Updated October 2026 · By Danny Nappi, Tampa Bay local and founder of Vacation Florida
Thanksgiving in Florida means turkey on the patio, a beach walk instead of a snow shovel, and the official kickoff of the holiday season, with theme parks, light shows and big rivalry games all landing the same week. Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26. Here’s where to go, what’s happening that week, and how to plan around the crowds.
The Short Answer
The best places to spend Thanksgiving in Florida are Orlando (holiday season kicks off at the parks, with EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays starting Nov. 27), St. Augustine (Nights of Lights opens Nov. 21), Tampa Bay (Busch Gardens Christmas Town plus easy beach days), the quieter Gulf Coast beaches, Key West if you want the warmest weather, or a cruise from a Florida port if you’d rather skip the cooking. Expect mild, mostly dry weather, and book hotels, rentals and Thanksgiving dinner reservations early, because it’s one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.
Thanksgiving Week 2026 at a Glance
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sat., Nov. 21 | Florida Classic: FAMU vs. Bethune-Cookman, 3:30 p.m. | Camping World Stadium, Orlando |
| Sat., Nov. 21 | Nights of Lights begins (runs through Jan. 18, 2027) | St. Augustine |
| Wed., Nov. 25 | Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party night | Magic Kingdom |
| Thu., Nov. 26 | Thanksgiving Day | Everywhere |
| Fri., Nov. 27 | Florida vs. Florida State | Tallahassee |
| Fri., Nov. 27 | EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays begins (through Dec. 30) | EPCOT |
| Fri., Nov. 27 | Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party night; Christmas in the Wild begins at ZooTampa | Orlando / Tampa |
| Select nights from Nov. 13 | Christmas Town (included with admission) | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay |
Dates as announced by each venue as of October 2026. Always confirm before you go.
Best Places to Spend Thanksgiving in Florida
1. Orlando: Kick Off the Holiday Season at the Parks
Thanksgiving week is when Orlando flips to Christmas. EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays starts the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 27) and runs through Dec. 30, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party runs on select nights, including Nov. 25 and Nov. 27, but not on Thanksgiving Day itself. Heads up: Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest weeks of the year at the parks, so plan rides early in the day and make dining reservations as early as you can. For the full holiday rundown, see our guide to Christmas in Orlando.
Thanksgiving dinner in Orlando: the parks and resorts are open on Thanksgiving Day, and many Disney and Universal restaurants add holiday menus that week. Liberty Tree Tavern at Magic Kingdom, which serves a family-style turkey dinner, is a long-time favorite. Dining reservations open well in advance and Thanksgiving slots go fast, so book as soon as you know your dates. Outside the parks, plenty of Orlando restaurants serve Thanksgiving dinner too; check hours before you go, since some close for the holiday.
In town the Saturday before? The Florida Classic, FAMU vs. Bethune-Cookman, is Nov. 21 at 3:30 p.m. at Camping World Stadium, one of the biggest HBCU games of the year. See our guide to hotels near Camping World Stadium.
2. St. Augustine: Nights of Lights Opening Weekend
St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights switches on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, and runs through Jan. 18, 2027, with more than three million white lights across the oldest city in the country. It’s also a fitting place for the holiday: St. Augustine is often credited with one of the earliest Thanksgiving-style meals in America, when Spanish settlers and the Timucua people shared a meal there in 1565. Thanksgiving weekend is a great time to see it, though it’s also one of the busiest. Our Christmas in St. Augustine and Nights of Lights guide covers parking, tours and where to stay.
3. Tampa Bay: Christmas Town and Beach Days
Tampa Bay gives you the best of both: a beach walk on Thanksgiving morning and holiday lights at night. Christmas Town at Busch Gardens runs on select nights starting Nov. 13 and is included with park admission, and ZooTampa’s Christmas in the Wild kicks off Nov. 27. See our full guide to Christmas in Tampa Bay for dates, prices and where to stay.
4. The Gulf Coast Beaches: The Quiet Option
If you want Thanksgiving without the theme-park crowds, the Gulf beaches are the move. Clearwater, St. Pete Beach and Anna Maria Island are calm, the sunsets are as good as they get all year, and a beach house makes it easy to cook the whole meal yourself. Farther south, Naples is another popular pick for a warm, relaxed Thanksgiving, while Destin and the Panhandle beaches are quieter still but noticeably cooler. Compare the two big Pinellas beaches in our Clearwater Beach vs. St. Pete Beach guide, or browse Clearwater Beach rentals and St. Pete Beach rentals.
5. Key West: The Warmest Thanksgiving in Florida
For the warmest weather in the state, head all the way south. Key West is usually the mildest spot in Florida in late November, and it’s a laid-back place to spend the holiday. Start with our guide to the best things to do in Key West.
