How Celebs Celebrated Thanksgiving This Year, From Furry Friends to Dance Parties
See how Jennifer Aniston, Kerry Washington and more stars are staying festive during this year's downsized celebrations amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic
1 of 42
Lizzo
We all know the "Good as Hell' singer is 100% "that bโ" โ and to prove it, her Thanksgiving dinner is 100% vegan this year! "I'm cookin cookin" she wrote on her Instagram Story, sharing some videos of the ingredients and cooking process.ย
1 of 42
2 of 42
Jimmy Fallon
The Tonight Show host gave fans a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at his dance rehearsal before kicking off the 94th annual Macyโs Thanksgiving Day Parade with The Roots. Hitting the streets, they performed Martha and the Vandellasโ "Dancing in the Streets" at the start of this yearโs televised-only parade.ย
2 of 42
3 of 42
Hugh Jackman
Jackman proved once again that he's The Greatest Showman both on and offscreen with this impromptu tap dance. Not up for a turkey trot? Try imitating this little jig!
3 of 42
4 of 42
Kerry Washington
The Little Fires Everywhere star led her followers in a virtual yoga session on Instagram Live, starting off their day on a calm note and raising money for the Native American Rights Fund.
"Thankful to all who came to yoga to breathe and sit in our gratitude. Iโm thankful to all of you. Every day. For showing me love. I see it. And I give it right back!!!!!" she wrote on Instagram.ย
"Please keep Native peoples in your thoughts and prayers today and throughout #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth. I will put some resources we spoke about up on my stories!" she added.ย
"Today is a really complicated holiday for a lot of people, the roots of Thanksgiving are in a lot of revisionist history," she said in the video, encouraging her followers to donate to the organization if they can.ย
4 of 42
5 of 42
Tyler Hubbard
The Florida Georgia Line musician and his wife Hayley spent the morning watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with their kids โย daughterย Olivia Rose, 2ยฝ, and sonsย Luca Reed, 15 months, andย Atlas Roy, 9 weeks.
"GRATEFUL for our family and all the chaos in our life right now, among a zillion other things. We got to watch the Thanksgiving day parade for 5 minutes together before kids went haywire and that feels like a victory. Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving wherever and however youโre celebrating this year!๐ #gratitudeย #thanksgiving,"ย the mom of 3 wrote on Instagram.
5 of 42
6 of 42
Jimmy Kimmel
The late night talk show host showed off his "spatchcocked and SMOKED" turkey with a selfie on Instagram while wishing his fans "as happy a thanksgiving as is possible with hopes for more gathering with the ones we live [sic] in 2021."
6 of 42
7 of 42
Vanessa & Nick Lachey
The actress put husband Nick Lachey to work in the kitchen, sharing a playful Boomerang on her Instagram Story of him peeling potatoes on Thursday morning. "Make โem work ladies!!!" she wrote on the slide. In another post, the mom of three โ who shares sons Camden, 8, and Phoenix, 3, and daughter Brooklyn, 5, with Nick โ showed off one of her favorite holiday crafts to do with her little ones.ย
7 of 42
8 of 42
Busy Philipps
The actress and former talk show host rocked out solo in her living room to start off her Thanksgiving, filming the dance party for her Instagram Story.ย
"Happy Thanksgiving โ If you need me I'll be over here sweating and breaking down boxes which is something I think we've all gotten really good at in 2020. Sending you and you [sic] family so much love and hoping you stay safe," the mom of two wrote.ย
8 of 42
9 of 42
Elizabeth Banks
โI do want to say I am thankful for the time Iโve had with my children this year,โ the Charlieโs Angels director and mom of two said on her Instagram Story. โAnd I just want to say to everyone who is missing a family member around your dinner table today, that my heart is with you, Iโm thinking of you, bless you and letโs all get to 2021, shall we?โ
9 of 42
10 of 42
Haylie Duff
The Real Girl's Kitchen author brought fans along on her Turkey Day meal prep journey, showing the bird before spatchcocking it and later proudly displaying the mouthwatering final product on her Instagram Story.ย
10 of 42
11 of 42
Reese Witherspoon
The Big Little Lies actress started her Thanksgiving by taking a leisurely walk with one of her dogs and baking up a storm, documenting the morning on her Instagram Story. Between the chocolate cookies and marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes, we'd sure like to be in Reese's kitchen right about now!ย
11 of 42
12 of 42
Reese Witherspoon
After baking up a storm, the actress shared the holiday with her family, snapping a photo with husband Jim Toth, sonsย Deacon Phillippeย and Tennessee James Toth, and daughter Ava Phillippe. "
"Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours," Witherspoon captioned the pic.
