Year-after-year, families have made Kiawah Island the host of their favorite holiday traditions. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to gather on the island with friends and loved ones as the area rings in the festive season with lavish buffets, epicurean experiences in the restaurants, and home-cooked meals to enjoy in your vacation rental, without any of the effort–a true foodie paradise!
Additionally, the temperate climate invites guests to enjoy myriad activities for all ages around the island. From biking, to going to the beach, to improv comedy, arts and crafts, and a Thanksgiving morning Turkey Trot fun run, there is much to be thankful for on Kiawah Island during the holiday season.
Thanksgiving Dining Options
One of the most popular dining celebrations of the year, Thanksgiving at Kiawah is the ultimate family affair! From an elegant four-star meal, to a relaxed clubhouse atmosphere, there’s a dining experience for every palate!
The Sanctuary Thanksgiving Buffet
Grand Oaks Ballroom at The Sanctuary – Priority seating reserved for guests of The Sanctuary. Public ticketing will open on Thursday, October 3rd.
Seatings starting at 12:00pm
Adults: $184 | Children 4-12: $98
Pricing is inclusive of food, tax, and gratuity.
Join us for a culinary creation on Thanksgiving Day. A lavish buffet presentation will be at your fingertips, and live entertainment will enhance your meal. Browse the numerous culinary stations throughout the ballroom, featuring seafood displays, live chef stations, holiday meats, and other traditional favorites. Sample the wine menu and finish your experience with decadent chocolates and pastries.
Children’s Thanksgiving Buffet
Your children can enjoy a buffet of their own in the adjacent Heron Room while you enjoy the grand buffet in the ballroom. They will always remember this special event that will feature games, arts and crafts, as well as delicious fun and food.
Thanksgiving To-Go
Enjoy the leisure of a hot, home-cooked meal without any of the effort! Our Villa Banquet team has created a delectable menu of holiday favorites, available for carry out. Choose a full meal that serves 8-10 people, or order just the turkey or just the sides – either way, the cooking is on us!
Orders must be placed by Friday, November 22nd.
Thanksgiving Pies
$24 per pie
Let our Villa Resort pastry team take care of your pie needs this Thanksgiving! Our chefs have crafted beautiful, flaky pastry creations to complement any holiday table. Pies are specially boxed and ready to pick up. Traditional flavors include: Pumpkin, Pecan, and Apple-Crumble.
Orders must be placed by Friday, November 22nd. Order pick-up will take place at the West Beach Conference Center on Wednesday, November 27th from 9am-1pm and Thursday, November 28th from 11am-12pm. Place your order now.
Jasmine Porch – Priority seating reserved for guests of The Sanctuary
Breakfast: 6:30AM – 10:15AM
Thanksgiving Buffet: 12PM – 8PM
Adults: $179 | Children 4-12: $98 inclusive
Celebrate the holiday with a magnificent buffet featuring traditional favorites, live entertainment, and house-made desserts. This will be a meal to remember in a warm, yet elegant atmosphere as you toast loved ones. Jasmine Porch is sure to be an annual tradition for you and your family. At this time, reservations are limited to hotel guests only.
Local’s Tip: Call for reservations: (800) 654-2924
The Ocean Room – Priority seating reserved for guests of The Sanctuary
5:00PM – 9:00PM
The Sanctuary’s signature Five-Star restaurant is proud to present a Thanksgiving experience made for the true epicurean. The Ocean Room will feature their seasonal steakhouse menu in addition to holiday favorites. Children’s menu available. At this time, reservations are limited to hotel guests only. Call for reservations: (800) 654-2924
The Lobby Bar at The Sanctuary
Join The Lobby Bar for spirits as you gather with friends and family this holiday season. The Lobby Bar will be open from 12-11pm on Thanksgiving Day.
