Thanksgiving Week Around Clemmons, Lewisville and Winston-Salem: 2026 Ideas

Thanksgiving week has its own rhythm around here. Leaves are mostly down, the holiday lights are going up, and there's usually a houseful of relatives who need something to do between meals. Here's a short list of local ideas, from Thanksgiving morning to the Saturday after, around Clemmons, Lewisville and Winston-Salem.

Dates and times below were checked on each organizer's own website in late October 2026. Plans can change, so give it a quick look before you head out.

Thanksgiving morning: the Turkey Strut 5K

If your crew likes to earn their pie, the Turkey Strut 5K in Winston-Salem is on Thursday, November 26, 2026. The 5K starts at 9:00 a.m., and there's a 1-mile option at 8:30 a.m. Registration details are on the race's website.

Tanglewood Festival of Lights (with discount nights that week)

Tanglewood Park in Clemmons kicks off its Festival of Lights on November 13, 2026, and it runs nightly through January 1, 2027, from 6 to 11 p.m. Forsyth County Parks lists Monday, November 23 and Tuesday, November 24 as discount nights, which happen to fall right at the start of Thanksgiving week. If you have family arriving early, that's a nice first-night outing.

During the day, Tanglewood is also just a good place to walk off a big meal, with trails and the Yadkin River running along the park.

Watch Moravian cookies being made in Clemmons

Mrs. Hanes' Moravian Cookies on Friedberg Church Road in Clemmons is a local favorite this time of year. Their in-depth bakery tours pause from mid-October through December for holiday baking, but the bakery says you're still welcome to stop in, taste samples and watch cookies being hand-rolled and cut. Their site suggests arriving before 2:30 p.m. if you want to see the rollers and cutters at work. Out-of-town guests usually leave with a tin or two.

Old Salem: plan around Thursday

Old Salem Museums & Gardens in Winston-Salem is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 26. That makes Wednesday or Friday the days to go if you want to walk the historic district with visitors.

On Saturday, November 28, Old Salem's Joy of Christmas Evening Tours are on the calendar, with tours starting between 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. They're small groups and ticketed, partly outdoors on uneven streets, so book ahead and wear good shoes.

A free, easy walk at Reynolda

Reynolda Gardens in Winston-Salem is a lovely late-fall stroll. The gardens are free to visit, and the newly restored conservatory is worth a look. It's a nice low-key option for the Friday after Thanksgiving when nobody wants to fight traffic. Check Reynolda's website for current hours.

More ways to get outside

• Salem Lake. The trail around the lake is a Winston-Salem classic for walking, running or biking.
• Historic Bethabara Park. The site of the first Moravian settlement in the area, with walking trails and grounds to explore.
• Your own neighborhood. A walk after dinner is a tradition in plenty of Clemmons and Lewisville neighborhoods for a reason.

Small Business Saturday, close to home

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 28, is Small Business Saturday. Clemmons, Lewisville and Winston-Salem all have locally owned shops, restaurants and bakeries worth a visit. It's a good way to knock out some holiday shopping and keep dollars in the community.

Hosting this year? Think about next year

Thanksgiving has a way of showing you what works in your home and what doesn't: not enough seats at the table, one bathroom for twelve people, a kitchen nobody can move around in. If you've been wondering whether it's time for more space (or less), it doesn't hurt to see what your current home is worth. Start with a free home value report.

Explore our area

• Clemmons real estate
• Lewisville real estate
• Winston-Salem real estate
• Our 2026 guide to holiday lights, parades and tree lightings

From all of us, have a happy Thanksgiving.

Call or text Terri Bias and Associates at 336-361-1230.