Marion County PULSE-Thanksgiving Week 2025

Welcome to Marion County Pulse, your weekly look at what’s happening across Greater Marion — from live music and local traditions to community events, nightlife, and everything in between.

Brought to you by 3rd Generation Moving & Storage, Marion Ohio.

Thanksgiving Week always brings a full slate of gatherings, celebrations, and hometown favorites, and this year is no exception. From community meals and seasonal hikes to Friendsgiving parties, parades, brunch events, concerts, and the return of long-standing holiday traditions, Marion County has something happening every single day of the week.

Whether you’re looking to get out with friends, enjoy time with family, support local businesses, or simply see what’s going on around the county, the Pulse is here to keep you plugged in.

Now — here’s what’s happening this week in Marion County:

TUESDAY, NOV 25

BOOK SHOW‑AND‑TELL – 3 PM. Adults bring a book from the Marion Public Library collection and share why they enjoyed it. Location: Marion Public Library, 445 E Church St., Marion, OH 43302.

SUNSET HIKE AT MARION TALLGRASS TRAIL – 4:45 PM. Leisurely walk around Marion Community Foundation Lake to watch wildlife. Location: Tallgrass Trail parking lot, 650 Herr Rd., Marion, OH 43302.

TRIVIA TUESDAY AT KIN & KILT – 6:30 PM. Team trivia with drinks and pub fare. Location: Kin & Kilt, 130 S Prospect St., Marion, OH 43302.

WEDNESDAY, NOV 26 (THANKSGIVING EVE)

JOHN W. MAYES THANKSGIVING DINNER – 11 AM–1 PM. Community meal. Location: The Rec Center, 240 W Church St., Marion, OH 43302.

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME… – 4 PM–10 PM. Themed evening at the brewery (details limited). Location: Marion Brewing Co., 241 W Center St., Marion, OH 43302.

WORLD TAVERN POKER – 6 PM & 8 PM. Free poker sessions at the brewpub. Location: Kin & Kilt, 130 S Prospect St., Marion, OH 43302.

8‑BALL BASH (THANKSGIVING EVE) – 7 PM. Pool tournament. Location: Lucky Break, 1387 Harding Hwy E, Marion, OH 43302.

THANKSGIVING EVE FRIENDSGIVING – 7 PM. Friendsgiving celebration. Location: Oscar’s Bar & Grill, 500 Adams St., Marion, OH 43302.

TRIVIA NIGHTS (WORCESTER POST 401) – 7 PM. Weekly trivia night. Location: American Legion Worcester Post 401, 130 E Marion St., Caledonia, OH 43314.

FRIENDSGIVING & FLANNEL NIGHT – 8 PM–2:30 AM. Flannel‑themed party. Location: Bowstring Bar & Grill, 109 N Water St., Caledonia, OH 43314.

THANKSGIVING EVE DANCE PARTY W/ DJ JON PAUL – 8 PM–Midnight. Dance party. Location: OK Café, 734 E Center St., Marion, OH 43302.

THURSDAY, NOV 27 (THANKSGIVING DAY)

THANKS & GIVING MEAL – Noon–2:30 PM. Community meal. Location: Emanuel Lutheran Church, 241 S Prospect St., Marion, OH 43302.

BINGO AT Oscar's– 7 PM. Bingo night. Location: Oscar’s Bar & Grill, 500 Adams St., Marion, OH 43302.

FRIDAY, NOV 28

TURKEY LATE SKATE – 6 PM–11 PM. Skate night with rental, pizza and drink included. Location: Zoomers Skate Club, 1683 Marion–Mt. Gilead Rd., Marion, OH 43302.

GREEN FRIDAY PLINGO (PROPS & POTS X PASSENGER & RAIL CO.) – 7 PM. Plant‑themed bingo (“PLINGO”) with music and drinks. Location: Passenger & Rail Co. 171 E Center St., Marion, OH 43302.

Y2 & MAXAIR LOCK‑IN NIGHT – 7 PM–11 PM. Youth lock‑in event LOCATION: The Rec Center 240 W. Church St., Marion OH 43302

SATURDAY, NOV 29

BULL RIDING SCHOOL BY HAYDEN TOWNSEND (DAY 1) – All day. Two‑day clinic teaching bull riding, barrel work and safety. Location: 2370 Morral Kirkpatrick Rd., Morral, OH 43337.

BRUNCH, PLEASE! – A MIMOSA‑FUELED THROWBACK SING‑ALONG – 10 AM–2 PM. Ticketed brunch party with live piano‑and‑drums sing‑along and build‑your‑own mimosa bar. Location: Bucci’s Italian Scratch Kitchen, 320 W Center St., Marion, OH 43302.

FREE HOT COCOA AT CENTER STREET MARKET – 5:30 PM–7 PM. Complimentary cocoa before or during the parade. Location: Center Street Markett, 132 S Main St., Marion, OH 43302.

LIGHTED TRUCK PARADE (“NUTCRACKER NIGHTS”) – 6 PM. Decorated trucks and vehicles parade through downtown and finish at Founder’s Park for the tree lighting. Route: Starts near 288 E Church St. and ends at 164 S Main St., Marion, OH 43302.

CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT – OPENING NIGHT – 6 PM–10 PM. Drive‑through light display with giveaways for the first 50 children; continues nightly through the holidays. Location: Marion County Fair, 220 E Fairground St., Marion, OH 43302.

1ST ANNUAL PIE BAKE‑OFF – 6 PM–9 PM. Pie‑baking competition. Location: Oscar’s Bar & Grill, 500 Adams St., Marion, OH 43302.

SUNDAY, NOV 30

BULL RIDING SCHOOL BY HAYDEN TOWNSEND (DAY 2) – All day. Second day of the bull‑riding clinic. Location: 2370 Morral Kirkpatrick Rd., Morral, OH 43337.

BRUNCH, PLEASE! – MIMOSA‑FUELED THROWBACK SING‑ALONG (ENCORE) – 10 AM–2 PM. Additional session of the brunch party. Location: Bucci’s Italian Scratch Kitchen, 320 W Center St., Marion, OH 43302.

SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE (10TH ANNUAL) – 1 PM doors / 2 PM service. Memorial service where families place ornaments on a Tree of Remembrance, with live music and refreshments. Location: Boyd Funeral Home, 122 W Columbia St., Marion, OH 43302.

CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT – 6 PM–10 PM. Continued drive‑through light display. Location: Marion County Fairgrounds, 220 E Fairground St., Marion, OH 43302.

MARION CIVIC CHORUS’ 83RD PRESENTATION OF HANDEL’S MESSIAH – 7 PM. Annual free concert featuring chorus and soloists. Location: Epworth United Methodist Church, 249 E Center St., Marion, OH 43302.

Marion County Pulse is a weekly list of live events in Marion County.