Mingo Point Oyster Roast & BBQ
WHEN: November 29th, 2024
TIME: 4:30PM – 6:30PM & 7:00PM – 9:00PM
PRICE: Purchase Tickets
Celebrate the holidays at Mingo Point and join us for the last oyster roast and BBQ of 2024! Enjoy an authentic Lowcountry experience at Kiawah’s most popular family outing. Indulge in a riverside oyster roast and an all-you-can-eat buffet of Southern BBQ specialties highlighting holiday favorites. Enjoy live entertainment from The Island Trio. Be sure to be on your best behavior because good ol’ Saint Nick is coming to the Lowcountry for holiday photos!
Family Activities
Thanksgiving is a time for family, and Kiawah offers a wide range of activities to keep kids (and grownups!) of all ages entertained! Visit the full calendar of events to see what’s happening every day and to make advance reservations for activities.
Visit our full calendar of events to see what’s happening every day and to make advance reservations for activities. And don’t forget to make your bike reservations – one of the best ways to explore all that our island has to offer!
Kayaking Tours
Discover the wonders of Kiawah Island’s rich biodiversity and saltwater marshes with the Kiawah Island Nature Program. Immerse yourself in our daily kayaking, kayaking tours are 2 hours long and offer the chance to discover Kiawah through the eyes of our naturalists. For our tour schedule, visit KiawahActivities.com. Reservations required, please call (843) 768-6001. A 24-hour cancellation policy applies.
Camp Kiawah
WHEN: November 25th – 27th and 29th, 2024
TIME: 8:30AM – 12:30PM
LOCATION: Night Heron Park Pavilion
Camp Kiawah is our themed day camp dedicated to making every day memorable for your child. Each session is themed with games, crafts, and snacks- guaranteed to be tons of fun. For ages 3 – 7. Reservations required, please call (843) 768-6001. Visit our Camp Kiawah page for pricing and more information. There is no lunch option Thanksgiving week.
Camp Xtreme
WHEN: November 25th – 27th and 29th, 2024
TIME: 8:30AM – 12:30PM
LOCATION: Night Heron Park Basketball Court
Camp Xtreme is designed for 8-13 year olds in mind. Competitive sports, team building, and more guarantee a day of XTREME FUN.
For ages 8 – 13. Reservations required, please call 843.768.6001.
Thanksgiving Activities
Turkey Scavenger Hunt
WHEN: November 25th – 29th, 2024
TIME: 10:00AM – 5:00PM
LOCATION: Night Heron Park
Oh, no! We’ve lost all of our turkey friends and need your help locating them! Grab your clue sheet from the Night Heron Pool Shop or Nature Center to start your search. Follow the clues and bring back your completed sheet back to us for a special Thanksgiving prize! This event is complimentary and no reservations are required. Don’t forget a pen or pencil!
Turtles’ Nest Art Studio: Open Studio
WHEN: November 25th, 2024
TIME: 9:00AM – 4:00PM
LOCATION: Turtles’ Nest Art Studio
Join us throughout the month for a special holiday mug painting. Our open studio offers an extensive selection of craft options suitable for families, adults and children. Unleash your imagination as you delve into pottery painting, shark tooth and shell necklace making, wood crafts, canvas painting, and much more.
Prices for each project will vary based on your chosen masterpiece(s).
Kiln projects, such as pottery painting, are available for pick up 2-3 days after completion. Shipping is available. No reservations required. For more information, please call our Kiawah Recreation at (843) 768-6001.
Sidewalk Chalk Contest
WHEN: November 25th, 2024
TIME: 1:00PM – 1:45PM
LOCATION: Night Heron Park
Get your Picasso on and join us for a family-friendly Sidewalk Chalk Contest. Each family will have up to 1 hour to draw their most imaginative sidewalk chalk creation, all with a festive Thanksgiving theme based on your creative designs, prizes will be awarded to the top 2 teams. Chalk will be provided. Event is complimentary, no reservations required.
