Key West Thanksgiving 2026
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and Key West offers a tropical way to spend the holiday with family and friends. Traditional Thanksgiving celebrations mix with time on the water, warm weather, and the start of the island’s holiday season.
Quick Answers
Key West celebrates Thanksgiving with:
- Thanksgiving cruises, including the Sunset Sip & Sail with a light holiday-themed menu and the Thanksgiving Sunset Dinner Cruise with a traditional holiday buffet.
- Time together on the water with snorkeling, sandbar trips, dolphin watching, parasailing, Jet Ski tours, and more.
- Annual events around the island, including the Key West Harbor Walk of Lights, Southernmost Turkey Trot & Rooster Romp, and Black Friday Market.
Celebrate Thanksgiving on the Water
Hoist the sails for a unique Key West Thanksgiving Sunset Sip & Sail. Enjoy a lighter taste of the holiday with Thanksgiving-themed bites including turkey sliders with stuffing and cranberry sauce, ham sliders, and more. Live music and unlimited drinks complete the celebration as you sail into the Key West sunset.
For a more traditional Thanksgiving feast, the Thanksgiving Sunset Dinner Cruise serves a freshly prepared holiday buffet aboard the Party Cat. Enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, live music, and an open bar during a two-hour sunset cruise.
Spend Thanksgiving Weekend on the Water
Ready to burn off some of that Thanksgiving dinner? The Do It All Watersports Adventure packs 10 activities into one trip, including an inflatable water park with climbing, slides and a water trampoline. You can also get moving while paddling through remote mangroves on the Sandbar & Kayak Adventure.
Enjoy even more on the water throughout the holiday weekend. Visit the Florida Keys Reef and Dolphin Playground on the Dolphin Watch & Snorkel, take a Guided Jet Ski Tour around Key West, or see the island from above while parasailing.
Visit Sunset Watersports to find even more trips, activities and rentals to complete your Thanksgiving weekend itinerary.
Thanksgiving Around Key West
Thanksgiving Eve marks the beginning of Key West’s holiday season at the Historic Seaport. The annual Harbor Walk of Lights is ceremoniously lit along the waterfront, with thousands of lights and uniquely Key West holiday displays, including the Fishing Buoy Christmas Tree and Lobster Trap Christmas Tree.
Start Thanksgiving morning with the Southernmost Turkey Trot 5K & 1-Mile Rooster Romp, beginning at the Southernmost Point at 8 a.m. The annual run and walk benefits Reef Relief and offers a festive way to get moving before Thanksgiving dinner.
On Saturday, November 28, the “Black Friday Market” Saturday Shopping Extravaganza brings holiday shopping to Truman Waterfront from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Browse local artists, makers, growers and vendors while shopping for unique Key West gifts.
Thanksgiving Key West 2026 FAQs
Is Thanksgiving a busy time to visit Key West?
- Yes. Thanksgiving weekend brings holiday travelers to Key West, and popular cruises, activities, restaurants and accommodations can fill in advance. Reservations are recommended, especially for Thanksgiving Day and sunset experiences.
Are restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day in Key West?
- Yes. Many Key West restaurants serve traditional Thanksgiving dinners, special holiday menus or their regular menus. Reservations are strongly recommended for holiday dining.
What is the weather like in Key West at Thanksgiving?
- November in Key West averages daytime highs around 81°F and nighttime lows around 72°F. Evenings can feel cooler, particularly on the water, so bring a light layer for sunset cruises.
Does the Christmas season start in Key West over Thanksgiving weekend?
- Yes. Thanksgiving traditionally marks the beginning of Key West’s holiday season, with the Historic Seaport’s Harbor Walk of Lights and other festivities continuing through New Year’s celebrations.
Planning your Thanksgiving visit? Here’s how to get around Key West.