"Feeling very grateful for all the frontline workers, medical workers and people who are caring for others today," she added. "And Iโm deeply grateful for ALL of you! Sending my LOVE. ๐ฅฐ๐ฆ๐๐ฅงโค๏ธ"
12 of 42
13 of 42
Amelia Hamlin
"Thankful 4 these ppl," Hamlin shared on her Instagram story, alongside a selfie with Scott Disick and another pal.ย
13 of 42
14 of 42
Jennifer Aniston
Aniston celebrated her first Thanksgiving with her rescue puppy, Lord Chesterfield. In a trio of snuggly snaps, the actress shows off her fur baby, who she introduced to fans last month.ย
"Weโre grateful ๐๐ผโค๏ธ," sheย captioned the Instagram post.
14 of 42
15 of 42
Bindi Irwin
The mom-to-be shared on Instagram that she is feeling "beyond thankful" this year!ย
Irwin captioned a sweet video of her baby girl's ultrasound, "Our beautiful daughter is the light of our lives. ๐ Beyond thankful that she chose us to be her parents. I canโt wait for her to be here next year."
15 of 42
16 of 42
Allison Holker & Stephen 'tWitch' Boss's Family
"THANKSGIVING 2020! So grateful for my family!! It was a perfect day full of love, good food, laughs and true happiness," Holker shared alongside a family photo.ย
She added, "I hope you all had an amazing day celebrating your loved ones!!"ย
16 of 42
17 of 42
Rebel Wilson
The actress shared a video from "the top of the Alps," where she celebrated Thanksgiving this year.ย
17 of 42
18 of 42
Emma Roberts
Roberts, who is expecting her first child โ a boy โ with boyfriend Garrett Hedlund, shared a sweet photo of herself to her Instagram Stories standing in front of a Christmas tree while cradling her baby bump.
"Very thankful. Sending love to everybody today," Roberts wrote.
18 of 42
19 of 42
Jennifer Lopez & Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez was feeling extra thankful this Turkey Day, sharing a photo of his and fiancรฉe Jennifer Lopez's blended family in honor of the holiday.
Rodriguez wrote, "This year, more than ever, #Thanksgiving carries a special meaning for all of us.ย
Even in the most challenging of times, we need to count our blessings and celebrate what we have. Be thankful for family. Be thankful for friends. Be thankful for the people who make a difference in our lives."ย
19 of 42
20 of 42
John Legend
Legend captioned a photo of wife Chrissy Teigen with their children Luna and Miles, "So so grateful for these three. Happy Thanksgiving!"
20 of 42
21 of 42
Chrissy Teigen
Teigen, who told PEOPLE that the family would be downsizing their Thanksgiving this year "making it much more about enjoying the time with [family]," posted a photo of her prepping the meal in a gorgeous robe.ย
"Happy thanksgiving, my loves," theย Cravingsย author wrote. She then shared another snap of the finished spread as well as a video of her and her father cradling her daughter Luna, writing that her household had been tested repeatedly in order for her dad to join for dinner.ย
21 of 42
22 of 42
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos
Ripa celebrated by posting some throwback photos of Turkey Days past on Instagram. She shared, "#tbtย thanksgiving is not like last year, but weโre still grateful that our parents are getting the hang of FaceTime. Sort of. ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐
22 of 42
23 of 42
Gwyneth Paltrow
The actress spent the day feeling "incredible highs and lows" with "the two loves of [her] life."ย
"On this November 26th, I was able to visit my fathers resting place (on his birthday) with these two loves of my life," Paltrow shared on Instagram alongside a photo with her children, Apple and Moses.
She concluded,"Happy thanksgiving. Life has incredible highs and lows. Perhaps feeling it all at the same time is the art. ๐"
23 of 42
24 of 42
Courteney Cox
Theย Friendsย star delighted fans everywhere when she reenacted the famous scene from season five, episode eight in which she puts a turkey on her head and dances.ย
"Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you're having a great day Iโm feeling so thankful," Cox said before adding angrily that if she gets one more gif of herself "with a turkey on my head dancing like a f**king fool, Iโm just gonna snap."
