Everything to know about Thanksgiving 2025 in Delaware

I know it probably feels like you just tossed those bags of Halloween candy into your grocery cart, but it's time to stock up on cranberry sauce, pumpkin puree and bags of stuffing mix.

Yes, Thanksgiving is nearly here. And whether you are planning a feast for a crowd or concerned about stretching your budget to feed four, we are here for you.

Our 2025 Thanksgiving Guide offers information on where to get a free turkey - and also how to donate one. We have stories on cooking on an extremely modest budget, as well as how to score reservations on a diverse array of restaurants.

Parades and holiday fun? Got it! Travel advisories? Got that too.

What to do with Thanksgiving leftovers?

My Thanksgiving $20 featured rotisserie chicken, scalloped potatoes, green beans in browned butter and drop biscuits.

You know how it goes: You and your loved ones gather for the feast you’ve been preparing for the last several days. And after filling plate after plate with turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes, you’re now faced with the age-old conundrum.  

What do I do with all these leftovers? 

Pumpkin, apple or pecan pie? Vote for your Thanksgiving favorite

These are the top searched pie recipes across the United States.

Thanksgiving dinner can feature a multitude of variables.

Turkey is an ever-popular main dish, and there is a potpourri of side dishes limited only by one's imagination.

After finishing the turkey, sides and veggies, the best part of the meal awaits – pie.

While everyone loves pie, the particular type of pie is varied as the side dishes.Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!

Delaware Online is wondering what type of Thanksgiving/holiday pie is your favorite. Here's a look at the options.

Record number of Americans to travel Thanksgiving holiday with 90% planning to drive: AAA

Nearly 82 million Americans are expected to travel during this Thanksgiving holiday, with about 90% planning to get behind the wheel to get to their destinations, AAA said in its new forecast issued Nov. 17. 

Those planning to drive during the record-breaking holiday are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Nov. 25 to Dec. 1. Thanksgiving falls on Nov. 27 this year.

"Thanksgiving travel numbers are always impressive because this holiday has become synonymous with heading out of town to spend time with loved ones," said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, in a statement. "People are willing to brave the crowds and make last-minute adjustments to their plans to make lifelong memories, whether it's visiting extended family or meeting up with friends."

Campbell's names the top Thanksgiving dishes in Delaware, nationwide. What do you think?

Classic Mashed potatoes.

Thanksgiving is almost here, and you know what that means: 

It’s time to argue over the best and worst side dishes.  

Whether you’re a fan of the classics or prefer a modern twist, Thanksgiving table spreads are something many people have strong opinions about.Holiday questions?: Our Holiday Hub offers advice for the perfect holiday seasonNeed a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!

To contribute to the conversation, Campbell’s, the food company, released its fourth annual State of the Sides Report for 2025, spilling on all things Thanksgiving sides in the United States. The report consists of responses from 100 people in all 50 states, ranging from their favorite holiday dishes, what they like to cook and their hosting habits. 

Here’s what the report revealed for the First State and the habits of Delawareans compared with Thanksgiving celebrations nationwide.

Which Thanksgiving foods are allowed in carry-on bags? See what TSA says

An American Airlines passenger plane is parked at a gate at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in Philadelphia on Dec. 13, 2024.

If you’re flying out for Thanksgiving dinner, there’s a good chance some leftovers are coming back to Delaware with you.  

But before you stow away food in your luggage, make sure you know which dishes can be in your carry-on bag and which need to be tucked away in your checked bag.  

How to support Delaware charities this Thanksgiving

Staff of Delaware Online/The News Journal work together to fill food donation "backpacks" at the Food Bank of Delaware.

The Thanksgiving holiday season is usually a busy time for food pantries across the country, but the need is more stark this year.

