6 Ways to Spend Thanksgiving Weekend With the Family

When Thanksgiving rolls around each year, it signals a time for turkey, mashed potatoes and a variety of pies. But it’s also the perfect time to spend moments with loved ones who have traveled far and wide to celebrate. Once the final plate is cleared, the football games have ended and the Christmas lights are turned on, the question remains: How can we entertain visiting family while they’re in town? Hopefully, we have your answer with a guide to beloved holiday traditions and events that are sure to entertain your crew as the holiday season begins.


A Carillon Christmas | Nov. 24–Dec. 30
The holiday season in Dayton wouldn’t be the same without the month-long festivities that take over Carillon Historical Park. Every day excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, visitors can enjoy activities across the 65-acre property, including visits with Santa, letter-writing to the North Pole, mini train rides and, of course, a look at the Deeds Carillon decked out in lights. New attractions this year include a holiday-themed scavenger hunt, entertainment by Victorian carolers and a rotating lineup on the Merry Melody Stage.

City of Akron Illuminated Holiday Parade | Nov. 27
Cap off Black Friday with this spirited celebration, which begins at Exchange Street and ends at Bowery Street near Lock 3 in Akron. The parade route runs along the city’s Main Street and lights up the night with glowing floats, arts and cultural organizations, drum lines and community groups. Stick around afterward to take in the tree-lighting event at Lock 3. 

Christkindl Markt of Bryan | Nov. 27–Dec. 19
Step into the atmosphere of an old-world marketplace Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the city of Bryan’s Courthouse Square. The festive shopping center features nightly entertainment, specialty food and wooden vendor booths filled with local artisan goods. Shoppers can grab hot drinks to ward off the winter chill, take a horse-drawn wagon ride around the lighted square and even visit with Santa himself.


Armstrong Air & Space Museum Holiday Lights | Nov. 27–Jan. 1
Each day, this Wapakoneta museum serves as a tribute to hometown hero Neil Armstrong, but since 2015, the holiday season has gotten a little brighter during the attraction’s annual light display. Explore the grounds, which feature thousands of vibrant LED bulbs, some of which are arranged into space- and flight-themed displays. Don’t miss the 20-foot-tall light display depicting the Saturn V rocket or the giant Apollo-era astronaut saluting the American flag. Visitors who want to explore the museum should plan to arrive before 5 p.m.

Portsmouth Winterfest | Nov. 27–Jan. 3
Embrace the drop in temperatures at this lively event in Portsmouth’s Burnside Brankamp Park in Market Square. Lace up your skates and hit the ice rink or check out local vendors to search for the perfect handmade present for friends and family. Live music and carriage rides add to the fun, and Santa Claus will be present to hear Christmas wishes from the littlest visitors.


WinterLand Kickoff | Nov. 28
Cleveland’s Public Square gets the Clark Griswold treatment during the city’s second annual IlluminateCLE Holiday Show. See a 50-foot Christmas tree sparkle with lights synchronized to a soundtrack with original songs by four local musicians. Leading up to the show, enjoy trackless train rides, bites from local food trucks and live performances by Da Land Brass Band and Natalie Vivino of “Wicked.”

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