Food Costs and What Families Can Expect
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual survey shows the average Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people costs $55.18, or about $5.52 per person. That’s a 5% drop from 2024, marking the third straight year of declines. The group explained that “cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for your friends and family will cost less than last year, marking the third straight year of price declines”.
The centerpiece of most tables, the turkey, saw the biggest change. A 16‑pound frozen bird averages $21.50, down more than 16% from last year. Economist Faith Parum noted, “We saw some increases in five of our 12 items, largely driven by produce prices”. That means while turkey is cheaper, side dishes like sweet potatoes and cranberries remain pricier.
Families may feel relief compared to the record high of $64.05 in 2022, but the survey reminds shoppers that “three years of declines don’t fully erase dramatic increases that led to a record‑high cost”.
Store Hours on Thanksgiving Day
Planning ahead is important because major retailers will be closed. Walmart, Target, Costco, and Aldi all shut their doors on November 27. As Hindustan Times reported, “While major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Costco will remain closed for the holiday, several grocery stores and pharmacies will keep their doors open”.
Some grocery chains like ShopRite, ACME, Stop & Shop, Wegmans, and Whole Foods will operate with reduced hours. Convenience stores such as Wawa and 7‑Eleven will remain open, though hours vary by location.
Photo Credit: Unsplash.com
Pharmacies inside grocery stores may also close, so families should check local schedules before heading out. The Dispatch confirmed, “Walmart, Costco, Target, and Aldi will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday”
Atlanta’s Turkey Giveaways
Atlanta’s community groups are stepping up to fight food insecurity. On November 20, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest will distribute 4,000 turkeys in partnership with 1‑800TruckWreck and V‑103. Organizers explained, “Across this nation, families are struggling, and this is one way to make sure they have a meal on the table”.
Other drives include Hosea Helps, Giving Hands, and Planet Fitness, which are offering food boxes and meals across metro Atlanta. 11Alive reported that “many organizations are stepping up to ensure residents in metro Atlanta have food on their tables”.
FOX 5 Atlanta added that “community groups, churches, food banks, and local governments are stepping in to help” families struggling with higher grocery prices and utility costs.
Thanksgiving at The Ritz‑Carlton Atlanta
For those seeking a luxury experience, The Ritz‑Carlton Atlanta will host a Grand Ballroom buffet with carving stations, desserts, and live entertainment. The hotel describes it as “a spectacular Thanksgiving Buffet featuring carving stations and festive fare, and complete with decadent desserts, live entertainment, and legendary service”.
This event reflects how Atlanta blends community support with upscale dining. Families can choose between free turkey drives or ticketed hotel experiences, showing the range of holiday options across the city.
Citywide Activities
Atlanta offers plenty of family‑friendly activities during Thanksgiving week. Discover Atlanta highlights the Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, holiday shopping, and volunteering opportunities. The guide explains, “After the turkey has been tackled and the food coma ends, it’s time to get out and enjoy all that Atlanta has to offer this holiday weekend”.
Here, Atlanta adds that “Atlanta will host a variety of food, family, and festive activities over the Thanksgiving weekend, making it a vibrant time for both residents and visitors”.
Families can also join charity events, explore parks, or attend seasonal markets. GA Family Care notes that “over 10,000 Atlantans join the Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, a fun way to stay active before the feast”.
Thanksgiving 2025 blends national trends with local traditions. Lower turkey prices ease budgets, but side dishes remain costly. Big‑box stores will be closed, requiring families to plan ahead. In Atlanta, giveaways, luxury dining, and citywide activities highlight how the holiday is celebrated across different communities.
