How to Plan Thanksgiving Break in Dallas with Kids (2026)

Quick answer: Dallas ISD's Thanksgiving Break is Mon Nov 23 through Fri Nov 27, 2026. Put museums on Monday through Wednesday, start Thursday with the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot, and remember that the Dallas World Aquarium, the Dallas Museum of Art and The Trains at NorthPark are closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Step 1: Confirm your dates

The Dallas ISD 2026-27 calendar (Dallas ISD calendar) lists Thanksgiving Break Nov 23-27. Other districts may differ. Check yours. See all upcoming days off on our school breaks page.

Step 2: Line up workday coverage

Perot Museum Fall Discovery Camp runs Nov 23-25 for grades K-4 (Perot camps). Hours and price are on the Perot site. We haven't posted them here.

Parent tip: Book early.

Step 3: Museum days early in the week

• Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N. Field St.: Mon-Sat 10 AM-5 PM, Sun 11 AM-5 PM. Adults (13+) $27, youth 2-12 $17. Admission includes the Moody Family Children's Museum. Thanksgiving Day hours are not posted. Check before you go.
• Dallas World Aquarium, 1801 N. Griffin St.: daily 8:30 AM-5 PM, last entry 4 PM. Adults $34.95 + tax, children 3-12 $24.95 + tax, 2 and under free. Closed Thanksgiving Day.
• Children's Aquarium Dallas at Fair Park, 1462 1st Ave.: daily 9 AM-5 PM. Adults (13+) $14.95, children 3-12 $9.95, 2 and under free. Thanksgiving Day hours are not posted.
• Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood St.: free general admission, with a ticket for every guest. Open Wed-Sun 11 AM-5 PM. Closed Mon-Tue and closed Thanksgiving Day. Arturo's Nest in the C3 space is for kids 4 and under.

Step 4: Thanksgiving morning at the Turkey Trot

The Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is Thu Nov 26 at Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla St. Pick the 5K or the 8-mile course. Starts are at 8:30 and 9 AM.

Strollers are welcome. Start at the back of the untimed corral. There's a free Family Zone and a Diaper Dash.

Prices rise as race day nears. Through Nov 9, Race Roster listed youth (7-12) at $37 timed or $30 untimed, and tots (newborn-6) at $18, plus fees. The YMCA press release and Race Roster show different prices, so go by the registration page.

Step 5: Indoor trains on a cold day

The Trains at NorthPark are on NorthPark Center Level One, near Kona Grill. They open Nov 14. Hours are Mon-Sat 9 AM-8 PM and Sun 12-6 PM. Adults $13, children $11, seniors $8, under 2 free.

The Trains close at 6 PM on Thanksgiving Eve. They're closed all day on Thanksgiving.

Step 6: Weekend lights

Holiday at the Arboretum is closed in the daytime on Thanksgiving. It's open at night, with $12 Holiday Cheer pricing on Nov 26.

Dallas Zoo Lights starts Nov 13 on select nights, 5:30-9 PM.

More ideas: our Thanksgiving break guide and holiday lights guide.

Sources: each organizer's official page, checked Nov 3, 2026. Times and prices change, so verify with the organizer before you go.