Massachusetts is proud of its historic connection to America’s Thanksgiving holiday, which takes place each year on the last Thursday in November. After the first harvest in 1621, the Pilgrims gathered in Plymouth with their neighbors, the Wampanoag People, broke bread, gave thanks and celebrated their freedom in Plymouth, thereby observing the first Thanksgiving in the American colonies.
Below is just a sampling of how Massachusetts marks Thanksgiving Day, which falls on November 24 in 2022. From Plymouth’s Annual Parade and Wampanoag ceremonies to museum exhibits and 5K races, there is plenty to do in the Bay State.
And last but not least, check out dozens of restaurants and hotels offering home-cooked Thanksgiving dinners for you to enjoy.
GREATER BOSTON | NORTH OF BOSTON | SOUTH OF BOSTON | CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS | CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS | WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
GREATER BOSTON
Thanksgiving Dining in Boston
November 24-27
The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau has compiled a selection of restaurants, pubs and hotels to dine out on Thanksgiving weekend.
Russell House Tavern
November 24
Harvard Square, Cambridge.
Davio’s Thanksgiving Dinner
November 24
Back Bay and Seaport locations
Franklin’s Turkey Trot
November 24
5K Family Run
Franklin
(Here is a calendar of Thanksgiving Weekend 5K runs)
Wampanoag Singers and Dancers Concert
November 25
JFK Library, Boston
NORTH OF BOSTON
10th Annual Sea Festival of Trees
November 18 – December 4 (weekends only)
Salisbury Beach
29th Annual Methuen Festival of Trees
November 19 -December 3
200+ decorated trees and wreaths, a holiday gift shop and Santa Claus.
Appleton Farms
Pre-Order Thanksgiving Dinner
November 21-23
North Andover
Town Meeting Bistro at The Inn at Hastings Park
November 24
Lexington
Holiday Tree Light & Santa
November 25
Hawthorne Hotel, Salem
Not too Stuffed to Hike
November 25
Harold Parker State Forest
North Andover
City of Lights Parade
November 26
Lowell
8th Annual Festival of Wreaths
Saturday, November 26
Lowell
November 23 (Opening)
Family trees at the Concord Museum
Concord
SOUTH OF BOSTON
America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Parade & Celebration
November 18-20
- Friday, November 18, The Plymouth Philharmonic Concert at Memorial Hall.
- Saturday, November 19, Parade begins at Plymouth Rock at 10 a.m. Opening ceremonies start at 9:30 a.m. at the Pilgrim Memorial Park on Water St.
- Saturday, November 19, Waterfront Activities, Craft Beer and Wine Garden, Children’s Pavilion, Food Truck Alley, Historic Village & Living Historians, The Native American Pavilion.
- Saturday, November 19, National Senior Alumni Drum & Bugle Corp Reunion at Memorial Hall.
- Sunday, November 20, Harvest Fest
Powisset Farm
Pre-Order Thanksgiving Dinner
November 21-23
Dover
Weir River Farm
Pre-Order Thanksgiving Dinner
November 21-23
Hingham
November 24
United American Indians of New England
Cole’s Hill, Plymouth
Museum Store Sunday
November 27
Plimoth Patuxet Museum
Plymouth
CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS
Thanksgiving Dining on Cape Cod
November 24
Cape Cod Chamber has compiled a list of restaurants open over the Thanksgiving Day
Annual Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument
November 11
A storied tradition on Cape Cod
Provincetown
Best Cape Cod Bakeries for Thanksgiving
Recommended by Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce
National Day of Mourning
November 24
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
Mashpee, Cape Cod
Thanksgiving Weekend in Provincetown
November 25-27
Provincetown, Cape Cod
13th Annual Glassblowers Christmas
November 18 – December 30
Sandwich Glass Museum, Cape Cod
Gardens Aglow Exhibit
November 26 – December 26
Heritage Museums & Garden
Sandwich, Cape Cod
A Wampanoag Thanksgiving Story
Local author Danielle Greendeer
Sandwich Public Library
Festival of Wreaths
November 25
Nantucket Historical Society’s kickoff celebration of the holiday season.
Nantucket
Christmas by Candlelight – Old Sturbridge Village
November 25-27
Sturbridge
Chestnut Hill Farm
Pre-Order Thanksgiving Dinner
November 21-23
Southborough
The Publick House Thanksgiving Day Feast
November 24
One of New England’s most historic inns.
Thanksgiving Day Brunch Buffet
November 24
The Beechwood Hotel, Worcester
Night Lights 2022 at Tower Hill Botanical Garden
November 25-December 31
Hailed as one of the best winter light displays in New England.
The Nutcracker
November 25-27
Hanover Theatre, Worcester
Thanksgiving Harvest Festival
November 26-27
Red Apple Farm, Phillipston
Paradise City Arts Festival
November 18-20
Marlborough
Vineyard Artisans Thanksgiving Weekend Festival
November 25-26
Agricultural Hall, West Tisbury, Martha’s Vineyard
CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
Christmas by Candlelight – Old Sturbridge Village
November 25-27
Sturbridge
Chestnut Hill Farm
Pre-Order Thanksgiving Dinner
November 21-23
Southborough
The Publick House Thanksgiving Day Feast
November 24
One of New England’s most historic inns.
Thanksgiving Day Brunch Buffet
November 24
The Beechwood Hotel, Worcester
Night Lights 2022 at Tower Hill Botanical Garden
November 25-December 31
Hailed as one of the best winter light displays in New England.
The Nutcracker
November 25-27
Hanover Theatre, Worcester
Thanksgiving Harvest Festival
November 26-27
Red Apple Farm, Phillipston
Paradise City Arts Festival
November 18-20
Marlborough
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Thanksgiving Holiday Buffet
November 24
The Log Cabin & The Delaney House
Season of Thanks: Society of the 17th Century
November 26
Hall Tavern, Deerfield
Bright Lights at Forest Park
November 23 – January 1
Springfield
Northampton Winter Farmers Market
November 19
Northampton Senior Center
Nightwood Sound and Light Exhibit
The Mount: Edith Wharton’s Home
Lenox
Annual Tree Lighting
Yankee Candle Village
November 17
South Deerfield
Wreath-Making Workshop
November 28-30
Historic Deerfield
Hancock Holiday Nights
December 1-23
Hancock Shaker Village
Pittsfield