Holiday guide · Prescott, Arizona
Thanksgiving in Prescott, Arizona, 2026
Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov 26, 2026. Five sit-down tables on Courthouse Square, pie orders with deadlines, free community meals and a long weekend that ends with the Holiday Light Parade. Our free interactive guide sorts every open door in town, so you can find your table, your pie and your walk in under a minute.
Free interactive guide
Thanksgiving in Prescott
Who is open on Thursday, hour by hour. Where to order the feast, the bird or the pie, with the order-by dates. Free meals, ways to help and three easy walks before pie.
Free with the Thursday email. Already subscribed? Enter your email on the next page to open it.
Why get the guide?
Because Thanksgiving in Prescott has a math problem: a lot of hungry people, a short list of open doors, and every good table goes to whoever called first. We already made the calls. The guide puts every open table, every pie order deadline and every free meal in one place you can tap through on your phone in a minute flat.
- Book the good table. Every Thanksgiving dinner on the Square, with hours, prices and a map, so you pick in one sitting.
- Beat the pie deadline. Order-by dates for the feast, the bird and the pie, before the bakeries sell out.
- Hosting? Covered. Where to pick up, what to make ahead, and a centerpiece you can pull off in ten minutes.
- Plan the whole weekend. Trails for the gap before pie, football in Arizona time and what is on Friday and Saturday.
It is free with the Thursday email, the weekly picks locals use to plan the weekend. One sign-up, and the guide opens right away.
What is in the Thanksgiving guide?
- Go out. All five Thanksgiving tables on Courthouse Square, listed A to Z with hours, prices and how to book, plus three more worth the drive.
- Keep it easy. Walk-in comfort food and the regular-hours spots, for the year nobody wants to make a reservation.
- Bring it home. Order the feast, the bird or the pie, with an order-by calendar so you are not the one calling on Tuesday.
- Share a seat. Where to find a free meal, and how to help put one on someone else's table.
- Walk it off. Three easy trails for the gap between dinner and pie.
- Stay in. Thursday football with Arizona times, movie night in town or on the couch, and a ten-minute centerpiece.
Thanksgiving weather in Prescott
Think sweater weather with sunshine. November in Prescott averages a high around 62 degrees and a low around 30, and the last week of the month runs cooler than that. Afternoons on the Square can feel mild in the sun, then the temperature drops fast once the sun goes behind the mountains, and nights dip below freezing. Most years Thanksgiving is dry, though a cold storm can bring rain or a dusting of snow.
- Pack layers. A warm coat for the evening, a lighter layer for midday.
- Gloves and a hat for the trail. Shade under the pines stays cold all day.
- Plan around early dark. Sunset is before 5:30 PM, so walk before dinner, not after.
- Driving in? Check road conditions if a storm is in the forecast.
Averages are 1991 to 2020 climate normals. Check the forecast the week of.
Thanksgiving weekend in Prescott
Thu, Nov 26 to Sun, Nov 29Thanksgiving weekend is when Prescott flips the switch to Christmas City. Eat Thursday, wander Whiskey Row for live music Friday, and catch the Holiday Light Parade and Bonfire on Saturday night. Here is what is on, checked at the source.
, Sports and pickleballFree
Prescott Area Trail Runners Thanksgiving morning group run on the Peavine.
- When
- Thu, Nov 26, 8 AM to 10 AM
- Cost
- Free; Bring a non-perishable food or toy donation
- Where
- Peavine Trailhead (near Yavapai Humane Society), Prescott, AZ
, Trails and outdoors
The only Thanksgiving table in town where nobody argues and everyone eats with their hands.
- When
- Thu, Nov 26, 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
- Cost
- Included with general admission; Sanctuary open 10 AM to 4 PM
- Where
- Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, 1403 Heritage Park Rd, Prescott, AZ 86301
The zoo's ring-tailed lemurs get a fully dressed Thanksgiving table of fruits, veggies and a turkey-shaped primate biscuit, served at 11:30 AM. Included with admission.
