Thanksgiving marks the unofficial start of the holiday season and what better way to celebrate it then in Key West style? Key West has plenty of things going on for a Thanksgiving to remember, whether you want to keep it classic or take a break from tradition. Here’s how to celebrate Thanksgiving in Key West.

Attend the Lighting of the Harborwalk

The Key West Historic Seaport will kick off the holiday season with its annual Lighting of the Harborwalk, set this year for the evening before Thanksgiving. The creative display includes thousands of lights, including nautical-themed Christmas trees and the original Key West Lobster Trap Tree. Locals and visitors are invited to gather on the Harborwalk at Greene and Elizabeth Streets to watch the official lighting and listen to holiday music on Nov. 24 at 5 p.m. If you can’t make it for the special event, the display will light up every evening through New Year’s Eve.

Set Sail with Fury

Create a new family tradition on the water this Thanksgiving. Make the waters of Key West your dining table while on Fury’s special holiday-themed Ultimate Adventure H2.0 trip. Sail out to sea aboard the state-of-the-art catamaran, snorkel North America’s only living coral reef, parasail 300 feet above the water, hop on a banana boat, jet ski, or bounce on Key West’s largest waterpark with over 3,500 square feet of inflatable water toys. Breakfast, lunch, drinks, and boozy beverages are included on the six-hour excursion.

Get Stuffed at Local Restaurants

Thanksgiving is synonymous with food. Many of Key West’s top restaurants are keeping their doors open on the big day, with special Thanksgiving menus and multi-course feasts for those who want to avoid the kitchen. A great reference to see what’s open is OpenTable, which lets visitors filter searches exactly to their needs and reserve tables ahead of time.

Watch Football at Key West’s Best Bars

This year's Thanksgiving match-ups will be between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders and the Dallas Cowboys, and the Buffalo Bills and the New Orleans Saints. Enjoy the games at the best sports bars in Key West. Don’s Place, Green Parrot Bar, Island Dogs Bar, Jack Flats, and Shanna Key Irish Pub and Grill all have plenty of screens.

Run the Hog Trot

Always a fun way to start the day, the 27th annual 5K run through Old Town is actually on Saturday, November 27. The race begins and ends in front of Hogs Breath Saloon on Front Street at 8 a.m., with awards immediately following. There are t-shirts for the first 300 participants and post-race snacks and free beer for those 21 and older.

Another holiday tradition to start: stay with us at The Gates Hotel, a Condè Nast award-winning hotel that has smart, curated amenities you can’t find elsewhere. Complement your experience with a cocktail made from locally-distilled rum, served at our poolside bar, Rum Row. If you get hungry, The Blind Pig food truck is just steps away, permanently parked on the premises. And, if you’re ready to head out to Old Town, you don’t have to worry about transportation – we have it covered, with shuttle service for our guests. See which of our special offers works for you.