Gobble with a purpose

Give thanks and get moving: 11 ways to connect and give back in Dallas-Fort Worth this November

Group of people in cool outdoor weather, fall attire

Do some good this Thanksgiving.

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From Turkey Trots and community walks to tree planting and outdoor yoga, November is all about moving with purpose.

November is the season of gratitude, and Dallas-Fort Worth offers plenty of ways to put it into action. Whether you're running for a cause, volunteering outdoors, or finding peace in nature, wellness goes beyond the gym.

This month's Fit in the City highlights 11 ways to stay active, connect with others, and give back.

Run, walk, and give back
Dallas Walk to End Alzheimer's — November 7 | Dallas
Gather at Klyde Warren Park for a meaningful community walk supporting Alzheimer's research, care, and awareness.

Fort Worth Marathon Festival — November 7-8 | Fort Worth
From first-time 5K participants to seasoned marathoners, this weekend festival celebrates fitness, determination, and community.

Pumpkin Spice Run — November 21 | Fort Worth
Embrace fall with a festive run at Panther Island Pavilion, featuring multiple distances and post-race celebrations.

Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot — November 26 | Dallas
A beloved Thanksgiving tradition featuring 5K and 8-mile routes through downtown. Bring friends, family, and your holiday spirit.

Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot — November 26 | Fort Worth
Start Thanksgiving with a 5K, 8K, or children's 1K while supporting YMCA scholarships for local families.

Move together, make connections
Walk the Hype — November 5 | Dallas
Turn your steps into a silent-disco walking party at Klyde Warren Park. It's fitness with a fun, social twist.

We Run Wednesdays — November 11 | Fort Worth
Join a free, welcoming group run or walk along the Trinity Trails. All paces are encouraged.

Give back to nature
Trinity Trails Tree Planting — November 6 | Fort Worth
Roll up your sleeves and help plant trees along Fort Worth's Trinity Trails, creating a greener outdoor space for everyone.

Slow down and recharge
Discover Forest Bathing — November 21 | Fort Worth
Slow down, engage your senses, and reconnect with nature during a guided mindfulness experience in the Botanic Garden's Japanese Garden.

Gentle Yoga at the Garden — Wednesdays, November 4-25 | Fort Worth
Stretch, unwind, and enjoy peaceful surroundings with gentle yoga sessions at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.

Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center — November 7 and 12 | Cedar Hill
Reconnect with nature through guided bird walks, yoga, and group hikes at this scenic preserve. A refreshing way to get moving, meet others, and appreciate the outdoors.

This November, wellness isn't just about exercise. It's about showing up for your community, spending time together, and finding joy in movement. And that's something worth being thankful for.

turkey trot fun run giving thanksgiving holiday season 5k marathon promoted

Winter Wonderland

Dallas-Fort Worth shines as No. 3 best U.S. winter holiday destination

Fort Worth Botanic Garden

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Cowtown's sunny disposition and affordable holiday happenings make it a hotspot for a winter getaway. No wonder Dallas-Fort Worth has just been declared the No. 3 best winter destination for warm-weather lovers in 2026.

The ranking comes in WalletHub's new study, "Best Winter Holiday Destinations," which analyzed 69 U.S. metros based on the cost and convenience of traveling and the affordability of local attractions and activities. The rankings were categorized into six key dimensions: travel costs and hassles, local costs, attractions, weather, warm-weather activities, and safety, and the results were broken down by cold weather and warm weather.

Las Vegas leads the nation as the No. 1 best warm-weather winter destination, while Atlanta, Georgia ranks No. 1 among cold winter wonderlands.

The report found Dallas-Fort Worth ranks No. 2 nationwide for its travel costs and hassles and its favorable weather conditions during the winter. The metro also boasts the fifth-lowest "local costs," which included the cost of a three-star hotel room, the average price for a two-person meal, taxi fares costs, and the cost of living.

While Halloween has just passed, that hasn't stopped local businesses from sharing their jolly events, lights displays, and pop-ups happening around DFW this holiday season. Across the final three categories, DFW appeared 12th nationally in the attractions and warm-weather activities ranks, and ranked 26th overall for safety.

"Whether you love to have a chill in your bones during the winter travel season or prefer to escape to somewhere sunny, the top travel destinations can cost as little as $200-$300 to reach by plane from major U.S. cities, with no connections," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. "In addition to being affordable, the top cities also have an abundance of attractions that fit their weather patterns, along with high-quality restaurants and relatively low crime rates."

Texas dominates the 10 best warm-weather winter destinations for 2026 with Austin (No. 4), Houston (No. 6), and San Antonio (No. 9) joining DFW. Four other Texas cities earned spots lower on the list: McAllen-Edinburg-Mission (No. 26), Brownsville-Harlingen (No. 31), Corpus Christi (No. 33), and Beaumont-Port Arthur (No. 35).

The top 10 best warm-weather winter destinations for 2026 are:

No. 1 – Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nevada
No. 2 – San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, California
No. 3 – Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas
No. 4 – Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, Texas
No. 5 – Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, Arizona
No. 6 – Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas
No. 7 – Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida
No. 8 – Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida
No. 9 – San Antonio-New Braunfels, Texas
No. 10 – San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, California

dallas fort worth winter destinations winter festivities wallethub reports