Best 2017 Thanksgiving Day Events & Activities In Los Angeles

(credit: LA Turkey Trot)

Thanksgiving is a time of the year when families gather to enjoy home cooked meals and share stories with family and friends. It is also a special family holiday to take a break from working and celebrate special moments spending quality time together. In addition to preparing Turkey and dressing for the occasion, there are several fun activities that can be enjoyed on the holiday this year on November 23, 2017. These are the best:

Turkey Trot LA
City Hall
200 N Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 473-3231
turkeytrot.la
Date: November 23, 2017 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

This annual event is back again and this is your chance to burn some calories before indulging in your Thanksgiving feast. Sign up for the annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning which begins in downtown L.A. Runners (or walkers) can sign up for a 5K or 10K route on the historic streets of Los Angeles, and even the kids can get involved with the 1 mile "Widdle Wobble." Not only will you be able to justify some heavy eating later, but proceeds from the event will go to The Midnight Mission, a charity benefitting homeless individuals in the area with programs and services to help them rebuild towards self-sufficiency. If you're not quite up to the race, lend a hand and sign up to volunteer. Everything kicks off at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning.

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Volunteer At Westside Thanksgiving
11301 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA90025
(310) 394-3153
www.westsidethanksgiving.org
Dates: November 22 & 23, 2017

Thanksgiving is about being thankful, but do more than just give thanks this year. Give back to those who are less fortunate by donating time and resources to the annual community meal, which will feed thousands of Angelenos this year. It won't take much of your day as there are plenty of shifts to take part in. And, it is a great way to connect with your community in the spirit of the holiday. On Wednesday, November 22, 2017, setup begins from 2 p.m. to dusk. The event is on the south lot of the West L.A. Civic Center on Corinth Avenue. Then, on Thanksgiving Day starting at 6 a.m., come and be part of shifts to help out. Shifts are 6 a.m., 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before the shift you've been assigned to!

10th Annual Claremont Turkey Trot
Downtown Claremont
www.claremontsunriserotary.org
Date: November 23, 2017 at 7 a.m.

This Thanksgiving, head to Claremont for their 10th Annual Turkey Trot! This 5k run/walk and 1k kids fun run on Thanksgiving morning is a fun way to celebrate with the family before having your nightly feast. On site registration and bib/t-shirt pickup is on November 22, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and then the race starts on Thanksgiving day from 6:30 a.m. In 2016, they had over 1500 runners, so expect for a good crowd as this has become a terrific holiday tradition for families and individuals!

Thanksgiving Day Brunch Cruise
Fisherman's Village Marina
13755 Fiji Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 301-6000
www.hornblower.com
Date: November 23, 2017 at 11:30 a.m.

This Thanksgiving, celebrate a wonderful holiday with your family in a uniquely Marina del Rey way onboard Hornblower Cruises. They will do all the cooking and cleaning for Thanksgiving so you can relax and enjoy and take pictures of all the sights with your family and friends. It will be an experience you won't soon forget. This 2 hour cruise boards at 11:30am and cruises for 2 hours from 12pm to 2pm. The price is $68.95 per person, and includes unlimited champagne and mimosas, a brunch buffet with holiday dishes, a cash bar, a beautiful 2 hour cruise, scenic harbor views and much more.

Burbank Community YMCA Turkey Trot
Downtown Burbank
321 E Magnolia Blvd
Burbank, CA 91502
www.burbankymca.org
Date: November 23, 2017 at 7:30 a.m.

For Thanksgiving this year, why not join others for a great cause? Whether you want to run, jog, walk or push a stroller, you won't want to miss the annual Burbank Community YMCA Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5K/10K as well as a kids run. Join casual joggers, terrific athletes, families and revelers dressed in costumes on the streets of downtown Burbank to enjoy an annual family-friendly holiday tradition which raises funds to help make the Burbank YMCA program available throughout the year. It starts early at 7:30 a.m., and aside from the 5k, 10k and kids run, there will be a kids fun zone and much more!

