A Sunshine State twist on America’s favorite feast

Think Thanksgiving is all about turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and fall leaves?
Not in Florida.

Here, the Sunshine State puts its own tropical spin on the holiday — bringing together coastal flavors, quirky traditions, warm weather, and the unmistakable vibe of “only in Florida.”

From beachside turkey trots to fried gator tail on the dinner table, these are the Florida-style Thanksgiving traditions that make our celebrations unlike anywhere else.

🏖️ 1. Turkey Trots… On the Beach

Sure, other states have Turkey Trots — but Florida is one of the few places where you can run (or stroll) barefoot along the shoreline in perfect 75° weather on Thanksgiving morning.

Popular spots include:

• Fort Myers Beach

• Naples Pier

• Sarasota Siesta Key

• Clearwater Beach

No snow boots. No frostbite. Just sunshine, sand, and sweat. 🌞

🐊 2. Fried Gator Tail on the Thanksgiving Table

Forget the traditional turkey-only rule — some Floridians swap out (or add on!) fried gator tail, a local delicacy.

It’s crunchy, salty, and surprisingly flavorful — and it gives Thanksgiving dinner a true Everglades twist.

And when guests ask, “Does it taste like chicken?”
You can confidently say… “kind of.” 😆

🚤 3. Thanksgiving Boat Parades

Only in Florida can you celebrate Thanksgiving weekend by watching boats glide through the water, decked out with:

• twinkling Christmas lights

• inflatable turkeys

• music

• holiday decorations

Cities like Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, and Miami start their holiday boat parades right after Thanksgiving, kicking off the season Florida-style.

🦃 4. Turkeys & Manatees Sharing the Spotlight

While other states see deer crossing signs, Florida has…
“Manatee Zone” signs.

Meaning Thanksgiving weekend might include:

• kayaking with manatees

• paddleboarding in crystal-clear springs

• spotting dolphins along the coast

It’s the only place where you can burn off Thanksgiving calories by paddling alongside 1,000-pound gentle sea potatoes. 🛶💙

🌮 5. Cuban & Caribbean Fusion Thanksgiving Feasts

Florida’s cultural melting pot shines on the holiday table.

Many families mix traditional Thanksgiving dishes with:

• Cuban roast pork

• Caribbean jerk turkey

• Plantains

• Rice and black beans

• Key lime pie

• Guava pastries

It’s Thanksgiving, but with salsa music and sunshine.
And honestly? It’s delicious.

🍁 6. Thanksgiving Without… Fall Leaves

In Florida, we don’t have golden leaves or crisp autumn weather — and we don’t miss it one bit.

Instead of raking leaves, Floridians are:

• grilling

• boating

• going to the beach

• opening the windows

• decorating palm trees with Christmas lights

Our version of “fall” is just less humidity — and we are grateful.

🦐 7. Seafood Thanksgiving Is a Thing

Turkey is optional in Florida because:
🦐 Shrimp
🐟 Grouper
🦀 Stone crab
🐚 Oysters

…often steal the show.

Thanksgiving dinner becomes a seafood feast, especially in coastal cities.

🎣 8. Thanksgiving Fishing Trips

Instead of watching football all day (although plenty do), many Floridians spend Thanksgiving weekend:

• deep-sea fishing

• pier fishing

• flats fishing

• or catching their own stone crab dinner

It’s a tradition that blends gratitude with saltwater and sunshine.

🎉 9. Holiday Kickoff at Theme Parks

Floridians know the real secret:
The day after Thanksgiving is the BEST time to visit theme parks before the Christmas crowds hit.

Disney, Universal, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens — all begin their holiday events Thanksgiving weekend.

Families celebrate the holiday and jump straight into Christmas magic.

🌴 10. Decorating PALM Trees for Christmas

Forget pine trees — Floridians decorate palm trees after Thanksgiving.

You’ll see:

• palm trees wrapped in lights

• flamingo ornaments

• tropical wreaths

• beach-themed décor

• inflatable Santa on a jet ski

It’s pure Florida charm. 🌴🎄

✨ Bonus: No Freezing Weather, No Problem

While the rest of the country bundles up, shovels snow, and battles icy roads for Black Friday…
Floridians are:

• eating leftovers outside

• shopping in shorts

• enjoying sunsets at 75°

• taking family photos at the beach

This warm-weather Thanksgiving lifestyle is a tradition all its own.

🌞 Bottom Line

Florida doesn’t just celebrate Thanksgiving — we transform it.

With sunshine instead of snowstorms, beaches instead of leaf piles, and fried gator tail instead of strict turkey rules, the Sunshine State puts a tropical twist on a classic American holiday.

If you’re spending Thanksgiving in Florida this year, expect:

• warmth

• creativity

• plenty of outdoor fun

• and unforgettable memories

🌴🦃✨