Thanksgiving is more than just a time to eat too much, hang out with family, and wrap up the great Christmas or Hanukkah specials at the mall. There are some great festivities sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit that are great for families and individuals alike.
Across Atlanta, there are many special events that are a great way to celebrate as well as participate in your community. Here are some of our personal favorites to enjoy in Atlanta at Thanksgiving.
2013 Atlanta Half Marathon and Thanksgiving Day 5K
The Atlanta Half Marathon, organized by the Atlanta Track Club, is a Thanksgiving Day tradition for thousands of runners and volunteers alike. Along with the Thanksgiving Day 5K run/walk, the Mashed Potato Mile Kids’ Fun Run and the Gravy Gallop, the Atlanta Half Marathon on Thanksgiving Day offers up something for the whole family.
Registration ends on November 24th for this event that begins on Thanksgiving Day, November 28th, at 8:00am at Turner Field in Downtown Atlanta. The address is 755 Hank Aaron Drive. The event is for ages 8 and up. The Gravy Gallop, which is a 50-meter dash is open to ages 6 and under and it starts at 9:45am. The Mashed Potato Mile is open for ages 7-12 and it starts at 10:00am.
There will be t-shirts and awards to commemorate participation. What a great way to burn off some of those calories you will be loading up on later at the Thanksgiving table! Plus, it still leaves you plenty of time to watch football, catch a movie, and plan your Black Friday shopping strategy.
Macy’s Great Tree Lighting
This fun-filled holiday event happens on Thursday, November 28th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta. It is a free event that includes a number of events in addition to the Christmas tree lighting. There will be musical performances, entertainment, and a fireworks finale set to music.
The event is using a reusable tree manufactured by a local Atlanta company and it stands 56 feet tall with 45,000 white and multi-color LED lights and a giant star on top. The tree lighters are children from the Aflac Cancer Center.
Come join the fun with us! It’s a great way to cap off a festive day and great time with the family before you head into the Christmas season!