Venue website (opens in a new tab)
Details at Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary (opens in a new tab)
, Big eventsFree
Pajamas are legal, cocoa rides shotgun, and the kids stay buckled in with their noses pressed to the window. The best part: nobody has to carry anybody back to the car.
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 to Wed, Dec 30, 6 PM to 9 PM
- Cost
- Free; $5 per car cash donation appreciated; Thanksgiving through Dec 30, 6 to 9 PM, until 10 PM Fridays, Saturdays and holidays; A one-mile drive past 60+ displays
- Where
- Fain Park, 2200 N 5th St, Prescott Valley, AZ
Prescott Valley's drive-through holiday tradition: one mile of Fain Park lit up with more than 60 lighted and animated displays, all viewed from your own heated seat. The gates open Thanksgiving night and the lights stay on through Dec 30, 6 to 9 PM Sunday through Thursday and until 10 PM on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays. Entry is free, and the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce appreciates a cash donation per car, so tuck a few bills in the cupholder before you roll in.
Details at Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce (opens in a new tab)
, Give backFree21+
Doc's BBQ & Whiskey closes to regular business on Thanksgiving and serves a free Thanksgiving dinner to neighbors who could use a hand, with Shamrock Foods. Grab a free meal voucher at the Salvation Army on Montezuma or at Doc's host stand. Know someone who needs a seat at the table? Pass this along.
Time not posted. Check the host for the time (opens host site)
- When
- Thu, Nov 26, time not posted
- Cost
- Free with a meal voucher
- Where
- Doc's BBQ & Whiskey, 202 S Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ 86303
Doc's Day of Giving: a free Thanksgiving dinner on Whiskey Row for people facing tough times, served by Doc's staff with Shamrock Foods. Pick up a free meal voucher at the Salvation Army on Montezuma St or at Doc's host stand. Organizations can help hand out vouchers by contacting Doc's.
, Faith and communityFree
Santa sits for free and you bring your own phone, so the only cost is the bribe you promised the kids for smiling.
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 to Thu, Dec 24, 1 PM
- Cost
- Free; Nov 27-28, Dec 4-6, 11-13 and 18-19, 1 to 5 PM; Dec 20, 2 to 6 PM; Dec 23-24, noon to 7 PM
- Where
- Pine Ridge Marketplace, 3250 Gateway Blvd, Prescott, AZ 86303
Santa visits Pine Ridge Marketplace on select days from November 27 through Christmas Eve. Visiting and taking your own photos is free; there is no on-site photographer, so bring a camera or phone.
, ArtsFreeEvery 4th Fri
Downtown galleries stay open in the evening for the monthly fourth Friday art walk. This is the last walk of 2026; the host lists no December walk.
- When
- Fri, Nov 27, 5 PM to 8 PM
- Cost
- Free; 5 to 8 PM; Host lists Nov 27 (the day after Thanksgiving) and says there is no December walk
- Where
- Downtown Prescott galleries, 105 S Cortez St, Prescott, AZ 86303
Details at Prescott's 4th Friday Art Walk (opens in a new tab)
, Food and drinkEvery 4th Fri
Meet local homebrewers over a pint, talk shop or just mingle.
- When
- Fri, Nov 27, 5 PM to 7 PM
- Cost
- Not posted yet. The host link below has the latest.
- Where
- Mile High Beer Project, 219 N Cortez St Suite D, Prescott, AZ 86301
, ArtsFree
Walk off the leftovers looking at abstract paintings made in a desert trailer studio. Free, with refreshments.
- When
- Fri, Nov 27, 6 PM
- Cost
- Free; 6 to 8 PM
- Where
- Toothpick Art Studio, 371 Garden St, Suite D, Prescott, AZ 86305
Toothpick Art Studio opens a show of work by painter Bethany Hartwick, who paints from a trailer studio in the California desert. Her current pieces use fluid, abstract forms that hint at wings, ribbons and botanical ornaments. Free entry with refreshments.
