Thanksgiving in Brooklyn: Best Eats, Events, and Turkey Tips

Brooklyn during Thanksgiving is full of parades, community dinners, waterfront strolls, turkey trots, and warm memories. Each neighborhood celebrates in its own way. As a result, the borough offers something special for everyone.

In this guide, you’ll find the best places to visit, along with a short history of the Thanksgiving turkey. You’ll also see a respectful acknowledgment of the Native people who first lived on this land.

Finally, try our easy leftover turkey recipe to keep the home fires burning as the holiday season begins!

Neighborhood Highlights

Thanksgiving in Prospect Park / Park Slope

Why Go: Experience the classic Thanksgiving-morning energy, with runners, families, and the satisfying crunch of leaves underfoot. The Prospect Park Turkey Trot (Race for Reconciliation) is the main event, welcoming runners of all speeds. After the race, you can warm up at nearby Park Slope cafés or pick up prepared holiday sides from local markets. Although registration for runners is full, you can still join in the fun by cheering them on or dressing up in festive costumes. Find out more info at (runsignup.com).

Park Slope’s charming brownstones and abundance of small bakeries make it a great place to find delicious pies and holiday sides. In addition, local community organizations and churches often host community meals or donation drives to support neighbors in need. Be sure to check local listings for current dinners and volunteer opportunities. You can also help CHiPS provide daily meals and essential services to those who rely on them. Find out more info at (chipsonline.org)

Thanksgiving in Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO

Why Go: Enjoy classic views of Manhattan from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and wander through DUMBO’s cobblestone streets—perfect for a post-Thanksgiving walk to digest or snap photos. Both DUMBO and the nearby Brooklyn Bridge Park offer plenty of photo opportunities and scenic waterfront views, especially beautiful in late autumn. While you’re there, keep an eye out for holiday markets and pop-up dining options to complete your outing. For more info, check out (dumbo.nyc)

Thanksgiving in Williamsburg & Greenpoint

Why Go: Greenpoint offers a wide variety of restaurants and culinary options, making it ideal for anyone seeking a non-traditional Thanksgiving—from restaurant feasts and fried-turkey twists to vegetarian and vegan dishes. Local bakeries and delis are perfect for picking up last-minute breads and desserts. After your meal, head to Brooklyn Brewery at 79 North 11th Street (between Berry Street and Wythe Avenue) for a relaxing drink and a lively post-dinner atmosphere. (brooklynbrewery.com)

Thanksgiving in Fort Greene & Clinton Hill

Why go: a neighborhood known for community arts and cultural centers — good places to catch small concerts, neighborhood dinners, or charity events in the lead-up to Thanksgiving. At Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts, the LampBlack 5th Anniversary Party takes place on Friday, November 7, from 7:00 to 10:00 PM, offering an evening of art, community, and celebration (mocada.org).

In Fort Greene Park, visitors can join the Black History and Culture Tour on Saturday, November 15, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, a guided walk exploring the neighborhood’s rich heritage (fortgreenepark.org). For nature lovers, NYC Parks is hosting Birding: Owls at Fort Greene Park on Saturday, November 22, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, an opportunity to learn about local wildlife just before the holiday season begins (nycgovparks.org).

Thanksgiving in Bay Ridge

Why Go: Bay Ridge’s vibrant Mediterranean and South Asian communities offer a delicious variety of alternative Thanksgiving spreads, from lamb dishes and mezze to neighborhood bakeries with large pies and sweets. This makes it an ideal spot for those wanting to blend cultural traditions into their holiday celebrations.

Additionally, Bay Ridge hosts its Greenmarket every Saturday—on November 8 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM and again on November 22 at 3rd Ave. & 95th St.—perfect for picking up fresh ingredients or holiday treats. (grownyc.org). On Thursday, November 13, there’s an Open Mic night at Kitty Kiernan’s (9715 3rd Ave.) starting 8:00 PM (Instagram). Also on Saturday, November 22, Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church is holding an Empty Bowls holiday market fundraiser — handmade bowls are $25, and proceeds go to the food pantry (pcusa.org).

A short history of the Thanksgiving turkey

The turkey became the centerpiece of Thanksgiving over many years, both for practical and symbolic reasons. At first, early colonial harvest feasts mentioned wildfowl among many other foods. However, the familiar image of a large roasted turkey on the family table developed much later.

Turkeys are native to North America and are large enough to feed big groups. Because of this, they became a natural choice for holiday meals. By the 1800s, the turkey was firmly linked to Thanksgiving through popular literature, national campaigns to standardize the holiday, and growing cultural imagery in magazines and artwork.

Benjamin Franklin’s well-known — though often misquoted — preference for the turkey over the bald eagle as the national bird also added to the story. As a result, the turkey became a lasting symbol of American identity and Thanksgiving tradition.

Grateful acknowledgement: the Native people of Brooklyn (Lenape / Lenapehoking)

Long before Brooklyn became a borough, this land was part of Lenapehoking, the ancestral territory of the Lenape people. For generations, the Lenape—sometimes called the Delaware—sustainably managed this region by fishing, farming, caring for woodlands, and building relationships across what is now the northeastern United States. However, colonial settlement and later urban expansion disrupted these communities, resulting in dispossession, forced migration, and the loss of cultural practices.

Today, many Brooklyn institutions, including museums, gardens, and universities, along with local Indigenous organizations, actively support living land acknowledgements, educational programs, and cultural initiatives. These efforts honor Lenape history and highlight the ongoing contributions of Indigenous communities. For more information on institutional perspectives and contemporary Lenape cultural revival in the NYC region, explore resources from the Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and local Lenape cultural centers (lenape.center.com).

Tips for enjoying your Thanksgiving in Brooklyn

Reserve restaurants or pick-up orders early — many neighborhood spots sell out.

If you want to run or watch a Turkey Trot, Prospect Park is the canonical Brooklyn option — plan for early morning start times.

Consider volunteering or contributing to a local community dinner — it’s a meaningful way to be part of borough traditions.

Take a post-meal walk — from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade to Prospect Park; Brooklyn’s autumn light and skyline views are a perfect digestive aid.

Leftover Thanksgiving stew

Servings: 4–6 Prep time: 10 min | Cook time: 30–40 min

Ingredients

2 cups leftover turkey, shredded or chopped

1–2 cups leftover stuffing, cut into bite-size pieces

2 cups leftover roasted vegetables (carrots, Brussels sprouts, squash, etc.)

1 cup leftover mashed potatoes

4 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey stock

1 cup cranberry sauce (optional, for a touch of sweetness)

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried sage

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 tbsp olive oil or butter

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Sauté aromatics: In a large pot, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add onions and garlic; cook until fragrant and softened (3–4 min).

Add liquids & spices: Pour in stock and stir in thyme, sage, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Add turkey & veggies: Stir in turkey, roasted vegetables, and stuffing. Let simmer for 10–15 minutes until everything is heated through.

Mash-in potatoes: Spoon in the leftover mashed potatoes and stir until they thicken the stew slightly.

Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with crusty bread if desired.