Thanksgiving 2026 activities and hosting guides

Various guides have been released to assist with the 2026 Thanksgiving holiday, focusing on hosting essentials and local activities in Boston.

For those hosting meals, recommended kitchen tools include stand mixers, Dutch ovens, air fryers, wireless meat thermometers, and roasting pans to manage multiple dishes. Preparation advice includes ordering turkeys two weeks in advance and allowing approximately 24 hours of refrigerator thawing time per 4 to 5 pounds of meat.

In Boston, families can participate in the annual Franklin Park Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. Other local options include dining at Davio's restaurants, visiting the Plimoth Patuxet Museums to learn about the first Thanksgiving, or attending performances of The Nutcracker by the Boston Ballet.