Archery Lesson
WHEN: November 25th, 2024
TIME: 1:30PM – 2:30PM
LOCATION: Night Heron Park
Join us on the archery range to try your skills. Enjoy a staff instructed lesson with various stationary targets and competition games. Great for beginner to intermediate.
$45/person. For ages 8 and up. Participants must be able to confidently pull a 15lb bow string. Reservations required, please call (843) 768-6001. A 24-hour cancellation policy applies. Subject to availability.
Family Craft: Fall Picture Frames
WHEN: November 25th, 2024
TIME: 1:00PM – 3:00PM
LOCATION: Night Heron Park Pavilion
Come join us for a festive holiday week full of fun family crafts that are different each day! Pick out a shark tooth or a shell and add beads to create your own unique necklace! No reservation required.
Escape Box Experience : Low Country Investi ”gator”
WHEN: November 25th, 2024
TIME: 2:30PM – 3:45PM
LOCATION: Night Heron Park Pavilion
If you’re looking for a program you can really sink your teeth into, sign up for our tabletop escape experience! You will be tasked with using fun and factual information about alligators posted around the room to solve a series of clues provided at your team table. Do you have what it takes to chomp down on the solution that will get you into the naturalist’s locked case before the time is up?
$65/family. Minimum of 3 teams, maximum of 6 players per team. Ages 8+ recommended. Advanced reservations required, call (843) 768-6001. 24-hour cancellation policy applies. Schedule subject to change.
Island Idol
WHEN: November 25th, 2024
TIME: 4:00PM – 6:00PM
LOCATION: Night Heron Park Stage
Island Idol is back and ready to hear all the talent Kiawah has to offer. Step onto the Night Heron Park Stage to wow the audience with your favorite songs. This event is complimentary, no reservations required. Scan the QR code on the signs around the park to enter the queue and wait for the DJ to announce your name. Schedule subject to change.
Glass Fusing 101
WHEN: November 25th, 2024
TIME: 5:00PM – 6:00PM
LOCATION: Turtles’ Nest Art Studio
Learn to cut, layer, and design glass pieces to create your artwork. Choose from a wide variety of color options to make a design that is uniquely yours. Class includes a 3×3 tile with upgrade choices available. Precut pieces are available for children.
$40/person. For ages 5+. Children 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations required, please call (843) 768-6001. A 24-hour cancellation policy applies. Subject to availability
Turtles’ Nest Art Studio: Open Studio
WHEN: November 26th, 2024
TIME: 9:00AM – 4:00PM
LOCATION: Turtles’ Nest Art Studio
Join us throughout the month for a special holiday mug painting. Our open studio offers an extensive selection of craft options suitable for families, adults and children. Unleash your imagination as you delve into pottery painting, shark tooth and shell necklace making, wood crafts, canvas painting, and much more.
Prices for each project will vary based on your chosen masterpiece(s). Kiln projects, such as pottery painting, are available for pick up 2-3 days after completion. Shipping is available. No reservations required. For more information, please call our Kiawah Recreation at (843) 768-6001.
Duck Derby
WHEN: November 26th, 2024
TIME: 1:00PM – 2:30PM
LOCATION: Night Heron Family Pool
Slide on down to the Night Heron Family Pool for our Thanksgiving-themed Duck Derby. Choose and customize your racer, decorate it in festive Thanksgiving colors and themes, and come up with the most creative name for your duck. Enter the bracket-style tournament to watch them go head-to-head down the water slide.
Entry is complimentary, and no reservations are required. Please note that Kiawah Island Golf Resort Pool usage is exclusive to resort guests and Governor’s Club Members. Join us for a quacking good time this Thanksgiving.
Archery Lesson
WHEN: November 26th, 2024
TIME: 1:30PM – 2:30PM
LOCATION: Night Heron Park
Join us on the archery range to try your skills. Enjoy a staff instructed lesson with various stationary targets and competition games. Great for beginner to intermediate.
$45/person. For ages 8 and up. Participants must be able to confidently pull a 15lb bow string. Reservations required, please call (843) 768-6001. A 24-hour cancellation policy applies. Subject to availability.
