Chicago Thanksgiving Day 2008 - Events and Things to Do

Feast on our top picks of things to do on Thanksgiving Day in Chicago. That is, after the obvious pick of enjoying a delicious meal with your friends and family or just by yourself. These events take place on Thursday, November 27, 2008, which is the official Thanksgiving holiday. I wish you peace on this great day of thanks.

1. Thanksgiving Day Parade - State Street
   Find helpful information including starting and ending point maps, time, and more with this guide to the 75th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.
   
   
2. Turkey Trot - 8K Run, Walk, and Jr. Dash
   Run far, eat turkey. This year's Trot takes place on Thanksgiving Day with a 9 a.m. start in Lincoln Park.
   
   
3. Dining Options - Thanksgiving Day
   Let's face it. Roasting a bird and assembling all the fixings is hard work. I get why people choose to eat out, and I envy their luxury of not having to clean up afterwards. OpenTable.com helps you find dinner reservations on Thanksgiving Day no matter the size of your party.
   
   
4. Interfaith Thanksgiving Day Service - Rockefeller Chapel
   The beautiful Rockefeller Chapel on the campus of the University of Chicago in Hyde Park hosts an interfaith church service on Thanksgiving Day at 11 a.m. It is free and open to the public.
   
   
5. Give Thanks for Nature and Science while at One of Chicago's Museums Even though it's a national holiday, the following Chicago museumsand attractions will be open for your enjoyment on Thanksgiving Day (and will probably be pleasantly uncrowded): The Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, Garfield Park Conservatory, Lincoln Park Conservatory, the Lincoln Park Zoo, and the Morton Arboretum.
   
   
6. 26th Annual Vegan Thanksgiving at Chicago Diner
   This wonderful Chicago meat-free restaurant always sells out its Thanksgiving Day table reservations, so hurry and call. If you are out of luck getting a table or if you'd just prefer to enjoy your seitan at home, they also offer a complete vegan Thanksgiving dinner for carry-out. You can order it online.
   
   
7. Help Stock the Greater Chicago Food Depository for Those in Need
   Why not start your Thanksgiving Day by stopping by your local Dominick's grocery store and buying some groceries for our hungry neighbors? Through January 3, every Dominick's will have a collection area on behalf of the GCFD. The Depository's list of most needed items includes: canned chicken and tuna, canned corn beef, canned fruit, canned vegetables, dried or canned beans, fruit juice, jelly, macaroni and cheese, pasta, peanut butter, rice, and whole grain cereal.
   
   
8. Visit Christkindlmarket for a Sneak Preview
   Sneak out of the house before turkey (or after) to get first dibs on all the great stuff at the Daley Plaza Christkindlmarket.
   
   
9. Watch Football
   With no Bears (or even Bulls or Blackhawks) game to enjoy, this Thanksgiving Day Pick is way down here at the bottom of the list. Even if it is an American tradition.