, Live musicEvery Fri
Friday night music with a view of the city lights.
- When
- Fri, Nov 27, 6 PM to 9 PM
- Cost
- Not posted yet. The host link below has the latest.
- Where
- Prescott Resort, Eagles Nest, 1500 E Highway 69, Prescott, AZ 86301
Stef n Rock plays live in the Eagles Nest lounge at the Prescott Resort, up on the hill with views over town.
Venue website (opens in a new tab)
Details at Prescott Resort and Conference Center (opens in a new tab)
, Trails and outdoors
Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary lights up the zoo for its WildLights holiday display on Friday and Saturday evenings from late November into early January. The zoo adds a members-only night and Holiday Cheers evenings with adult drinks for guests 21 and over.
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 to Sat, Jan 2, 6 PM to 9 PM
- Cost
- Fridays and Saturdays, Nov 27 to Jan 2, 6 to 9 PM; Members-only night Sun, Nov 29 (free for members); Holiday Cheers, 21+ drinks for sale, Dec 18, 19, 25 and 26; The zoo page does not list admission yet
- Where
- Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, 1403 Heritage Park Rd, Prescott, AZ 86301
Venue website (opens in a new tab)
Details at Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary (opens in a new tab)
, Live music21+
- When
- Fri, Nov 27, 6:30 PM
- Cost
- Not posted yet. The host link below has the latest.
- Where
- Back Alley Wine Bar, 156 S Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ 86303
, Live music
Bob Karney plays a live music night at The Cortez at 123 N Cortez St in downtown Prescott. The set runs 7 to 10 PM.
- When
- Fri, Nov 27, 7 PM
- Cost
- Not posted yet. The host link below has the latest.
- Where
- The Cortez, 123 N Cortez St, Prescott, AZ 86301
, Live music21+
Hashknife Express plays the Windsock Lounge on Iron Springs Rd, 7 to 11 PM. A neighborhood cocktail lounge where the band is close enough to request from. 21+.
- When
- Fri, Nov 27, 7 PM to 11 PM
- Cost
- Not posted yet. The host link below has the latest.
- Where
- The Windsock Lounge, 1365 Iron Springs Rd, Prescott, AZ 86305
, Live music21+
Bobby Joe Bell brings his country sound to Matt's the night after Thanksgiving. Dance off the pie.
- When
- Fri, Nov 27, 8:30 PM to 11:59 PM
- Cost
- 8:30 PM to midnight; Cover at the source
- Where
- Matt's Saloon, 112 S Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ 86303
, BikingFree
Volunteer trail work day on the Bean Peaks trails, fourth Saturday monthly.
- When
- Sat, Nov 28, 8 AM to 12 PM
- Cost
- 8:00 AM to noon; Free; sign-up requested
- Where
- Bean Peaks trails, Prescott, AZ
Details at Prescott Mountain Bike Association (opens in a new tab)
, Cars and car showsFree
A free Saturday-morning car meet with coffee, two hours, no tickets.
- When
- Sat, Nov 28, 8 AM to 10 AM
- Cost
- 8:00 to 10:00 AM; Free coffee and pastries while they last; Fourth Saturday of the month; Nov 28 is the last date posted for 2026
- Where
- Pine Ridge Marketplace (behind JCPenney), 3200 Gateway Blvd, Prescott, AZ 86303
Monthly car show at Pine Ridge Marketplace, powered by Findlay Subaru Prescott.
, MarketsFree
The Chino Valley Police Officers Association brings the town together for a day of holiday shopping at Memory Park, and every booth you visit backs the officers who look after this community.
