Pumpkin pie, a maple glazed ham, candied sweet potatoes, and a green bean casserole in the middle of a Thanksgiving table

Let me let you in on a little secret: Thanksgiving in CT is quite special.

After decades of feasting, hiking, and leaf-crunching from Greenwich to Kent (with a brief Peace Corps break in Africa, though that’s another story), I can say this:

Thanksgiving here in Connecticut is a mix of old and new traditions. It’s not just about turkey and hosting a feast. Around here, we do:

Mismatched pajamas
Main Street Turkey Trots
Trade tired traditions for cozy new ones
And top our pumpkin pie with a little Connecticut polish (and Greenwich, CT, especially)

This guide is no mere checklist, it’s my family recipe for a memorable November. We’ve shaped it through years of burnt stuffing and long walks to admire the neighbors’ over-the-top Christmas lights. Whether you’re a lifelong Nutmegger or in town for the weekend, you’ll find something that will get you excited to kick-off the holiday season in our home state.

So grab your favorite sweater (perhaps your running shoes) and read on to make this Thanksgiving in CT one to remember.

Ready to discover the best parts of celebrating Thanksgiving in Connecticut? Let’s get into it:

Map design by Stanton House Inn with elements from Flaticon

Top Ideas for a new Thanksgiving Tradition or Two

Wild turkeys become scarce in the lead-up to Thanksgiving in CT. They know what's coming.

We made a list of Thanksgiving activities for your perusal. There’s everything from a turkey-trot in the morning, touch football in the afternoon, and matching pajamas in the evening. We want your celebrations to be more than just the usual meal.

And then we added a local spin to it. Because there’s no point in celebrating Thanksgiving in CT if it’s not unique.

Get ready for Thanksgiving Day in Connecticut

There are things to do on Thanksgiving before the turkey comes out of the oven and even long after you’ve washed the last dish.

But first, no massive and impressive meal ends well without proper planning.

As my father used to quote me (and I quote back to him now): proper prior planning prevents piss-poor performance.

Farmers markets and farm stands in Connecticut for Thanksgiving meal ingredients

Hauling pumpkins from local CT farms for the family pumpkin pie

Making Thanksgiving dinner for two or twenty? Begin with fresh ingredients from great Connecticut farms, such as turkeys (though make sure you order ahead of time). Connecticut Grown providers have local products to assist with Farm-to-Table holiday meals.

And who doesn’t love having a great story to tell about the food you prepared at Thanksgiving dinner?

A Connecticut pumpkin patch is sure to have the perfect addition to the table, or your pumpkin pie.

Connecticut wineries on the CT wine trail will have the perfect pairing for your table, too.

Ideas for Thanksgiving Day

Start your four-day weekend right with a relaxed preparation for the day, plus Thanksgiving dinner.

Thanksgiving morning activities

Character at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade

Many make do with the morning ritual of watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. And yet this heart-warming tradition isn’t the only way to celebrate the holiday. Check out the annual National Dog Show for an overload of cuteness. Who will triumph this year? The golden retriever? Or perhaps the Shih Tzu? There is only one way to find out before Instagram does.

Turkey Trot

A pre-dinner run is a great way to get your blood pumping before chowing down on leftover apple pie. And the Greenwich Alliance for Education hosts a Turkey Trot race the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The event is a few days late, but you’ll still enjoy it.

Some other Turkey Trots to check out include:

Hunt for Mini Pumpkins

Mini pumpkins all over the house screams Thanksgiving to me, as a local

Coming up with clever places to hide the eggs before the big Easter egg hunt is as much fun for adults as it is for children. But don’t limit your hunting enjoyment to the spring! Instead of eggs, hide mini pumpkins or gourds around the yard and set the kids loose to find them all. Once all of them have been discovered, they can be used as a centerpiece.

Thanksgiving activities before dinner

Take a football and divide the group into teams for a game of touch football or flag football. Just don’t get too rough; no one wants to go to the Greenwich Hospital emergency room on a holiday.