The Food Bank of Delaware was "slammed" Nov. 3, according to Kim Turner, vice president of communications and chief of staff at the Food Bank of Delaware. The Food Bank of Delaware's location in Glasgow saw a 93% jump in demand and 130% rise in new visitors Nov. 3 compared with the first Monday of October. The rest of the week was steady, she said.

The usually busy season has been compounded by the government shutdown, which furloughed a little more than 1,000 federal employees in Delaware, and the subsequent cuts to SNAP benefits. The Food Bank needs baby items like diapers and formula, as well as peanut butter and jelly and traditional Thanksgiving Day foods for the rest of the month.

What is the polar vortex? How cold will Thanksgiving be in Delaware

Thanksgiving is less than a week away which means the fall season is nearing its ends.

But what exactly is the seasonal phenomenon that is geared to hit to United States over the next few weeks and how will it impact.

Drive sober. Vouchers for rideshare available for Thanksgiving Eve

The night before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest drinking holidays of the year − and to celebrate, the Delaware Office of Highway Safety will help pay for your ride home.

The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is offering rideshare vouchers of up to $20 from Lyft or Uber in an effort to prevent people from driving under the influence. There are always a lot of cars on the road on Thanksgiving Eve, which makes it all the more important to grab a ride home from someone sober.

“More vehicles on the road, bad weather, an increase in the number of parties and alcohol consumption, and even the general lighthearted spirit of the season all contribute to higher risk of crashes – and, sadly, fatalities," said Sharon Bryson, the director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety, in a press release Nov. 19. "Our single mission is to keep the holidays happy for all Delawareans by providing the tools and resources that can prevent tragedy."

Stores, influencers say Delawareans can make Thanksgiving dinner for $20. How hard is it?

Twenty dollars at ShopRite was enough to pay for a chilled rotisserie chicken, milk, butter, frozen green beans, boxed scallop potatoes, three apples and instant oatmeal.

The challenge was straightforward, but daunting:

With $20, head to the store of your choice and buy only groceries that could be purchased using SNAP benefits, and create a Thanksgiving-inspired dinner enough to feed four. Other than the $20 budget, you're allowed just a few pantry ingredients: flour, sugar, salt and pepper.

Three of us attempted the challenge, while so many Delaware families were struggling to put food on the table due to the halt of benefits during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

Here's what we came up with, and learned along the way.

2025 guide to Thanksgiving, Christmas parades around Delaware

Freida the Dachshund by Macy's in partnership with The Farmer's Dog is seen during the 99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloonfest at MetLife Stadium on November 01, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Philadelphia's 6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade will both take place on Nov. 27.

Many local Christmas parades, including events in Wilmington, Rehoboth Beach, and Ocean City, are planned from late November through December.

Christmas parades are happening in each county around Delaware in 2025.

Like it or not, the holiday season is coming like a thief in the night, and the police can't save you from it because they're tied up providing security for Santa Claus.

But for those of you who can't wait to ring in the Christmas season, there are a bunch of parades around the Delaware area you can dive into.

Here's a holiday guide of parades that you, and Grinches, can check out in all three Delaware counties and beyond through the new year.

When will Delaware malls, stores open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday 2025?

Frank Russo walks through Christiana Mall after doing some Christmas shopping for his wife and kids on December 5.

Planning to hit the Christiana Mall or Dover Mall in Delaware for Black Friday shopping? You need to know when these malls and Delaware's other major retail chains, like Target and Walmart, will open early on Friday, Nov. 28.

Here's what Black Friday shoppers in the First State need to know.

Places in Delaware giving away turkey, other food for Thanksgiving. Where to donate

Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  

We know the holidays can be a tough time for many people, especially with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits on hold this year. There’s no shame in asking for support when you need it, and plenty of organizations around Delaware are ready to help residents acquire food for the holiday.  

We’ve compiled a list of places around the First State where people can find free Thanksgiving meals, turkeys and other giveaways to make the holidays a little easier. Plus, many of these organizations are looking for donations and volunteers.  

