Thanksgiving is a season of connection. Families gather, traditions return, and the Valley’s cool evenings invite us to slow down and savor time together. At Immanuel Campus of Care in Peoria, our team is here to support meaningful visits with the people you love, whether you are planning an on-campus get-together or a simple outing nearby.
To help you celebrate Turkey Day with ease, this guide highlights family-friendly activities and practical tips tailored for comfortable, low-stress days. If your elderly loved one resides at Immanuel Campus of Care, we can coordinate visit times around meals and medications, share accessibility guidance, and suggest right-sized outings that leave energy for conversation and photos. Some families start the morning with a short run, others prefer an early-evening stroll through lights, and many love the comfort of a drive-through display where everyone can stay warm and seated. Whatever you choose, our goal is the same: calm plans, smooth logistics, and more quality moments together this Thanksgiving.
Gratitude grows when we share it. If service is part of your tradition, consider pairing one act of giving with one simple outing, then keep the schedule open for the stories that make the holiday yours.
Editor’s Note
You’ll find a concise calendar below; please check each organizer’s website for the latest dates, tickets, and weather updates before heading out.
2025 Calendar
Thursday, November 27, 2025 – Arizona Road Racers Thanksgiving Day Classic at Peoria Sports Complex
November 26, 2025, through January 16, 2026 – Phoenix ZooLights
November 18 through December 31, 6 to 10 p.m., – World of Illumination at Desert Diamond Casino
November 28 to 30, then select December dates, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. – Las Noches de las Luminarias, Desert Botanical Garden
Saturday, December 13, 2025, 5 to 9 p.m. – Peoria Holiday Festival, Old Town Peoria
Start Thanksgiving With A Short Run
Begin the holiday with fresh air at the Arizona Road Racers Thanksgiving Day Classic, held at Peoria Sports Complex on Thursday, November 27, 2025. The event offers a 10-mile, 5K, and 1-mile fun run with a morning start, making it easy to finish early and conserve energy for family plans. If you’re visiting a loved one at Immanuel later in the day, the shorter distances pair well with a relaxed afternoon on campus. Check the race-day instructions for start windows, packet pickup, and parking details before you arrive.
Stroll Through Sparkling Lights
Phoenix ZooLights returns from November 26, 2025, to January 16, 2026, nightly from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., featuring millions of lights along paved paths and numerous resting spots. It’s designed as a light display rather than an animal-viewing experience, so plan for a leisurely evening walk without expecting to see wildlife. For families coordinating with Immanuel, an early-entry time helps avoid peak crowds and keeps the outing comfortable for older adults. Purchase timed tickets in advance on popular nights.
A Comfortable Drive-Through Light Show
The World of Illumination at Desert Diamond Casino in Glendale operates most evenings, from November 18 to December 31, from 6 to 10 p.m., with a drive-through format priced per car. The seated, climate-controlled experience is a low-stress option for guests who prefer minimal walking, either before or after a campus visit. Buy timed tickets online and review the Glendale schedule, which typically runs Tuesday through Sunday with limited Monday openings. Please let our team at Immanuel know your planned time so we can help align your medications, snacks, and layers.
Make It Meaningful With Service
Small acts of giving turn a good holiday into a memorable one. If service is part of your family’s tradition, two nearby options make it easy to help before or after a visit to Immanuel Campus of Care:
- Valley View Community Food Bank in Sun City is accepting frozen turkeys and Thanksgiving sides through the week of Thanksgiving. Drop-off hours are listed on their site. (Valley View Community Food Bank)
- St. Mary’s Food Bank runs a seasonal turkey drive, including the Super Saturday collection with multiple Valley locations. Monetary donations are welcome as well. (St. Mary’s Food Bank)
Conclusion
Thanksgiving shines brightest when it’s simple, thoughtful, and shared. Peoria offers plenty of ways to be together without overcomplicating the day, from an easy morning activity to a gentle evening of lights. The goal is not to do everything; it’s to choose what helps your family slow down, laugh a little, and create space for the conversations that matter.
If your plans include visiting a loved one at Immanuel Campus of Care, we’re ready to help you shape the details. Our team can align visit times with care routines, recommend comfortable outing windows, and offer accessibility tips so everyone feels at ease from doorstep to drop-off. Should the holidays spark questions about next steps, we can walk you through options on our single Peoria campus, including Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing.
When you’re ready, reach out. We’ll help you plan a meaningful Thanksgiving and the days that follow—grounded in dignity, familiar comforts, and a welcoming place for families to stay connected.
