The holiday season always seems to sneak up on us, which is why it’s never too early to start planning celebrations. Whether you’re planning a cozy community celebration or a large-scale event, there’s a lot of ground to cover.
If you don’t have anything in mind yet, you may be wondering exactly what sorts of events can complement the typically family-driven holiday. We’ve got you covered. We’ve taken inspiration from our community of creators to come up with new ways to explore and honor Thanksgiving, whether as a charity event, workshop, or even online.
Table of Contents
Thanksgiving for our communities
Thanksgiving fundraiser ideas for schools
Thanksgiving events ideas for college students
Thanksgiving workshops offer fun and fresh holiday skills
Spring Cocktails of the Farmers Market / San Francisco Ferry Building / CUESA / San Francisco, CA
Thanksgiving for our communities
Since the first Thanksgiving, community celebrations have been central to the holiday. As such, Thanksgiving event ideas focused on community offer plenty of enticing possibilities for event creators.
Pro Tip: Customize your Eventbrite page with event details and various ticket options — general admission, early-bird discount, VIP, etc. — making it easier for attendees to register and engage in the festivities.
1. Indigenous American history talks
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Learning about the history of Indigenous Americans is imperative, and what better time to honor that history than during Thanksgiving? Invite a history professor or tribal representative to delve into the cultural heritage and traditions of Indigenous Americans, and how they are still represented in today’s landscape.
2. Thanksgiving food truck festival
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A food truck festival offers a tasty way to celebrate without having to cook for a ton of people. Set up fold-out tables and chairs in a park or school field. Showcase your favorite local trucks as they serve a full Thanksgiving dinner, whatever their usual fare — ask the BBQ vendor to cook the turkey and the cupcake truck to bake up some pumpkin treats. Given the appetite for food trucks, we’re sure you’ll draw a crowd.
3. Curated dinner
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Arrange a ticketed lunch or dinner to celebrate the year’s harvest season with your guests. It’s a versatile Thanksgiving event idea that can range from an outdoor or indoor picnic-style party like Picnic Party by W Seattle to a traditional, elegant dinner with family members and loved ones.
4. Hayrides
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Hayrides make for a unique experience that families and groups can cherish. Lay out a route around an orchard or pumpkin patch, fill a wagon with hay bales for people to sit on, hook up a tractor, and go. Or, go horse-drawn and send your guests back in time. Serving hot cider makes for a truly autumnal experience.
5. Fall foliage tour
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Consult with a local park ranger about the best time to see the colors in your neck of the woods around Turkey Day, then organize a local park or nature reserve tour. Include a lunch break featuring turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sandwiches for some seasonal flavor.
6. Craft fair
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Offer a charming alternative to chaotic Black Friday with a Thanksgiving craft fair like Mill City Events by Tara did. Invite local artists and artisans to set up and show off their creations and baked goods. Include other food truck vendors and invite a live musician or band for added atmosphere.
Giving thanks by giving back
Giving back can take many forms, including donations of food or funds as well as volunteering time. Soup kitchens and shelters for the homeless receive significant offers from volunteers during the Thanksgiving season, so filling needs in additional ways can help your event stand out.
Pro Tip: To make your event even more impactful, consider partnering with local businesses or sponsors who are willing to match donations made during your event. This can significantly boost the funds raised or donations collected. Announcing these partnerships can encourage more people to participate, knowing that their contributions will be magnified by these generous collaborators.
Here are a few Thanksgiving event ideas that allow attendees to express their gratitude and serve their communities.
7. Pie-baking contest
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Whether it’s pumpkin, apple, pecan, or your family’s original concoction, see which recipe stands supreme in a Thanksgiving pie-baking contest. Charge a small entry fee as a fundraiser for a favorite charity or offer slices of the competing pies for sale on-site (just check with local regulations about selling food in public). Let a panel of judges — or ticket buyers — vote for their favorite pie so you can crown a winner.
