Thanksgiving Date Ideas

The ultimate guide to Fun Thanksgiving Date Ideas and Thanksgiving activities for couples to enjoy and connect during the Thanksgiving season!

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Even with the busy holiday season, it’s the perfect time of year to give some thanks for your significant other by planning a Thanksgiving date night! We have your back with fun Thanksgiving Date Ideas to keep the weekend festivities and fill them with quality couple time!

What Date is Thanksgiving?

It’s the fourth Thursday of November. But let me tell you, any time in November is a great time to fit in a Thanksgiving date with your favorite person!

Thanksgiving Date Ideas

Volunteer!

Did you know it’s the busiest time at your local soup kitchen/ local shelter right now? See if you can find time to help get some food together and serve those in need! And even if their volunteer charts are full, you can always collect food for the food bank- they always need donations!
Need a service idea? Check out https://www.justserve.org/ to search your zip code. It gives you tons of immediate service project needs in your community.
Related: Here’s how we made a service project into a group date that was an incredibly fun way to spend time serving with friends!

Bake a Pie

There’s always that one person who volunteers to bake a pie- and maybe it’s even you! But it’s something so fun to make as a couple for a cozy date night in. Plus, everyone should try their hand at a pumpkin pie or apple pie at least once!
Try Mom Whiting’s No-Fail Pie Crust, it works every time, even if you’re a beginner. Also, feel free to decorate it and get artsy with the top crust. If you put some sexy, inappropriate saying on top, that can spice things up and be a secret only the two of you need to know about.

Try New Recipes

I’m sure you have family favorite recipes you’re used to, but why not spend a date night with some quality time in the kitchen baking up something new? My husband and I try a new one together every year, and it’s about our favorite time to catch up and talk without the whole family around. Plus, it sets us up for success for Turkey Day, either making a new recipe for the big day or having practice to recreate it for the Thanksgiving feast. So grab the sweet potatoes, the turkey baster, or something for a new side dish and enjoy some extra quality time together!

Sample Thanksgiving Dessert

Skip to the best part of Thanksgiving dinner, and head right to dessert for a sweet date night! Head to a local restaurant or diner known for its pies, and have a taste test night. Order a few different flavors, and rank your favorites. It’s all the sweet goodies without having to do the dishes afterward! This is a new Thanksgiving tradition we definitely think you and your spouse should start!

Attitude of Gratitude Date

When was the last time you thanked each other for the little things you do? My husband sent me flowers one day this year that literally thanked me for doing my kids’ laundry and keeping our household afloat. He scored major points!
A date night all about the opportunity to express gratitude and acknowledge your blessings is just about the perfect date for a words of affirmation 5 Love Language expressor!
Practice an attitude of gratitude for each other with this simple exercise. Get a jar, paper, and pens, and make a gratitude jar. Each of you makes a list of 12+ specific things you’re grateful for. Cut up your responses, put them in a jar, and take turns drawing items.
I promise your emotional intimacy, connection, and bond will increase tenfold by doing this activity!

Turkey Bowl

‘Tis the season for the turkey bowl! But you don’t have to play football or flag football: any organized game will do. Grab your other favorite couple(s), invite your neighborhood, and enjoy a group date in the outdoors together.

Run a Turkey Trot

If you love to get in some great activity during the long weekend, a turkey trot is a great way to go! Prior to children, we ran ours every year and spent the morning talking and pre-emptively burning some pie calories until we crossed the finish line together. And of course, we’d get that quintessential picture with the turkey mascot posing on both sides of his feathers to add to photo albums and social media for social proof!
Check your local city, high school, and church websites to find a turkey trot in your area! And if there isn’t one, here’s your sign to organize one!

Fall Date Night Box

We have a roundup of the best date night subscription boxes for couples if you want to check them out. But almost all offer a seasonal date delivered to your doorstep.

Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

If you happen to be in New York for this (or could road trip there) we are envious! But for those of us in other parts of the country and world, it’s pretty easy to find a parade broadcast to watch. Bonus points for a light Thanksgiving breakfast spread or some warm cider to sip while you enjoy the festivities!

Plan Holiday Dates/Activities

This holiday season is going to fly by! Take a little time to pull out calendars, get organized for the Christmas season, and schedule some holiday fun in December! Get those holiday parties on the calendar, plan when you’ll go shopping, etc. Also, be sure to include a really amazing Christmas date idea for just the two of you!
See our Christmas Date Ideas for tons of ideas!

Put Up the Christmas Tree

Before we had children or blogging/corporate photography became my job with early marketing shots needed, we would typically use Thanksgiving weekend to put up the Christmas tree together. It was so fun to get tangled in some twinkling lights and sometimes go pick up a few new decorations or ornaments together. It’s a surprisingly romantic thing to do together, and makes a great date!