- When
- Sat, Nov 28, 9 AM to 3 PM
- Cost
- Free
- Where
- Memory Park, Palomino Rd and N Road 1 West, Chino Valley, AZ 86323
Holiday in the Park, hosted by the Chino Valley Police Officers Association, fills Memory Park with local makers, businesses and vendors, food vendors and family fun. Shop local, eat local and support local, with free admission. Vendor sign-ups are handled by Keltega LLC at keltega.com/p/holiday26.
Details at Chino Valley Police Officers Association (run by Keltega LLC) (opens in a new tab)
, MarketsFree
Founding Fathers Collective hosts its fifth annual Holiday Market the Saturday after Thanksgiving, 10 AM to 5 PM, free to walk in. Small local vendors, holiday specials, stocking stuffers and festive food, all a block off the square. Small Business Saturday, done the Prescott way.
- When
- Sat, Nov 28, 10 AM to 5 PM
- Cost
- Free entry; 10 AM to 5 PM
- Where
- Founding Fathers Collective, 218 N Granite St, Prescott, AZ 86301
A shop-local holiday market at Founding Fathers Collective on North Granite Street, with local small-business vendors, holiday specials, stocking stuffers, festive food and gift shopping. Free entry. Presented with The Prescott Times, Prescott Spice Company and the Middleton Real Estate Team.
, Sports and pickleball
- When
- Sat, Nov 28, 2 PM
- Cost
- Not posted yet. The host link below has the latest.
- Where
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott Campus, 3700 Willow Creek Rd, Prescott, AZ 86301
, Big eventsFree
Kick off the holidays as the farm lights its Christmas tree.
- When
- Sat, Nov 28, 4 PM to 7 PM
- Cost
- Free; reserve a spot online; Runs 4 to 7 PM
- Where
- Mortimer Farms, 12907 E. State Route 169, Dewey, AZ 86327, Dewey-Humboldt
Mortimer Farms lights its Christmas tree and opens the Apple Barn to start the Country Christmas season, with the Christmas Walk lit up after dark.
, Dancing
Burn off Thanksgiving with a quick lesson and a mixed-style social dance.
- When
- Sat, Nov 28, 6 PM to 9 PM
- Cost
- $15, cash only; lesson 6 to 6:45 PM, then open dancing until 9 PM: East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, country and ballroom
- Where
- The Bee's Knees Dance Prescott, 215 N McCormick St, Prescott, AZ 86301
, Big eventsFree
Lit-up floats downtown, then a bonfire. Bring a chair, a blanket and strong opinions about float lighting.
- When
- Sat, Nov 28, 6 PM to 8 PM
- Cost
- Free; Parade 6 PM downtown; bonfire 7 PM at Mile High Middle School field
- Where
- Cortez St, then Mile High Middle School field, Parade on Cortez St; bonfire at Mile High Middle School field, 300 S Granite St, Prescott, AZ 86303
Lighted floats roll through downtown Prescott at 6 PM to open the Christmas City season. A bonfire follows at 7 PM, with Christmas music and reindeer races for kids at the Mile High Middle School field.
Details at Prescott Downtown Partnership with the City of Prescott (opens in a new tab)
, Live music
Saturday night band with the best view in Prescott.
- When
- Sat, Nov 28, 6 PM to 9 PM
- Cost
- Not posted yet. The host link below has the latest.
- Where
- Prescott Resort, Eagles Nest, 1500 E Highway 69, Prescott, AZ 86301
Mischief plays live in the Eagles Nest lounge at the Prescott Resort, up on the hill with views over town.
Venue website (opens in a new tab)
Details at Prescott Resort and Conference Center (opens in a new tab)
, Live music21+
- When
- Sat, Nov 28, 6:30 PM
- Cost
- Not posted yet. The host link below has the latest.
- Where
- Back Alley Wine Bar, 156 S Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ 86303
, Live music
Darryl ICard & The Damn Javelines play a live music night at The Cortez at 123 N Cortez St in downtown Prescott. The set runs 7 to 10 PM.