8. Turkey trot 5K race
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The turkey trot has become a Thanksgiving standby in recent years, and organizing a 5K (just over 3 miles) offers an enticing but doable challenge. Ask racers to collect donation pledges as an entry requirement and suggest racing in Pilgrim or turkey costumes to add some seasonal spirit. Prepare a grand finish and distribute prizes for the best race times, the most impressive costumes, and the most funds raised.
9. Donate blood
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World Health Organization emphasizes the demand for a regular blood supply, as blood can only be stored for a limited time. So, organize a blood drive in the community for a group or organization, such as at a place of worship. Coordinate with the Red Cross or a local hospital to provide phlebotomists. Be sure to offer cookies, juice, or other refreshments to recover from blood loss.
10. Hay bale maze
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Build a hay bale maze in a community park or parking lot, and dare your guests to find their way out! At dead ends, set up games for the lost and serve hot cider or cocoa at the exit. Reward the winners and enhance the fun with live music, snacks, and drinks. Consider donating a portion of the event’s proceeds to a local charity or organizing a non-perishable food drive alongside the maze.
11. Potluck pantry
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To guarantee everyone who needs it has food for the holidays, coordinate with food banks to arrange pantry-stocking events where participants can donate canned goods and other supplies.
Get inspiration from this Thanksgiving Potluck by Men’s Embodiment Community and facilitate an exchange of traditions. You could also ask for family recipes that incorporate the donated goods and distribute them to recipients.
Thanksgiving fundraiser ideas for schools
Thanksgiving fundraiser ideas for schools go beyond field trips and athletic events. Organizing school supply drives can also ensure classrooms are well stocked. Interested in organizing a fundraiser to benefit local schools?
Pro Tip: Listing on Eventbrite puts Eventbrite’s marketing tools at your fingertips. It also streamlines your ticketing and management processes so that as many people as possible know about your event and can easily get a ticket.
12. Ticketed turkey dinner
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For many, Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without a turkey. Reserve space at a restaurant and sell tickets to a traditional holiday meal. Or take a cue from Plimoth Patuxet Museums. At their “The Story of Thanksgiving” Dinner, reenactors will even act out the events of the legendary day in costume.
13. Corn maze
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In rural and farming communities, a field of maize becomes a winding maze on Turkey Day. Decorate with scarecrows and pumpkins, and include a competition to see who can complete the maze the fastest, with a prize or medal going to the winner. Charge a modest fee for an entry ticket and donate proceeds to your school — or district.
14. Thanksgiving funfair or carnival
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Take advantage of your school’s long Thanksgiving weekend with a funfair or carnival, complete with fairground rides, games, funhouses, and cotton candy. Set up in an expansive parking lot with classic carnival rides. Hand out plush animals as prizes for the full funfair effect. Finally, feature themed decorations for seasonal spirit and sell snacks such as hot cider and popcorn balls.
15. Live Auction
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Organize a lively Thanksgiving celebration with a fundraising live auction event to support a cause. Drawing inspiration from the Harvest Hoedown, invite influencers or celebrities to elevate the excitement of your event. Add live music, a costume contest, and seasonal culinary delights to guarantee an unforgettable experience for your guests.
16. Pie-eating contest
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Pie-eating contests have been part of the holiday landscape for decades, with contestants typically lining up at an elevated table (it’s easier for the audience to see) as pies are placed before them to feast upon. For an added twist, try tying contestants’ hands behind their backs for messy fun.
17. Harvest festival or market
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Celebrate the bountiful harvest with a harvest festival or a grand harvest market like The Post Oak Hotel did, to celebrate local growers and deliver healthy, delicious food to your community. Set up pumpkins, dried corn cobs, or a cornucopia at the entrance for seasonal allure. Donate a portion of the proceeds to a food bank, shelter, or conservation organization.