Go See The Christmas Lights Opening Weekend

If you didn’t know, most people in your community who are trying to win the best lights awards are prepped and ready to go long before Thanksgiving. But the moment you put down the apple cider and the pumpkin pie, they’re ready to light up the street and get their show on! And it’s a free date for you to go enjoy!
Grab some hot chocolate or a pumpkin spice latte, and plan a Christmas lights date night! You can take this up another notch with our free printable Christmas Lights scavenger hunt!

Rock Climb

What, you didn’t know turkey and rock climbing go together? They certainly do! An active date idea is totally in order after all the turkey and pie. Plan a day date or an evening out to get active and have fun together, rock climbing!

Thanksgiving Hike

We love a good hiking date in the great outdoors for a little adventure and exercise. Plus, a hike is a great excuse to check out the fall leaves. It’s one of our favorite fall date ideas to get that least peak of fall before winter completely takes over.

November Date Night Ideas

Black Friday It Up!

It’s a verb, just trust me on this one! But seriously, do some Black Friday shopping together and get your holiday gifts squared away. Either take the time to adrenaline rush shop together. Or take the time to boycott spending and just enjoy a day off work. Find something free to do or plan to spend all the money. It’s up to you!
You know I’ll be sharing deals, so be sure to follow me over on Instagram for updates!

Fall Leaves

The fall leaves are on, even if there’s snow in your area covering them. It’s the perfect time to go for a drive or scenic walk. And bonus points for a totally free date.
Here are several more free date ideas if you need another no-spend date idea.

Go to the Pumpkin Patch

Halloween may be over, but many stay open with Thanksgiving activities, Christmas markets, and fun decorations and produce to look at and purchase.

Visit a U-Pick Farm

If the weather is holding out, many farms stay open and allow for apple picking or other fall produce picking. It can be a really refreshing date to collect produce together and prepare some for the winter!

Visit a Farmer’s Market

It’s not too late to go pick up some apples or pumpkins at a farmer’s market date. You can also find some crafts and local food favorites with a taste of the season. In fact, a farmer’s market it date is fun to see do any time of the year, but fall flavors and fall harvest foods make it a great Thanksgiving date!

Go See a Movie

The holiday blockbuster season starts this week. Order tickets early and go see the big movie of the season early. Also, there’s usually a new Disney movie at this time, so you can turn this into a family date pretty easily if you’d like. Or go enjoy princesses together, we won’t judge you!

Have a Movie Marathon

If staying on the couch, snuggled up, is your kind of date, plan a movie marathon with your favorite movies! You can choose a theme, like the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special, your favorite family Christmas movies, or go with a trilogy and watch them in one night!
Grab a blanket, popcorn, and a few movie snacks for a fun Thanksgiving weekend movie night!

Game Night Date Night

There’s something extra nostalgic about spending your long weekend playing a few favorite board games or card games together. Whether it’s Monopoly, a modern favorite like Villainous, or choosing some games for a date night in is a fantastic way to spend the weekend!

Friendsgiving

First of all, this is another great group date idea that typically happens the week before Thanksgiving. Pull together friends and celebrate Thanksgiving with a big Thanksgiving meal! This may be the perfect chance to figure out how to air fry a turkey! Go all out and split up the assignments.

Leftovers Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving is amazing, but also, if you want a more low-key version, try hosting one after Thanksgiving. Make a leftovers-only night, and have everyone bring leftovers to share together. You can also do rotisserie chickens and call it a day!
It’s just a fun Thanksgiving celebration that works with any menu you’d like! Plus, if you plan some Thanksgiving games and split up the meal, it’s a guaranteed party!

We hope you feel a lot of thanks in your life with these Thanksgiving date ideas! Also, may you find a few hours for some quality couple time to connect this thankful season.
Happy Thanksgiving, and happy dating!

Thanksgiving Date Ideas FAQs

What do couples do for Thanksgiving?

Many use the opportunity to spend time with each other and each other’s families. Many couples alternate Thanksgiving with one extended family and spend the next year with the other. It’s a great time to enjoy some good food, time in the kitchen, and a great meal together.

What activities do people do during Thanksgiving?

Many people love to spend the weekend planning, preparing, and enjoying a large Thanksgiving dinner. Other Thanksgiving activities include:
– Making gratitude lists
– Serving in your community
– A Turkey Bowl
– Running a Turkey Trot
– Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
– Watching Movies
– Playing Board Games together
– Making Christmas lists
– Doing Christmas shopping
– Decorating for Christmas

What can you do on Thanksgiving without family?

If you’re alone or with your partner and no other extended family, Thanksgiving is a great time to order takeout or head to a restaurant offering their own Thanksgiving meal! You can also simplify and prepare a few favorite sides and get a rotisserie chicken to enjoy. Make the most of it; even a simple Thanksgiving without an extended family can be a lot of fun!