A gratitude game will keep everyone’s attention on the reason for the season. It makes asking everyone what they’re thankful for even more enjoyable, and it encourages people to be more creative in their responses. If you don’t want to spoil anyone’s appetite, use game pieces instead of candy.

Connecticut Restaurants serving Thanksgiving Dinner

Family and friends dining at home celebrating Thanksgiving in CT with traditional food like a roast turkey and seasonal side dishes

These restaurants put a unique spin on the traditional holiday meal. Here are just a few of the many restaurants open for Thanksgiving in Connecticut. Call ahead for reservations and times.

The Simsbury Inn (Simsbury): Their Thanksgiving buffet features a wide spread, including mashed potatoes, sausage stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
Millwright’s Restaurant (Simsbury): Offering a three-course prix-fixe dinner with a family-style dessert plate.
J. Gilbert’s (Glastonbury): Choose between Thanksgiving carryout kits with all the fixings or a three-course plated dinner.
Mystic Hilton, Madison Beach Hotel, and Water’s Edge Resort & Spa (Westbrook): Host grand Thanksgiving brunch buffets for a festive Thanksgiving meal.
Griswold Inn (Essex): Celebrate in their historic Connecticut dining rooms with a classic Thanksgiving buffet, full of holiday favorites.
L’Escale Restaurant (Greenwich): This Provençal spot at the Delamar Greenwich Harbor offers a prix-fixe menu from noon to 6 PM, with a fine French wine list and fireside ambiance.
Artisan Restaurant (Southport & West Hartford): Features a refined three-course Thanksgiving menu, dine-in or to-go. $95/adult, $55/kids. A popular pick for good reason.
Brick Walk Tavern (Fairfield): Offers well-loved Thanksgiving to-go kits for 5–6 people, complete with turkey, sides, and wine.
The Shipwright’s Daughter or Rocks 21 (Mystic): Choose between a creative three-course meal (Shipwright’s) or a festive buffet (Rocks 21). Both are local favorites.
Captain Daniel Packer Inne (Mystic): Dine in a historic setting with a prix-fixe menu that includes gluten-free and vegan options.

Evening activities after Turkey day dinner

Family members pouring over old photo albums

Once everyone’s stuffed, it may not yet be time for bed. And after all, you can’t have Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches right after dinner. So pass a couple hours until you’re hungry again with a selection of the Thanksgiving activities, below:

Take a walk

The simplest of activities is the Pearson family favorite. After you’ve finished your second and third helpings, gather the family and your walking shoes for a stroll around the neighborhood. Add some life to your day by going for a quick walk—it’s good for both your body and your soul. Wrap up warm and enjoy the Christmas lights that a few neighbors couldn’t wait to put up. It beats falling asleep on the couch, and you’ll likely catch other locals out, too!

Board games and Thanksgiving Trivia

Thanksgiving is all about family, chosen or otherwise. So rather than getting lost in your phones or the latest Netflix series, gather everyone after dinner for some good old-fashioned fun. Playing board games with family and friends is guaranteed to make you laugh, whether you choose a classic like Monopoly, charades, or Balderdash (our family favorite). To add some friendly competition and test your group’s knowledge, try to play Thanksgiving trivia this year. You’ll have a good time watching everyone get excited about history, and you might even learn something along the way. You’ll also create some lasting memories.

Thanksgiving Movie Marathon

This year, make some popcorn, curl up on the couch, and watch your favorite Thanksgiving movies or marathon-worthy shows. Who can say no to A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, at least to start your movie marathon?

Peruse Family Albums

Get out the old family photo albums and gather the kids around to reminisce and explore the family tree. Seeing pictures of births, weddings and vacations in CT past is sure to stir up precious memories and the stories that go with them. Add a little friendly competition to it by getting people to guess which baby photo corresponds to each Thanksgiving dinner guest. It’s fun to see how much your loved ones have changed over the years!

Fun things to do over the Thanksgiving weekend

Many restaurants are serving traditional fare like roasted turkey, or a whole smoked turkey

Now what?