18. Turkey tailgating
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Take a cue from this event by Philly PR Girl and turn your next fundraiser into a Turkey Tailgating extravaganza! Gather your attendees for a pre-Thanksgiving feast with delicious turkey BBQ, exciting games, and a festive ambiance to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
Thanksgiving event ideas for college students
When creating Thanksgiving events for college students, remember they’re likely either returning home to reconnect with old friends or remaining near campus, eager for new experiences. The trick is to design events with Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving activities that appeal to a fun-loving, youthful crowd.
Pro Tip: Leverage Eventbrite’s mobile apps to cater to the tech-savvy youth demographic. Make sure they can easily find your Eventbrite event page, which is mobile-optimized, and make checkout simple.
19. Fall festival
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A fall festival for a college crowd will look a little different than one designed for families. Keep the pumpkin pie and hayrides, but consider including more adult-oriented Thanksgiving activities, too, like a 24-hour dance contest, a hard cider tasting, and flag football competitions.
20. Thanksgiving play
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A theatrical performance combining both depth and entertainment can be an ideal Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving event idea for college students. You can utilize the talents and resources within your college community to organize a memorable event. Drawing inspiration from the Thanksgiving Play by Bates Department of Theatre and Dance, choose meaningful themes with a touch of humor to make the event lively and impactful.
21. Student cooking classes
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Host cooking classes that teach students how to prepare Thanksgiving dishes like roast turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, and pumpkin pie. Coordinate with campus facilities for an on-campus location or set up in a community center near student housing. Then, have students who couldn’t make it home gather to enjoy the dishes they’ve cooked in a Friendsgiving celebration.
22. Yoga classes
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With end-of-semester exams and family obligations on the horizon, holidays can be stressful. Help college students unwind with a one-off class or series of yoga classes. If weather allows, host your class in a field or park; if not, retreat indoors to a studio or campus multipurpose room.
Virtual Thanksgiving events
Streaming your event online can open it up to new audiences. For many people, traveling to see family isn’t possible; others may prefer the flexibility of virtual events. These Thanksgiving virtual event ideas enable connections across geographical barriers and give those staying home a way to enjoy the festivities.
Pro Tip: Avoid technical issues by thoroughly testing your tech setup to keep your audience engaged during online events. Use Eventbrite’s streaming integrations for seamless, state-of-the-art broadcasting.
23. Virtual social mixer
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The 3rd Place is hosting a virtual hangout space for people to find other like-minded individuals before they become busy with Thanksgiving activities with friends and family. Design this virtual Thanksgiving event to help attendees discover a sense of belonging in a welcoming, pressure-free environment where they can express themselves freely. Ensure a safe space for everyone to truly relax and enjoy their time.
24. Vegan cook-along
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For many, Thanksgiving is about the sides: candied yams, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole. Host a cook-along that shows how to prepare vegan-friendly versions of these dishes so everyone can enjoy the season’s flavors. Provide a shopping list in advance or include a box of shippable essentials as part of the event price.
25. Thanksgiving quiz
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Quizzes are a fun way to keep the mind agile and test your knowledge of both significant and trivial facts. For those who run online quizzes, a Thanksgiving theme adds a fresh, seasonal dimension your audience will appreciate.
26. Online marketplace
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Chic Events DC hosts a variety of online virtual markets for the holidays, including an upcoming one for Black Friday. Virtual marketplaces are a great way to support local businesses if you’re working without a venue. With a good marketing plan, you can draw in attendees beyond your community and even raise money for charity while expanding your audience.
27. Virtual mindfulness and gratitude workshops
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Thanksgiving is an excellent time to tap into gratitude activities and help attendees destress. Ask a meditation specialist or yoga instructor to lead the session and stream it online so virtual attendees can participate at home. Consider including a sound healer for a fresh way to promote peace and harmony.
28. Virtual 5K/10K
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A virtual 5K/10K lets participants complete the feat on their own time, running or walking their own course at their own pace. Donate pledges or registration fees to a food bank, shelter, or other worthy cause. Make it flexible to increase attendance, like 5K A Day, a 38-day challenge starting from Thanksgiving until the New Year, that allows participants to run as often as they want.