- When
- Sat, Nov 28, 7 PM
- Cost
- Not posted yet. The host link below has the latest.
- Where
- The Cortez, 123 N Cortez St, Prescott, AZ 86301
, Live music21+
Whiskey Pistols plays the Windsock Lounge on Iron Springs Rd, 7 to 11 PM. A neighborhood cocktail lounge where the band is close enough to request from. 21+.
- When
- Sat, Nov 28, 7 PM to 11 PM
- Cost
- Not posted yet. The host link below has the latest.
- Where
- The Windsock Lounge, 1365 Iron Springs Rd, Prescott, AZ 86305
, Sports and pickleball
College rivalry hockey, Thanksgiving weekend.
- When
- Sat, Nov 28, 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
- Cost
- Tickets via Ticketmaster
- Where
- Findlay Toyota Center, 3201 N Main St, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
Part of the 3rd annual Grand Canyon College Hockey Classic: Grand Canyon University faces Arizona State.
Venue website (opens in a new tab)
Details at GCU Ice Hockey and Findlay Toyota Center (opens in a new tab)
, Live music21+
Bobby Joe Bell plays Saturday too, the same night as the downtown Holiday Light Parade.
- When
- Sat, Nov 28, 8:30 PM to 11:59 PM
- Cost
- 8:30 PM to midnight; Cover at the source
- Where
- Matt's Saloon, 112 S Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ 86303
, MarketsFree
Small Business Saturday, extended through Sunday.
- When
- Sun, Nov 29, 11 AM to 3 PM
- Cost
- Free; 11 AM to 3 PM
- Where
- Prescott Valley Town Center, 7210 E Pav Way, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
A Sunday holiday market of handmade goods and small local shops at Prescott Valley Town Center, the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Details at Prescott Valley Community Market (opens in a new tab)
Everything in November · Holiday Light Parade · Christmas in Prescott
Where to stay for a downtown Thanksgiving
Want the full small-town holiday? Stay downtown, park once and walk everywhere: dinner, the Square, live music and Saturday's parade. These historic hotels, and one shiny Airstream village, put you in the middle of it.
- Hassayampa Inn (opens in a new tab), 122 E Gurley St, Prescott, AZ 86301. The grand old hotel a block off the Square, home of the Peacock Room. Stay here if you want Thanksgiving to feel like a black-and-white movie with better pie.
- Hotel St. Michael (opens in a new tab), 205 W Gurley St, Prescott, AZ 86301. The red-brick 1901 hotel at the top of Whiskey Row, with The Burke downstairs. Walk out the door and you are on the Square.
- The Grand Highland Hotel (opens in a new tab), 154 S Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ. A boutique stay on Montezuma Street, right on Whiskey Row. Small, historic and close to everything.
- Prescott Resort and Conference Center (opens in a new tab), 1500 E Highway 69, Prescott, AZ 86301. Up on the hill with the city lights below and live music in the Eagles Nest lounge. Pick it for a view and room to spread out.
- Air Village (glamping). A gated little village of renovated Airstreams along Granite Creek, a block off Whiskey Row. Clean, well kept and very photogenic: you sleep in an Airstream and walk to dinner. Units book through the big vacation-rental sites.
Rooms, rates and holiday packages are at each hotel. It is a holiday weekend, so book early.
Flying in or out for Thanksgiving
Prescott has its own airline service, which surprises a lot of people. Prescott Regional Airport (PRC), out at 6600 Airport Ave north of town, has daily United Express flights, operated by SkyWest, to Denver and Los Angeles. From either hub you are one connection from hundreds of cities, without the drive to Phoenix.
- Where you can fly. Denver International (twice daily as of the fall 2025 schedule) and Los Angeles International, on 50-seat CRJ200 regional jets.
- Parking. Free for up to 10 days, no reservation needed, per the airport.
- Book early. Small jets and a holiday week mean the good flights sell out first. Wednesday before and Sunday after are the crunch days.
