Christmas at Thanksgiving*
November 25-30, 2024
2024 Starfish Strut Family 5K | Thursday, November 28th
2024 Pet Photos with Santa | Friday, November 29th
2024 Visit with Santa | Friday, November 30th
Celebrate Christmas this Thanksgiving at Ocean Lakes Family Campground! Families and friends gather together to give thanks and celebrate the Christmas Season. Also, enjoy dining, shopping, and holiday shows (stop by the Recreation Office) see our Christmas Season Voucher Prices.
Download our Ocean Lakes App for Contests, AR fun, and Scavenger Hunts! Watch for a very special guest to arrive (besides the Big Guy).
Forget cooking on Thanksgiving! Limited Availability. Order online. The Thanksgiving Dinner Special is $15 each, or the Family Meal Deal (5 meals) for $70. Each Thanksgiving Meal includes: turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and toasted roll. Purchase dessert separately, enjoy a slice of pecan pie or pumpkin pie), additional sides, or even whole pies, when ordering. ONLINE orders recommended and will end on Monday, November 25th. Walk-in orders welcome, but based on availability.
> At check-out, please select the Pickup Date: 11/28 and your Hour of Arrival: choose Noon – 5 PM.*
> NEW for 2024: Pick up your meal(s) at the Ocean Lakes Recreation Center (NOT Sandy Harbor Cafe).
>>>Order Online NOW! *At checkout the system may allow a false pick time time! Choose: Noon – 5 PM.
2024 Thanksgiving Activities |
Turkey Bingo | Monday, November 25th @ 7 PM
We’ll play 10 games of bingo; grand prize will be a turkey! 1 bingo card per person. Held at the Recreation Center.
Holiday Door Hanger Make & Take | Tuesday, November 26th @ 2 PM
Join us for a fun and creative holiday craft. Our instructor will guide you on how to make this beautiful Holiday Door Hanger. Class starts at 2 PM, please arrive early! Sign up in advance at the Recreation Office. 35 max crafters will be able to attend class. Cost is $10; class will be held in the Ceramics Room. **NOTE: If you are late, your spot will be filled by another guest.**
Thanksgiving Butter Making | Wednesday, November 27th @ 10:30 AM
Go back in time at the Nature Center and learn how to hand make butter for Thanksgiving Dinner, while learning about physical and chemical changes. Must sign up in advance at the Nature Center. Limited availability. $6 per person required at sign up.
Seashell Turtle Ornament | Wednesday, November 27th & Friday, November 29th @ 1 PM
Join us at the Nature Center to celebrate the holiday season and make your very own turtle ornament while also learning about the different turtles. Must sign up in advance at the Nature Center. Limited availability. $5 per person required at sign up.
Hat Bar Class | Wednesday, November 27th @ 3 PM
Join us for a fun class where each person can choose their favorite hat, crossbody bag, or koozie and get creative with a custom design. Choose from patches and jewelry; the possibilities are endless! Class held at the Recreation Center, Room A. Cost is $ 25 per person.
Thanksgiving Bingo | Wednesday, November 27th @ 7 PM
We’ll play 10 games of bingo; all prizes will be items that will help with your Thanksgiving feast! 1 bingo card per person. Held at the Recreation Center.
Gingerbread House Contest | Thursday, November 28th @ 9 AM–8 PM (All houses need to be submitted by 8 PM)
♥ Please Note: Technology is needed for Voting
Starting Thursday morning at 9 AM, drop off your handcrafted, one-of-a-kind Gingerbread Houses. All houses must arrive NO LATER than 8 PM on Thursday night. You have 2 options: You can make your house at home and bring it in, or if you have little space, you can use Room A at the Recreation Center to create your house. You must bring all the materials to make your house with you; the Recreation Team does not provide any materials. Winners will be announced and posted on Saturday at 6 PM.
Voting: Ocean Lakes App is needed | We encourage all to come join us at the Recreation Center to vote for your favorite Gingerbread houses. Voting will be held all day Friday from 9 AM – Saturday at 5 PM. Vote virtually using the Ocean Lakes App > click on Menu button on Home Page > Vote to pick your favorites. Voting ends at 5 PM on Saturday, Nov 30th.
Starfish Strut Family 5K | Thursday, November 28th @ 9 AM-8PM
Bring your family and join us for the 3rd Annual Ocean Lakes Starfish Strut Family 5K! Sign up at the Recreation Office any time starting on Tuesday, November 26th. We will provide you with a packet that includes instructions. You can walk/run the path anytime on Thanksgiving Day before 8 PM to win a prize. Please Note: You will need a way to track your walk/run via a smart watch or a walking app. You will show your results to the Recreation Office to receive your prize.
Pie Bingo | Thursday, November 28th @ 3 PM
We’ll play 10 games of bingo and our lucky 10 winners will receive pies as prizes. 1 bingo card per person. Held at the Recreation Center.
2024 Christmas Activities |
Christmas Terrariums | Friday, November 29th @ 10:30 AM
Join our Naturalist at the Nature Center and make your very own Christmas terrariums while also learning about microorganisms and their ecosystems. Must sign up in advance at the Nature Center. Limited availability. $6 per person required at sign up.