There’s still three more days to keep everyone entertained over the weekend. Luckily, November in Connecticut features a few unique elements that make it quite special.

Depending on the weather, you can head outside and enjoy the last gasps of the fall, or get excited for the holiday season.

Get ready for the holiday season

Once the leftovers are put away, it does feel like a good time to prepare for the rest of the holiday season. Luckily, December is right around the corner, and the there are plenty of Christmas things to do in Connecticut, that start before December even begins.

Black Friday shopping, locally

Sure, you could do your online Christmas shopping and fight people at retail outlets across the country. Or you could find some very unique gifts at a local craft store, unique Connecticut gift shops, or somewhere else entirely.

The Greenwich Avenue shopping district has a little bit of everything, though it comes at a price. If you’re looking for something that will be uniquely yours (ie: if you’re tired of the quiet luxury trend), head to one of the CT flea markets. Antique stores across Connecticut would also be a good bet for unique holiday gifts.

Or head to nearby Norwalk, Connecticut, for some very unique shopping, including one of the prettiest antique stores in Connecticut, the Fairfield County Design and Antique Center.

Things to do with kids in CT

The best museums across Connecticut will be delighted to keep your kids entertained for a few hours on the Friday or weekend after Thanksgiving. Or take them to Greenwich Point Park for a pleasant beach-side stroll.

Read our full guide to things to do in Greenwich, CT, with kids for way more ideas.

Day trips

Charming little vignette as you explore Connecticut over the long weekend at the end of November

Personally, the long weekend is prime time to explore the rest of Connecticut. A Connecticut day trip or two is always on the list for a long weekend trip.

Greenwich

If you’re not already visiting Greenwich, because you’re either in-town or staying at one of the Greenwich hotels, a day trip here would make a pleasant afternoon.

And if you need an excuse to visit or stay longer, the Greenwich Reindeer Festival kicks off the weekend after Thanksgiving. It’s always a lovely start to the Greenwich, CT, Christmas season.

New Haven

The museums on the Yale University campus alone are worth a visit. But the list of things to do in New Haven includes a bike trail, walks along the waterfront, and much more.

Or justify the trip with some Swedish meatballs at Ikea.

Kent

Locals often equate the town of Kent, CT, with the fall in general. And the leaves may have passed by the time you’re heading up, but the drive is still pretty. And there are plenty of things to do in and around this charming little town.

Essex

The Connecticut River Valley in general is a splendid place to explore. And the quaint town of Essex is a great destination here. The drive along Connecticut’s shoreline on Long Island Sound is quite pleasant this time of year, too.

The Perfect Place to Start New Traditions for Thanksgiving Week

Attentive staff and New England charm makes Stanton House Inn the perfect place to kick-off the holiday season

How about starting a new Thanksgiving tradition this November?

Join the weeklong experience at Stanton House Inn in Greenwich, Connecticut. This charming spot blends classic New England style with attentive staff in a peaceful setting. It makes the week like a true escape, even if you’re in town to visit family.

The location is ideal: tucked on a quiet street, though still a short walk to Greenwich Avenue’s shops, restaurants, and holiday events. Inside, each room has its own character, with cozy touches like fireplaces and antique details. Mornings kick off with a sunny, seasonal breakfast, and afternoons invite you to relax in the garden or library with a good book (and zero cooking stress).

Run a Turkey Trot, explore local attractions, or unwind, Stanton House makes it easy to slow down and enjoy. It’s a place where old-fashioned charm meets new traditions. And all wrapped in a restful Thanksgiving week.

Discover even more things to do over Thanksgiving in CT

The wild turkeys return after the holiday, before Christmas. Promise!

There’s plenty more to do while you’re celebrating Thanksgiving and the holidays!

For CT fall activities, be sure to read our guide to Connecticut in the fall. Or get psyched for the winter, with our guides to winter activities, and winter in Connecticut.

Or, check-out our guide to Thanksgiving in New England, if you’re looking to head to points farther north.

Be sure to read our guide to the most unique things to do in Connecticut, and download the free CT Travel Guide!

Updated and republished: October 3, 2025