Family Craft: Thankful Trees
WHEN: November 26th, 2024
TIME: 1:00PM – 3:00PM
LOCATION: Night Heron Park Pavilion
Join us at the Turtles’ Nest Art Studio to prepare for Thanksgiving by creating a thankful tree to honor everything we are grateful for this holiday season. This is a wonderful activity for families to come together and add what they are thankful for. You’ll also leave with a unique and beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece or decoration – $30/tree. No reservation required.
Candle Making
WHEN: November 26th, 2024
TIME: 5:00PM – 6:00PM
LOCATION: Turtles’ Nest Art Studio
Our artist will help you step by step in the candle-making process. You can choose from over our 80+ scents, either picking out one scent or combining scents to make it your own. Design your candle label or even decorate your candle jar to make it even more unique to you.
$40/person. For ages 5+. Children 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations required, please call (843) 768-6001. A 24-hour cancellation policy applies. Subject to availability
Kids’ Night Out: Sanctuary Splash Bash
WHEN: November 26th, 2024
TIME: 5:00PM – 8:00PM
LOCATION: Sanctuary Indoor Pool
Our Kid’s Night Out programs provide everything needed for an exciting and adventurous experience for our young vacationers and local residents. For kids ages 5 – 12. Dinner is included. Kids, meet us at the Sanctuary Indoor pool for a night full of pizza, pool, and party.
Laser Tag
WHEN: November 26th, 2024
TIME: 5:30PM – 8:30PM
LOCATION: Night Heron Park
Do you have what it takes to compete on the battlefield.? Put your thinking caps on because strategic tactics are consequential. Grab your crew and go head-to-head against others in this fierce match. Aim at the enemy’s targets as you battle through the smoke machines. Hide behind the inflatable bunkers but be careful not to get hit by your opponent’s precise laser beams. Will you be ruled as the Laser Tag Champions, or will you be sent home?
Ages 7+. 2 teams of 10 participants go head to head. Complimentary, no reservations required. For more information, call (843) 768-6001.
Turtles’ Nest Art Studio: Open Studio
WHEN: November 27th, 2024
TIME: 9:00AM – 4:00PM
LOCATION: Turtles’ Nest Art Studio
Join us throughout the month for a special holiday mug painting. Our open studio offers an extensive selection of craft options suitable for families, adults and children. Unleash your imagination as you delve into pottery painting, shark tooth and shell necklace making, wood crafts, canvas painting, and much more.
Prices for each project will vary based on your chosen masterpiece(s).
Kiln projects, such as pottery painting, are available for pick up 2-3 days after completion. Shipping is available. No reservations required. For more information, please call our Kiawah Recreation at (843) 768-6001.
Turkey Shootout
WHEN: November 27th, 2024
TIME: 2:30PM – 4:00PM
LOCATION: Night Heron Park
Join us at the Night Heron Park Soccer field for this friendly archery showdown. Compete against others in your age category (8-12, 13-15, and 16+) to see who can score the highest on our turkey targets. An adult must accompany participants under the age of 16. The competitor with the highest overall score in each age group will take home a prize. Don’t miss out on this exciting event where your aim could win you a turkey-rific reward.
$15/ person. For ages 8+. Reservations, please call (843) 768-6001. A 24-hour cancellation policy applies. Subject to availability.
Fall Craft- Ribbon Fall Wreath Making
WHEN: November 27th, 2024
TIME: 5:00PM – 6:00PM
LOCATION: Turtles’ Nest Art Studio
Fall is still here! Join us at Turtles’ Nest Art Studio to create your own fall wreath using a variety of ribbons and fabrics. $30/wreath. No reservation required. Schedule subject to change.
