Park Slope and Williamsburg · Showtimes not posted yet
Hexed opens November 25 and is the big family release of the weekend.
Take the family ice skating
LeFrak Center at Prospect Park
Prospect Park · Open from Oct 31 · 2026 rates not posted yet
I highly recommend it: two big rinks for every ability, with skate helpers for kids who need them.
Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Dumbo · Open from Nov 14 · NYC residents $16 plus $8 rental
A scenic holiday skate almost under the Brooklyn Bridge.
Domino Park Rink
Williamsburg · Open from Nov 9 · NYC residents $13 weekdays, $17 weekends
The Rink at Brookfield Place
Battery Park City · Opens in November
Real ice, outdoors and usually not crowded, though Black Friday shoppers can change that.
Wollman Rink
Central Park · Adults from $16, kids 4 to 12 $12
The iconic NYC skate, with far fewer tourists than Rockefeller Center.
Start feeling festive
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Prospect Heights · Opens Nov 20 · Kids from $15, under 3 free
We went over Thanksgiving weekend last year and it was phenomenal.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
Bronx · Opens Nov 21, open Nov 27 to 29
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Midtown · Nov 4 to Jan 4
Earlier dates are usually cheaper than December.
For the full holiday season, see my Brooklyn holiday guide for families.
Find time to relax on Friday
Put your kids in camp on Friday and take some time for yourself (I know it's a workday for some of us). A few camp ideas: Court 16, Gotham Gymnastics, Treasure Trunk Theater, Chelsea Piers and NY Kids Club.
To relax: QCNY Spa, CityWell Spa in Gowanus, or finally take that workout class.
More indoor ideas
The Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Bowl, or anything from my indoor activity guide by neighborhood.
Good to know
School is out Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27, 2026 for NYC public schools.
Check holiday hours. The zoo and aquarium post Thanksgiving hours close to the date, so confirm before you go.
Register early for turkey trots. The NYC Turkey Trot discount ends November 4.
Book Lightscape ahead. Thanksgiving weekend nights are some of the busiest of the season.
Thanksgiving FAQ
Is the Prospect Park Zoo open on Thanksgiving?
The Prospect Park Zoo was open on Thanksgiving in 2025, and its 2026 winter hours (10am to 4:30pm daily) list no holiday closure. Check the zoo's website before you go.
When is the Prospect Park Turkey Trot in 2026?
The Prospect Park Track Club Turkey Trot is on Thursday, November 26, 2026, with waves at 8:15am and 9am. It's a 5-mile race.
Are NYC public schools closed the Friday after Thanksgiving?
Yes. NYC public schools are closed Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27, 2026.
When does Lightscape open in 2026?
Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden opens Friday, November 20, 2026 and runs through January 3, 2027.
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My long weekend plan: my family loves Spac Club on Thanksgiving and a local restaurant for a 4pm dinner to keep it easy. We’ll play Ticket to Ride, visit e LeFrak rink on Friday, and Lightscape at the Botanic Garden once it gets dark.
Curious what it costs to live near Prospect Park?
The zoo, the turkey trot route, the LeFrak rink and Lightscape are all in or next to Prospect Park. Tell me the spot or neighborhood and I'll send a custom report: what homes nearby actually sell and rent for, monthly carrying costs, and how fast they move. Real numbers, no sales pitch.
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