Ann Arbor Thanksgiving Guide

Our Ann Arbor Thanksgiving Guide will help you celebrate Thanksgiving in Ann Arbor. From Thanksgiving To-Go Feasts to Turkey Trots to pre-Thanksgiving Events, Activities, and more.

In preparation for Thanksgiving, I’ve assembled a list of Ann Arbor Thanksgiving events. I’ve also got some activity and recipe ideas.

Ann Arbor Thanksgiving Feasts

The current recommendation is to skip the family gathering for Thanksgiving. With families staying home, picking up a Thanksgiving To-Go feast can ease the cooking burden. We’re tackling the turkey and some favorite sides, but are looking at some a la carte sides.

Ann Arbor Turkey Trots

Work up an appetite for your Thanksgiving dinner by startign the day with a Turkey Trot.

Ann Arbor Pre-Thanksgiving Events

Whether on Thanksgiving or another day, there are several Thanksgiving themed events leading up to Thanksgiving.

Events on Thanksgiving in Ann Arbor

Thanksgiving is not the day for local events. At the current time, the only events that I found were Turkey Trots and the Wayne County Lightfest.

Thanksgiving Camps

With many schools still in virtual or hybrid mode, there are not many in person camps. We will be updating this list for 2020 shortly

Do you have to work on Wednesday or Friday? Check out these camps offered on Wednesday or Friday. of Thanksgiving Week.

What’s Open or Closed on Thanksgiving in Ann Arbor

Are you wondering what’s open today? In general, your best bet is to assume that most places are closed (libraries, museums, indoor play locations, stores, etc). The exceptions are some grocery stores, restaurants, and movie theaters. This year, many retailers that are typically open for sales on Thanksgiving are staying closed including Best Buy, Kohls, JC Penney, Target, Simon Malls (Briarwood is a Simon Mall), and WalMart. Meijer will still be open, however they will likely be open even shorter hours

We are confirming the list of opens and closures for 2020. Also, with COVID-19 cases continuing to rise, it is possible that there will be a return to stay at home orders or which businesses will be allowed to operate or additional restrictions.

Open On Thanksgiving (2019 Information)

• Grocery Stores
  • Meijer – Open 24 Hours on Thanksgiving
  • Plum Markets 8a-6p
  • All Kroger stores Close at 5p, Pharmacy open 10a-2p
  • Busch’s Open until 4p
• Movie Theaters
  • Quality 16
  • Rave/Cinemark
  • Emagine
  • Michigan & State Theater 
• Parks
  • Outdoor Parks are open

Closed on Thanksgiving (2019 Information)

• Grocery Stores
  • Trader Joe’s
• Parks
  • Mack Pool
  • Veterans Ice Arena
  • Buhr Park Ice Arena are closed
• Museums
  • Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
  • Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
  • UM Museum of Art
  • Michigan Firehouse Museum
• Activities
  • Ann Arbor District Library
  • Ypsilanti District Library

Thanksgiving Activities

Craft – Thanksgiving Puppet

Are you looking for fun crafts this Thanksgiving? In 2017, Scrap Box provided us with an idea for a fun Puppet Craft. Click on the image for printable PDF directions.

Speaking of Scrap Box, did you know they moved this month? They reopened in their new location (4567 Washtenaw) on November 9.

Thanksgiving Recipe

Looking for a fun, but easy Thanksgiving breakfast? How about Cinnamon Roll Turkeys.

Thanksgiving Games

We shared some ideas for Thanksgiving Games a couple of years ago. These games can both be played over a video chat if you aren’t meeting family in person. There’s our version of Pictionary – played with an iPad and projected to the TV. We’ve got a word list for you. Plus we’ve created a few Mad Libs style fill in the blanks.

Thanksgiving Pinterest

Checkout our Thanksgiving Pinterest Board for more crafts, fun recipes, and activities.