Thanksgiving 2026 in the Nisswa and Brainerd Lakes Area
Updated: 10 minutes ago
Thanksgiving Dinners, Buffets, Meals To Go, Community Events & Holiday Weekend Activities
Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Looking for Thanksgiving plans in the Nisswa and Brainerd Lakes Area? Whether you're planning a traditional family dinner, looking for a Thanksgiving buffet, hoping to grab a fully prepared meal to go, or searching for something fun to do over the holiday weekend, Camp Nisswa has you covered!
We've gathered Thanksgiving dinners, restaurant specials, take-home meals, community celebrations, and holiday activities happening throughout Nisswa, Brainerd, Baxter, Breezy Point, Pequot Lakes, and surrounding communities.
We're continuing to build our Thanksgiving 2026 guide as local businesses announce their holiday offerings. Check back often as we add more meals, buffets, events, and live music.
Know of a Thanksgiving dinner, special, buffet, or holiday event we're missing? Email info@campnisswa.com or submit your event here.
Happy Turkey Day from all of us at Camp Nisswa!
Updated October 28, 2026
Thanksgiving Meals To Go & Pre-Orders
Schaefer's Foods | Grandma Bettie Jane's Thanksgiving Pies | Nisswa, MN
Details: No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without pie! Grandma Bettie Jane's Pies are made from scratch and baked fresh at Schaefer's Foods in Nisswa.
Choose from a variety of fruit and cream pies, including seasonal favorites. Fresh pies are available at the bakery, and select varieties are available frozen to take home and bake yourself.
Ordering: Call 218-963-2265
Notice: Cream pie orders require at least 24 hours' notice.
Holiday orders: Contact the bakery for Thanksgiving availability and pickup arrangements.
Cragun's Resort | Thanksgiving To-Go Family Feast | Brainerd, MN
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Details: Let Cragun's Resort handle Thanksgiving dinner while you enjoy time with family and friends!
Their Thanksgiving To-Go meal serves six people and includes holiday favorites such as roasted turkey, traditional sides, and pumpkin pie.
Pricing:
Thanksgiving Family Feast for 6: $200 + tax
Ordering Details:
Order deadline: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Pickup: Thursday, November 26, noon to 3 PM
Call 218-825-2700 to order.
Sunshine's Summerhouse – Smoked Thanksgiving Dinners To Go | Lake Shore, MN
Pick-Up Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Details: Let Sunshine's Summerhouse handle Thanksgiving dinner this year! Choose from three freshly smoked holiday meal options, available with sides or as meat-only orders. All meals come chilled with reheating instructions.
Thanksgiving Dinner Options:
1. Whole Smoked Turkey Dinner (Serves 8–10)
Whole Smoked Turkey (approximately 12 lbs before smoking)
Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Creamed Corn
Bread Pudding
2. Smoked USDA Prime Brisket Dinner (Serves 8–10)
Whole Smoked Beef Brisket (approximately 6 lbs after smoking)
Mashed Potatoes
Creamed Corn
Bread Pudding
3. Smoked Boneless Turkey Breast Dinner (Serves 4–6)
Smoked Boneless Turkey Breast (approximately 4 lbs before smoking)
Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Creamed Corn
Bread Pudding
Ordering & Pick-Up:
Pre-orders available online.
Pick-up Wednesday, November 25, from 2 PM to 9 PM.
Location: 2008 Hill Dr, Lake Shore, MN
Phone: 218-961-4300
More Information & Ordering: View Thanksgiving Menu & Order Online
Thanksgiving Buffets & Dine-In Dinners
Breezy Point Resort | Thanksgiving Buffet at Marina II | Breezy Point, MN
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026 | 10 AM to 2 PM
Details: Celebrate Thanksgiving at Marina II Restaurant overlooking Pelican Lake.
Enjoy a holiday buffet at Breezy Point Resort featuring traditional Thanksgiving favorites in a lakeside setting.
Pricing:
Adults: $40.95
Children ages 5–12: $18.95
Children under 4: Free
Reservations & Information: Call 218-562-7161.
Grand View Lodge | Thanksgiving Feast | Nisswa, MN
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026 | 11 AM to 4 PM
Details: Celebrate Thanksgiving at Grand View Lodge with a holiday feast featuring traditional favorites and unique Northwoods-inspired dishes.