Mini Golf, Music, and S’more
WHEN: November 27th, 2024
TIME: 5:00PM – 8:00PM
LOCATION: Night Heron Park
Gather around the fire, enjoy live music by Flash Mob, and indulge in a s’more or two. Plus, don’t miss the chance to “par-take” in a family mini golf competition for some friendly fun.This event is complimentary, and no reservations are required. S’more supplies available for purchase until 7:30pm. Schedule subject to change.
Turkey Trot
WHEN: Thanksgiving Day – November 28th, 2024
TIME: 9:30AM – 10:30AM
LOCATION: Sanctuary Beach Access
Start your turkey day with Kiawah’s traditional Turkey Trot, a one-mile walk/run or a 5K mile run/walk on the beach for families, beginners, or competitive runners. Music begins at 9am. The race begins at 9:30am. All participants can Scan the QR code to enter in the raffle to win a Thanksgiving Pie drawing held at 10:15am. 2024 Kiawah Turkey Trot shirts are now available at the Heron Park Nature Center or online, while supplies last. This event is complimentary and no reservations are required.
Yoga on the Beach
WHEN: Thanksgiving Day – November 28th, 2024
TIME: 8:30AM – 9:30AM
LOCATION: Sanctuary Beach Access
Hatha yoga with a blend of slow to moderate pace vinyasa and longer held restorative poses. We work at a beginner to intermediate level and focus on using breath to create body awareness, calm the mind, and build strength and flexibility all while taking in the beauty of the beach. Previous yoga experience is not required.
$25/ person. Ages 13+. Reservations required, call 843.768.6001. Mats are provided, we recommend that you bring water and sunscreen. Subject to availability.
Turtles’ Nest Art Studio: Open Studio
WHEN: Thanksgiving Day – November 28th, 2024
TIME: 9:00AM – 2:00PM
LOCATION: Turtles’ Nest Art Studio
Join throughout the month for a special holiday mug painting. The open studio offers an extensive selection of craft options suitable for families, adults and children. Unleash your imagination as you delve into pottery painting, shark tooth and shell necklace making, wood crafts, canvas painting, and much more.
Prices for each project will vary based on your chosen masterpiece(s).
Kiln projects, such as pottery painting, are available for pick up 2-3 days after completion. Shipping is available. No reservations required. For more information, please call our Kiawah Recreation at (843) 768-6001. Schedule subject to change.
Sand Sculpting Contest
WHEN: Thanksgiving Day – November 28th, 2024
TIME: 10:45AM – 12:15PM
LOCATION: Sanctuary Beach Access
Grab your buckets and shovels, and meet us for a family-friendly competition on the beach. Each family will have one hour to build the most festive Thanksgiving themed sand sculpture. The top three teams will receive prizes.
This event is complimentary and no reservations are required. A limited amount of sand tools will be available for use. Per Kiawah Town Ordinance, metal shovels are not permitted. Schedule subject to change.
Tie Dye T-shirts
WHEN: Thanksgiving Day – November 28th, 2024
TIME: 2:00PM – 3:30PM
LOCATION: Turtles’ Nest Art Studio
Join for a family fun craft. Create a traditional Kiawah logo Tie Dye T-shirt. Choose from any of our bright, rainbow spectrum colors to make your shirt unique.
$20+/shirt. Child and adult sizes available while supplies last. No reservations required. Schedule subject to change.
Thanksgiving Festival
WHEN: Thanksgiving Day – November 28th, 2024
TIME: 12:00PM – 4:00PM
LOCATION: Night Heron Park
After dinner, stop by the park for some fall fun! Enjoy live music, inflatables and southern lawn games. Assorted crafts and concessions available for purchase.
This event is complimentary and no reservations are required. Schedule subject to change.
STAY WITH KIAWAH EXCLUSIVES
You can serve it shaken or stirred when you stay with Kiawah Exclusives! Enjoy your Thanksgiving oceanfront at Beachwalker Park or perhaps poolside overlooking the lush fairways, tranquil lagoons, ancient maritime forests, and natural seclusion Kiawah Island is known for.
