Thanksgiving in the Cayman Islands is a unique blend of American tradition and the vibrant Caribbean flair, so it’s no wonder that Cayman has become a popular destination internationally for families and friends who seek a memorable and more unusual Thanksgiving getaway. Here, in the Islands, you can celebrate gratitude, family, and friendship, all while soaking in the warm breeze and relaxing on one of our white sand beaches. What we love about Thanksgiving here, is that the Caribbean’s laid-back feel transforms the typical Thanksgiving into an incredibly memorable experience.
As locals, we’ve had the privilege of celebrating many Thanksgivings on the Islands, and with each passing year, we’ve perfected the art of creating fun and meaningful activities to keep our friends and family entertained, while also making lasting memories.
Here are some of our favorites in the Cayman Islands to inspire your dream Caribbean Thanksgiving.
Kick Off the Day with a Brunch
Start your day with a hearty brunch at one of the Island’s iconic brunch spots. Many of the more popular brunch restaurants in Cayman will offer variations on Thanksgiving dishes along with authentic Caribbean cuisine during the holiday season. The atmosphere at each restaurant varies as well, choose from the luxurious experience at AVE to a laid-back sand-in-your-toes brunch right on the beach at Tillies.
Brunch is a big deal in Cayman (and we’re big fans). Check out the list of our favorite brunch places in Cayman; full list with recommendations.
Host a Gratitude Ritual with Friends and Family
Wherever you are, Thanksgiving is all about expressing your gratitude for those you appreciate. In Cayman, the beautiful surroundings offer the perfect backdrop for starting a new tradition: passing around a blank journal at the table for everyone to write down what they’re thankful for. It’s a meaningful and memorable way to connect with your loved ones, share moments of gratitude, and create a small and unique keepsake from your Caymanian trip that you can look back on for years to come.
For moments just like these, simply capture your thoughts on paper, or alternatively, elevate your journal game with one of the Isy B. Storyteller Journals. These eco-friendly notebooks come with a small guide at the very beginning to help you express your thoughts, making it easier for everyone to reflect and share their true emotions.
A Picnic on the Beach
Take your family and friends to Seven Mile Beach or Rum Point for a picnic with a twist. Pack a basket filled with local treats—think of Johnny cakes, jerk chicken, and plantain chips — all while soaking up the Caymanian sun. It’s a more relaxed, barefoot version of your usual Thanksgiving, without the hassle of cooking or struggling to find a table at your favorite restaurant during the busy holiday season.
If you love the idea of a Thanksgiving picnic on the beach but don’t want to handle all the planning, or you’re short on time, we recommend a fabulous local Caymanian business - Graze Girl. They create the most beautiful, colorful platters with food styled to perfection! You can book a picnic platter and much more by contacting them on Graze Girl’s Instagram.
Lunch & Football
American Thanksgiving often revolves around turkey and football, and you won’t have to miss either while in Cayman. Many resorts and beach bars screen football games so that you can still catch your favorite teams in action. The most popular spots to watch the games in Grand Cayman are Legendz, Lone Star, and PD’s, so you can easily enjoy the football games while savoring Caribbean-style food and drinks. During Thanksgiving, these bars attract both locals and tourists, creating a lively atmosphere and bringing people together during the holidays.
Surprise the Ones You Love with a Local Gift
Show appreciation to those you love, and support local Caymanian businesses for an extra layer of meaning. By choosing locally made table gifts, you not only celebrate your loved ones but also show gratitude to the creative Caymanian community. Here’s a list of locally-made Christmas gifts that will work perfectly for Thanksgiving as well.
Beach Walk for a Quality Time with the Family
What better way to start the day than with a morning family walk along the beautiful Caymanian shoreline? If you and your family aren’t morning people, never fear! A post-Thanksgiving dinner walk would also be the perfect way to reflect on the year, make memories, and spend quality time with friends and family.
What about Celebrating Friendsgiving Instead?
Thanksgiving is all about the people you love, so spending the day celebrating friendships is totally legit for Thanksgiving. With so many people from different parts of the world living on the Islands, many have family members living far away. Because of this, we are lucky to treat our friends like they are part of our extended family. So, a great idea for spending Thanksgiving on the Islands is to ask everyone to bring something to eat that represents everyone’s cultural background, creating a unique, fun, and not-the-usual celebration, while still connecting with your closest people.
If it proves impossible to skip the turkey for Thanksgiving (or Friendsgiving), believe me, we get it. Why not order a delicious one from Chicken! Chicken! It is a local family-owned restaurant in the Cayman Islands serving delicious fire-roasted turkey dinners and sides. Make sure to prebook though. They sell out fast from their two convenient locations on Seven Mile Beach and in Savannah. You can also pre-order incredibly delicious turkey at Hurley’s Supermarket, and Foster’s Supermarket.
Q&A:
Does the Cayman Islands Celebrate Thanksgiving?
We absolutely do! During the Thanksgiving holiday season, the islands are filled with tourists who visit us as part of their Thanksgiving vacation. Because of this, many local businesses cater to tourists and host various Thanksgiving events, even serving traditional meals. However, while locals often join visitors in their Thanksgiving celebrations, there is a different Caymanian Thanksgiving that is celebrated on another date.
What is a Cayman Thanksgiving?
Cayman Thanksgiving is celebrated on the first Sunday of December to honor Caymanian traditions, way of life, and culture. Its history starts in 2010, and the date was set to be a week after the Atlantic hurricanes, marking the end of the hurricane season in the Cayman Islands. This celebration includes many blessings, including the safe passage of another hurricane season, a supportive community, our tropical climate, and the beauty of our surroundings. Cayman Thanksgiving is also a time for gratitude toward our family, friends, and community. The celebration usually includes traditional Caymanian meals made from locally grown produce, such as fresh fish, beef, chicken, and local greens and fruits.
This year, Cayman Thanksgiving will be celebrated on December 8.