- Plan B. Phoenix Sky Harbor has far more flights and is about 100 miles south, roughly two hours up I-17 and Highway 69.
Schedules change with the season. Check united.com and the airport (opens in a new tab) before you book.
Walk it off: three easy trails
The best Prescott tradition might be the walk between dinner and pie. These three are flat or close to it, so the whole table can come.
- Peavine Trail. A flat old rail grade through the Granite Dells with lake views and no climbing. Walk out until you feel guilty about the pie, then turn around.
- Lynx Lake. An easy lakeshore loop in the Prescott National Forest. Pines, water and good footing. It runs colder under the trees, so bring the extra layer.
- Constellation Trails. Short loops among the Granite Dells boulders, open sky without the scramble. Pick one that gets you back before dusk.
Dress for cold, check trail conditions first, and plan to be off the trail before dark. Hours and fees come from each land manager.
Prescott in November · Christmas in Prescott · Holiday Light Parade · All the guides
Questions people ask (21 questions)
- When is Thanksgiving 2026?
- Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov 26, 2026. The long weekend runs Thursday to Sunday, Thu, Nov 26 to Sun, Nov 29.
- Are restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Prescott?
- Yes. Five sit-down tables on Courthouse Square serve Thanksgiving, and several more are a short drive away. Some do a set holiday menu, some keep their regular menu, and the good tables book early. Our free guide lists every one with hours, prices and how to book.
- Can I order Thanksgiving dinner or pie to go in Prescott?
- Yes. Local spots take orders for the whole feast, the bird or just the pie, and each has its own order-by date, often a week or more ahead. The guide has the full list and an order-by calendar.
- What is the weather like in Prescott at Thanksgiving?
- Crisp and mostly sunny. November in Prescott averages a high of about 62 degrees and a low of about 30, and late November runs cooler than that, so expect a mild afternoon and a below-freezing night. Snow is possible but most years Thanksgiving is dry.
- What should I wear to hike in Prescott over Thanksgiving?
- Layers. Mornings start near freezing, afternoons warm up in the sun, and the shade under the pines stays cold. Bring warm gloves and a hat, water, and plan to be off the trail before dark, which comes before 5:30 PM.
- Is there live music in Prescott over Thanksgiving weekend?
- Yes. Whiskey Row and the hotel lounges have live bands Friday and Saturday night, and the bars are 21+. It is an easy weekend to wander downtown, then duck in wherever the music sounds right. This weekend's list is below and on our calendar.
- What else is happening Thanksgiving weekend in Prescott?
- The Holiday Light Parade and Bonfire downtown on Saturday night kicks off Christmas City season, and the light displays at the zoo and Fain Park in Prescott Valley open that weekend too. See the Thanksgiving weekend list on this page.
- Where should I stay for Thanksgiving in downtown Prescott?
- For a historic downtown stay, look at the Hassayampa Inn, Hotel St. Michael or The Grand Highland Hotel, all within a short walk of the Square. For something different, Air Village rents renovated Airstreams a block off Whiskey Row. Prescott Resort, up on the hill, has the view. Book early, since it is a holiday weekend.
- Where can I get a free Thanksgiving meal in Prescott?
- Local churches and community groups serve free Thanksgiving meals, and many need volunteers. The guide lists them with times, and how to help.
- Is Prescott a good place to spend Thanksgiving?
- Yes, especially if you want a small-town holiday. Prescott is Arizona's official Christmas City, so Thanksgiving weekend is when the season starts: a walkable historic downtown, crisp sunny days, live music on Whiskey Row and the Holiday Light Parade on Saturday night. Locals fill the good tables, so book dinner and a room early.
- How far is Prescott from Phoenix, and how long is the drive?
- Prescott is about 100 miles north of Phoenix, usually a drive of around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours via Interstate 17 and State Route 69. Holiday weekend traffic heading north on I-17 can add time, so leave early Wednesday or Thursday morning.
