Things To Do Over Thanksgiving Break | Local Activity Guide for Thanksgiving in Brooklyn 2025
10 Ideas for Things To Do on Thanksgiving
Visit a Zoo or Aquarium
Prospect Park Zoo is open 365 Days a year (yes, including Thanksgiving and Christmas)
NY Aquarium is also open, as well as the others throughout NYC
Visit a Park or Playground
Our cities' best resources are also open 365 Days a Year. Maybe venture out to a new park or playground
Visit a Space Club
All of their locations are open 365 Days a Year. Visit the new Space in Dumbo or check out the legacy locations in Fort Greene or Greenpoint.
See a Movie
Alamo Drafthouse- They’ll be playing Wicked for Good as well as Zootopia for family-friendly films.
Nitehawk Cinema: They’ll be playing Wicked for Good
Run a Turkey Trot
Prospect Park Track Club hosts a Turkey Trot in Prospect Park on Thanksgiving every year.
Volunteer for Those in Need
All three of these local organizations have events on Thanksgiving, but need help during other times of the year the most!
Heights & Hills: They do specifically need help delivering turkeys to families in need on Thanksgiving.
Take the Family Ice Skating
Roebling Rink is an excellent scenic option for the holiday (located under the Brooklyn Bridge). They offer 10 free, complimentary sessions for locals with an ID NYC or other proof of an NYC address.
Brookfield Place Ice Skating Rink: This is one of my mom's and my friends’ go-to ice skating rinks. She says it’s never too crowded, it’s real ice, and because it’s outside, it leads to a more authentic experience. (Certainly could be more crowded during the Friday after Thanksgiving because of proximity ot the shopping mall.)
Things To Do Over the Thanksgiving Long Weekend
Find time to relax
Put your kids in camp on that Friday and enjoy some 'me time' (sorry, I know this is a workday for some as well). A few camp ideas:
Relaxation Ideas
CityWell Spa in Gowanus
Give yourself the time for a workout class! I need to take my own advice here because I’ve never been to SLT, Orange Theory, Violet Pilates, or Soul Cycle - those are all great options, though.
Start Feeling Festive
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Lightscape: This event starts on November 21st and runs through January 3rd.
Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular: Tickets are at a discounted price before December 1st.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights: Runs from November 21st through January 4th.
Frost Fest at Luna Park: Dates to be confirmed, but it is likely to follow the same schedule as 2024.
Take the Family Ice Skating
Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park: Roebling Rink opens almost under the Brooklyn Bridge this year. They offer 10 free, complimentary sessions for locals with an ID NYC or other proof of an NYC address.
Lefrak Center at Prospect Park: No date has been set yet for the opening of the ice skating rink in Prospect Park. (This crazy warm Fall isn’t helping.) I highly recommend this ice skating rink; it features two large rinks, catering to skaters of all abilities, and leisurely skate assists are available for children who need them.
Brookfield Place Ice Skating Rink: This is one of my mom's and my friends’ go-to ice skating rinks. She says it’s never too crowded, it’s real ice, and because it’s outside, it leads to a more authentic experience.
Domino Square Ice Skating Rink: This is an ice skating rink at Domino Park in Williamsburg.
Wollman Rink in Central Park: If you’re looking for an iconic New York City experience, I vote to visit Wollman Rink. This is one of the largest ice skating rinks available and will be far less crowded than Rockefeller Center, with fewer tourists. Plus, tickets are only $15/adult.
Rockefeller Center Ice Skating: Rockefeller Center charges surge pricing depending on the time of your visit. (I guess this is better than a crowd of tourists while my seven-year-old is trying to skate.) The max price is $114/adult, so plan accordingly.
Enter a Race in New York City
Prospect Park Track Club- Thursday, November 27th
Riverside Church Turkey Trout- Saturday, November 8th on Randall’s Island
New York City Turkey Trot - Saturday, November 29th in Queens - this one features kids' races and events of all distances.
More Indoor Ideas
Brooklyn Museum
Brooklyn Bowl
View My Indoor Activity Guide by Neighborhood