Aldi's $40 Thanksgiving meal deal is back on the table. Here's what's inside

Aldi's Thanksgiving bundle, which will cost customers about $40 to feed 10 people in 2025.

With grocery prices consuming more and more of Delaware household budgets, Aldi is hoping to give shoppers some relief this holiday season. The discount grocer has launched its 2025 Thanksgiving meal deal, offering enough food to feed 10 people for just $40 – a $7 markdown from last year’s promotion.

The deal went on sale Oct. 15 and will remain available through Christmas Eve, giving Delaware shoppers several weeks to take advantage of the savings.

Where to get Thanksgiving pie, holiday dessert in Delaware, from Selbyville to Wilmington

You could argue the most important part of Thanksgiving dinner is the turkey, but if you've got a sweet tooth, it's dessert.

Thanksgiving is primetime for pies, and there are plenty of places across Delaware – not grocery stores or chains but independent bakeries and shops – to get a good pie.

See our list below for a pie (or cake) purveyor near you. Call ahead to confirm selection and order early to be sure you don't miss out.

Dine-in, dine-out ideas for Thanksgiving dinner in Delaware

The earlier, the better when it comes to organizing Thanksgiving dinner, especially if you plan to host but don't want to cook.

Most restaurants are open on the holiday, Nov. 27 this year. But reservations go fast. Don't wait until the holiday to book a table, or you could be outta luck.

The same goes for placing to-go orders from area shops that offer Thanksgiving catering and take-home dinners, sides and desserts.

Want to fight hunger? Pack a DART bus with food donations before Thanksgiving

The DART bus is seen during the DART First State's 2025 Stuff the Bus Thanksgiving food drive held at Rodney Square in Wilmington on Nov. 6, 2025. The drive will continue at the ShopRite on Route 202 on Nov. 7 and on Route 896 on Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

DART has been collecting thousands of pounds of food every November for nearly 30 years. This year, the tradition continues.

There will be six events around Delaware packing buses full of donated food that goes directly to the Food Bank of Delaware for distribution. DART and the Food Bank of Delaware wants to fill the buses with about 15,000 pounds of nonperishable items. That makes up two to three DART buses, according to Kim Turner, vice president of communications and chief of staff of the Food Bank of Delaware.

"They must be very good Tetris players the way they arrange boxes in the bus," she said.

Anyone can bring nonperishable foods to the six locations where they will be accepted and loaded onto the bus. Personal care and baby items such as diapers and wipes are accepted as well, according to Lerrissa Boardley, DART's marketing and outreach coordinator.

There are no donations too big or too small, she said.

Traveling for Thanksgiving? Here's the Farmers' Almanac forecast for the holiday

Farmers' Almanac's Thanksgiving forecast

Whether you're hosting Thanksgiving dinner or traveling, one thing always impacts the holiday – the weather.

The Thanksgiving holiday is the busiest travel holiday, accoring to AAA.com. Last year AAA projected 79.9 million people were traveling more than 50 miles from home for the holiday.

If you're traveling, the weather will impact travel times and road conditions.Are you ready for the first frost?: Here's when Delaware historically gets hit

What's the weather forecast for Thanksgiving Day? Here's the latest

Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together and enjoy some turkey, the Macy's parade and football.

In the process of coming together, people are going to travel throughout Delaware, and the weather will play a key role in how people travel.

While it's too early for a definite forecast, Accuweather.com has its first long-range forecast for Thanksgiving.

When is Thanksgiving in 2025? Here's what we know, why we celebrate the holiday

Mickey Mouse balloon floats at the 86th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2012 in New York City.

Are you ready for Thanksgiving this year?

The turkey, stuffing, green bean cassarole and, of course, pumpkin pie make you think about the fun holiday. But, if you're not ready yet, you still have time.

While not the latest possible date for Thanksgiving – which is Nov. 28 – it's still pretty far into the November calender.

Here's what you need to know about Thanksgiving.