As the season turns, Thanksgiving brings a slower rhythm—moments that remind us why place matters. Whether your home base is along 30A’s Emerald Coast or within Nashville’s historic heart, the holiday invites the same intention: gather beautifully, live fully, and linger where life feels rich.
Thanksgiving on 30A
There’s a quiet kind of grandeur to Thanksgiving here—the soft Gulf breeze, the hum of families arriving, the glow of lights down 30A as evening falls. It’s where elegance meets ease, and where local restaurants craft experiences worth coming back for year after year.
-
Cuvée 30A at 30Avenue presents its annual Thanksgiving dinner, featuring Chef Tim Creehan’s signature Louisiana-style fried turkey and refined coastal sides.
-
Old Florida Fish House offers a grand buffet and to-go options—ideal for families hosting in their beach homes.
-
Blue Mountain Bakery curates full heat-and-serve Thanksgiving meals that make entertaining effortless.
And this year, Corcoran Reverie is proud to sponsor the 30A 10K Thanksgiving Race in Rosemary Beach—a cherished coastal tradition benefiting local charities. The scenic 10K, 5K, and 1-mile fun run bring together runners, families, and visitors for a joyful start to the long weekend.
Beyond the table and the finish line, the weekend holds its own quiet pleasures: a walk through Seaside’s boutiques, sunset cocktails at Fish Out of Water in WaterColor, or a family movie under the stars at the Seaside Amphitheater. Thanksgiving here feels not like an escape, but an arrival.
Thanksgiving in Nashville
A few hundred miles north, Nashville hums with its own warmth. Thanksgiving weekend here blends heritage with urban style—historic venues, candlelit dining rooms, and a rhythm that moves from jazz brunches to evening lights at Opryland.
-
Carne Mare serves a three-course prix-fixe Thanksgiving dinner in its elegant Gulch location.
-
Jimmy Kelly’s Steakhouse offers a classic holiday spread—prime rib, turkey, and all the trimmings—in a storied Nashville landmark.
-
Commons Club at Virgin Hotels Nashville and Stationairy at Union Station bring modern refinement to holiday dining.
-
For take-home ease, Puckett’s Restaurant and Char Nashville offer curated Thanksgiving meal packages ready for pickup.
For those looking to move before the meal, the Music City Turkey Trot offers a festive 5K/10K on Thanksgiving morning. And as night falls, the Gaylord Opryland Resort’s A Country Christmas transforms the city into a winter wonderland of lights and concerts.
Between the festivities, take time to stroll through 12South or linger in East Nashville—neighborhoods where the city’s rhythm slows just enough for reflection.
Weekend Highlights
30A & South Walton
-
🏃♀️ 30A 10K Thanksgiving Races — Thanksgiving morning in Rosemary Beach, benefitting local charities.
-
🎄 Rosemary Beach Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony — the Friday evening tradition that kicks off the coastal Christmas season with music, cocoa, and lights.
-
🎅 Seaside Thanksgiving Weekend & Turn on the Town Parade — Saturday’s parade and tree lighting are beloved family favorites along Central Square.
-
🍷 Sunset drinks at Fish Out of Water or Pescado Rooftop** — refined yet relaxed views of the Gulf.
-
🎬 Movie Night at the Seaside Amphitheater — family film under the stars (check schedule).
Nashville & Middle Tennessee
-
🦃 Music City Turkey Trot — Thanksgiving morning run through downtown.
-
🎶 A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland — lights, ice sculptures, and seasonal magic.
-
🕯️ Cheekwood Holiday Lights — stroll through the botanical gardens illuminated for the season.
-
🥂 Brunch or cocktails at White Limozeen — the rooftop at Virgin Hotels offers one of the best skyline views in town.
-
🎭 Nashville Ballet’s “Nashville’s Nutcracker” — an elegant start to the holiday season.
A Season for Living Well
Whether you spend the weekend by the sea or beneath the skyline, Thanksgiving is a reminder that home is more than a place—it’s a feeling that lingers long after the plates are cleared. Along 30A and in Nashville, that feeling is easy to find: in laughter shared, doors opened, and the quiet luxury of being exactly where you want to be.
