Thanksgiving in Raleigh-Durham - Things to Do for Thanksgiving in Raleigh-Durham

Thanksgiving in the Triangle is traditionally a time to get together with friends and family, enjoy a festive meal, and to give thanks for the bounty and the blessings which we have all received over the past year. Though Thanksgiving Day can often be stressful (especially if you're cooking a turkey for the first time!), it's meant to be a time of celebration. So, this Turkey Day, try not to let stress gobble you up!

Here are some ideas that might make your Thanksgiving Day a little easier.

Thanksgiving dining options

From sumptuous buffets to take-out fried Turkey, the Triangle has loads of ways to help you feel stuffed this Thanksgiving.

Get the latest details about the different options available for your Thanksgiving Dinner in Raleigh-Durham.

Thanksgiving weekend activities

Shopping on Black Friday is a traditional Thanksgiving weekend activity in Raleigh-Durham. So is watching football: over Thanksgiving Week 2008, the UNC Tar Heels will face off against both NCSU Wolf Pack and the Duke Blue Devils, so make sure to keep your remote handy!

Although the Triangle doesn't have a Thanksgiving Day parade, Raleigh's 64th annual Christmas Parade will take place the weekend before Thanksgiving (November 22) this year.

Running off extra calories in one of the Triangle's road races is also a popular Thanksgiving activity. Raleigh's Ridgewood Turkey Trot(8K or 1 mile fun run) takes place on Thanksgiving Day, and the MBA Turkey Trot (5K) at the Duke Inn in Durham takes place on November 15, in order to help you get a head start on burning off that extra slice of pie.

Many places of worship hold Thanksgiving Day Services that are open to the public. For instance, St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Raleigh holds an ecumenical service on Thanksgiving Day.