Thanksgiving and Black Friday: Things to do across Alabama

Thanksgiving meals at home will always be a staple, but there’s so much more to see, do and eat with your family. Here’s a look at a few nearby ways to enjoy the holiday together, plus some alternatives to the usual “Black Friday” shopping rush:

MONTGOMERY

Kids' DIY-U Workshop: Thanksgiving Turkey Photo Holder

• Date: Nov. 18

• Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Location: Lowe's Home improvement, 1950 East Blvd., Montgomery

• Info: This workshop for kids will provide everything your child needs to create a memorable table decoration that you’ll be thankful to have.

• Make a reservation: lowes.com/events/register/thanksgiving-turkey-photo-holder

Turkey Day Blues Show

• Date: Nov. 22

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Location: Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, 201 Tallapoosa St.

• Info: Featuring Tucka, Uncle Daddy/Erealist, Cupid, Fat Daddy and DJ Truckler, with special guest Angel Faye Russell.

• Price: $55-$75

• Get tickets: 334-481-5100 or online at mpaconline.org

2023 Turkey Day Classic Music Fest

• Date. Nov. 22

• Time: Doors open 7 p.m., music starts at 8 p.m.

• Location: Dunn-Oliver Acadome at Alabama State University, 915 S. Jackson St., Montgomery

• Info: Artists include Young Jeezy, Jagged Edge, Juvenile, Sunshine Anderson, and Shai

• Price: General admission $50

• Get tickets: varietyent.net

Turkey Day Classic parade

• Date: Nov. 23

• Location: Dexter Avenue in downtown Montgomery

• Info: Pre-parade entertainment begins at 8:30 a.m., and parade begins at 9 a.m.

• Price: Free to attend

Turkey Day Classic football

• Date: Nov. 23

• Location: ASU Stadium

• Info: Pre-game block party on Harris Way at 11 a.m., Hornet Walk from 11:45-noon. Alabama State University vs Tuskegee University at stadium  from 2-5 p.m.

• Price: Most tickets to the game are $35. $150 for club tickets.

• Get tickets: 334-229-4551 or go online at ticketreturn.com/prod2new//BuyClear.asp?EventID=335623&continue=buynew.asp

Zoo closed on Nov. 23, but open on Black Friday

• Date: Nov. 24

• Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (last admission sold at 4 p.m.)

• Location: 2301 Coliseum Parkway, Montgomery

• Info: While people are having a wild time shopping for bargains, you can step into the Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Museum to have fun with wild animals. Walking around the zoo is a good way to work off your Thanksgiving meals.

• Price: $18 for ages 13 and up, $14 for ages 3-12, ages 2 and younger are free. Ages 65 and older $16. AAA and Military: adults $17 and children $13. Free admission for Montgomery Zoo members.

• Get tickets: montgomeryzoo.com

Gobble Wobble 5K Run/Walk

• Date: Nov. 24

• Time: Register 7 a.m., warm-ups 7:30 a.m., run 8 a.m.

• Location: Vaughn Road Park, 2858 Fieldcrest Drive, Montgomery

• Info: This is the 3^rd annual Gobble Wobble presented by Move Montgomery. Work off some of those Thanksgiving calories. Register to get a Move Montgomery T-shirt.  Also, please bring canned goods for a food drive.

• Price: Free

• Register: runsignup.com/Race/AL/Montgomery/The5KGobbleWobble

MILLBROOK

Plantation House Thanksgiving Day Buffet

• Date: Nov. 23

• Time: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Location: 3240 Grandview Road, Millbrook

• Dine in: Don’t feel like cooking? Plantation House has a whole buffet of Thanksgiving goodness waiting for you, with no reservations required. They’ll have glazed ham, oven roasted turkey, cornbread dressing, turnip greens, sweet potato casserole, field peas, smothered green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet kernel corn, cornbread, rolls, salads, and desserts — pumpkin pie, brownie pie, coffee cake, pumpkin spice cake and more. Price: $22.95 for ages 11 and up, $11.50 for ages 6-10.