The Thanksgiving spread includes artisan cheeses, charcuterie, fresh salads, traditional turkey and ham, along with pheasant, venison, and duck.
Guests can also enjoy a selection of seafood, including oysters, sushi, salmon, and shrimp, plus mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and holiday desserts.
Pricing:
Adults: $62+
Children ages 4–12: $14+
Reservations: Reservations are available online. For groups of 10 or more, call 218-963-8756.
Madden's on Gull Lake | Thanksgiving Dinner | Brainerd, MN
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026 | 11 AM to 3 PM
Location: Wilson Bay Dining Room
Details: Spend Thanksgiving overlooking Gull Lake while Madden's culinary team prepares a festive buffet featuring traditional dishes with a few special additions.
Menu Highlights:
Classic Thanksgiving Turkey
Slow Roasted Beef
Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
Italian Sausage Stuffing
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Green Bean Casserole
Cranberry Sauce
Seafood Crêpes
Seasonal Salads
Charcuterie
Housemade Desserts
Pricing:
Adults: $49
Children ages 4–12: $12
Children 3 and under: Free
Reservations: Call 218-829-2811. Advance reservations are encouraged.
Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort | Thanksgiving Buffet at Ruby's | Deerwood, MN
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026 | 11 AM to 3 PM
Details: Enjoy Thanksgiving at Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort, where Ruby's will serve a holiday buffet featuring turkey, ham, prime rib, and a variety of traditional and creative sides.
Menu Highlights:
Rosemary & Sage Turkey
Triple Smoked Bone-In Ham
Slow Roasted Prime Rib
Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potato Streusel Casserole
Four Cheese Mac & Cheese
Scalloped Potatoes
Smoked Salmon & Lake Trout
Seasonal Desserts and Pies
Pricing:
Adults: $49
Children ages 4–11: $19
Contact the resort for the youngest children's pricing.
Reservations: Call 218-678-2885.
Ruttger's also offers Thanksgiving lodging, including the option for overnight guests to have Thanksgiving dinner delivered to their accommodations.
Dunmire's on the Lakes – Thanksgiving Buffet | Brainerd, MN (371 Location)
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Details: Let Dunmire's on the Lakes handle the cooking this Thanksgiving! Gather your family and friends for a Thanksgiving buffet featuring holiday favorites.
Pricing:
Adults & Ages 13+: $34.99
Kids Ages 6–12: $15.99
Kids 5 & Under: Free
More Information: Dunmire's on the Lakes Facebook Page
Cragun's Resort | Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner | Brainerd, MN
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026 | 2 PM to 6 PM
Location: Sunrise Dining Room
Details: Gather with family and friends for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at Cragun's Resort on Gull Lake.
The holiday menu includes slow-roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied sweet potatoes, smoked salmon, charcuterie, and a selection of holiday desserts.
Pricing:
Adults: $49
Children ages 5–12: $15
Children 4 and under: Free
Reservations: Call 218-825-2700.
Community Thanksgiving Dinners
Brainerd Community Thanksgiving Meal | Brainerd, MN
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026
The Brainerd American Legion, VFW, Eagles, and Elks have a longstanding tradition of helping provide Thanksgiving meals to the community.
Thanksgiving Weekend Events & Activities
17th Annual Brainerd Turkey Run | Brainerd, MN
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026 | 9 AM
Location: Brainerd Armory
Details: Start Thanksgiving morning with a little exercise before the big meal!
The 17th Annual Brainerd Turkey Run features a timed 5K and a one-mile walk, with proceeds benefiting Shriners Children's Twin Cities.
The event is family-friendly, stroller-friendly, and welcomes leashed dogs.
Important Times:
Wednesday, November 25: Packet pickup from 5 to 7 PM
Thursday, November 26: Packet pickup from 7 to 8:30 AM
Thursday, November 26: 5K starts at 9 AM
One-mile walk follows the 5K start.
Registration: Available online, with pricing based on age, distance, and registration date.
Nisswa City of Lights Celebration 2026 | Nisswa, MN
Date: Friday, November 27, 2026
Location: Downtown Nisswa
Admission: Free
Details: One of Nisswa's most beloved holiday traditions returns the day after Thanksgiving!
