Thanksgiving Events Around the Country

By The Manual Published June 3, 2020

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection, a day spent with friends and family, eating savory food and watching football—hey the Detroit Lions are actually good this year! The festivities usually extend into the weekend, with more indulging and family talk. Instead of eating leftovers, staring blankly at the television or bickering with siblings, why not join one of these four events around the country?

America’s Hometown Thanksgiving

Recommended Videos

Thanksgiving gets top billing in “America’s Hometown.” Plymouth, Massachusetts, site of the Mayflower landing, hosts myriad activities all weekend long. Visitors are treated to waterfront tours of the harbor, complete with reenactments, a concert for war veterans on Friday night, a Thanksgiving parade and a food festival and crafter’s village during the weekend.

Thanksgiving Point 5K

Why not celebrate Thanksgiving in a place named after the holiday? Like many towns big and small around the country, Lehi, Utah, hosts a 5K run on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Point Institute, a nonprofit organization in town, sponsors plentiful events throughout the year but its annual pilgrim run is one of its most popular. Runners from around Utah dress up as turkeys or pilgrims to score cash prizes. The institute also boasts one of the more authentic Thanksgiving reenactments in the country.

Laugh Factory Thanksgiving Day Feast

Laughter can make even the most dreary day feel brighter. The Laugh Factory in Los Angeles hosts its 35th annual Free Thanksgiving Day Feast on November 27. Top comedians will be on hand to serve food to the city’s homeless and downtrodden. This year features Dane Cook, Kevin Nealon, Tim allen and Shawn Wayans. The club hosts four free seatings throughout the day followed by four comic performances. Reservations are recommended.

Antica Terra Wine Tasting

Maggie Harrison’s cult winery in Dundee, Oregon—you’d be hard pressed to find her wines at most shops—boasts three tastings daily Friday, November 28, through Sunday, November 30. Tastings include five wines from the 2013 vintage as well as the Lillian Syrah, Harrison’s pet project. Many wineries in the region host open tastings throughout the holiday weekend as a way to celebrate the harvest.

Topics

The Manual is simple — we show men how to live a life that is more engaged. Whether it be fashion, food, drink, travel…

Travel

Why you don’t want to travel through this NYC airport

Newark Liberty International Airport

Travelers may want to avoid connecting through Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), as it continues facing delays that began last week. On Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a Ground Delay Program, with flights delayed an average of four hours that evening, as noted by an FAA advisory. A combination of issues led to the delays, including technology malfunctions, according to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy; a runway closing for rehabilitation work; the air traffic controller shortage across the country; and last week’s walk-off by air traffic controllers in Newark, according to United CEO Scott Kirby.

Newark Airport is a major East Coast hub

Outdoors

The Buck Wild Hummer Tour is the perfect way to see the Grand Canyon sunset

Don't miss this tour if you're short on time at the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon Sunset

The sheer size of Grand Canyon National Park, which spans over 1,900 square miles, means you'll need more than just a few days to explore everything in this stunning natural formation — known as one of the world's seven natural wonders. Some dedicated hikers spend weeks to months exploring the endless hikes throughout the canyon, but you don't necessarily need to take a week of PTO to see the canyon's beauty.

If you're only visiting the Grand Canyon for a few days (or even just one day), the Buck Wild Hummer Tour is the perfect way to experience the can't-miss spots and see a stunning, one-of-a-kind sunset. Here's what you'll experience in a three-hour Buck Wild Signature Sunset Tour.

Outdoors

Climbing Mount Everest just got harder — and possibly safer

Climbing Everest? Here are some new rules for the 2025 season

Mount Everest

Climbing Mount Everest is a bucket-list destination for many ambitious climbers around the world. However, it's also one of the most dangerous. 2023 saw 22 tragic deaths according to the Himalayan Database, marking it the most deadly year on record. Due to this, the Nepali government is implementing several new rules to reduce the risk of loss of life. These new rules were outlined in the Integrated Tourism Bill from Nepal's upper house of Parliament. Here's what you need to know:

In 2023, many of the deaths were linked to altitude sickness or heart attacks in unprepared hikers. For this reason, climbers must now provide a certificate of health 30 days before their expeditions. Climbers must also show proof of having summited at least one peak over 7,000 meters (22,965 feet) in Nepal before applying for an Everest Permit. This permit is valid for two years but will now cost $15,000 instead of $11,000 per person, and will not be transferable or refundable.