Happy Thanksgiving! This week is about spending time with loved ones and counting your blessings. There are also plenty of ways to get out and enjoy Evansville’s holiday festivities with friends and family. Check out these Thanksgiving weekend events.
Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights
Nov. 25-Jan. 1
5-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 5-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays
Garvin Park, 1600 N. Main St.
Starting Thanksgiving Day, Tri-State residents and visitors can enjoy the splendor of winter lights at the 28th annual Ritzy’s Fantasy of Lights, which benefits Easterseals Rehabilitation Center. The decorated drive through Garvin Park features one mile of LED lights and 70 elaborate “fantasyland” scenes. Horse-drawn carriage rides are also available, weather permitting, for an additional cost.
NOCO Park #CarolsPlay Christmas
6 p.m.-9p.m. Nov. 26
NOCO Park, 520 N.W. Second St.
NOCO Park will introduce dining igloos on Black Friday in conjunction with the #CarolsPlay Christmas installation and photo environment. Purchase separate tickets to book a photo shoot in a Christmas setting, grab a DIY cookie-decorating kit from Birdie Bakes, or enjoy a 90-minute reservation in an igloo with craft beer from Myriad Brewing Company, gourmet hot chocolate from Honey + Moon, and savory treats from Dishes by Dani.
Small Business Saturday
Nov. 27
Various locations in the Tri-State
From Evansville’s Main Street to State Street in Newburgh, Indiana, and everywhere in between, local shop owners plan to welcome the holiday season with Small Business Saturday promotions, special sales, and activities. Instead of taking their chances with potential inventory shortages and shipping delays on gift orders, Tri-State residents are encouraged to shop local and purchase their loved ones’ holiday gifts directly from a small business. Stores often feature extended shopping hours on Small Business Saturday, and Downtown Evansville’s event will include free shopping bags (while supplies last), free gift wrapping at 318 Main St., live music, and a vendor pop-up at the former Stratman’s Pharmacy at Fourth and Main streets.
Holiday Used Cooking Oil Drive
8 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 27
Parking lot behind the Evansville Civic Center Complex next to C.K. Newsome Community Center, 100 E. Walnut St.
Evansville Water and Sewer Utility is partnering with American Grease and Septic to encourage area residents to keep FOG (fats, oils, and grease) out of pipes and prevent plumbing backups this holiday season. The inaugural Holiday Used Cooking Oil Drive will feature a designated collection point for residents to properly dispose of used cooking oil generated while preparing Thanksgiving meals. Attendees will enter South Elsas Street from Walnut Street, drop off their disposals, and exit south onto Walnut Street. Only residential grease will be accepted, such as frying oil, meat drippings, canola oil, lard, olive oil, corn oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, and vegetable oil. No petroleum oil is allowed at the collection point.
Vanderburgh County 4-H Center Winter Carnival
Nov. 27-Dec. 25
Vanderburgh 4-H Center, 201 E. Boonville-New Harmony Road
Get in the holiday spirit at the Vanderburgh County 4-H Center. Enjoy dazzling displays of Christmas lights, fully decorated Christmas trees, and beautiful holiday designs. Attendees can also purchase tickets to enjoy dinner with Santa on Dec. 3. The month-long Winter Carnival is free to the public.