- How high is Prescott, and will the altitude bother me?
- Prescott sits at about 5,400 feet. Most visitors feel nothing more than drier air and a bit more effort on uphill trails. Drink extra water, use lip balm and take the first hike easy.
- Can I fly into Prescott for Thanksgiving?
- Yes. Prescott Regional Airport (PRC) has daily United Express flights, operated by SkyWest, to and from Denver and Los Angeles, so you are one connection from hundreds of cities. Parking at PRC is free for up to 10 days. Phoenix Sky Harbor has far more flights and is about two hours' drive south. Holiday seats on the small regional jets go fast, so book early.
- What airlines fly out of Prescott, Arizona?
- United Express, operated by SkyWest Airlines, is the passenger airline at Prescott Regional Airport. It flies 50-seat CRJ200 jets to Denver International, twice daily as of the city's fall 2025 schedule, and to Los Angeles International. Check united.com for the current schedule, since times shift with the season.
- Where is the Prescott airport, and is parking free?
- Prescott Regional Airport, also called Ernest A. Love Field, is at 6600 Airport Ave, north of downtown. The airport says parking is free for up to 10 days, with no reservation needed.
- Do I need snow tires or chains to drive to Prescott at Thanksgiving?
- Usually not. Most Thanksgiving weeks are dry, but a cold storm can bring snow or ice to the higher stretches of I-17 and the roads around Prescott. Check the forecast and the Arizona Department of Transportation road conditions at az511.gov before you drive.
- What is there to do with kids in Prescott over Thanksgiving weekend?
- Plenty. Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary hosts Thanksgiving with the Lemurs on Thursday and starts WildLights evenings that weekend, Valley of Lights at Fain Park in Prescott Valley opens Thanksgiving night, and the Holiday Light Parade and Bonfire downtown on Saturday is free. See the weekend list on this page for times.
- Is downtown Prescott good for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday shopping?
- Yes. The shops, galleries and boutiques around Courthouse Square and Whiskey Row are local, and Small Business Saturday falls on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the same day as the Holiday Light Parade. Shop in the afternoon, eat early and grab a curb spot for the parade.
- When does Prescott light the Christmas tree on the Courthouse?
- The Prescott Christmas Parade and Courthouse Lighting are the Saturday after Thanksgiving weekend, December 5, 2026. Thanksgiving weekend has the Holiday Light Parade and Bonfire on November 28. Both are on our Christmas in Prescott page.
- Is there a free Thanksgiving guide for Prescott?
- Yes. Pull Up a Chair, the free interactive Thanksgiving in Prescott guide from Prescott Places, covers who is open Thursday, dinner and pie to go, free meals, easy walks and what to watch. It comes free with the Thursday email.
- Are the times Arizona time?
- Yes. Every time on Prescott Places is Arizona time (MST). Arizona does not change its clocks for daylight saving time.
Sources
- Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Prescott, as listed by Current Results (opens in a new tab).
- Distance, elevation and Christmas City: Arizona Commerce Authority, Prescott community profile (opens in a new tab).
- Flights and parking: Prescott Regional Airport, Fly Local (opens in a new tab); City of Prescott release on the second daily Denver flight (Aug 2025) (opens in a new tab).
- Road conditions: Arizona Department of Transportation, AZ 511 (opens in a new tab).
- Events, venues and the Thanksgiving tables: hosts' own pages, checked by Prescott Places. Last checked dates are on each listing.
Thursday by noon: your weekend, already scouted.
Free, every Thursday. The Quad Cities: Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and Dewey-Humboldt, picked by a local.
One newsletter a week. Unsubscribe in one click.
Tap the heart on any event to keep it. Your Save list is waiting when you come back.
Plus the free Prescott Insider's Guide to 21 traditions. See the guide
Follow along: Instagram (opens in a new tab) · Facebook (opens in a new tab)