Pet Costume Contest | Friday, November 29th @ 12:30 PM–1 PM
Please sign up your friendly pet before 12 PM the day of at the Recreation Office. Fee is $5 per pet; all proceeds will go to help Canine Angels. The contest will be held at the Recreation Center starting at 12:30 PM. Be sure to arrive 15 minutes before. We will award prizes in the following categories: Most Unique, Cutest, Most Festive, and Best of Show.
Pet Photos with Santa | Friday, November 29th @ 1:30 PM–3:30 PM
Bring your pets for an opportunity to get their chance to tell Santa how “pawsitively pawfect” they have been all year. Join us with your friendly furry friends at the Recreation Center from 1:30 PM -3:30 PM to take a festive picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Santa will be providing treat bags for each pet.
Campground Canvases | Friday, November 29th @ 3:30 PM
Come to the Recreation Office to sign up in advance before spots fill up. A max of 35 painters will be able to attend class. You must arrive NO LATER than 3 PM! This is a 2-hour class perfect for beginners or anyone who loves painting. Cost is $20 per person; you will pay the instructor at the time of the class. Supplies and instructions are included in the cost. You are welcome to bring some snacks with you to nibble on while you paint. Once completed, you get to take home a beautiful masterpiece to remember your trip to the beach for years to come. Class takes place at the Recreation Center, Room A. **NOTE: We have a max space of 35 spots available.**
Christmas Music Bingo & Stupid Trivia | Friday, November 29th @ 7 PM
Join us at the Recreation Center for this fun, musical twist on the original bingo game we typically play. Snippets of songs in different categories will be played; you will have to match up the song played with the song’s title on your bingo card. We will give a few hints along the way. In between rounds of music bingo, we will play 3 rounds of stupid trivia. 10 wacky, crazy questions in each round. NO cheating!
Tree Trimming Event | Saturday, November 30th @ 10 AM–12 PM
Bring your holiday spirit to the Recreation Center on Saturday morning to help decorate the Ocean Lakes Christmas tree for Santa’s arrival that afternoon. All decorations used to trim the tree have been provided by our wonderful guests throughout the years. We encourage you to bring your own special ornament to add to our collection. During the event, beverages and small snacks will be provided.
Ugly Sweater Contest | Saturday, November 30th @ 11 AM
Who thinks they have the ugliest sweater just laying around? Well then, this is the competition for you! Come to the Recreation Center to compete in our Ugly Sweater Contest and win a prize in the following categories: Best Crafted Sweater, Craziest Sweater, Most Creative Sweater, Funniest Sweater, and Best Overall Ugliest Sweater.
Santa Claus is Visiting Ocean Lakes | Saturday, November 30th @ 2 PM–5 PM
Ocean Lakes welcomes Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus on Saturday, November 30th from 2 PM–5 PM. Stop by the Recreation Center to take your pictures with the big man himself. We have lots of fun planned for you and your family! There will be a Christmas Photo Booth, Gingerbread House Voting, Candy Guess Jars, Festival Games, Gift Goodie Bags, Face Painting (must be 3 or older – sign-up begins at 2 PM, first come first serve) and an Ornament-Making Class ($5 per ornament). Please arrive before 4 PM to see Santa as the line can get quite long. We don’t want you to miss out on your chance to talk to Santa before he heads back to the North Pole. Blank letters will be provided at the Recreation Office for each child to fill out. In order to save some time during the event, we encourage parents to pick up a blank letter early and have their child complete it before arriving to see Santa. Make sure to leave your child’s letter in the special mailbox at the Recreation Center as each letter will be delivered directly to Santa himself. Who knows, he may even write back!
Merry & Bright Music Night | Saturday, November 30th @ 6 PM-8 PM
Celebrate the holiday season at Sandy’s Center Stage with live music and special treats for purchase at the Meet n’ Eat! Join us from 6 PM to 8 PM for an evening of festivities that will fill you with holiday cheer.
Christmas-Themed Bingo | Saturday, November 30th @ 7 PM
We’ll play 10 games of Christmas-themed bingo; all prizes will be perfect for the holiday season! 1 bingo card per person. Held at the Recreation Center.
Shop for Christmas Gifts & Souvenirs | You never have to leave the campground!Main Office Gift Shop | Sandy Mart | Ocean Lakes RV Center | Ocean Lakes Golf Cars | Gift Certificates
Do you have an Ocean Lakes fan on your Christmas List? How about the latest YETI products, Maui Jim Sunglasses, and more – all at Ocean Lakes RV Center! Don’t miss shopping for unique Ocean Lakes souvenirs, including our commemorative Christmas ornament, Simply Southern Collection, Sandy Starfish wrapping paper. Our Ocean Lakes beach bucket makes a great “gift bag” to fill with Ocean Lakes goodies! Check out our 3-D magnet stocking stuffer! Shop golf cars and accessories at Ocean Lakes Golf Cars. The Main Office also has Gift Certificates that can be purchased for any amount – guaranteed to fit! Pick up the 52-page story of Ocean Lakes filled with never-before-seen photos of Ocean Lakes.
