Thanksgiving in Dallas is a fantastic time of the year when residents celebrate with family and friends and engage in the many activities that make this city so special. Here are just a few Thanksgiving activities in Dallas the whole family will enjoy:

• Turkey Trot – Want to get a head start on shaving off those extra Thanksgiving calories? Head downtown and partake in the annual Turkey Trot. Get there early to participate in the many Turkey Trot festivities and then lace up your tennis shoes and participate in either the 5K run/walk or the eight-mile run.

• Sundance Square Parade of Lights – The day after Thanksgiving has become a tradition for seeing the beautiful lights of Sundance Square. Visitors flock to Fort Worth’s Sundance Square to see the over 100 illuminated entries, as well as marching bands and antique car shows. The parade will feature beautiful floats that feature community-themed decorations. The parade is free so save your seat now! The parade starts at 6PM so arrive early to claim your seat!

• MetrcoPCS Fair Park Holiday – If you want to get an early taste of Christmas, you must visit the MetroPCS Fair Park Holiday event. Visitors enjoy perusing the craft displays at Santa’s Workshop, enjoying the museums of Fair Park (at a reduced admission rate), shopping for holiday gifts at the Holiday Gift Market and witnessing the beauty of the dancing waters of the Esplanade Fountain. There is even an outdoor performance by the Dallas Wind Symphony Quartet and the tree lighting ceremony for the city of Dallas! Top off your Thanksgiving holiday with a spectacular fireworks display!

• Thanksgiving Square – Learn about the origins and traditions of Thanksgiving by visiting Thanksgiving Square, a local monument that was designed to reflect the “spirit of gratitude.” This monument, which was built in 1977, features three bells that ring every day. Tourists can visit this monument for free or pay a small fee to have a guided tour.

• Shopping – Get your holiday shopping started with a trip to NorthPark, a premier shopping destination in Dallas! This shopping mall, which is said to be home to some of Dallas’ most upscale retailers, also features artwork throughout, making a shopping experience a cultural experience, as well.