Thanksgiving week in Palm Coast starts with a race and ends with the holiday lights going up in Central Park. I pulled together what the City of Palm Coast and the organizers have posted for 2026, in date order, so you can plan the weeks around the holiday. Everything below was confirmed on an official page. Details can change, so check the organizer's page before you head out.
Flagler County Veterans Day Parade (Wednesday, Nov. 11)
The city's events calendar lists the Veterans Day Parade on Wednesday, November 11, from 10 a.m. to noon. The calendar entry doesn't list the route, so check the city's event page for the latest before you pick a viewing spot.
Feet to Feast 5K (Thursday, Nov. 26)
This is the one most locals know. The Feet to Feast 5K run and walk starts Thanksgiving morning at Daytona State College's Flagler campus, on the east side of the campus. The city lists the morning window as 7:45 to 10:05 a.m.
- Adults (ages 19 to 100): $35 through the end of the day on November 2, then the price goes up.
- Students (ages 1 to 18): $20. Student registration stays open until 8 a.m. on race day.
- Packet pickup: Palm Coast Community Center, 305 Palm Coast Parkway NE. Friday Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday and Tuesday (Nov. 23 and 24) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Race-day pickup: Available, but the long-sleeved shirts are only there while supplies last.
Last year's race set a record with 1,178 entrants, so expect a crowd and give yourself time to park. Walkers and strollers are part of the field.
Palm Harbor Golf Club Thanksgiving Scramble (Thursday, Nov. 26)
If a walk is not your idea of a holiday morning, the city's calendar also lists a Thanksgiving Scramble at Palm Harbor Golf Club, with the day running from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pricing and entry details weren't posted on the calendar page, so call the club before planning around it.
Tree Lighting Ceremony (Saturday, Nov. 28)
Two days after Thanksgiving the city lights its tree at Central Park in Town Center. The calendar lists it from 6 to 9 p.m. It also marks the start of the Rotary Club of Flagler County's Fantasy Lights display, now in its 21st year. The city says the lights run nightly through December 30, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Holiday Boat Parade (Saturday, Dec. 5)
Decorated boats go up the Intracoastal Waterway on Saturday, December 5, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The city's registration notice says viewing is available at Waterfront Park and at the St. Joe Walkway trailhead under the Hammock Beach Bridge. Last year the city ran shuttles and added parking, so watch the city's page for 2026 parking details.
Starlight Parade (Saturday, Dec. 12)
The Starlight Parade is back at Central Park on December 12. Pre-parade activities start at 4 p.m. with 17 food trucks, live entertainment, Santa's Village from 4 to 5 p.m. and photo and craft stations at the Parks and Recreation tent. The parade itself begins at 6 p.m.
A few ways to fill the days in between
Thanksgiving week also tends to bring out-of-town relatives, so it helps to have a short list of easy plans. The events above give you fixed dates to build around, and the options below fill the gaps.
Not everything this week needs a ticket. November is a good month for the beach in Flagler Beach, when the crowds thin out and the water is calm. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, at 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd., is worth a morning walk, and park entry fees apply.
For Thanksgiving dinner options, I put together a separate guide to where to eat and what to do on the day itself.
One planning note: the 5K, the scramble and Thanksgiving dinner all land on the same morning, so decide early which one you are doing. The tree lighting two days later is a good plan for the whole group, since it starts in the evening.
Why this stretch matters if you are thinking of moving here
When people ask me what daily life in Palm Coast feels like, I point them to this part of the calendar. A 5K on a trail-lined campus, a tree lighting in a central park, a boat parade on the Intracoastal. These events are run by the city and local clubs, and they happen within a few miles of each other. If you are visiting family over the holiday and wondering what it would be like to live here, this is a good week to look around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register for the Feet to Feast 5K ahead of time?
Registration runs through RunSignup. Adult pricing goes up after November 2, and student registration closes at 8 a.m. on race day. Early packet pickup is at the Palm Coast Community Center from November 20 to 24.
Is there a fee to see Fantasy Lights?
The city's 2025 notice said admission was free with donations accepted for the Rotary Club's service work. The 2026 page lists the lights nightly through December 30 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Check the city's page for any change in how it works this year.
Where do I park for the Holiday Boat Parade?
Waterfront Park and the St. Joe Walkway trailhead under the Hammock Beach Bridge are the two viewing areas named in the city's notice. Parking plans change from year to year, so look at the city's event page the week of the parade.
If this week has you thinking about making Palm Coast home, take a look at my moving to Palm Coast guide, or call or text me at (386) 627-3612 and I will show you around.
New articles by email
Get my new articles every Saturday
One short email a week with what I posted: Palm Coast news, local events, community guides and the market. No new articles, no email.
Sources
About the Author
David Stanley is a Broker Associate with CENTURY 21 Fine Homes & Estates Realty Exchange and has lived in North Florida for 23 years. A former Flagler Beach Ocean Rescue lifeguard and firefighter, he has closed over $60 million in Palm Coast-area sales.
More about David · Pick a time to talk