"Anyway," she continued, "since I'm the symbol of Thanksgiving, here you go. Hope it makes you happy," before putting a turkey on her head and doing a little dance.ย
24 of 42
25 of 42
Zooey Deschanel
"Happy Thanksgiving! ๐ When it comes to food, I mean business," the actress shared on Instagram.ย
25 of 42
26 of 42
Justin Theroux
The actor shared a sweet photo with his Thanksgiving dinner date: his dog!ย
"Happy Thanksgiving," he wrote on Instagram, "Weโre doing this one alone so the rest can be with loved ones. Miss you mom. Be there soon. ๐ค"
26 of 42
27 of 42
Nicole Kidman
The The Undoing actress shared on Instagram, "Happyย #Thanksgiving! ๐ฆ Thinking of family and friends with love and gratitude โค๏ธ"
27 of 42
28 of 42
Hilary Duff & Matthew Koma
Theย Youngerย star shared a Thanksgiving selfie with her family in N.Y.C.
"Happy Thanksgiving," Duff wrote on Instagram. "1 or 2 celebrations away from getting out of 2020 ๐๐ผโโ๏ธ๐๐ผโโ๏ธ๐๐ผโโ๏ธ"
28 of 42
29 of 42
Adrienne Bailon
Theย I Can See Your Voiceย judge shared a glimpse of her Thanksgiving table settings on her Instagram Story, featuring brown leather placemats, plaid napkins and arranged fruits.ย
29 of 42
30 of 42
Gigi Hadid
Theย new momย gave a peek at her Thanksgiving prep on herย Instagram Story, where she shared photos of her baking something โ a pie, perhaps? The model also encouraged her followers to "remember that this land was taken from the Indigenous People. Honor them today through acknowledgement and education of that genocide," she wrote in one slide. She went on to ask for recommendations for Native American family companies to support.ย
30 of 42
31 of 42
Nikki Bella
Bella wrote on Instagram alongside photos from her Thanksgiving with family, "Beyond grateful for the priceless things in life ๐ค 2020 has been unexpected to say the least. I couldnโt stop thanking God for the blessings he has given me this year. So thankful for the magical moments, my family, good friends and health. Sending so much love, light and prayers to the ones that didnโt have the holiday they imagined. โจ๐๐ผ"
31 of 42
32 of 42
Brie Bella
Nikki's twin sister shared the same sentiment along with photos from their Thanksgiving celebration, writing on Instagram, "Sooo grateful for family and friends!!! And my friends that are like family so on this special Holiday it feels like home ๐โจ๐"
32 of 42
33 of 42
Hailey Bieber
Hailey Bieber wished her followers a Happy Thanksgiving and shared an important milestone with Instagram: She's a "1st time turkey maker!"
And, for the haters out there, she assures us, "No itโs not burnt)!"ย
33 of 42
34 of 42
Jenna Bush Hager
Sharing a family photo taken by her "first love," sister Barbara, the Today anchor revealed that she is "Thankful for the loves of my life" even if their family Thanksgiving was "#missingmany!!"ย
34 of 42
35 of 42
Simone Biles
The gymnast didn't have to bend over backwards to find something to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.ย
"What a crazy year itโs been... but thereโs so much to be thankful for,"ย she wrote on Instagram.
35 of 42
36 of 42
Elizabeth Chambers
Celebrating her first Thanksgiving since her split from Armie Hammer, Elizabeth Chambers spent some quality time with her children, Harper and Ford, in the Cayman Islands.ย
36 of 42
37 of 42
Niecy Nash & Jessica Betts
Niecy Nashย and wifeย Jessica Betts celebrated their first Thanksgiving since saying "I do," documenting the occasion for Instagram.ย
In one clip, Nash films Betts, a singer-songwriter, gifting her with flowers.
"Where you going on Thanksgiving? What are you about to go do?" Nash teased.
"I'm about to go get my wife some flowers," Betts replied.
"Oh really? She thankful for you," Nash said.
"I'm thankful for her," Betts said.
37 of 42
38 of 42
Cardi B
"Happy Thanksgiving ๐ฆ," the rapper wrote on Instagram alongside photos of her daughter, Kulture Kiari, 2. She added, "Tried my best to take pics of @kulturekiari ๐"
Cardi B and Kulture celebrated alongside Cardi's husband and Kulture's father, Offset.ย
The rapper received backlash for hosting a large gathering amid the ongoing pandemic after she posted videos of the celebration on social media, tweeting,ย "Twelve kids and 25 adults over the holidays. It was lit."ย