6. A Thanksgiving Cruise from Florida
Danny’s Pick: Thanksgiving at Sea
Ever since my mom passed away four years ago, Thanksgiving hasn’t been the same for me, but I make the best of it. For the past few years, my sister and I have spent Thanksgiving on a Carnival cruise. It’s something my mom loved to do, and it’s been a great way to remember her. If you’re thinking about it, cruising with family on Thanksgiving is something I’d definitely recommend.
Here’s what Thanksgiving on Carnival Paradise actually looks like:
Thanksgiving Football in Florida
- Florida vs. Florida State: Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, in Tallahassee. The game moved from Saturday to Friday, so it’s now part of the holiday weekend itself.
- Florida Classic: FAMU vs. Bethune-Cookman, Saturday, Nov. 21 at 3:30 p.m. at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Thanksgiving Dinner, Florida Style
- Book restaurants early. Popular Thanksgiving seatings fill weeks ahead, especially in Orlando and the beach towns.
- Add stone crab to the table. Florida stone crab season opens Oct. 15, so claws are in season for Thanksgiving. It’s about as Florida as a holiday meal gets.
- Rent a house with a big kitchen. For family groups, a vacation rental is usually easier and cheaper than several hotel rooms plus a restaurant dinner. See our guide to Florida vacation rentals for large groups.
- Eat outside. Late-November evenings are cool and comfortable, which makes it prime season for a patio or waterfront table.
Thanksgiving Weather in Florida
Late November is one of the most comfortable times of year in Florida: lower humidity, mostly dry days and cool evenings. South Florida and the Keys are the warmest, typically in the upper 70s to around 80°F. Central Florida and Tampa Bay usually land in the mid-70s, while North Florida, including St. Augustine and Tallahassee, is cooler, often in the upper 60s to low 70s, with chilly nights. Pack layers and a light jacket for evening light shows.
Tips for Beating the Thanksgiving Crowds
- Book early. Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel weeks of the year in Florida, and hotels near the parks and on the beaches sell out.
- Travel off-peak. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after are the busiest travel days, so fly or drive on the holiday itself or on Monday if you can.
- Pick your park days carefully. In Orlando, arrive at opening and save the afternoon for the pool.
- Go coastal for a quieter holiday. The Gulf Coast beaches are far calmer than the theme parks this week.
- Or skip the cooking with a cruise. Thanksgiving cruises sail from Port Canaveral, PortMiami, Port Everglades and Tampa, and most serve a holiday dinner on board.
More Florida Holiday Guides
- Best Florida Events November 2026
- Christmas in Florida 2026
- Christmas in Orlando 2026
- Christmas in Tampa Bay 2026
- Christmas in St. Augustine: Nights of Lights Guide
Thanksgiving in Florida FAQ
Is Florida warm at Thanksgiving?
Yes, mostly. South Florida and the Keys usually reach the upper 70s to around 80°F, Central Florida and Tampa Bay the mid-70s, and North Florida the upper 60s to low 70s. Evenings are cooler, so bring a light jacket.
Where can I get Thanksgiving dinner in Orlando?
Many Walt Disney World and Universal restaurants add Thanksgiving menus, and Liberty Tree Tavern at Magic Kingdom serves a family-style turkey dinner. Plenty of Orlando restaurants outside the parks serve Thanksgiving dinner too. Book early, because holiday reservations fill weeks ahead.
Are Florida theme parks open on Thanksgiving Day?
Yes. Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are open on Thanksgiving Day, and it’s one of the busiest days of the year. Check the official park hours calendar before you go.
Is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on Thanksgiving?
No. In 2026 the party runs on select nights, including Nov. 25 and Nov. 27, but not on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26.
When does EPCOT Festival of the Holidays start in 2026?
EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays runs Nov. 27 through Dec. 30, 2026, starting the day after Thanksgiving.
When do St. Augustine Nights of Lights start in 2026?
Nights of Lights runs Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, through Monday, Jan. 18, 2027, so it’s already lit up for Thanksgiving weekend.
Is Disney World crowded on Thanksgiving?
Yes. Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest weeks of the year at Walt Disney World. Arrive at opening, book dining reservations early, and use the afternoon for a break at the pool.
When is the Florida vs. Florida State game in 2026?
Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, in Tallahassee. The game was moved from Saturday to Friday of Thanksgiving weekend.
What was the first Thanksgiving in Florida?
St. Augustine is often credited with one of the earliest Thanksgiving-style meals in America: in 1565, Spanish settlers led by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés shared a meal with the Timucua people there, decades before the Pilgrims’ 1621 feast.
Can you take a Thanksgiving cruise from Florida?
Yes. Thanksgiving-week cruises depart from Port Canaveral, PortMiami, Port Everglades and Tampa, and most cruise lines serve a holiday dinner on board.
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