Thanksgiving workshops
For many, Thanksgiving means busting out the wreaths, lights, ornaments, and other decorations. It can also mean entertaining friends, family, and colleagues. Thanksgiving workshops can help your attendees achieve that homespun appeal so beloved with holiday traditions.
Pro tip: Optimize your audience targeting with Eventbrite Ads to boost your workshop’s visibility, especially during the competitive Thanksgiving season when numerous similar events can crop up in your area.
29. Table centerpiece workshop
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Decorating is a big part of the holiday tradition for many families. A well-appointed Thanksgiving Day dinner table with candles, garlands, and flower displays can really elevate the meal. Teach attendees to make impressive centerpieces and tablescapes to delight their families and guests. Consider hosting a planted centerpiece workshop like Meeting Green does.
30. Plate-making
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It’s always nice to bring out special plates and bowls for the holidays. A ceramics workshop teaches attendees to turn clay into DIY holiday treasures. Feature a college art instructor who can show how to draw turkeys and other themed designs in clay, then fire up the kiln.
31. Charcuterie board demonstration
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A charcuterie board or cheese plate is a special-occasion standard in which cured meats, pâtés, cheeses, olives, and fruits are spread out on a marble or wooden board for guests. And there’s art to the well-constructed board! At Cutie Board Chick‘s Thanksgiving Charcuterie Workshop, attendees receive a board and kit and then learn techniques to make the flavors come to life.
32. Wreath-making class
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A wreath on the front door has a welcoming and festive appeal. Show attendees how to craft a wreath that stands out from the crowd and instruct them on which species of trees or shrubs work best, which colors create an autumnal or wintry look, and how to decorate it best.
33. Kids’ clay turkey workshop
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With school on holiday, keeping the kids engaged and stimulated is a top priority. Create a Thanksgiving tradition with a workshop that teaches kids how to make turkey figurines out of clay. Baked clay is very durable, so your attendees will enjoy a DIY decoration to grace their Thanksgiving tables for years.
34. History seminar or variety show
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The Thanksgiving holiday is an excellent occasion to explore history, culture, issues, and trends that echo through to today, such as Puritanism, colonialism, and relations with the indigenous tribes.
Take a cue from this Celtic Thanksgiving and arrange a similar fun-filled event immersed in the rich traditions and vibrant culture of the indigenous peoples. Alternatively, design a workshop or a seminar that delves into these topics. Ask a professor, book author, or museum docent to participate, or invite local tribal representatives. You can host the event on a campus or reserve a community center, church hall, or high school auditorium.
35. Turkey Harvest
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Inspired by ROAM Ranch‘s annual gathering, immerse your attendees in the fascinating world of heritage breed turkeys, emphasizing ethical treatment and care. Create a unique experience where families can participate in every step of the process, from harvest to table, and leave with their very own heritage breed turkey snacks for a memorable Thanksgiving feast.
36: Wine Class and Tasting Festival
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Elevate your Thanksgiving gatherings with a captivating wine class and tasting event inspired by Symposium Wine Bar. Learn the art of pairing wine with the diverse flavors of your harvest table. Explore a variety of fall and Thanksgiving wines in a fun atmosphere and elevate the experience by rewarding the best pairings by attendees.
Get your Thanksgiving Day event on the calendar
With so many options, there’s sure to be a Thanksgiving event that will have your community excited. The holidays sneak up fast, so start your event planning as soon as possible. Fortunately, Eventbrite makes getting your event started quick and easy.
If you’ve already set up your event, visit Eventbrite’s event ticketing platform to start selling tickets now and effectively reach your target audience. With its affordable, all-in-one ticketing and marketing solution, you can easily create, manage, and promote unforgettable live experiences for your community. Don’t wait; start planning your Thanksgiving event today with Eventbrite!
