5 Thanksgiving Date Ideas in Los Angeles

Start Thanksgiving with a little friendly competition at Turkey Trot LA, where you and your date can take on a 5K, 10K or a more leisurely one-mile dog jog. It's a fun way to get moving together before the holiday feast, and you can even bring your pup along for the morning. The dog jog starts at 7:30 AM on November 26, followed by the 5K waves at 8 AM and 8:15 AM and the 10K at 9 AM.

Make Thanksgiving dinner a proper date night at Gwen, chef Curtis Stone's upscale Hollywood restaurant and butcher shop. The elegant dining room makes a lovely setting for a special occasion, with a four-course Thanksgiving menu featuring turkey and ham. If you're looking to dress up and celebrate over a memorable meal without the cooking or cleanup, Gwen is a great choice.

For a holiday date with a little magic, head to LA Zoo Lights, where illuminated sculptures of birds, butterflies, flowers and marine creatures transform the zoo into a colorful nighttime wonderland. Wander through the displays together, grab some hot chocolate and s'mores, or add a little fun with a spin around the ice rink or carousel. The lights run on select evenings from November 20 through January 10, though the zoo is closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, and November 30.

Get into the holiday spirit with a festive date at The Grove, where a towering Christmas tree, twinkling lights and nightly snowfall bring a little winter magic to Los Angeles. Take a stroll through the decorated shopping center, grab a warm drink and catch one of the snow shows together. The snow falls nightly at 6 PM and 8 PM from November 17 through January 3, making it a fun way to celebrate Thanksgiving weekend and kick off the holiday season.

Mistral brings a French twist to Thanksgiving in Sherman Oaks, making it a romantic choice for a holiday dinner date. The longtime neighborhood bistro recently reopened with a refreshed dining room and menu, and this Thanksgiving, it's serving its regular à la carte dishes alongside festive specials. Choose from heritage turkey breast with foie gras mousseline, rainbow carrots with brown butter and toasted hazelnuts, or stick with French classics like steak frites. Save room for the maple buttercake pie with apple crumble.