Whether you’re visiting family, hosting, or simply looking to shake up your usual Thanksgiving traditions, Hilton Head Island is a fantastic place to spend the holiday!
However you find yourself here, you’ll have no shortage of ways to make the weekend your own. With holiday activities, local events, beaches, shops, and, of course, restaurants spread across the island, you can shape your Thanksgiving experience to be exactly as laid-back or lively as you want it to be.
Here’s what Hilton Head has to offer for Thanksgiving 2026.
Need to make room for all those calories you’ll enjoy later? Start your day with one of the island’s annual Thanksgiving 5Ks!
Perfect for runners of all ages and experience levels, the annual Hilton Head Turkey Trot kicks off at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning from the Boathouse parking lot before winding through Hilton Head Plantation. Come dressed in your best Thanksgiving-themed attire—or stick with your usual running gear—and enjoy some morning fun before the feast.
Just make sure to register early, as spots are expected to fill quickly.
At the Palmetto Dunes Thanksgiving Turtle Trot 5K, you’ll run or walk along the resort’s flat, hard-packed beach while taking in ocean views and a fresh sea breeze. Not a bad backdrop for a Thanksgiving morning, if we do say so ourselves.
The race begins at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning near the Dunes House at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort. Register here.
If you’re looking to lean a little further into the holiday spirit, these Hilton Head activities are a great place to start.
Monday through Saturday, November 23–28, grab the whole family for a wagon ride through the Sea Pines Forest Preserve to take in the fall colors.
If your family likes a little friendly competition, head to Harbour Town for the Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt. Starting at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, settle the family competition early so everyone can play nice at dinner.
Reservations are required, so make sure to book your spot ahead of time.
This legendary family entertainer has been a staple of Hilton Head Island since the ’70s, performing his interactive, family-friendly acoustic guitar concerts beneath the 300-year-old Liberty Oak in Harbour Town.
So, of course, he’s back for 2026 with his annual Thanksgiving concert! The show starts at 7:30 p.m. on November 27, so grab a spot and enjoy the tradition.
If you just can’t wait until December to get a start on the Christmas season, Harbour Town Lights has you covered. From November 27 through January 1, stop by Harbour Town to stroll among brightly lit seasonal figures, with a towering Christmas tree serving as the centerpiece.
The official tree lighting takes place November 27 just before the Gregg Russell concert—and if you get there early, we hear Santa might be around from 5:30–7 p.m.
Visitors love shopping on Hilton Head year-round, but as we all know, Thanksgiving officially marks the start of the holiday shopping season! So, if you’re staying through the weekend, it’s the perfect time to browse the island’s shops, pick up a few gifts, and maybe find something for yourself along the way.
Plenty of stores around the island means plenty of Black Friday deals! Browse local boutiques, galleries, and island shopping centers to bring a little piece of Hilton Head back to your loved ones this holiday season.
Another option is to head to Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina on November 27 (Black Friday) for Santa and Shopping Day, where local shops and restaurants get into the holiday spirit with seasonal specials. So special, in fact, that Santa himself will be arriving—via fire truck—at noon and sticking around until 2:30 p.m.
Every year, the Art League of Hilton Head transforms its gallery into the Gallery of Gifts, displaying paintings, pottery, photography, jewelry, wreaths, ornaments, and more—all made by local artists in the Hilton Head community. Open through January 3, it’s filled with gift options that feel a little more personal than the usual holiday finds.
While golf groups love making their way to the Island pretty much all year long, Thanksgiving is all about spending time with family—making it a particularly fitting time to hit the greens with your loved ones for some bonding that’s a little more active than sitting around the table. Maybe it’ll become your new Thanksgiving tradition!
Thanksgiving may not normally bring beach weather to mind, but on the island, the conditions are often perfect for taking your family for a walk, tossing around a football, or simply taking in the shoreline views.
With beaches seemingly around every turn, you’ll have plenty of options for where to dip your toes on your visit.
The above options give you several fun, unique ways to spend time with your family this Thanksgiving, but you’re still missing one critical part of the Thanksgiving experience: the food!
At Bowdie’s Chophouse, we pride ourselves on being the best steakhouse on Hilton Head Island, with expertly prepared steaks, handcrafted cocktails, attentive service, and a polished yet welcoming atmosphere. And among the Hilton Head restaurants open for Thanksgiving, we think a few of our menu items feel particularly well suited for the holiday, such as our Lobster Mac, Au Gratin Potatoes, and Creamed Corn.
Whether you join us for Thanksgiving dinner or make Bowdie’s part of another evening during your holiday weekend, we’re ready to serve up a meal that just might convince you to make Hilton Head Island your new Thanksgiving tradition.
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