Downtown Nisswa transforms into a winter wonderland with holiday lights decorating storefronts, trees, fences, and buildings throughout town.
Families can enjoy an afternoon and evening of holiday activities, including:
Photos with Santa
Polar Express Storytelling
Holiday Carolers
Food Vendors
Bonfires
Hot Cider and Mini Donuts
Holiday Lights
Fireworks
The celebration starts in the afternoon, with the complete schedule still to be announced.
Northern Latitude on Main + Cherish Designs Permanent Jewelry | Nisswa, MN
Date: Friday, November 27, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: 25418 Main St, Downtown Nisswa
Details: Join Northern Latitude on Main during Nisswa's City of Lights celebration for a little extra holiday fun!
Stop in for hot cocoa and s'mores while enjoying downtown Nisswa's holiday festivities. Cherish Designs will also be on-site offering permanent jewelry from 11 AM to 2 PM.
Christmas Acres at Copper Creek Garden Center | Nisswa, MN
Dates: Thanksgiving Weekend and select days leading up to Christmas | Full 2026 schedule to be confirmed
Location: 24735 Hwy 371, Nisswa, MN
Details: Get into the holiday spirit at Copper Creek's Christmas Acres! This seasonal tradition transforms Copper Creek Garden Center into a festive destination for holiday shopping, family activities, and Christmas fun.
Holiday Activities Include:
Christmas Lights & Festive Displays
Fresh-Cut Christmas Trees and Holiday Greens
Ornament Decorating
Letters to Santa
Holiday Workshops
Bonfires
Photo Stations
Visits with Santa on Scheduled Dates
Ice Skating (Weather Permitting)
Check Copper Creek's website for its updated 2026 schedule, special activities, and Santa visit times.
Free Admission to Minnesota State Parks | Statewide
Date: Friday, November 27, 2026
Details: Looking to get outside after Thanksgiving? The Minnesota DNR is offering free vehicle admission to all Minnesota state parks and recreation areas on Friday, November 27.
It's a great opportunity for a post-Thanksgiving hike, family adventure, or a chance to explore somewhere new.
Regular fees for camping, rentals, and certain activities may still apply.
Live Music Thanksgiving Weekend
Looking for live music over Thanksgiving weekend? Here's what's happening around the Lakes Area from Wednesday, November 25 through Saturday, November 28, 2026!
Quarterdeck Resort | Nisswa, MN
Wednesday, November 25, 2026: Big & Hungry | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Friday, November 27, 2026: Kyle Colby | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday, November 28, 2026: Rick Adams | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Big Axe Brewing Company | Nisswa, MN
Friday, November 27, 2026: Tequila Tom | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The Side Track | Brainerd, MN
Wednesday, November 25, 2026: Axel & Betty | 8:30 PM
Saturday, November 28, 2026: Zakk Grandhahl | 8:30 PM
We'll keep adding live music as more Thanksgiving weekend schedules are announced!
Be sure to check out Camp Nisswa's Weekend Roll Call during Thanksgiving week for even more events and activities happening around the Lakes Area.
Thanksgiving Weekend Lodging & Resort Getaways
Cragun's Resort | Brainerd, MN
Cragun's is offering Thanksgiving dinner as part of a two-night stay in its Lakeside Lodge rooms.
Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort | Deerwood, MN
Celebrate Thanksgiving with a resort getaway and the option to dine at Ruby's or have dinner delivered to your accommodations.
Grand View Lodge | Nisswa, MN
Madden's on Gull Lake | Brainerd, MN
Quarterdeck Resort | Gull Lake, MN
Breezy Point Resort | Breezy Point, MN
For resorts without a confirmed 2026 Thanksgiving lodging package, check directly for holiday availability and pricing.
Help Us Grow Our Thanksgiving 2026 Guide!
Know of a Thanksgiving dinner, buffet, take-home meal, community gathering, or holiday event happening in the Nisswa and Brainerd Lakes Area?
We would love to include it!
We're always looking to highlight local businesses, community organizations, and everything happening throughout the Lakes Area.
From all of us at Camp Nisswa, Happy Thanksgiving!
This guide features a selection of holiday events and dining options. Details, pricing, and availability are subject to change. Please confirm directly with organizers before attending or placing orders.
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