Things to do around Northwest Indiana Thanksgiving Week

The holiday season is upon us! Whether you have years-old traditions or want to add something new to your holiday happenings, here are some events and things to do this Thanksgiving Week along Lake Michigan's South Shore. 

Get Outdoors

When you’re planning to eat your weight in food on Thanksgiving, you can also plan a way to work off all those calories! Several group activities are planned throughout Northwest Indiana on Thanksgiving Day.

Before your big meal, join the competitive Pumpkin Plod 10K Run / 5K Walk in downtown Highland or take part in Valparaiso's Turkey Trot 5K, both holiday traditions for many in the region. Bring the whole family to Friendship Botanic Gardens in Michigan City from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for their annual Gobble Gobble Turkey Walk. Kids will get to have fun walking the trails and embarking on a paper turkey scavenger hunt for a prize at the end!

On Black Friday, #OptOutside with Lake County Parks. Take a hike at Oak Ridge Prairie in Griffith or learn Survival Shelter Building with S'mores at Stoney Run Country Park in Hebron.

If you're just looking for an easy walk to get out of the house for a while, check out these trails for the lazy hiker. Enjoy the autumn landscapes at Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso and the Indiana Dunes Great Marsh Trail in Beverly Shores or spend some time strolling the streets of Rensselaer to check out art by muralists from around the world.
 

Wildlife Viewing

Another location to hike mentioned in the blog is Kankakee Sands, where you'll also find a herd of roaming bison! The bison were introduced to the area in 2016. A viewing area is set up just off US Highway 41. The staff suggests planning to stay for a few hours. Start at the viewing area and you might get a good sighting. If not, drive around the pasture. If you still aren’t able to see the bison, maybe take that hike along a trail for an hour or two, and then return to the viewing area to try again.

Speaking of wildlife viewing, the number of Sandhill Cranes migrating to Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area is almost at its annual peak. In previous years, there have been 30,000+ cranes counted at peak time! Grab your binoculars and head out to the elevated platform to watch the cranes enjoy spending the holiday week with each other.
 

Ice Skating

The ice skating rinks around the region will begin to open around Thanksgiving, weather permitting! Crown Point plans to open its NHL-sized ice rink at Bulldog Park on Thanksgiving weekend, along with Central Park Plaza's rink in downtown Valparaiso. You can also skate the plaza at Deep River Waterpark! 

Harvest Tyme Family Farm is bringing back their Christmas Tyme Lights walk-through! Explore a half-mile walking trail with classic holiday tunes, millions of lights, festive displays, hot cocoa, fresh-baked cookies, campfire s'mores and visits from seasonal characters. Tickets will be sold on their website here.
 

On Friday after Thanksgiving, the City of Hammond hosts its annual tree lighting celebration, where you can also write letters to Santa, decorate an ornament and see live reindeer! Then on Saturday, head to downtown Crown Point to see the Santa Parade beginning at 10:00 a.m. Santa will arrive by helicopter and say hello to all the children and families before heading to the Square!
 

Get ready for the next holiday at the “A Christmas Story” Comes Home exhibit at the Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond. Stop in to see the seven animated window displays depicting scenes from the holiday movie from November 15 to December 30, 2025! Don’t forget to schedule a time to get your photo taken with Santa on most weekends starting right after Thanksgiving. Make sure to check out the gift shop to find something for everyone on your list.
 

However you decide to fill your Thanksgiving Week along the south shore of Lake Michigan, stay safe and we hope you enjoy it! Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the South Shore CVA.