• Catering:  They have take out Thanksgiving Feasts with everything you’d need to feed 12-15 people for $215. No substitutions. Last day to order is Nov. 14. Last day to pick up is Nov. 22 by 3 p.m.

• More info: 334-285-1466

ATMORE

51^st annual Thanksgiving Pow Wow

• Dates: Nov. 23-24

• Time: Gates open 10 a.m. both days.

• Location: 6477 Jack Springs Road, Atmore

• Info: The Poarch Band of Creek Indians are presenting their annual Thanksgiving Pow Wow over two days. On Nov. 23, there’s a 5K Turkey Trot from 7-9 a.m. (registration at 6 a.m.). Activities on the mound begin at 10 a.m. There’s a drum contest. The Princess Contest begins at approximately 11 a.m., and Grand Entry is at 1 p.m.  On Nov. 24, gates open at 10 a.m., and the Grand Entry is at 1 p.m.

• Price: $10 for one day, $15 for both days. Ages 6 and under are free.

• Get tickets: pci-nsn.gov/annual-thanksgiving-pow-wow

GADSDEN

CommUnity Thanksgiving Celebration

• Date: Nov. 23

• Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Location: The Venue at Coosa Landing, 201, George Wallace Drive, Gadsden

• Info:  This is a family friendly holiday fellowship. The Thanksgiving meal includes ham, chicken and dressing, macaroni and cheese, green beans, a roll, a dessert and a beverage.

• Price: Free

• Learn more: greatergadsden.com/events/community-thanksgiving-celebration

Christmas at the Falls

• Date: Nov. 23-Dec. 31

• Time: Select arrival times during registration

• Location: Noccalula Falls Park, 1500 Noccalula Road, Gadsden

• Info: Starting on Thanksgiving night, see millions of lights with holiday displays and decorations. Visit with Santa, Nov. 23-Dec. 23. Select a time online for the day you plan to visit. Arrive within your time slot, but you can stay at the park as long as you like until 10 p.m.

• Price: Admission is $10 Monday through Thursday, and $15 Friday through Sunday for ages 4 and up. Children 3 and under are admitted free. A train ride is included with general admission. Get an express train pass to shorten wait time for the train — it’s is $10, and includes 2 people.

• Get tickets: www.noccalulafallspark.com/events/christmas-at-the-falls

It’s Plaid Friday

• Date: Nov. 24

• Time: All day

• Location: Downtown Gadsden

• Info: Who says it has to be “Black Friday”? Wear plaid while you shop and dine with downtown Gadsden’s small businesses. Santa will be walking around Broad Street from noon to 2 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA

Turkey Trot 2 Miler

• Date: Nov. 18

• Time: 7:30 a.m.

• Location: Bobby Cardinal Park at Tuscaloosa Airport, 7325 Robert Cardinal Airport Road

• Info: Runners registered by Nov. 3 get 2024 Tuscaloosa Track Club membership, post race snacks, door prizes, and awards to top finishers. Runners/walkers will start the race at the park, then turn on to airport property turning up the Tuscaloosa Airport to a turnaround point, and return back to finish. Register by Nov. 15.

• Price: $30

• Register: runsignup.com/Race/AL/Tuscaloosa/TTCTurkeyTrot

Flower Power: Turkey Time

• Date: Nov. 21

• Time: 6-9 p.m.

• Location: The Flower Market, 5925 U.S. 43, Northport

• Info: An evening with celebrity wedding and event designer, master florist and former reality television star Scot Wedgeworth (aka Mr. Fabulous). Learn to design and create a Thanksgiving turkey centerpiece for your family table using fresh flowers and produce.

• Price: $100 to $125

• Get tickets: eventbrite.com/e/flower-power-turkey-time-tuscaloosa-tickets-692154010277

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Thanksgiving on the go: Fun stuff to do (and eat) this year