13th Annual Thousand Oaks Turkey Dash
California Lutheran University
60 W Olsen Rd
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
www.runsignup.com
Dates: November 23, 2017 at 8 a.m.

All ages are welcome for this Turkey Day Dash on Thanksgiving Day at 8 a.m. Registration for this ends on November 19, 2017 and it is $40. There will be a kids 1k race beginning at 7:30 a.m. as well. Aside from the Turkey Dash, there is a costume contest to get excited about which will begin at 7:15 a.m. before the start of the kids race. You're encouraged to come in your favorite Thanksgiving Day costume and the top 3 winers will receive prizes! Learn more about the event here.

Simi Valley Thanksgiving 5k
Rancho Simi Community Park
1765 Royal Ave
Simi Valley CA 93065
www.thanksgivingday5k.com
Dates: November 23, 2017 at 8 a.m.

Welcome to the 4th Annual Thanksgiving Day 5k event in Simi Valley where you'll get to participate in a fun 5k run. Start at Rancho Simi Park and then runners will pass along the Arroyo bike path that has beautiful trees for shade.

Patina Thanksgiving Brunch
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Dr
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
www.descansogardens.org
Dates: November 23, 2017 at 11:30 a.m.

The beautiful Descanso Gardens is participating in the Thanksgiving fun this year at their restaurant Patina. Patina's top chefs will create a terrific holiday buffet with traditional Thanksgiving favorites as well as vegetarian options. The cost is $75 for adult members, and $35 for child members; $85 for adult non-members, and $45 for child non-members. Reservations are required.

Thanksgiving Lunch At The Aquarium Of The Pacific
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 590-3100
www.aquariumofpacific.org
Dates: November 23, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m

Not up for the usual ordeal of cooking this year? Then, instead bring the family down to dine at the incredible Aquarium Of The Pacific. This year, come gobble on delicious Thanksgiving food and meet over 11,000 animals from the world's largest ocean! The aquarium is offering a traditional Thanksgiving buffet featuring items like apple cranberry spinach candied walnuts, Thyme and Sage Oven Roasted Turkey/ Gravy, Honey Glazed Spiral Carved Ham/ Honey Dijon Sauce, Cranberry Orange Marmalade Relish, sweet and savory cornbread stuffing, rosemary potato rolls, pumpkin bread, vanilla brown sugared yams, roasted squash, and so much more! With the day open (without the hassle of cooking) come down before the meal and venture through the aquarium, which will be operating on regular hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Then, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., indulge in their classic Thanksgiving lunch. Adults are $55, whereas children aged 3-11 get to enjoy the day and meal for $27.50.

24rd Annual Thanksgiving Day Run & Food Drive
Community Center of La Canada Flintridge
Memorial Park
1301 Foothill Blvd
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
(818) 790-8880
www.eventbrite.com
Date: November 24, 2017 at 8:30 a.m.

The Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge's Thanksgiving Day Run & Food Drive is back again for the 24th year in a row! The event, which brings the community together for a terrific cause, begins in the morning with a 5k run/walk at 8:30 a.m. and ends with a kiddie run at 9:30 a.m. The race is professionally timed, and begins promptly at Memorial Park in La Cañada. Make sure to bring along some food to give for those in need. After all, isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about? Find out more about the 5k run, and pricing here.

Thanksgiving Day Pumpkin Smash
500 Ninos Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
805) 962-5339
www.sbzoo.org
Date: November 23, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

With Thanksgiving here, what to do with all those pumpkins left over from Halloween and pie-making? The Santa Barbara Zoo has an idea. While it's not in Los Angeles, why not take a short drive up north for Thanksgiving for some fun? Bring the kids down for the zoo's annual pumpkin smash, when animals at the zoo are given their own pumpkins to play with...and it's, predictably, a smashing good time. The fun gets started at 10 a.m.. and runs until 3 p.m., so make your way over after watching the end of the parade and spend the day with the elephants, gorillas and their pumpkins. There will be family-friendly events, holiday events, music and entertainment events and much more!